Much like her older sister Kiko Mizuhara, Ashley Yuka is probably best known in the world of fashion as a model. But beyond her high profile portfolio in that field, she's has also been thriving in the realm of music for a while now. From her radio show on NTS, to DJ sets around the world, to singing with Towa Tei and Yukihiro Takashi’s band Metafive, to her ambient compositions on SoundCloud - Ashley’s taste and talent has made her a star on two fronts.
Soon, she returns to Singapore to headline Super Enjoy’s upcoming party on 23 August at ikigai with Los Angeles electronic musician BENEDEK (alongside the crew’s local residents and a special dance showcase from Guesthouse). But before then, we talked to the multi-hyphenate about her journey in music, her friendship with Japanese pop legend Haruomi Hosono, her production ambitions, and so much more.
View this post on Instagram
Hi Yuka! You’ve been a DJ for some time now. How did you start DJing?
Hello! So, my first time DJing was with house legend Towa Tei from the group Deee-Lite. He taught me how to play vinyl. I was featured in his music video called 'Luv Pandemic' in 2015, and while we were backstage, I was playing funky music on my phone. After he saw my deep love for music, he helped me start my DJ career! He invited me to his party called Records, where they only play vinyl. I’m really lucky to have him as my mentor. When I started digging for records, I learned to pitch up and down and focused on training my ear to catch the beat, so I learned the old-school way! I played so many of my favorite records there, on the amazing speaker system at the venue Montoak, sharing the vibe with other music lovers.
How would you describe your DJ style?
I always follow my heart in the moment - to catch the mood, feel the dancefloor, harmonise with the vibes, and make sure it’s always funky and groovy.
Could you tell us a bit about your monthly radio show on NTS?
I’ve been creating a monthly mix on NTS since 2018 called Wave Flower. It’s so interesting to share mixes on NTS because sometimes people stop me on the street to say, “I love your mix!” It’s really cool to be able to access your favorite DJ's vision and make it the soundtrack to your life. I’m so glad that this happened because catching a vibe through music is so important, especially the shared experience with others. I believe that music creates a circle where all kinds of feelings cross your mind during the journey.
What’s been the favourite gig you’ve played so far?
I recently had an amazing time in July at the event with Haruomi Hosono in Bali at Potato Head. I DJed before his set and sang on stage for one song, a cover of his track Oni Wa Soto Fukuwauchi with my sister Kiko and John Caroll Kirby. Such a beautiful experience to be a part of this event, with many other cool artists. The legend Theo Parrish played after Hosono for 3 hours, while and Dita and Gero closed out the night! Such a beautiful day and night of music!
View this post on Instagram
You seem to have a friendship with Haruomi Hosono. How did you get to know him?
I first met him in 2018 during his tour in Taiwan and Hong Kong. It was a dream come true to say hi to him, and since then, he has invited me to sing on stage a few times and guest on his radio show! Since then, I've been diving deeper into his music and the books he's interested in from across the decades. He expresses his style of music through his philosophy and spirit.
What are the 5 most important records in your life?
Deee-Lite - Groove Is in the Heart
Loose Ends - Hangin' On A String
The Rah Band - Mystery
Yellow Magic Orchestra - Yellow Magic Orchestra
A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray
Looking through your Soundcloud, we see you’ve dabbled a bit in production! What’s your process when it comes to creating music?
Creating music has been my mission for the past few years! I haven’t released anything officially yet, but I’m working hard. I use my synthesizer and plugins in Ableton to jam, and I’m finally figuring out how to get closer to finishing tracks on my own!
Do you have plans to release an EP in the future?
I’m working on a house and electronic funk music project with Benedek that will be released this year! Also working on lots of my own solo music which is more ambient, hopefully I will be able to share soon!
Are you excited to be DJing in Singapore again? What can we expect for your upcoming set at Super Enjoy?
I’m so happy to be back to Singapore after quite a few years! I’ll play lots of new music i’ve been digging from different styles in dance music - some old and new.
Purchase tickets for Super Enjoy presents Benedek & Yuka Mizuharahere.