Mixmag Asia Radio: Muto blends dance obscurities by focusing on rhythm & groove

Hailing from Kobe, Japan, Muto has been settled in Singapore since 2011 with a day job holding him steady on one hand, while the other hand keeps him frisky after dark.

In Singapore, he plays the resident role at Headquarters as well as with local music collective, Ice Cream Sundays, who were behind the recently held Sunda Festival — Singapore's first camp-based music festival, as well as pop-up parties across the city.

Muto’s highly revered and wide selection spans from house and disco to slo-mo vibes, EBM and dark disco; obscurities in dance music turn him on as a selector.

On the production front, Muto has released an EP titled ‘Ishi’ with Jakarta-based Dekadenz in 2021, as well as being featured on compilations by Whypeopledance from Lithuania, as well as FuFu Records from Hong Kong in 2022. His second EP 'Maniac Noise' also landed on a fellow Indonesian label, Akamady Records.

A stalwart of diverse sound, we highly encourage you to tune into Muto for Mixmag Asia Radio below.

Where are you based and how did you get there?
Based in Singapore since 2011. I found a job opportunity here.

What’s your favourite thing about the music scene there?
There are a variety of parties constantly organised in this small town. Everyone is close to each other and there are lords of inspiring collaborations. Many regional DJs/selectors are also visiting Singapore nowadays making the scene more exciting.

In five words, what do your DJ sets sound like?
Hippie, impulsive, cosmic, sloppy, decadent

And in three words, how would you describe yourself?
Optimist, part-time-loner, nerd

What recent trends in music have you been paying attention to? Have you caught onto them?
To me, trancey sounds are becoming a trend. Yes, I like some of it!

Are there any producers and DJs in Asia that have recently caught your attention?
Saturn –I’m a big fan of his productions. His EP released from MM Discos (“Fortress Of Suara”) is my favourite, which solidly gives energy to the dancefloor.

Akie – Still limited archive online but all her music is very much diversified and distinctive. Every time I listen to her music, I get different mind-blown feelings.

Strange Weather – they are a music collective/organizer based in Singapore. The way they host parties, such as the set up of the party venues, curating unique performers (not limited to DJs) and the music style of the resident selectors, is just like from a different planet.

Describe one prediction you have about dance music in a post-pandemic world that’s being driven by new technologies.
As many people are already envisioning, AI will provide more options in productions as well as DJ performances.

Tell us about the inspiration behind this mix - what drove your thoughts and emotions, and how did you curate your selection?
The mix goes across cold-wave, obscure disco, EBM, acid house and so on, by which I hope the listeners enjoy the transition of my type of rhythm and groove. This is also how I normally make up the dance floor before the peak time, and I believe this part is the most essential/personal part of my set when playing live.

What equipment did you record this mix on?
CDJs and one Alpha Recording System mixer.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen happening from the DJ booth?
I can’t pick one I’m afraid. There are weird things happening often at dancefloors which can be shared when you are on the spot.

Where can we hear you playing next?
We will also play at Shi Fu Miz in Hong Kong in October, Shi Fu Miz take over at Bali in November and Wonderfruit in Thailand in December. Otherwise, I am regularly playing at Headquarters in Singapore.