Pocari Sweaty drops a groove-heavy, feet-moving house set for Mixmag Asia Radio

Where are you based and if you’re not from there, how did you get there?

I'm from Washington, D.C. and I'm based in Taipei. I studied Mandarin at uni and moved to Taipei in 2019 after graduating so I could keep improving my Mandarin. It was supposed to be one year, but it's been over five now!


What’s your favourite thing about the music scene in the city you live in?

I really love how organisers in Taipei are serious about their soundsystems. You can go into any of the main clubs in Taipei and it's a full-body sound experience.


Name one DJ you’d love to play back-to-back with!

I recently had Pixie from Kobe in Taipei for a Mango Season party. She was incredible, and I think the two of us would tear up a b2b!


Are there any producers and DJs in Asia that have recently caught your attention?

Xiaolin just released a single on Sound Metaphors that you should definitely check out! It's a cover of a Canto cover of a Japanese city pop classic. It's gritty and romantic and in my opinion, it's the perfect tune to end a night. Her live set at Wonderfruit was also one of the highlights of the festival for me!

I had a fun time at Ffan's set at Pawnshop in Downbar. He was playing proper trippy disco.

I'm also a big fan of the whole CYK crew in Tokyo. I haven't seen any of them play yet, but every mix on their series is full of excellent house music.


What can you tell our readers and listeners about your mix? Why is it special to you?

This mix is heavily inspired by the two sets I got to play at Obs (The Observatory) last March. It's a slow start into a hazy sunrise. I aim to play sets that are warm, soulful, euphoric, deep, and at times shimmering.


What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen happening from the DJ booth?

I saw a wasted man soil his trousers not too long ago. I don’t know if he didn’t notice or didn’t care, but he certainly didn’t leave. Not sure if it was confidence or inebriation, but was easily one of the craziest things I’ve seen in a club.


We heard you're going to be joining the JIN team, could you tell us more about that?

I’m gonna start off with logistics and creative writing, helping sort the pressings and the promo text, and I’ll eventually assist with the A&R.


Where can we hear you playing next?

I’ll be playing my Mango Season party on June 15, as well as an all-night b2b with Sunsiaré at Mihn 宀 on July 20.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.