The shesaid.so mix series aims to spotlight the diverse artists within our community. We’re committed to championing underrepresented voices from around the world, focusing on female, non-binary, trans and queer individuals. Our monthly mix series allows our contributing selectors to showcase their unique backgrounds and inspirations by creating exclusive, 30-minute live recorded soundscapes.
This month, we have the Seoul-born, Tokyo-based singer-songwriter/producer YonYon, who’s gained global recognition through her genre-blending DJ mixes, club-pop songwriting style, and culture-connecting ethos.
YonYon has played around the globe, and has collaborated with KIRINJI, Takuya Kuroda, Yaeji, and Joe Hertz. In 2018, she also founded The Link, a project that specializes in connecting artists from South Korea and Japan.
YonYon represents a musical nexus between Japan and the rest of Asia, as well as between the underground and the mainstream.
Take a read of our interview with her and listen to her mix - which is a re-run from our 2021 Kitsuné x shesaid.so collaboration to celebrate Women’s History Month - below.
shesaid.so: What’s it like working in the dance music scene in Tokyo?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many nightclubs were shut down, but that resulted in new ones springing up In particular, the number of trendy bar-style spaces increased, so people who used to resist the insular, sometimes intense space of a club could now enjoy dance music in a casual way. I myself have been DJing more and more at these bar-style spaces rather than DJing in huge clubs. At the same time, there has been an increase in hardcore and rave-type events - shows that bring catharsis and remedy the mental sturggles created by COVID-19. The techno scene in particular has spread considerably among the younger generation over the past few years. I also feel that the culture of ensuring clubs are safer and more secure for everyone is finally proliferating. The fact that everyone involved in event spaces had extra time during COVID to come up with these solutions has ultimately helped the development of Tokyo’s club scene.
shesaid.so: How does the music scene in Tokyo differ from other cities in Japan?
Tokyo is the most densely populated city in Japan, and fads go out of style quickly. Another characteristic of Tokyo is that many foreign tourists come to the clubs, giving it an image of openness to various genres of music. I also think that clubs here in Tokyo play an important role in creating music trends. This is because many Japanese DJs who work closely with the international club scene reside in Tokyo.
On the other hand, there has been an increase in opportunities for local governments and events to collaborate and hold outdoor events as part of town revitalization efforts in rural areas. It is great that there are many more opportunities for people to go out to other cities for music, but since many of these DJs and artists are still from Tokyo, I would like to see more opportunities for artists living in those regions to be active.
shesaid.so: Through ‘The Link’ project, you’ve made it your mission to curate collaborations between Japanese and Korean artists. Why is it important for you to bridge this gap between the two countries?
I was born in Korea and grew up in Tokyo. I went through college in Korea and connected with many wonderful artists during that time. I also met many of my friends while working in Japan, so I was familiar with each other’s interests in the scene and each other's countries. I started ‘The Link’ project because I believed I was in a unique position due to my connections to both scenes and places. At the time, there were not many songs that mixed Japanese and Korean languages, but I am proud that we were able to create a trend that people thought was cool. In this day and age when it is commonplace to be active globally, I am very pleased that there are more opportunities for people to become interested in each other's countries through music.
shesaid.so: You have such a genre-blending production style and your DJ sets span a wide variety of sounds. What’s your musical background, and who are some of your biggest influences? Is it a challenge to blend so many styles in your music and mixes?
I did not start my career as a DJ because of any particular influence but because different genres of music have been a natural part of my life’s environment. My DJ style has become a mixture of different languages and genres because I had many opportunities to meet artists from different countries while working with them. I exchanged information with them and learned about a lot of music they thought was cool. Also, when I started hosting a radio show introducing J-POP in Japan, I started to mix non-dance music into my sets. The opportunities and experiences that have naturally come my way have ultimately informed my style.
shesaid.so: What’s up next for YonYon?
I’m trying to become a bridge between the club scene and the pop scene, often performing live in the style of singing while DJing. I plan to release many original songs this year. We also plan to collaborate with artists from various countries. Stay tuned!
YonYon SSSO tracklist
Viann - L0V3 (Feat. SUMIN & Khundi Panda)
Joyce Wrice - Good Morning (Prod. By Jamma Dee)
Colde - Poem (Blackdoe Edit)
Ric Wilson & Terrace Martin - Chicago Bae (Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid) Hoody - Your Eyes (Feat. Jay Park)
Nick Pacoli - Sabrina's Pain
Jedi Jordan - Wannabe
Mitchell Yard X Pasquinel - Oops
Khundi Panda - Paperolls (Feat. Noogi & Don Sign.)
SLOM & SUMIN - COMPLAINT
Oceanfromtheblue - Who (Feat. Chillin Homie & Bully Da Ba$Tard) VIANN - NOT EASYYY (Feat. NOT EASY)
DEAN, Rad Museum & Mokyo - Breath
CIFIKA - Hexagon
Vsclm - §Air§Hance
D.A.N. - Sundance
Dress & Sogumm - Sorry (Feat. No2zcat)
SOGUMM & OHHYUK - Yayou Hoi
Nao-GetToKnowYa
SWV - Right Here (Human Nature Radio Mix)
Jazmin Sisters - Heartbreaker [DJ Mix Ver.]
Devita - EVITA!
Tuxedo - So Good
Dorian - Natsu No Owari Feat. G.RINA
Shay Lia - Voodoo (Feat. Buddy)
KIRINJI - Killer Tune Kills Me (Feat. Yonyon)
Jarreau Vandal - Needed Me (VANDALIZED EDIT).
CIRRRCLE - Dance Wit U
Pormad - Out Like A Light (Craves Remix)
West1ne - Thank U Next
Unknown - Wuntoori
KAYTRANADA - Scared To Death
J Dilla - Donuts Outro (Coastal Conversion)
Abhi - Needed BaileGEOTHEORY - RARE
The Fin. - Pale Blue
Punchnello - Blue Hawaii (Feat. Crush & PENOMECO) TENDRE - JOKE
Reach - Rio Carnival
Migos - Get Right Witcha (TRVE HILL Remix)
Ross From Friends - Epiphany (Edit)
CIFIKA - Déjà Vu
Bonobo - Linked
Philou Louzolo - Carista
Yaeji - Guap
Pletnev - Her Cruel Smile
Koizumi Kyouko - CDJ
Peggy Gou - Han Jan
Xiangyu - BBIISPP