01Profile
A Nina Wanli (YOUENKINGYO) Photo
Nina Wanli (YOUENKINGYO)
DJ/Artist — Gifu/Tokyo
03Interview
Name
Nina Wanli（YOUENKINGYO）
What do you do?
DJ/Artist.
Where are you from?
Gifu (Hida Takayama, central Japan)/ Tokyo.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That would have to be Jevon. It was at 1 OAK Tokyo around 2018 before the club had moved, and he performed there on a night I was DJing. I basically fell in love with him at first sight. I don't speak much English, so I couldn't communicate through language, but he has this real soul that breaks down those barriers, and he's an excellent live performer. I didn't know him before, but I was utterly drawn in.
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
It’s not exactly a direct influence, but my dad was in a punk band, and through this, I discovered and fell in love with Sid Vicious. I started a band in secondary school, and one Christmas, I wrote to Father Christmas asking for a drum kit. However, I got a bass (laughs). I’ve been playing the bass ever since, so I guess that has influenced me. As well as that, when I was in my mum’s tummy, I was listening to punk.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I'm a big fan of the Shibuya club HARLEM. Before I moved to Tokyo, that club just existed in my dreams, but now I get to live that dream as I sometimes DJ there; it is a special feeling when I perform live. I also like Organ Bar in Shibuya. As a DJ, I like playing Music Bar Lion in Shibuya, and I have great memories of playing in Okinawa at CLUTCH and LOVE BALL (which has since changed its name).
If you could be on the lineup with any bands in history?
If we are talking about UK bands, then the Sex Pistols. If there are no boundaries to this scenario, I would like to play twin bass with Sid, copying his punchy down-picking style with a long strap and guitar hung low (laughs).
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd like to spend some time in the studio with Jevon and see firsthand how he comes up with his unique melody lines.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
It’s already a famous artist, but I’m a big fan of Ray BLK. I love the way her vocal lines sit over the beats.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
I didn't have a particular concept in mind when I was putting it together, but there are a lot of tracks I play when I DJ and songs that form the backbone of my musical life.
The first track you played on repeat?
'God Save The Queen' by the Sex Pistols.
When I was a child, my dad always put this on when we went for a drive (laughs). I listened to all of the Sex Pistols music without knowing the song titles, however, when I moved to Tokyo, I heard them again and realized I knew them all.
A song that defines the teenage you?
If there wasn’t Nagoya hip-hop, then it simply has to be punk. 'God Save The Queen' is the only track that comes to mind right now.
One record you would keep forever?
The Stormzy album 'Heavy Is The Head'. He was one of the first UK artists I listened to, and I still remember the shock I felt when I first heard the album after someone told me about it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'God Save The Queen.'
I liked the lines that say, "Don't be told what you want. Don't be told what you need." Everything is your own.
Best song to turn up loud?
Jevon and his track 'Paranoia'. I love it so much, and people often request it when I'm closing an event. I don't know how many times I must have played it (laughs).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I don’t know if it’s unexpected or not, but I like the singer James Vickery. I listen to his track ‘The Reason’ a lot.
What new music are you listening to?
Recently, I've been really into tracks by KAWALi. The beats are right up my street.
03Interview
Name
Nina Wanli（YOUENKINGYO）
What do you do?
DJ/Artist.
Where are you from?
Gifu (Hida Takayama, central Japan)/ Tokyo.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That would have to be Jevon. It was at 1 OAK Tokyo around 2018 before the club had moved, and he performed there on a night I was DJing. I basically fell in love with him at first sight. I don't speak much English, so I couldn't communicate through language, but he has this real soul that breaks down those barriers, and he's an excellent live performer. I didn't know him before, but I was utterly drawn in.
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
It’s not exactly a direct influence, but my dad was in a punk band, and through this, I discovered and fell in love with Sid Vicious. I started a band in secondary school, and one Christmas, I wrote to Father Christmas asking for a drum kit. However, I got a bass (laughs). I’ve been playing the bass ever since, so I guess that has influenced me. As well as that, when I was in my mum’s tummy, I was listening to punk.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I'm a big fan of the Shibuya club HARLEM. Before I moved to Tokyo, that club just existed in my dreams, but now I get to live that dream as I sometimes DJ there; it is a special feeling when I perform live. I also like Organ Bar in Shibuya. As a DJ, I like playing Music Bar Lion in Shibuya, and I have great memories of playing in Okinawa at CLUTCH and LOVE BALL (which has since changed its name).
If you could be on the lineup with any bands in history?
If we are talking about UK bands, then the Sex Pistols. If there are no boundaries to this scenario, I would like to play twin bass with Sid, copying his punchy down-picking style with a long strap and guitar hung low (laughs).
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd like to spend some time in the studio with Jevon and see firsthand how he comes up with his unique melody lines.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
It’s already a famous artist, but I’m a big fan of Ray BLK. I love the way her vocal lines sit over the beats.
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
I didn't have a particular concept in mind when I was putting it together, but there are a lot of tracks I play when I DJ and songs that form the backbone of my musical life.
The first track you played on repeat?
'God Save The Queen' by the Sex Pistols.
When I was a child, my dad always put this on when we went for a drive (laughs). I listened to all of the Sex Pistols music without knowing the song titles, however, when I moved to Tokyo, I heard them again and realized I knew them all.
A song that defines the teenage you?
If there wasn’t Nagoya hip-hop, then it simply has to be punk. 'God Save The Queen' is the only track that comes to mind right now.
One record you would keep forever?
The Stormzy album 'Heavy Is The Head'. He was one of the first UK artists I listened to, and I still remember the shock I felt when I first heard the album after someone told me about it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'God Save The Queen.'
I liked the lines that say, "Don't be told what you want. Don't be told what you need." Everything is your own.
Best song to turn up loud?
Jevon and his track 'Paranoia'. I love it so much, and people often request it when I'm closing an event. I don't know how many times I must have played it (laughs).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I don’t know if it’s unexpected or not, but I like the singer James Vickery. I listen to his track ‘The Reason’ a lot.
What new music are you listening to?
Recently, I've been really into tracks by KAWALi. The beats are right up my street.
【妖艶金魚】yoenkingyo 「BLACK」
【妖艶金魚】yoenkingyo 『Shikisai 』
【妖艶金魚】yoenkingyo「ATTITUDE」
【妖艶金魚】yoenkingyo「FUNK YOU」
【妖艶金魚】yoenkingyo「OSS」
【妖艶金魚】Yoenkingyo 「Oyasumi」