On the last day of May, we'll come together again for "Zhaodai on Leave," the annual electronic music festival by the northern seaside. No matter the distance, whether by plane or car, the moment you close your door and set off, you've already begun this three-day, three-night musical journey.
BAIHUI and Zhaodai present the "Zhaodai on Leave 2024" special, using music to connect departure, arrival, return, and memories, capturing the emotions of each moment of the journey to extend and amplify the joy.
As we set off, we've invited Zhaodai DJs Rehema Tajiri & Queen Asher and DJ Wife, along with the stage design and sound teams, to share a series of playlists perfect for the trip to Aranya.
In this issue, we have specially invited a guest performer from Zhaodai — one of the main organizers of "纯情商店街" and the host of BAIHUI Radio's "纯情旬感" program, DJ Wife.She excels at blending Japanese delicacies with diverse flavors, infusing them with rich emotions to bring a unique experience to everyone. DJ Wife’s exploration in both music and cooking shows how these two art forms intertwine, creating a unique sensory and emotional experience.
Additionally, DJ Wife is the voice actress for BAIHUI Radio. The phrase "百会电台" you hear at the beginning of each episode is her voice—doesn’t it give you that delightful "so it was you" feeling?
Next, let's begin our conversation with her, exploring her wonderful fusion of music and cuisine, and listen to the five "Tracks for Travel" she has shared with us.
BAIHUI: I know you've probably answered this question countless times, but I still want to ask: Why the name "DJ Wife"? Is there an interesting story behind it?
DJ Wife: My husband gave me the name, haha. I’m a real wife. It’s catchy and fun, and it even got picked up in RA's recommended article for Zhaodai, putting me alongside internationally renowned DJs. It’s truly a happy moment, hahaha.
BAIHUI: How do you see the connection between music and cooking? If you had to design a dish for the DJ set you'll be performing at this Zhaodai On Leave, what would it be like?
DJ Wife: Both can satisfy self-immersion and be shared with others, possessing a mysterious power that touches the soul. When it comes to food, the definition of deliciousness varies greatly depending on individual taste, and it can change with one's emotions and external influences. Music is the same; looking back at one's listening history is like flipping through an album.
Moreover, both music and cooking are simple yet complex. The enjoyment of good food and good music is a straightforward and intuitive feeling, but the choice of ingredients, seasoning, and mastery of cooking techniques behind the scenes make for an endlessly memorable experience.
If you ask me about the DJ set for this Zhaodai, I’ll start naming dishes. Let me serve you～steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roasted duck, roasted chick, roasted goose…
BAIHUI: Have you encountered any interesting things or special people at previous events in Aranya? What are your expectations for the upcoming Zhaodai OnLeave 2024?
DJ Wife: I’m fortunate enough to have never missed a Zhaodai since it started. The first year, almost the whole world was still under lockdown, but people from all over the country, vibrant young people, gathered by the seaside day and night, like beautiful, unreal bubbles. I look forward to the sunrise by the sea in the early morning, to hugging friends at sunrise, and to having good music accompany those hugs with friends.
BAIHUI: I find the positioning of "纯情商店街" very interesting—an advertising company and a bar. Can you tell us more about its story and concept?
DJ Wife: "纯情商店街" is an izakaya we started running in April 2019. We’ve hosted many DJ friends and even organized a big anniversary party for BAIHUI once. Haha. We have two floors; the first floor is the izakaya that opens in the evening, and the second floor is an advertising company that starts work at noon, called "Wednesday is Better." The same team works upstairs and downstairs; the izakaya is the canteen for the advertising company, serving lunch and dinner. The advertising company takes the opportunity to shoot some small ads for the izakaya, and many people learned about our restaurant through these small ads. However, the izakaya temporarily closed last year after the lease expired, but our peripherals and the advertising company are still running. Besides our best-selling T-shirts and hats, we are about to launch a portable "纯情DJ" outdoor travel speaker.
BAIHUI: A road trip is a wonderful yet challenging journey, and music is the best companion for it. In our "tracks for travel" segment, could you recommend five songs to the audience who will be driving to Zhaodai On Leave, letting these melodies add a touch of emotion to each part of their journey?
DJ Wife: Let’s start the journey to Zhaodai On Leave with a sweet "ohayo" to wake everyone up!
1.市井由理 - ピクニック・ラブ
2.Akira Arasawa - Beautiful Yoga Lady
3.Calm - Sunday Sun
4.徐小凤 - 想入非非
5.罗文 - 红尘梦
