The Art of the Set with Mimi J

FIRST RECORD YOU EVER BOUGHT?

I used to dig through $10 crates at record stores for old Chicago house records. I can’t remember what exact first one I bought, but
that’s where it all started for me.

FAVOURITE SONG/ALBUM AT THE MOMENT?

“A Conversation Through Music” by various local artists. It’s a Sydney based label called WIP Music, and they consistently put out beautiful deep house records. The sound is deep and tribal with a lot of groove and energy to it. The final track is by Middle James, and they always create such beautiful harmonic deep house.

OPENING A SET OR CLOSING SET?

Opening set. Setting the tone for the night feels like painting on a blank canvas. That’s usually where I can be the most creative.

DREAM B2B PARTNER (DEAD OR ALIVE)?

Cinthie and Kerri Chandler. Cinthie has been a huge inspiration to me both musically and as a woman in the scene, and Kerri has
been one of my favourite producers since day one.

GO-TO POST GIG MEAL?

If I finish around dinner time, it probably will be steaks at home or sushi train outside - quick, easy and healthy options.

YOU MADE THE MOVE FROM KOREA TO EORA/SYDNEY. HOW HAS THE SPECIFIC ENERGY OF THE SYDNEY DANCE FLOOR SHAPED YOUR SOUND COMPARED TO THE MUSICAL LANDSCAPE YOU GREW UP WITH?

Sydney opened me up to electronic music through the people around me. I became close with a group of Irish friends who
introduced me to house and disco for the first time. Growing up, I mostly listened to pop, R&B and ballads, so discovering dance
music through community and nightlife completely changed my perspective on music.

HOLDING A RESIDENCY AT A VENUE LIKE CHINESE LAUNDRY IS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE. HOW HAS HAVING A CONSISTENT "HOME" FOR YOUR SOUND ALLOWED YOU TO EXPERIMENT AND GROW AS AN ARTIST OVER THE YEARS?

I’m really grateful to have a place that feels like home. It’s comfortable in a good way, but it also constantly challenges me, which
has helped me grow a lot as a DJ over the years.

IF YOU COULD SIT DOWN WITH THE VERSION OF YOURSELF THAT FIRST STEPPED OFF THE PLANE IN SYDNEY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO HER ABOUT THE LIFE SHE WAS ABOUT TO BUILD?

Do not date that guy!

YOU’VE GONE FROM BEING A FAN IN THE CROWD TO A RESIDENT BEHIND THE DECKS. DO YOU REMEMBER THE EXACT MOMENT YOU REALISED YOU WEREN'T JUST WATCHING THE SCENE ANYMORE, BUT ACTUALLY HELPING SHAPE IT?

I think it was when I started my own party, TRPL8. I wanted to create a space where people didn’t feel like strangers, where anyone could feel connected through house music, regardless of who they were or where they came from. That feeling was really important to me because I knew what it felt like to be new somewhere.

YOU’RE KNOWN FOR BLENDING CHICAGO HOUSE WITH DISCO AND DEEP HOUSE. WHEN YOU’RE DIGGING FOR RECORDS, WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC 'RED THREAD' OR FEELING YOU LOOK FOR TO ENSURE A TRACK FITS INTO A MIMI J SET?

I’m always drawn to emotional and uplifting sounds with a sense of nostalgia. Usually it’s in the chord progressions, strong female vocals, or that balance between something deep, euphoric and warm without feeling too dark.

YOU’VE MASTERED BOTH MAJOR SUPPORT SLOTS AND INTIMATE CLUB SETS. HOW DOES YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PREPARATION CHANGE WHEN YOU'RE SETTING THE TONE FOR A HEADLINER VERSUS DRIVING A DANCE FLOOR AT PEAK TIME?

For support slots, I usually watch both older and recent sets from the headliner and think about how my sound can complement or bridge into theirs. It feels like solving a creative puzzle, which I really enjoy.

Peak-time sets are completely different. You can’t fully prepare, you just have to read the room and respond in real time. Some nights everything flows naturally, and other nights you really have to work for it. But turning around a difficult crowd and getting people moving again is one of the best feelings.

YOUR SETS ARE DESCRIBED AS BRINGING AN 'AUTHENTIC TOUCH' TO RAVES. WHAT DOES AUTHENTICITY MEAN TO YOU IN THE CONTEXT OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC, AND HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR PERSONALITY COMES THROUGH IN THE MIX?

Authenticity, for me, is about intention and emotional honesty. I’m not trying to impress people with the coolest or most trend-driven tracks, I care more about how the music makes people feel together in a room. I want my sets to feel warm, emotional and alive.

I think people are craving genuine connection more than ever now, especially in a world where it’s easy to feel isolated or disconnected. To me, the dance floor should feel like a space where people can let go, feel present, and leave feeling lighter than when they arrived.

SHOP INCU COLLECTION



Featuring MIMI J
Photography LIAM CHANDLER
Location SPACE MOUNTAIN STUDIO BY PARAMOUNT HOUSE HOTEL