For his Off The Record mix, Mori Ra taps back into the same restless, far-reaching instinct that’s defined his path from Osaka’s record shops to dancefloors worldwide.
A lifer digger with a taste that stretches from kosmische and cold wave to Balearic oddities, ambient techno and proto-trance, Mori Ra has quietly built a cult discography of edits and EPs for labels including Berceuse Heroique, Macadam Mambo, CockTail d’Amore, Rotating Souls and Forest Jams — each release another breadcrumb from his sprawling archive, meticulously documented on Discogs. His sets have carried that sensibility from formative overseas appearances at Hugs & Kisses in Melbourne to extended runs across Europe, Australia and Asia, always guided by the same open-eared philosophy: no genre borders, just feeling. This mix, pieced together from records found while DJing in Seoul, late-night Osaka digs and long-held shelf treasures, leans into a ’90s cosmic lineage — ambient techno dissolving into early trance atmospherics — a subtle left turn in tone perhaps, but unmistakably Mori Ra: deep, romantic and quietly transportive.
We had a brief chat with the artist about the mix and to see what he has coming up:
Hey Mori Ra, thanks for joining us! Can you tell us about your mix and what the idea behind it was?
The idea for this mix came from records I bought when I went to Seoul, Korea to DJ last year, and records I bought at my local record store at the end of this year and the beginning of this year, mixed with records from my record shelf. They’re all mainly ambient techno to proto-trance records, and I created this with an interpretation of the 90s cosmic lineage. The taste may be a little different from previous MIXes, but the underlying spirit is the same! I hope you enjoy it!
What are your preferred methods for finding new music—do you still enjoy digging around in dusty crates, or do you prefer to buy online?
I still enjoy digging through my local record stores! Of course, I also buy online, but with the weak yen, rising prices, and soaring shipping costs, I feel like it’s no longer as easy to buy records as before. However, there are many record stores in my hometown of Osaka, and by digging without being tied to a particular genre, I can still find good records at reasonable prices. I love records, but I don’t limit myself to records; I also buy CDs.
What are five records you couldn’t live without?
Dinosaur Jr – You’re Living All Over Me
This Heat – Deceit Can – Future Days
Palais Schaumburg – Palais Schaumburg
Liaisons Dangereuses – Liaisons Dangereuses
It’s hard to choose just five!! Here are 5 that had the biggest impact on me when I was young!
What has been one of your most memorable sets over your career?
My first overseas DJing experience was at Hugs and Kisses in Melbourne, which was a memorable experience! Since then I’ve played in many countries and cities, all of which are cherished memories.
What do you have up your sleeve for 2026?
I’ve been approached by Melbourne label Protoexotica for an EP due for release in 2026. I’ve also been approached by Long Gone Are The Old Traditions, the label of Phonica Records staff member Daire Carolan. Production hasn’t started on either project yet, and I’m still in the planning stages, but I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of EP it will be! I’m also hoping to go on a European tour this summer for the first time in a while, but with a 18-month-old baby, I’m currently in the middle of a family meeting to see if it’s really possible!
Thank you!
