
SHIMA: From J-pop Star to Indie DJ/Producer
From A Deeper Listen by KEXP
February 10, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 104
About this episode
SHIMA discusses her transition from J-pop star to indie DJ/producer and the inspirations behind her debut album.
Electronic artist SHIMA fuses dance beats with Japanese sounds on her debut album, Welcome to SHIMAJIMA. She talks with Emily Fox about how the history of Kamikaze pilots, and how a dancing hallucinogenic mushroom trip centuries ago inspired some tracks on her record. She also talks about creating an album for the culturally homeless and shares her journey from being a J-pop star, to a computer engineer to an indie DJ/producer. Photo credit: Maxine Bowen Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: Emily Fox
Guest: SHIMA
Topics covered
- J-pop
- indie music
- electronic music
- dance beats
- Japanese culture
Keywords
- Kamikaze pilots
- hallucinogenic mushrooms
- Welcome to SHIMAJIMA
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Kamikaze, Welcome to SHIMAJIMA
Books & works: Welcome to SHIMAJIMA
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