10 Songs with… sudden star
sudden star
sudden star is a DJ/ artist raised and based in Tokyo. He is the ½ member of collective Ether, organizing community-oriented parties, exhibitions, and performances. They work across visual/fashion design, installations and many more different mediums. In April 2025 they held their first solo exhibition at Gokou Studio, with doll installation, drawings and a mural.
1. What was the first track you ever bought?
Tyler, The Creator – She (feat. Frank Ocean)
If we’re talking really the first one, I was into EDM when I was in elementary school, so it was probably something by Steve Aoki or Avicii. But the first purchase I clearly remember was when I was in middle school, I went to Tower Records in Shibuya to buy Cherry Bomb by Tyler, The Creator.
The lyric sheet folded out into a poster, and I had it up on my wall.
2. A track that reminds you of your first love?
kZm – Dream Chaser feat. BIM (Prod. Chaki Zulu)
3. A track you listen to while cooking?
Harto Falión, evilgiane – pump_ya_breaks_n_slow_down
It’s not really cooking music but when I’m working, I often put Harto on shuffle.
4. What were you listening to in middle school?
Jamie xx – I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times) ft. Young Thug, Popcaan
It still sounds cool even now. I looked it up and apparently it was on the NBA 2K soundtrack, so that might be how I first heard it.
5. A track that reminds you of your childhood bedroom?
FUNKY MONKEY BABYS – Ato Hitotsu
I was playing baseball back then…
6. A track that secretly makes you cry?
Phantom Posse – Posse Posse (feat. Renee, Makonnen, Nadia)
Makonnen really gets to me, every track feels like he’s honestly spilling his emotions.
When I listen to his music, it reminds me why I fell in love with art and music in the first place.
7. A track that describes your personality?
SEAGULL SCREAMING KISS HER KISS HER – EVOLUTION
That’s a hard question. I don’t really know so I’ll go with something I’ve been listening to a lot lately.
8. A track that makes you feel Tokyo?
Seiichi Yamamoto – Before I Wake Up
It’s a love–hate relationship, but I don’t think there’s any other place that’s this romantic and hard-boiled at the same time.
9. A track that makes you feel connected to the world?
Ivy – Lost in the Sun
No matter where I am or what time it is, their music always feels right.
10. A track that gives you courage when you’re about to give up?
Duwap Kaine – Southside
10. As sudden star, what do you want to do next?
Feels like every day I have a new idea but I haven’t been able to give them much form. Until now, I was making things as a natural extension of my everyday life, but I’ve been struggling to do that lately.
It feels like I’m starting everything from scratch again.
Since graduating school last year I feel like things have been a bit stagnant.
But I want this year to be one of change, I want to put myself in places I’ve never been before. I’m an anxious person but lately I’m feeling like it’s all going to work out, I’ve learned to let go of things.
I’m just going to try a lot of things this year. Feels like a fresh start.