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Tokyo-born DJ Manami Baba has been hard at work making her mark on the Bristol scene since her move to the city four years ago. Here, we talk about her musical beginnings, her recent progress as an artist and her love of Bristol's close-knit music community.

What are your earliest experiences of music?
 

Music has always been an incredibly important part of my life. I've been playing the piano since I was six and violin since I was twelve. I was really big on late romantic Russian composers; Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky - that sort of vibe. I was such a nerd. So, I don't have much or any memory of a life without music.

How did you get into electronic music?

Electronic music has always fascinated me. I've always found it really exciting that electronic music produces sounds that are physically impossible to play. I remember the first genres that really caught my attention were disco and Chicago House.

Through that, I discovered the origin of dance music. I instantly resonated with what the whole genre stood for; the space it created for those that were oppressed in 1980's America, and what it represented. It held and still holds such an empowering message. 

Which genres do you tend to stick to when you play out now?

Generally, I play music under the house and techno umbrella, but those terms are incredibly broad. It depends on the night what type of musical direction I take. Still, I like to incorporate di?erent styles within a set while maintaining that level of cohesion.

What was the first party you played in Bristol?

My first ever gig was at a student night at Bunker. I had to hold down the bass EQ for the bass to work because the mixer was so broken!

Has Bristol inspired your sound as a DJ?

Bristol has influenced and inspired me as a DJ in countless ways. It's of course home to incredible techno labels that have been pushing the sound of the entire genre forward, like Livity Sound and Timedance. That sort of sound has definitely rubbed o? on me and is something that I love to incorporate into my sets.

There's also a really good digging culture in Bristol. Idle Hands, Prime Cuts, Centre for Better Grooves and Wanted Records - and parties like Hot Buttered Soul are great places to listen to rare, 'unshazamable' records that really get you digging deeper into genres.
 

What's your favourite Bristol venue to play at?

I really enjoy playing at The Crofters Rights. Done right, that venue is great. If you install some good lights, get a smoke machine, and fill up the room, it can turn into a proper little sweatbox.

And your favourite venue when you're not playing?

I think the Loco Klub is an incredible space. The way the sound bounces o? those circular brick tunnels - it's a great spot.

You run your own party, Better Days. How did that come about?

I run the party with Anil Chohan. I told him that I wanted to start running parties late last year, and at the time, Anil was also looking to start a new project. So, it came about pretty quickly and organically. He ran nights previously so he has all of that experience and between us, we have quite a wide network. It's been working really well!

You've got a bit of experience now playing at Bristol clubs and festivals. What are your relationships like with other members of the Bristol music scene?

The thing I love about the Bristol music scene is the supportiveness everyone has for one another. You big each other's work up because everyone's really passionate about what they do and everyone's doing really exciting things. There's a community vibe here that you wouldn't get in bigger cities, which I'm so grateful for.

And what's your perception of the electronic music scene in Bristol right now?

I think Bristol is in such a good position musically - there are exciting things happening in every corner of the scene right now. I'm particularly liking the darker and heavier sounds that are currently coming to the fore in the scene, leaning more towards the 'experimental' end of things.

Read more from LOUD Magazine, Issue One:
 

• Omit Unit: 'There's some really interesting stuff happening in Bristol right now'