Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yuka Yu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yuka, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I first realized I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally when I was in high school. I attended an all-girls high school in Taipei, Taiwan and our education system emphasized molding us into well-rounded and renaissance individuals. The most compelling subjects for me were ancient Chinese literature and Western history. By memorizing hundreds of ancient Chinese poems, I cultivated a deep connection and appreciation for this profound form of artistic expression. Meanwhile, the epic tales from Western history stoked my storytelling instincts.

Yuka, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and raised in the energetic and dynamic city of Taipei, Taiwan and currently based in San Francisco. My passion for music dates back to my childhood, growing up in the epicenter of the emerging electronic music scene of the late 90s in Asia. As an individual with a diverse ethnic background – Chinese, Dutch, and Japanese, I grew a natural inclination towards different music traditions that subsequently carved my unique style. After nurturing this passion, I started to carve out a niche for myself while living in London, at Camden Town and fine-tuned my skills at the London Sound Academy.

Being inspired by Aphex Twin and Björk, my sets deliver an eclectic blend of 90’s acidic, psychedelic, and oriental rhythms that transcend musical genres to narrate a gripping story and unforgettable musical journey. My broad spectrum of experiences, driven by the dynamic eastern and western cultural blend, feeds into my creative process and influences my music, giving it a unique edge in the industry.

As a DJ, I’ve consistently managed to bridge the gap between the underground and mainstream scenes in the highly competitive and male-dominated music industry. I have shared stages with big names like Cosmic Gate, The Crystal Method, Audien, Poolside, and Eric Prydz. From playing at major venues and nightclubs across London, East Asia, and North America to opening for artists such as Rebirth Brass Band, ALO, and the California Honeydrops in San Francisco, My career highlights include playing Ministry of Sound in London, on the Insomniac Camp OG stage at EDC Las Vegas, and the Rabbit Hole in New Orleans for late night at Jazzfest.

Moreover, I’m immensely proud of founding the artist exchange program, Nu Tekno in 2019. Hosting regular events since 2020, we’ve been able to foster creative dialogue and have held residencies at renowned San Francisco locations such as the Fern Bar, Asiento, The Endup, Lion’s Den, and Mars Bar. This unique journey from being a young girl fascinated by music in Taipei to being a part of the global DJ scene underscores my ability to transcend boundaries with music, my enduring commitment to honing my craft, and the unparalleled musical journey I provide my audience.

Nu Tekno is 女樂 in Chinese. The first character Nu means Woman and the second character Yue refers to Music. Nu Tekno is a San Francisco, Taipei & London based Artist’s Exchange and also an Asian Tour Management & Underground Event Promoter that showcases women, Bipoc, and other underrepresented artists. In ancient Chinese mythology, the first instrument was made by a woman, Nu Wa (女媧). Legend has it she also created human beings, then created a mystical instrument to make us happy, love, party and multiply, generation after generation, world without end. In East Asian culture, music has always evoked the harmony of humans and nature (天人合一). More women specialized in music than men, and sometimes music was even performed exclusively among women. Women were often considered and represented as “goddesses”, and the “divine feminine”. Nu (女), in Mandarin Chinese, represents “female”.

My journey is not just about the beats I spin but about the cultural symphony I orchestrate. My story is one of breaking barriers, defying expectations, and using music as a universal language. As I continue to host events, share my passion, and pioneer the fusion of Eastern and Western sounds, I invite everyone to join me in a musical journey that transcends boundaries, one beat at a time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As a woman and a minority, I have constantly encountered assumptions and prejudices about what I was capable of achieving in this industry. A defining instance was when I got a gig at the esteemed Ministry of Sound in London. Upon arrival, I was told not to enter the DJ booth because security did not believe I was the DJ, and thought I was a male DJ’s guest. Instances such as this were common during my initial years of DJing, where many presumed that I was incapable of doing my job because of my gender and ethnicity. Instead of allowing such experiences to break me, I took them in stride and pushed back with even greater resolve. Every challenge only increased my resilience, enabling me to remain committed to my passion and make a name for myself in this industry.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life and The Record Players by Bill Brewster, Generation Ecstasy by Simon Reynolds provided me with a strong foundational knowledge in the history of DJing and electronic music. Rise: A Pop History of Asian American from the Nineties to now by Jeff Yang, Phil Yu, and Phillip Wang was extremely inspirational. All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donal Passman is a must-read for anyone in the music industry. Additionally, “The Life Cycle of a Career DJ” a blog post on DJtechtools.com has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of the long-term trajectory in this field. Collectively, these resources have not only enriched my entrepreneurial philosophy by bridging the gap between creativity and business acumen but have also contributed to a holistic approach in navigating the dynamic landscape of the music industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yukayumusic.com/
• Instagram: _yukaswat
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YukaYuMusic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/yukaswat
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/YUKAYUMUSIC
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/yukaswat
  https://yukayumusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-hill-we-climb-yuka-yu-edit
  https://ra.co/dj/yukayu