Born in Japan and raised in Seattle, Tomo Nakayama is a beloved Pacific Northwest artist whose melodic, complex and emotionally compelling music has been a staple on KEXP's airwaves for the past 15 years. Originally emerging as the frontman and founding member of the chamber-pop band Grand Hallway in the mid 2000s, Tomo released his debut solo album Fog On The Lens in 2014 and his second album Pieces Of Sky in 2017, both albums placing his lush indie-folk sound on full display. Tomo's third and most recent album — 2020's Melonday — found him exploring exciting new terrain and tackling an infectious synth-pop sound.
Sharing the words "Discovery, Healing, and Humanity" to describe his set, Tomo's exclusive guest DJ mix for Midnight in a Perfect World provides a brilliant insight into the artists, songs, and sounds that have influenced his own warm, catchy, and whimsical music.
| Artist | Title |
|---|---|
| Midnight in a Perfect World | Intro |
| Shabason & Krgovich | I Am So Happy With My Little Dog |
| Yuuki Matthews | Funny Morning |
| Joe Hisaishi | The Path of the Wind |
| Caetano Valeso | Um Tom |
| Ryuichi Sakamoto | The Garden of Poppies |
| Buffalo Daughter | Socks, Drugs And Rock 'n' Roll |
| oono yuuki | Tremor |
| Ichiko Aoba | Seabed Eden |
| Wings | Let 'Em In |
| Mauro Samaniegro | Los dias del buen sol |
| Arthur Russell | This is How We Walk on the Moon |
| Tiny Vipers | American Prayer |
| Ran Park | Arrival / Peace Piece |
| Eyvind Kang | Pure Nothing |
Midnight in a Perfect World, KEXP's weekly hour-long guest DJ show, airs Fridays at midnight. This multi-genre program features eclectic sets by a rotating cast of international and local DJ's, each building upon a party vibe to kick off your weekend. Midnight in a Perfect World is made possible with support from New Belgium Brewing.
Fresh off the release of hipernatural, Indonesian-born, NYC-based artist Melati ESP shares a dreamy bioluminescent guest DJ mix full of dreamy breaks, blissful ambient, and cerebral club rhythms.
PNW native and local legend Stas THEE Boss takes the listener on an expressive and personal journey through R&B, hip-hop, soul, gospel, funk, and more on her guest DJ mix.
Veteran Tokyo-based musician and FLAU Records founder aus weaves together a mesmerizing dreamlike journey on his 76-track guest DJ mix.
