14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHYOKOO

French by birth, Australian at heart, and currently calling Lisbon home, YokoO has long embodied the spirit of a modern musical nomad. With over two decades immersed in the deeper corners of house music, his path is anything but linear—more a meditative drift through sound, space, and emotion. A true studio devotee, YokoO has carved out a rich sonic legacy on esteemed labels like All Day I Dream, Kindisch, Rebellion, and beyond, with each release reflecting his deep-rooted commitment to artistic integrity and inner truth.

Whether weaving hypnotic rhythms under the stars at Burning Man or crafting immersive sets in intimate venues across the globe, his presence behind the decks is as mindful as it is magnetic. YokoO’s music isn’t just heard—it’s felt. It pulses with intention, drawn from his yoga practice, his travels, and a clear-eyed sense of purpose that flows through every beat.

With the founding of his label SATYA, YokoO deepens this vision—curating a space for uncompromising artistry and creative exploration. It’s not just a label, but a statement: music as meditation, as ritual, as truth.

In his latest offering, YokoO teams up with Haider Uppal for the ‘Held’ EP (SATYADGTL022)—a soulful, deep-cut journey that speaks to vulnerability, presence, and transformation. The package is elevated further with a slick, dancefloor-focused remix from Romanian master Mihai Popoviciu, bringing another layer of nuance to an already compelling release.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hello there! Julien here, more commonly known as YokoO, DJ, producer, and founder of Satya, a record label born from a deep love for music as a healing and connective force. Over the past 20 years as a professional DJ, I’ve played across the world, curating sonic journeys that invite introspection, liberation, and presence. My work isn’t just about dancefloors; it’s about emotion, connection, and truth.

Satya has become a home for deep, emotive, groove-driven electronic music, timeless in its essence and rooted in a profound sense of community. I was born in the northeastern part of France, near Switzerland and Germany, and spent much of my adult life living in Sydney, then Berlin, and now Lisbon, while regularly touring round the world.

To me, music is more than entertainment, it’s emotional communication. It has been a path to presence, self-exploration, transformation, and expression. When I’m not immersed in music, you’ll find me on the yoga mat, working out, or sitting in stillness, contemplating the infinite layers shaping the reality I experience. 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

Thich Nhat Hanh. His presence alone feels like an answer to most questions. In our fast-paced, hyper-stimulated world, someone like him embodies a quiet power, the kind that doesn’t need volume to be felt. Even just sharing a silent cup of tea with him would be grounding. It’s not so much about conversation as it is about the quality of being together. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Teleportation. Not just to avoid jet lag and long-haul flights, but to stay connected to loved ones and nature, no matter how much I tour. That kind of freedom would allow me to explore the world while remaining grounded in what matters most. 

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

I’d gravitate toward something like Samsara or Koyaanisqatsi, i.e. films that rely entirely on imagery and sound to express the inexpressible. I’ve always been fascinated by the emotional power of atmosphere. Scoring a non-verbal film would be a beautiful challenge, an invitation to compose from the soul outward.

That love for cinematic, introspective music also inspired the launch of SATYAXPLR (pronounced “Explore”), a catalogue of SATYA dedicated to ambient and soundscape-driven works: SATYAXPLR on SoundCloud. 

Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And why?

Laurent Garnier was one of my earliest inspirations. Watching him navigate a dancefloor like a true captain left a lasting impression. Matthew Dekay also acted as a mentor to me in the early 2010’s.

Still, it wasn’t just one person. It was a collection of moments, records, and connections. The emotional honesty of certain tracks, the feeling of being held by music, and the countless souls I’ve met along the way have each shaped my path in their own way. 

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

Passion, discipline, and dedication have been the driving forces behind everything.

It’s been a long road, one of self-discovery as much as sonic exploration. I began with curiosity and went through various phases until I found my voice in deep, emotional soundscapes. Living in France, Australia, Germany, and now Portugal, each chapter has brought new lessons.

SATYA is a natural extension of this journey, a space to honour truth, artistic integrity, and human connection.  

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their music career?

Follow what feels true. Don’t get caught up in validation, trends, or algorithms. Let your music be a mirror, of who you are, where you’ve been, and what you’re learning. If you stay honest and patient, the rest will come. 

Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?

There have been many. Lately, I’ve been enjoying the intimacy and raw energy of small nightclubs again. But sunrise sets in the desert, on a beach, up in the mountains, or deep in the jungle always stay with me.

It’s not just the setting, it’s when intention, environment, and connection align. When the music, the crowd, and the moment dissolve into oneness, something timeless happens. 

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

I started out playing electro and hard techno, then shifted into house, tech house, and eventually deep house. Rhythm and groove have always been central, but over time my sound has become more spacious, emotional, and refined.

As I matured and tuned into my emotions, I was drawn toward subtlety, nostalgia, and depth. Today, I aim to create music that allows people to reflect, feel, and surrender while still moving their bodies. I try to bridge genres: intricate, swinging minimal house drums with warm, unpredictable melodies to induce a gentle hypnosis on the dancefloor. 

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

Probably ambient. I’m fascinated by silence, decay, and the emotional power of simplicity. There’s something profound in letting a piece of music breathe, allowing the feeling to emerge without forcing anything. 

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

There are many, but here are three that made a deep impact early on:

Miss Kittin & The Hacker – "Frank Sinatra"

I first heard it while watching a French porn movie… True story. A high school friend later introduced me to their album, and that track became forever imprinted in my brain. It screamed sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll.

Josh Wink – "Don’t Laugh"

My older brother had it on a compilation CD in the late ’90s. I would blast it on my Hi-Fi stereo every time my parents weren’t home. Pure mayhem.

Laurent Garnier – "Crispy Bacon"

Crunchy, driving, and unforgettable. One of those tracks that could turn any club inside out.

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

The Alentejo region in Portugal. Vast cork tree forests, rolling hills, and an ancient, sacred silence. It’s a place that holds space for both wild release and quiet introspection. The kind of landscape where a sunrise set can feel like a spiritual awakening. 

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

The current global climate is impossible to ignore. It weighs heavily, both emotionally and economically. The industry has shifted dramatically post-pandemic, and keeping up can be overwhelming.

After years of going strong at it, I naturally felt a need to slow down on the touring front. Then life forced me into taking a step back to focus on personal matters anyway. I am now settling into my newly built home in Lisbon, using this time to refine my sound and work on music that reflects this chapter of my life, with plans to return to touring properly in 2026.

SATYA keeps on growing. We’ve got a vinyl-only release from Mihai Pol dropping in September, along with new music on our SATYADGTL series from artists like Hermanez, IPI, Mhrrmv & Kondo, Ramin Majlessi & Rawman, Dru Roma, Alejandro Mosso, Betsu & Omar Ludwig, Peonia—and remixes from Unus Emre, Tijn, Minube, Lawrence, Vincent Casanova, Electricano, Chris Llopis, and myself.

We’re also expanding our showcases and merch offerings, with community at the heart of it all. 

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

Before music took over, I dreamed of being a pro skater. I was well on my way until weekends of raving music shifted my path without me even realizing it.