Djuma Soundsystem - Tribal Rhythms, Authenticity, and Finding Balance

Описание: In this Virtual Sessions episode, Djuma Soundsystem, also known as Mikkas, joins from Copenhagen to share insights into his career, creative process, and philosophies on music and life. He describes his style as deep, tribal, and organic, shaped by influences from folkloric sounds across Africa, Latin America, India, and East Asia. His label, Iseki, emerged from a global party concept that grew into a full imprint during the pandemic, carrying forward the ethos of community, rhythm, and connection.

Mikkas reflects on production as a slow, detail-oriented process where he invents the wheel every time. Preferring collaboration, he emphasizes music’s social nature in contrast to the loneliness of touring. His modest bedroom studio setup shows that inspiration, not expensive gear, drives creativity. He acknowledges the challenges of staying healthy on the road, leaning on meditation, conscious eating, and psychotherapy training to manage dopamine spikes between highs on stage and quiet airport moments.

The conversation dives into modern club culture and technology, including his critiques of social media pressures and phone use on the dancefloor. He notes how DJs have shifted from hidden figures in booths to performers treated like superstars, sometimes at the expense of the music itself. For him, authenticity and connection are central, whether in intimate clubs or on global festival stages.

Mikkas also shares stories about hearing his music used in a wedding ceremony, curating Ibiza Live Radio shows, and supporting emerging artists like Native P through his label. He believes success comes from creating unique sounds that reflect personal moods rather than chasing trends, urging young producers to embrace imperfection and learn from mistakes. Beyond music, he seeks balance through nature retreats, Buddhism, and lifelong learning.

Topics

0:24 - Describing his music as deep, tribal, and organic
2:00 - Collaborations and inspiration behind the track Yoruba
2:58 - Origins of Iseki as a party concept and community
5:19 - Meaning of Iseki and drawing from folkloric traditions
6:17 - Studio setup, production style, and working mostly in the box
8:33 - Slow production process and value of collaboration
11:18 - Managing health, wellness, and dopamine spikes on tour
17:00 - Social media pressures versus artistic happiness
19:10 - Phones on the dancefloor and the loss of focus on music
28:22 - Supporting emerging artists and shaping unique sounds

Follow Djuma Soundsystem on Instagram @djumastudio for tour updates and new releases.
Discover the Iseki label and events at Iseki Global.
Stream Djuma’s music and guest mixes on Ibiza Live Radio.




About  Djuma Soundsystem -

Djuma Soundsystem is the moniker of Norwegian DJ and producer Mikkas.


He’s known as one of the pioneers of Afro House, and the creator behind the modern classic ”Les Djinns”. With a career spanning over three decades, he’s released music on esteemed labels like Get Physical Music, Stil vor Talent, Sol Selectas, Crosstown Rebels, and of course his own imprint; IZIKI Records.

Sleep isn’t really on Djuma’s schedule. In addition to managing his label, he hosts the Iziki radio show on Ibiza Live Radio and has been consistently touring since his breakthrough at the turn of the century.

A true pioneer, Djuma championed the underground tribal afro sound long before it gained mainstream traction. And he’s not slowing down—constantly evolving, always exploring new sonic territory.

About The DJ Sessions -

“The DJ Sessions” is a Twitch/Mixcloud ”Featured Partner” live streaming/podcast series featuring electronic music DJ’s/Producers via live mixes/interviews and streamed/distributed to a global audience. TheDJSessions.com

The series constantly places in the “Top Ten” on Twitch Music and the “Top Five” in the “Electronic Music”, “DJ”, ”Dance Music” categories. TDJS is rated in the Top 0.11% of live streaming shows on Twitch out of millions of live streamers.

”The DJ Sessions” is listed in the Feedspot directory as one of the Top 60 EDM Podcasts.

It has also been recognized by Apple twice as a ”New and Noteworthy” podcast and featured three times in the Apple Music Store video podcast section. UStream and Livestream have also listed the series as a ”Featured” stream on their platforms since its inception.

The series is also streamed live to multiple other platforms and hosted on several podcast sites. It has a combined live streaming/podcast audience is over 125,000 viewers per week.

In addition to featuring international artists TDJS focuses on local talent based on the US West Coast. Hundreds of local DJ’s have been featured on the show along with top industry professionals.