Snow Machine Japan: Taking My Sound International
Landing my first international festival booking at Snow Machine Japan wasn't luck; it started with a direct email. From exploring Tokyo to performing two sets in the Japanese Alps alongside a world-class lineup, here's the story behind one of the biggest milestones in my DJ career, the challenges of playing overseas, and the lessons every touring artist should know.
How a cold email led to performing in the Japanese Alps alongside some of electronic music's biggest names.
When I first reached out to the Snow Machine team, I wasn't expecting anything more than an opportunity to introduce myself. Like many artists trying to break onto international stages, I knew waiting for the phone to ring wasn't a strategy. Instead, I sent my press kit, shared my recent work, and put myself forward.
That single email turned into one of the biggest moments of my career at that point.
Snow Machine is unlike any festival I've experienced. Set amongst the mountains of Hakuba, Japan, the event combines world-class skiing with electronic music, bringing together thousands of Australian travellers and music lovers from across the globe. The 2024 lineup featured artists including Diplo, Nina Kraviz, Bob Moses, Denis Sulta, Todd Terje, Marc Rebillet, Claptone, GG Magree, George Fitzgerald, Shinichi Osawa and many more.
To be invited onto a lineup alongside artists I've admired for years was both surreal and incredibly rewarding.
Arriving in Japan
ARRIVING IN TOKYO AT TOWER RECORDS
TOWER RECORDS - ROBIN ALEXANDER
Before reaching the mountains, I spent a few days exploring Tokyo with friends. From digging through record stores and wandering the city's streets to experiencing Japan's unique culture firsthand, it was the perfect way to settle in before heading north.
The journey into Hakuba was unforgettable. Snow-covered mountains stretched across the horizon, and the entire town transformed into a festival village. Everywhere you looked were snowboarders, skiers, music fans and artists preparing for several days of après parties and late-night events.
It quickly became clear that Snow Machine wasn't simply another festival it was an experience.
Two Sets in the Japanese Alps
Across the weekend, I performed two sets, playing to crowds made up largely of Australian festival-goers mixed with international visitors discovering the event.
My preparation reflected the atmosphere of the festival. Rather than taking a purely techno-focused approach, I built sets that could move between Melodic Techno, Tech House and Minimal Tech while maintaining the groove and energy that defines my sound.
The daytime atmosphere encouraged a more melodic and uplifting approach before gradually increasing the intensity as the parties continued into the evening.
Seeing people dance after spending the day on the slopes was something completely different from playing a traditional nightclub. The backdrop of snow-covered mountains created an atmosphere that's difficult to describe until you've experienced it yourself.
Expect the Unexpected
Like every festival, things didn't go exactly to plan.
One of the more stressful moments came after a rave when I realised I'd misplaced both my headphones and my USB drives.
When snow-covered mountains surround you, there isn't a music store around the corner where you can simply replace essential equipment. It became a valuable reminder that travelling internationally requires a different level of preparation.
Fortunately, everything worked out, but it reinforced lessons I'll carry into every overseas performance.
Lessons From Playing Internationally
International touring teaches you far more than simply adapting to different crowds.
One of the biggest lessons was understanding that even well-established festivals can face unexpected challenges. Schedules change, equipment changes, and plans evolve quickly. Remaining calm, flexible and solutions-focused is just as important as delivering a great set.
Preparation also becomes critical.
Travelling overseas means carrying backups for everything that matters.
That includes:
Multiple USBs with mirrored libraries.
Spare headphones where possible.
Backup cables and adapters.
Duplicate copies of important files.
Allowing extra time for travel and unexpected delays. - THIS ONE IS A MUST!!
When you're hours away from the nearest city in the Japanese Alps, replacing forgotten gear simply isn't an option.
Looking Back
Snow Machine marked an important milestone in my career.
Not only was it my first international festival performance in Japan, but it reinforced something I've always believed: opportunities rarely arrive on their own. Reaching out, introducing yourself and backing your work can open doors that would otherwise remain closed.
Sharing a lineup with internationally recognised artists while playing for passionate music lovers in one of the world's most unique festival settings is an experience I'll never forget.
It's also motivated me to keep pushing further.
The goal has never been to play bigger festivals. It's to continue creating memorable experiences wherever I perform, whether that's an intimate underground club, a warehouse, or a mountainside in Japan.
Snow Machine was one step in that journey, and I'm excited to see where the next one leads.