Wamono Nights has been bringing the nostalgic sounds of vintage Japanese pop to Dallas since June 2024. The event, which started after a March show, has quickly gained popularity, attracting a diverse crowd of city pop fans. Kate Siamro, co-owner of LadyLove, the venue hosting the event, recognized the potential of this unique night, which focuses on wamono—vintage Japanese music ranging from jazz and soul to disco and funk.
“I got really excited because none of our DJs have ever played city pop, and I love it,” Siamro says. “Kyle came in, and my staff just fell in love with him.”
The series, which is vinyl-only, has drawn large crowds who appreciate the laid-back and nostalgic atmosphere. DJ Kyle Gardner, one of the event’s key organizers, says the attendance continues to grow. “It’s really snowballed,” Gardner notes. “The attendance keeps growing, and there’s definitely a demand for this music.”
What started as a niche interest in the late ’70s and ’80s Japanese music has transformed into a growing trend. Over the past decade, platforms like YouTube and digital forums have helped revitalize city pop and Japanese funk, attracting fans across multiple generations. “Every Sunday, it gets bigger and better,” Siamro adds. “I think it’s going to keep expanding.”
Part of Wamono Nights’ appeal is the eye-catching artwork created by Ozaeta, who designs pastel-colored posters inspired by the vibrant aesthetic of ’80s Japan. “The era of the ’80s, late-’70s Japan, has such a specific aesthetic,” Ozaeta says. “I’m drawing inspiration from ’80s magazine covers and Shonen Jump graphics with their colorful, poppy designs.” His posters, printed using risograph techniques, sell out quickly and have become a recognizable symbol of style in Oak Cliff.
Building on the success of their vinyl nights, Wamono Nights is expanding its influence into film. Gardner recently reached out to the Texas Theatre to pitch a monthly film series, focusing on underrepresented Asian cinema. “We have great repertory programming in Dallas, but Asian cinema is somewhat underrepresented,” Gardner says. “Barak Epstein at the Texas Theatre was game, and now we’ve got a monthly film series.”
The first film in the series, Tomcat’s Big Adventure, will be shown on April 14. Gardner and Ozaeta are working on securing the screening rights to an animated film by the director of Serial Experiments Lain—a project that has them both excited. “We’re in the process of translation, and this is something I’ve dreamed about,” Gardner says.
The success of Wamono Nights is rooted in the combination of music, visual art, and atmosphere. Drawing on their backgrounds, Gardner and Ozaeta create an experience that blends vinyl tracks from artists like Mariya Takeuchi with vibrant visuals, from tote bags to posters to cult Japanese films and anime. LadyLove’s intimate setting provides the perfect venue, with an emphasis on vinyl and turntables, echoing the original concept of Japanese listening lounges.
“We want to open the door with familiar songs and then take people deeper into the genre,” Gardner says. The event’s relaxed yet engaging atmosphere encourages listeners to appreciate the whimsical magic of ’70s and ’80s Japanese city life—something that many in the audience never experienced but feel a connection to.
As the series grows, both Siamro and Gardner are excited about the future. “I didn’t expect to become a DJ,” Ozaeta admits. “But it’s taken off in a way I didn’t anticipate. There was a secret need for this music, and people just gravitate toward it.” With less than a year under its belt, Wamono Nights shows no signs of slowing down—soon, the event may become something everyone in Dallas remembers fondly, as a time when the city pop revival began to thrive in the heart of Bishop Arts.
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