Van Paugam DJing with original vinyl records — Original pressings. Chicago and beyond.

SIDE A — 和製ポップス

Japanese City Pop:
records, writing,
and DJ sets.

Van Paugam is the DJ, writer, and vinyl specialist widely credited with the global revival of Japanese City Pop — over a hundred nights in Chicago, Paris, Berlin, and Tokyo, all of it from original Japanese pressings.

BOOK A SET BUY VINYL

● Chicago Reader ● CNN International ● Victor Entertainment ● Japanese Consul-General ● Spincoaster Tokyo

"It probably never would've reached American ears if it weren't for Van Paugam, a Chicago-based DJ who's made it his life's work to resurrect City Pop for a new generation of Westerners."

— THE CHICAGO READER

FEATURED 特集

Biography & Archival Impact

Van Paugam is an American DJ and cultural ambassador attributed as a primary figure associated with the rise of 1980s Japanese City Pop music gaining popularity in the West starting in 2016. He was among the first DJs to mix Japanese disco, funk, and synth-pop on digital platforms, igniting an archival movement that brought obscure 1980s Japanese pressings back to international prominence.

Originally from Miami Beach, Paugam moved to Chicago in 2011, undertaking Japanese language studies to deepen his understanding of City Pop lyricism and production history. For his efforts in reviving the genre, he was invited to DJ for the Japanese Consul-General of Chicago, featured on CNN International, and has produced official remixes for JVCKenwood Victor Entertainment.

SIDE B — 実績・メディア

Diplomatic & Institutional Highlights

Label Remixes

Produced official remixes for JVCKenwood Victor Entertainment (Kaoru Akimoto’s 1987 Cologne) and met with pop star Anri.

Diplomatic Performance

Featured performer for the Japanese Consul-General of Chicago and U.S.-Japan Council (USJC Kanpai Chicago).

100+ Vinyl Events

Hosted over 100 vinyl-only events across Tokyo (Spincoaster), Paris, Berlin, Miami, and Chicago residencies.

Broadcasting & Radio

Creator and host of the Mayonaka Hour (真夜中アワー) podcast and guest on CNN International.

Press & Broadcast Archive

CNN International — Featured on NYE Special covering Japanese music trends.
Chicago Reader — Cover profile: "Van Paugam, City Pop Evangelist and DJ".
Spincoaster Tokyo — Covered headline Tokyo set "都市浮遊 (City Floating)".
Journal of Popular Music Studies — Cited in academic research on retro aesthetics.