SOTA

SOTA, whose real name is Mitsunori Sono, made his first release on Low Down Deep in November 2019, beginning a run of drum and bass releases that has since reached labels including UKF, Crucast and Elevate Records. The producer and DJ’s music centres on high-energy, dancefloor-focused sounds. Low Down Deep remained a close part of his development, with SOTA crediting the label and Logan D for their support. SOTA is based in Kyoto, Japan, and his first event appearance was in 2018. He has played most often in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and has served as a support DJ for overseas artists at clubs in Kyoto and Tokyo.

In 2021, SOTA released Flappers, a single made with Turno. Other releases include HolyMoly, featuring JD, and the tracks Down, Frontin’ and Pumpers. SOTA also worked with Circadian on a remix of Camo & Krooked and Mefjus’s track Sientelo. He organizes the parties Back Home and Monday Vibes at Kyoto’s West Harlem. At Back Home, he has invited Japanese artists Kaoru Inoue, DJ Kent, Chida, DJ Hikaru, Conomark, Ryota Opp and Hibiki Sakurai, and he helped make MAD MATS’s Kyoto tour at West Harlem a success.

SOTA launched SOTA Music as an outlet for club-ready music, explaining that the label allowed releases to come out more quickly. The move came alongside his continuing relationship with Low Down Deep Recordings. In 2025, his singles included Raving In The Studio (SOTA Remix), with Aitch and Bou, on NQ Records, and NO SURRENDER (No Retreat), with Pirapus, on State Of The Art. The following year brought Touchdown, a UKF single with Kanine and Mila Falls, and Bodybag, an INDMND single with B Live and Bou. SOTA won Best Newcomer at the Drum & Bass Arena Awards.

Another 2026 release was Elevate (Remixes), with Alok and Sub Focus, on Positiva. In September, SOTA played dates in Melbourne, Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch as part of the State Of The Art 3.0 run, performing at Bourke Street Courtyard, Brewtown Upper Hutt, Logan Campbell Centre and TBA - Cathedral Square, respectively.