Launched by multi-instrumentalist and former KMLN member Tooker alongside tech marketing executive Jay Kurahashi-Sofue, SONARA Records emerges as a new platform rooted in artist development and cross-cultural collaboration.
Photo credit: SONARA Records
With bases in Sardinia and Brooklyn, the label was created to support deep electronic music guided by intention, creative freedom, and holistic strategy.
As their debut statement, the imprint presents ‘Coda’ EP — a collaborative release from Tooker, David Mayer, and Nico Stojan, out on September 26th, 2025. Featuring Kenyan vocalist Winyo, the project blends organic instrumentation, spiritual textures, and melodic depth, setting the tone for SONARA’s artist-first philosophy and sonic identity.
In this conversation, Tooker and Jay open up about the label’s foundation, creative mission, and the collaborative journey behind its first release.
EG: Hi, guys! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How are you doing? How is your summer season coming along?
Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue: The summer has been really good so far. We’ve been incredibly busy getting the label off the ground. We’ve been working closely as a collective, including founding artists Nico Stojan and David Mayer, to ensure everything we put out is top-notch. While we officially started building SONARA earlier this year, the project itself has really been years in the making.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the launch of your brand new imprint, SONARA Records! You must be over the moon. What has the reception been like so far?
Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue: We’re ecstatic with all the positive feedback we’ve received—not just about the label itself, but most importantly, about the music coming out of it. Some of these tracks have been played, refined, and evolved over the past few years, so it feels incredible to share them in the right way. As co-founders, we’ve been very intentional about figuring out how to maximize the success of each release and roll everything out with care.
In July, we officially unveiled SONARA with previews that gave people a sense of the label’s identity. We hosted launch parties in the label’s hometown of Sardinia, and we also had the chance to showcase at I Land Festival in Estonia, where Nico and David opened the festival on the official SONARA stage. Those moments have been really special, but what excites us even more is knowing this is only the beginning. Everything we’ve done so far is just a fraction of what’s in the works—we have so much more to bring to the world.
EG: So, how did SONARA Records come to life? How long has this project been in the works for you? How did you guys first connect?
Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue: Everyone’s played a role in shaping the relationships that brought SONARA to life, but the starting point was when Nico and I (Jay) first connected before the pandemic through tech circles. From there, I was introduced to Chris, who’s been close friends with Nico for over a decade, and more recently to David. Over time, those connections expanded and deepened, blending both the social and professional sides of our lives—and that’s really what laid the foundation for SONARA.
From there, Chris and I kept talking about starting something new. For years, we saw a clear opportunity in the industry and couldn’t shake the idea. As those conversations gained momentum, Nico and David’s support gave us the push we needed to make it real.
By the end of last year, we began turning the idea into a concrete plan, and by early 2025, we were building out the core components of the label. Since January, our energy has gone into structuring the business, defining what SONARA stands for, and making sure the music, branding, and strategy all come together cohesively.
EG: What’s the concept behind SONARA Records? In your opinion, what makes it unique in this landscape?
Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue: The core concept of SONARA is to work with artists in a truly intentional way. It’s not just about putting out a track and moving on—we focus on an artist’s brand, profile, and strategy well before a release, and then build together to maximize what the label can provide.
What makes SONARA unique is our focus on growth and distribution from day one. We’re adapting proven digital strategies from other industries to the music world, giving both artists and their tracks the best chance to thrive.
Our collaboration is more than transactional—it’s a genuine partnership. The energy and creativity from those sessions not only keep us aligned but also push the sound of SONARA forward.
“What makes the collaboration work so well is that we complement each other’s strengths, and we both step up whenever there’s a need”
EG: And now you’re behind the drop of SONARA’s maiden release! Congratulations. What can you tell us about this very special release?
Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue: ‘Coda’ is the first EP as a label, and it really showcases the collaboration at the heart of SONARA. Tooker, Nico, and David came together to create two distinct tracks. The title track, ‘Coda’, was produced by Tooker alongside Winyo, an artist hailing from Kenya’s contemporary scene. This uplifting after-hours track keeps the energy driving from start to finish. ‘Nano’, the second track, takes a more ethereal, deep-house direction, with David and Nico crafting a beautifully layered instrumental that carries a steady, hypnotic flow.
What makes this EP special is that it embodies contributions from everyone on the team—it feels like a true reflection of the label’s spirit. The reception so far has been incredible, with support already coming in from artists like Monolink, Chambord, Re.You, and more.
EG: Why did you guys decide to bring in David Mayer & Nico Stojan? How did this particular track come about?
Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue: As we were building the label, it felt natural to bring David and Nico—who’ve been close collaborators for years—into the fold. Working with them on refining their music and figuring out how best to share it with the world made us realize they weren’t just collaborators, but truly essential members of SONARA. From there, things began to fall into place organically, with each track involving the team in some way.
With ‘Coda’, the track originally started as an instrumental, then shifted toward a vocal version, before eventually returning to its instrumental roots. Near the final stretch, Chris brought in Winyo, whose touch helped round the track out beautifully. ‘Nano’, on the other hand, was born from a bike ride Nico took in Berlin—an idea sparked on that ride quickly turned into a studio session, where he and David built out the track together. That back-and-forth collaboration is really what shaped the final sound.
EG: How did you guys settle on the visual aspect of the label?
Tooker: From the beginning, I wanted the label’s identity to reflect the places where it was founded. SONARA is rooted in Sardinia, Brooklyn, and Berlin, and each of those places shapes our visual world. Sardinia brings the serene beauty of its waters and natural landscapes, while Brooklyn and Berlin contribute their vibrant, energetic, and eclectic flair in distinct ways.
That mix of nature and urban energy carries into how we design the label. We’ve been using AI-driven tools to create visuals that capture both the uniqueness of each release and the broader identity of SONARA. Much of the label’s look revolves around 3D shapes and fluid, dynamic forms—all tied back to the unique roots and inspiration of SONARA.
EG: Both of you have wildly different professional backgrounds. Do you guys have set roles within the label?
Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue: We do have somewhat distinct roles, but they aren’t rigid. What makes the collaboration work so well is that we complement each other’s strengths, and we both step up whenever there’s a need—regardless of whether it falls directly within our usual responsibilities.
Generally, Tooker takes the lead on the musical side, focusing on the creative elements that shape each track and release. And Jay focuses more on the business operations and marketing strategy—making sure the music reaches as many people as possible around the world. That balance has been key, but the real strength comes from knowing we can both jump in wherever needed.
“Everything we’ve done so far is just a fraction of what’s in the works—we have so much more to bring to the world”
EG: What’s next for Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue? What milestones are you looking forward to now? Where can your fans catch you next? Are there any plans for future label showcases?
Tooker & Jay Kurahashi-Sofue: Our next milestone is to start rolling out the extensive catalog of unreleased music we’ve been sitting on. Some of that will come through our core artists, but we’re also excited to collaborate with artists outside of SONARA and share their work through the label.
We definitely have plans for future showcases, though nothing is officially announced yet. In the meantime, fans can follow us on Instagram, and we’ll be launching the SONARA website soon with more updates.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, guys! We wish you all the best in the future. Take care!
The ‘Coda’ EP is out now via SONARA Records. Grab your copy here.
