Curry and Kareoke...

So today was the bomb. It was phat, phresh, and a whole lot more.

We finally got our full interview in with Suishou No Fune. This couple is awesome. I have a lot of respect for them and their lifestyle. We met them early this afternoon at the Kichi-Oji train station, then headed to their small curry restaurant. This is another one of those amazing mini restaurants. It had 5 seats, and was about 7 ft square, which included the kitchen, counter, sink and seating...alright, compactness! Here we are in front of the place:



We had a great interview with them, in which they told us about their lifestyles, thoughts on music, and their modest mindset. They both wear black outfits all the time (she wears a shawl too), pants and shirts, even when its 105 degrees out. They told us that they do this for their music and for their restaurant. They are priests of both of these things, they said. They take both of these things very seriously, and in homage to this feeling, they wear specific garb.

They also say that black contains all other colors, so it represents freedom for them. They do not like to confine themselves to one color, but rather allow themselves to contain all colors.

They told us about their modest beginnings, and their current way of life. They play 60 or more shows a year, and run the small curry restaurant in their off time. They have traveled the world, and seem to have smiled the entire way doing it. It was really great to see this couple, so in touch with what's important, enjoying themselves to the fullest.

It was a real pleasure to meet them once again. In fact, I couldn't help but feel a slight guilt or akwardness by the fact that these humble folk were being interviewed by us, while we aimed high-tech HD cameras, and 10 megapixel digital SLRs at 'em, with shotgun mics on booms, and XLR cables plugged into this and that.


I mean, talk about a contradiction in ideals or something. I dunno...in either case, there seemed to be mutual respect going on, and it was groovey.


After the interview, they opened the restaurant for us, and made us the best curry dishes I have ever had. I had chicken curry with yellow rice, and it was perfect. The large pieces of chicken fell apart as I touched them, tender and saturated with flavor. The curry was spicey and delicious. Amazing. Afterwards, they served us a refreshing yogurt drink. She described it as yogurt, with a small amount of cumin in it, and a bit of water. Totally cooled the curry heat. Zang!



After we left, we stopped by a music store and bought a mic clip. No more taping the microphone to the boom. One step closer to being professionals, yet still so far far away.


So then we went to Lewis'. Eric passed out immediately, and we recorded his snoring for a song we've been working on, called Kraft Singles. We've formed a band, called Return To Hamburger...which is playing off the name of Chick Corea's band Return To Forever.


And, while we were at the curry restaurant, Keiko called Muzenji Monk from Muryako Muzenji and helped finalize a gig for us!


Alright! We're gonna play an official gig in Tokyo!


So we've been inviting all the bands we interview. On September 26th, the Live From Tokyo crew will be playing Live in Tokyo! It's gonna be our big finale, and from the sound of it, many of the musicians we've met will be attending.


Needless to say, we're extremely excited.


So after leaving Lewis' we went to Shibuya and met Jonny for the Sexy Sythesizer show. Lewis stopped by Shinjuku and met Makoto, who gave us back our 2nd camera which he had repaired! Once again, this guy is amazing. Can't thank him enough...here's the 2nd camera, new and improved before the Sexy Sythnesizer show...

We had seen them play after The Lady Spade, and had really been into 'em, but now we had press passes, and filmed the show in detail. (Although the photos didn't really come out).


They play 8-bit music, which is music that uses the same audio technology from GameBoy or other oldschool devices. However, they also merge house, funk, and electronica into the music. It makes for some of the most amazing, intense, energetic, awesome audibles that I've ever heard. And throughout the entire performace, 8-bit graphics are playing on projectors throughout the club. The guy behind the Apple computer is running all the custom graphics.

So after a great show, we went to do an interview. But it was raining outside, and it was loud inside. Where to go?

KAREOKE!

So we hit up a 6 floor Kareoke Bar in Shibuya. We rented out a room which had a massive flatscreen HDTV, a BOSE soundsystem, couches, cameras, lights, etc. and ordered some beers before delving into a great interview. These guys were cool doods.

They weren't camera shy at all, and really gave flushed out descriptions of Tokyo's electronic lifestyle, and their role in music here. They talked about video-game culture, about Nightrider, Chuck Norris, about Rice-Rockets, and tons of other stuff. They talked for almost 2 hours, and they still had more to say. I think we'll probably be doing a follow-up interview at some point.

So after they covered the bill (which was pricey), we headed out...thanks Sexy Synth. Anyway, we have our first day, in 9 days, without filming tomorrow. I'm not going to set an alarm clock, which is the best feeling there is.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Oh, if anyone knows how to post an .mp3, I'd like to post some tunes I/Return To Hamburger have been working on. I found a html embedding code, but how can you use that from a blog (no server space). Any ideas?

Konbonwa!

Ian-san

P.S. Did you know that it's a very common ice-breaker question for Japanese people to ask each what their blood-type is? It's supposed to tell you a lot about someone, like their zodiac symbol.

While you think about that, think about this: