11.18 STARNET
We spent a good two days in Mashiko-machi, Tochigi city on Sunday and Monday. Mashiko is as beautiful as i last remember it to be, but this time the experience was fuelled by… so many sentiments and so much human warmth. It was perhaps the unity of our Kitchen. family and friends that made me feel this way.
We flew out the door early morning to the Shonan-shinjuku line where we would ride the train for 90 mins to Ishibashi station, and Yundy’s wife Naomi would pick up us in their little blue car to Starnet.
Ricks at Ishibashi station.
We could have taken the train all the way to Mashiko, albeit changing several lines, but the couple were so kind to spend 2 hours driving to and fro in case we would get lost. “Yundy” by the way is a pet name for Yu from the Ironomi duo who are also on Kitchen. Label. He moved to Mashiko from Tokyo a couple of years ago, abandoning the city life for a pastoral lifestyle. Now he lives in the hills with his wife and pet dog, and they own a small vegetable farm. Having close ties with Starnet (where he once worked at and also released on their music label), he organized our Kitchen. Label showcase this time.
On the road in Naomi’s car the scenery was breathtaking. With my choppy Japanese i explained to her that it is a rarity to be able to take in such vast open views in Singapore. We passed a long road that was flanked by rice fields on each side. What led up to this road was a spectacular forest on a hill, some in hues of red and yellow. “My favourite road”, she smiled and said. I could see why.
We finally reached Starnet in an hour. Memories came flooding back… The first people i saw – Junya (the other half of Ironomi), haruka nakamura.. and friends like Tanaka-san and Daichi who came to help with sound and lights. Akira Uchida who often guests on soprano saxophone for haruka nakamura was also here as piano tuner.
haruka nakamura and AOKI, hayato’s unit were first to soundcheck. This was the first time to hear their collaboration and it was stunning. I have Aoki-san’s albums but to hear him live was another kind of experience. The two had such natural camaraderie that it makes one wonder why they had not worked together earlier.
The sound and the tone from Aoki-san’s guitar was… really extraodinary. A chat with him later on revealed that it is an antique Yamaha from 1975.
It was our turn next. I felt extremely comfortable with how our sound mingled with the atmosphere, and that it was going to be a great show for all of us. One of our best friends Daichi who was soundman for the day was doing a great job so far.
Lastly it was Ironomi’s turn. It was wonderful to see Yundy pick up the classical again, accompanied by Junya on piano.
The noon light streamed in generously. Both played with fluidity and restraint, and their sounds reverberated perfectly off the high ceilings and white walls.
Before we knew it, it was time for doors to open and the crowd started streaming in. I heard we had many guests from neighbouring towns and cities. Mika Nakasho (editor of webdacapo magazine) who interviewed us last year was also here to watch us. Some friends drove from Tokyo as well and i couldn’t be more glad to see them again.
We retreated to the “dressing room” which had actually been a room that Mr. Koshi Baba (founder and architect of Starnet) lived in for a period of time in the past.
It was definitely the most interesting dressing room we had ever encountered – every corner was filled with Mr. Koshi Baba’s character and spirit, with antiques and curious objects.
The Starnet staff very kindly brought in hot barley tea and delicious onigiri to fill us up before our show… and so the show started. Because we were the last to play, the sun was already setting halfway but it bathed the gallery in a beautiful blue light. In turn i felt that the near-evening atmosphere would suit our music better. We played two songs with haruka (on guitar) and Junya (on piano)… Landscape With A Fairy and Endless Dreamless. During times like these when more than two players are absorbed in a song, i just feel like the best part of being a musician is playing together with your musical best friends. No words can describe that feeling.
Night fell. At the door we said our thank yous and goodbyes to each visitor.
Yundy and Naomi. A beautiful couple.
Araki Shin and Mito drove from Tokyo. Thanks guys!
The mandatory group shot. Clockwise from top left: Uchida Akira, Maya-san, Naomi-san, Natsu-san, Daichi, Tanaka-san, Yatoo-san, haruka, Ricks, April, Aoki-san, Yundy. The mermaid lying on the floor is Junya.
A big thank you to Yatoo and Natsu who assisted on photography and videography, Daichi on sound and Tanaka-san on lights.
I say, no show is complete without an aftershow party, so here we are at a izakaya (filled with Boowy posters!?) drinking and getting drunk. And it was so hard to hide the glutton in myself when the food was that delicious…
Goodnight!