. . .
/ / / Alexander Rishaug / / Japan Tour Diary 2014 / / / / / /
Day 1. The overseas flight went fine. I even caught some sleep. On Narita Express now. Japan, let the party begin.
Day 2. Luckily I got to sleep all night, but feel a bit dizzy. Even the bricks are cute in Japan. I walked from the hotel in Hatagaya to Shinjuku. Lunch of the day, ordered from an automat. You pay and push the button of what you would like. You get a ticket that you have to give away inside the restaurant. After you get a plate with the things you’ve ordered. I thought I had ordered Sashimi, but it came also with minced tuna (which I didn’t know by then). I couldn’t really define what it was, the consistence was rather strange, but the taste was mild.
Day 3. Used the day to prepare my live set and re-patch the synth. A bit strange to stay inside all day, when you're in Tokyo, but hey I'm a working man. Later I went to Shinjuku to buy a new camera. Was a bit tired of blurry and unfocused iPhone photo's. The show at Soup went very well and it was a great start. Thanks to Jason for getting mad photographing with my new Leica camera, to Yoshio Machida for making the EMS Synthi almost dance, to Keiichi Sugimoto for a stunning live set and to Tetsuro Yasunaga for organizing the show(s). Tomorrow is Niigata.
Day 4. Yesterday's show at Sakyu-kan in Niigata was amazing, the people, the venue and not to mention the food. It was great to experience the music of Tenniscoats and Yu Kamata. Thanks again Masato Hoshino for your hospitality, true enthusiasm and for organizing the event in such beautiful location. Also a big thank to the people helping out with the show, you did a great job. Keep up the spirit and see you next time.
Day 5. The train ride from Niigata to Kanazawa goes partly beautifully along the cost. The weather was great, so it was a stunning scenery. Asuna met me at the station and we drove to the venue Kapo Gallery. Unfortunately Kapo will close down soon, cause the property is sold. It's located in an old warehouse building, kind of Berlin style. A great place. After the show we went to an Izakaya (me like) to have dinner.
Day 6. Day off in Kanazawa with Asuna and his girlfriend Rima Kato. We walked around in the city, through the modern art museum, which where closed on monday, but a permanent installation by James Turell was open, a square in the roof, to see the sky. From there we walked to the castle and the kings park, which was amazing. A lot of different big sized bonsai threes and moss. We had some real matcha, viewing out on the pound. Later they took me to a Japanese steakhouse and we had their speciality Honton rice, a massive dish with rice, egg, fried shrimps, ketchup and mayo. I couldn't almost walk afterwords. In the evening we biked to the local onsen, I guess I was the only tourist there. Different kind of hot baths and saunas. Asuna took sauna for the first time, so I was not the only beginner. Tomorrow back to Tokyo to see Helll and Aki Tsuyuko play. Really looking forward to that.
Day 7. Traveling back to Tokyo with Asuna. The local bus from his house to the station reminded me of the cat bus in Totoro, we where shaking slowly through the city. At the station I bought some local produced bancha tea and a bento box with Kanazawa sushi. The rice is gently pushed together into a square and the fish was smoked. It was nicely packed into a leaf. In the old days they packed it like that to keep the bacterias away. It would stay fresh for many days. It was a little shock to be back in Tokyo city, so hectic compared to where we came from. I joined for the Helll sound check at O' Nest, Shibuya. Then I went to an art book shop and bought some goodies. Later Jason and Shiho came and we went to a draft beer place close by for a snack and some beers. I had an Teikoku IPA from Baird Brewery. It was super nice. When we came back to venue Aki Tsuyuko was just to start playing. She perform very rare, so I felt really lucky to be able to see her play. It was so stunningly beautiful, so I secretly had to cry a little.
Day 8. I stayed at Shiho and Jason's house in Seijogakuen-mae, a quiet neighbourhood on the west side of Tokyo. Had to finish some office work, so stayed inside almost all day. Later I walked to the Seijogakuen-mae station to explore the area a bit. I went for a burger at Kiriy’s Bakery. At the station there’s a supermarket I went in, so much strange and new things. I bought a couple of local craft beers and sake. Shiho and Jason was at work at all day, but they arrived in the afternoon. Me and Jason went to a local sentÅ while Shiho was cooking. Even though I went a couple of days ago in Kanazawa, it was super nice. So relaxing and it feels like you’re one of the locals. In the sauna an old man showed us how to rub the body with salt. When we came back Shiho had made an incredible Japanese meal consisting woked greens and onion, chilli marinated lotus root, fried tuna, miso soup, rice, bamboo and seaweed salad, chicken and zucchini. It was very nice to have home cooked food for the first time during this tour. We finished the craft beer and life was good.
Day 9. Jason cooked an amazing omelette and we had sour dough bread with butter. He drove me to the station and I took the local trains to Tokyo Central to catch a train to Sonnomiya and Motomachi in Kobe. Sumitomo, the organizer, met me at the station. Space Eauuu is located in the third floor, close to the main shopping street in Motomachi. After sound check me and Shimpei, my guide and translator went out for a snack. We had some small egg balls/pancakes (Tamaga Yaki) filled with octopus. Before you eat it you dip in a bowl of stock.There where three other acts performing that night; Sumitomo, on yamaha synth, km: alias Katayama Mitsuru, on guitar, field recordings and electronics and a duo consisting of guitar and a girl on live drawing and visuals. After my show many where interested in the synth, so we had a little demo session. In the end everyone was very hungry, so we went out to eat some "Kobe beef", not the expensive one, but beef from Kobe in Kobe. We had heart, stomach, cheeks, etc. It was a really nice experience and actually what I dreamt of when coming here. Thanks a lot the people coming to the show, the performers, Shimpei, Sumitomo and his girlfriend for organizing the show and feeding me with some proper meat.
Day 10. In the morning I went for a walk in Motomachi. I passed this very posh Italian café with only old rich ladies sitting outside. I really wanted a good espresso (no starbucks for me), so I sat down. The waiters used their time, but when everything came, the food was served on a silver plate. It wasn't super expensive either. After I walked down to Kobe Harbour, one of the biggest in the world. Then suddenly this double highway bridge cut through the panoramic view. The show at Urbanguild was pretty good, but very few people came. The two other acts where very different, but I liked them. Out on the streets it was raining and a lot's of drunk people in halloween costumes. I walked back to the hotel, and almost got a bit lost. I asked someone in the end, but then it was only 50 meter left. The hotel Mystays Kyoto Shijo, is the nicest so far, with double bed and a bit more space. I had to taste some of the tea that I've bought, had a cup of Kyoto bancha and Gyokuru. So good.
Day 11. The distance between Kyoto and Osaka takes approx. an hour with local rapid train. I was heading towards Nishikujo a small station in Osaka. Asari Daiki the organizer came and met me at the station. We walked towards FLOAT a venue and workspace located in an industrial warehouse. To get there we had to walk through a tunnel under the canal (like in Hamburg). When in Osaka, I had to try Okonomiyaki. We went into a random place and the owner told us that the restaurant was actually a bit famous and that it had been on television. I was lucky to catch a photo of them. ? ? ? the owner of FLOAT opened the event with a low key electronic device performance. He used blinking flashlights to trigger the motors. He played piano and walked a bit around in the space. The next performance was a trio with cello, electronics and a guy on live drawing and handheld visuals. The cello player used the instrument in a cool percussive way. Next where Mett, a Swedish - Norwegian duo consisting of iPod, guitar and bass. I didn’t know them from before and their songs where quite playful, quirky and with abrupt endings. My friend Umi from Kyoto and her boyfriend, came to the show. It was really nice to see some familiar faces after meeting new people almost every day.
Day 12. I had to get up quite early to catch the train to Oita. At the train I met a girl from Hong Kong working with electronic devices. She was going to travel round Japan for a month. She said I was a bit aggressive (don’t ask me why), but I guess I was a bit speedy after several days of too little sleep. I had to swop train in Kokura. I fell asleep at the train to Oita and woke suddenly up. I really heard them saying Oita, so I jumped of the train. It happen to be Beppu instead, but luckily it was only 10 minutes away. I took a local train which slowly turned through the hilly landscape. Jonas Vognsen a Danish guy based in Oita and organizer of the show met me at the station. I was surprised when he told me that Oita only had 400K inhabitants. It must be the smallest place I’ve been visiting in Japan so far. I thought that we didn’t meet before, but he said we met 15 years ago, when he was doing video for an ARM show in Aarhus. Tetsu my friend from Fukuoka, drove all the way to see the show. We didn’t see each other since the show in Osaka at AD & A Gallery in 2009. First out that night, a local analog synth and turntablist, experimenting with the dj mixer. He also used an old tape echo machine. The second act, a grunge inspired band, performing live for the first time. My concert went very well and listening position on stage was great. After the show we all went out for some drinks and most people in the group where expaths, a French guy, an Irish, two Australians, a Dane, me and Tetsu. Later a Japanese man who studied English joined the conversation. Later he and Tetsu followed me back to the hotel. I knew I had to get up early to catch a train my final destination, Tokyo.
Day 13. I have started to wake up before the alarm clock, though I'm deadly tired. I had to catch the morning train from Oita to Tokyo, via Kokura and Shin-Osaka. Tetsuro gave me the direction to the new Gift_lab Garage, located in the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa area. The location and space are beautifully renovated, and with a Norwegian Pølsebu, that function as a café. They had made gløgg and served nice appetizers with tapenade, hoummus and soybean cream. Gift_lab know how to handle all the details and the atmosphere was great. SO good to be back. First out Hosomi Sakana, known for his releases as Neina at the Mille Plateaux label and a big inspiration for me personally. He played the hammond with a rotating speaker and laptop. He built up a beautiful and melodic landscape that nailed me to the chair. Next out was my turn. I played one of the best shows on the whole tour. I was exhausted, but totally focused. In the end me, Tetsuro-san and Hosomi-san joined as a trio. I played a Juno 60 and the modular. We started out very quiet, but moved into a more tight texture. We made a recording and hopefully some day this material will find it way to pressing plant. I ended the evening drinking a Japanese Pale Ale from Coedo and watching television, suddenly this strange program with a virtual audience turned up. Japan, never stops to surprise.
Day 14. Tetsuro and his wife invited for dinner, Osaka style. Shiho and Jason came over too. We had Oden, boiled daikon, fish cakes, tofu and eggs in dashi broth and local craft beer. It was a really nice and cozy ending of my time in Japan. I had the best time ever, but I'm also relieved it's over. It's quite intense to play, travel around and meet new people every day.
Thanks a lot to everyone I met, shared stage with, played with, stayed with, people that came to the show and all the organizers. Thanks for your support, you did a stunning job.
Mission completed!
Best, Alexander
/ / / Alexander Rishaug / / Japan Tour Diary 2014 / / / / / /
Day 1. The overseas flight went fine. I even caught some sleep. On Narita Express now. Japan, let the party begin.
Day 2. Luckily I got to sleep all night, but feel a bit dizzy. Even the bricks are cute in Japan. I walked from the hotel in Hatagaya to Shinjuku. Lunch of the day, ordered from an automat. You pay and push the button of what you would like. You get a ticket that you have to give away inside the restaurant. After you get a plate with the things you’ve ordered. I thought I had ordered Sashimi, but it came also with minced tuna (which I didn’t know by then). I couldn’t really define what it was, the consistence was rather strange, but the taste was mild.
Day 3. Used the day to prepare my live set and re-patch the synth. A bit strange to stay inside all day, when you're in Tokyo, but hey I'm a working man. Later I went to Shinjuku to buy a new camera. Was a bit tired of blurry and unfocused iPhone photo's. The show at Soup went very well and it was a great start. Thanks to Jason for getting mad photographing with my new Leica camera, to Yoshio Machida for making the EMS Synthi almost dance, to Keiichi Sugimoto for a stunning live set and to Tetsuro Yasunaga for organizing the show(s). Tomorrow is Niigata.
Day 4. Yesterday's show at Sakyu-kan in Niigata was amazing, the people, the venue and not to mention the food. It was great to experience the music of Tenniscoats and Yu Kamata. Thanks again Masato Hoshino for your hospitality, true enthusiasm and for organizing the event in such beautiful location. Also a big thank to the people helping out with the show, you did a great job. Keep up the spirit and see you next time.
Day 5. The train ride from Niigata to Kanazawa goes partly beautifully along the cost. The weather was great, so it was a stunning scenery. Asuna met me at the station and we drove to the venue Kapo Gallery. Unfortunately Kapo will close down soon, cause the property is sold. It's located in an old warehouse building, kind of Berlin style. A great place. After the show we went to an Izakaya (me like) to have dinner.
Day 6. Day off in Kanazawa with Asuna and his girlfriend Rima Kato. We walked around in the city, through the modern art museum, which where closed on monday, but a permanent installation by James Turell was open, a square in the roof, to see the sky. From there we walked to the castle and the kings park, which was amazing. A lot of different big sized bonsai threes and moss. We had some real matcha, viewing out on the pound. Later they took me to a Japanese steakhouse and we had their speciality Honton rice, a massive dish with rice, egg, fried shrimps, ketchup and mayo. I couldn't almost walk afterwords. In the evening we biked to the local onsen, I guess I was the only tourist there. Different kind of hot baths and saunas. Asuna took sauna for the first time, so I was not the only beginner. Tomorrow back to Tokyo to see Helll and Aki Tsuyuko play. Really looking forward to that.
Day 7. Traveling back to Tokyo with Asuna. The local bus from his house to the station reminded me of the cat bus in Totoro, we where shaking slowly through the city. At the station I bought some local produced bancha tea and a bento box with Kanazawa sushi. The rice is gently pushed together into a square and the fish was smoked. It was nicely packed into a leaf. In the old days they packed it like that to keep the bacterias away. It would stay fresh for many days. It was a little shock to be back in Tokyo city, so hectic compared to where we came from. I joined for the Helll sound check at O' Nest, Shibuya. Then I went to an art book shop and bought some goodies. Later Jason and Shiho came and we went to a draft beer place close by for a snack and some beers. I had an Teikoku IPA from Baird Brewery. It was super nice. When we came back to venue Aki Tsuyuko was just to start playing. She perform very rare, so I felt really lucky to be able to see her play. It was so stunningly beautiful, so I secretly had to cry a little.
Day 8. I stayed at Shiho and Jason's house in Seijogakuen-mae, a quiet neighbourhood on the west side of Tokyo. Had to finish some office work, so stayed inside almost all day. Later I walked to the Seijogakuen-mae station to explore the area a bit. I went for a burger at Kiriy’s Bakery. At the station there’s a supermarket I went in, so much strange and new things. I bought a couple of local craft beers and sake. Shiho and Jason was at work at all day, but they arrived in the afternoon. Me and Jason went to a local sentÅ while Shiho was cooking. Even though I went a couple of days ago in Kanazawa, it was super nice. So relaxing and it feels like you’re one of the locals. In the sauna an old man showed us how to rub the body with salt. When we came back Shiho had made an incredible Japanese meal consisting woked greens and onion, chilli marinated lotus root, fried tuna, miso soup, rice, bamboo and seaweed salad, chicken and zucchini. It was very nice to have home cooked food for the first time during this tour. We finished the craft beer and life was good.
Day 9. Jason cooked an amazing omelette and we had sour dough bread with butter. He drove me to the station and I took the local trains to Tokyo Central to catch a train to Sonnomiya and Motomachi in Kobe. Sumitomo, the organizer, met me at the station. Space Eauuu is located in the third floor, close to the main shopping street in Motomachi. After sound check me and Shimpei, my guide and translator went out for a snack. We had some small egg balls/pancakes (Tamaga Yaki) filled with octopus. Before you eat it you dip in a bowl of stock.There where three other acts performing that night; Sumitomo, on yamaha synth, km: alias Katayama Mitsuru, on guitar, field recordings and electronics and a duo consisting of guitar and a girl on live drawing and visuals. After my show many where interested in the synth, so we had a little demo session. In the end everyone was very hungry, so we went out to eat some "Kobe beef", not the expensive one, but beef from Kobe in Kobe. We had heart, stomach, cheeks, etc. It was a really nice experience and actually what I dreamt of when coming here. Thanks a lot the people coming to the show, the performers, Shimpei, Sumitomo and his girlfriend for organizing the show and feeding me with some proper meat.
Day 10. In the morning I went for a walk in Motomachi. I passed this very posh Italian café with only old rich ladies sitting outside. I really wanted a good espresso (no starbucks for me), so I sat down. The waiters used their time, but when everything came, the food was served on a silver plate. It wasn't super expensive either. After I walked down to Kobe Harbour, one of the biggest in the world. Then suddenly this double highway bridge cut through the panoramic view. The show at Urbanguild was pretty good, but very few people came. The two other acts where very different, but I liked them. Out on the streets it was raining and a lot's of drunk people in halloween costumes. I walked back to the hotel, and almost got a bit lost. I asked someone in the end, but then it was only 50 meter left. The hotel Mystays Kyoto Shijo, is the nicest so far, with double bed and a bit more space. I had to taste some of the tea that I've bought, had a cup of Kyoto bancha and Gyokuru. So good.
Day 11. The distance between Kyoto and Osaka takes approx. an hour with local rapid train. I was heading towards Nishikujo a small station in Osaka. Asari Daiki the organizer came and met me at the station. We walked towards FLOAT a venue and workspace located in an industrial warehouse. To get there we had to walk through a tunnel under the canal (like in Hamburg). When in Osaka, I had to try Okonomiyaki. We went into a random place and the owner told us that the restaurant was actually a bit famous and that it had been on television. I was lucky to catch a photo of them. ? ? ? the owner of FLOAT opened the event with a low key electronic device performance. He used blinking flashlights to trigger the motors. He played piano and walked a bit around in the space. The next performance was a trio with cello, electronics and a guy on live drawing and handheld visuals. The cello player used the instrument in a cool percussive way. Next where Mett, a Swedish - Norwegian duo consisting of iPod, guitar and bass. I didn’t know them from before and their songs where quite playful, quirky and with abrupt endings. My friend Umi from Kyoto and her boyfriend, came to the show. It was really nice to see some familiar faces after meeting new people almost every day.
Day 12. I had to get up quite early to catch the train to Oita. At the train I met a girl from Hong Kong working with electronic devices. She was going to travel round Japan for a month. She said I was a bit aggressive (don’t ask me why), but I guess I was a bit speedy after several days of too little sleep. I had to swop train in Kokura. I fell asleep at the train to Oita and woke suddenly up. I really heard them saying Oita, so I jumped of the train. It happen to be Beppu instead, but luckily it was only 10 minutes away. I took a local train which slowly turned through the hilly landscape. Jonas Vognsen a Danish guy based in Oita and organizer of the show met me at the station. I was surprised when he told me that Oita only had 400K inhabitants. It must be the smallest place I’ve been visiting in Japan so far. I thought that we didn’t meet before, but he said we met 15 years ago, when he was doing video for an ARM show in Aarhus. Tetsu my friend from Fukuoka, drove all the way to see the show. We didn’t see each other since the show in Osaka at AD & A Gallery in 2009. First out that night, a local analog synth and turntablist, experimenting with the dj mixer. He also used an old tape echo machine. The second act, a grunge inspired band, performing live for the first time. My concert went very well and listening position on stage was great. After the show we all went out for some drinks and most people in the group where expaths, a French guy, an Irish, two Australians, a Dane, me and Tetsu. Later a Japanese man who studied English joined the conversation. Later he and Tetsu followed me back to the hotel. I knew I had to get up early to catch a train my final destination, Tokyo.
Day 13. I have started to wake up before the alarm clock, though I'm deadly tired. I had to catch the morning train from Oita to Tokyo, via Kokura and Shin-Osaka. Tetsuro gave me the direction to the new Gift_lab Garage, located in the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa area. The location and space are beautifully renovated, and with a Norwegian Pølsebu, that function as a café. They had made gløgg and served nice appetizers with tapenade, hoummus and soybean cream. Gift_lab know how to handle all the details and the atmosphere was great. SO good to be back. First out Hosomi Sakana, known for his releases as Neina at the Mille Plateaux label and a big inspiration for me personally. He played the hammond with a rotating speaker and laptop. He built up a beautiful and melodic landscape that nailed me to the chair. Next out was my turn. I played one of the best shows on the whole tour. I was exhausted, but totally focused. In the end me, Tetsuro-san and Hosomi-san joined as a trio. I played a Juno 60 and the modular. We started out very quiet, but moved into a more tight texture. We made a recording and hopefully some day this material will find it way to pressing plant. I ended the evening drinking a Japanese Pale Ale from Coedo and watching television, suddenly this strange program with a virtual audience turned up. Japan, never stops to surprise.
Day 14. Tetsuro and his wife invited for dinner, Osaka style. Shiho and Jason came over too. We had Oden, boiled daikon, fish cakes, tofu and eggs in dashi broth and local craft beer. It was a really nice and cozy ending of my time in Japan. I had the best time ever, but I'm also relieved it's over. It's quite intense to play, travel around and meet new people every day.
Thanks a lot to everyone I met, shared stage with, played with, stayed with, people that came to the show and all the organizers. Thanks for your support, you did a stunning job.
Mission completed!
Best, Alexander