Writing can be so easy. And it can be so hard.
Sometimes writing requires absolutely nothing but a clear moment, a clear sheet of paper, a simple breath. Sometimes it requires more than anything and everything in the world, taking every fiber in your body, ignoring every excuse you know to just respond with one single word to that clear sheet of paper. It’s not exactly easy. And yet it is…
I’ll leave it at that and you can gather what you will knowing that these photos of Sasha and Elmi were made nearly a year ago, in the LAST blazing summer of Tokyo, not this one. To my defense, not an entire year has passed, for whatever that is worth. It wasn’t a case of not exactly having the words or the intentions, because I did, because how could you not, when Sasha and Elmi were SO nice, so sweet, so kind and gentle and cool… from Brunei. “From Bandar Seri Begawan?” I asked. With a little shock in their faces, they also began to glow a bit, “How do you know BSB? Oh wait, you’re that guy! We follow you! We’re not the first record-collecting Bruneians that you’ve photographed in Shimokitazawa?!” “No, actually, you’re not.”
I proceeded to have as lovely a conversation as mutual music lovers, deep appreciators, and fellow record-collectors are capable of having, for the next hour or so, on the streets of Shimokita, never really needing or wanting the exchange to end. Sasha and Emil had tons to share not only about music, about soul, about hip hop, about Brunei, but also about Japan, about record shops, about food and great recommended restaurants, about travel and more. They’ve been coming to Japan for visits (often snowboarding) since they both were even much younger, but no less lovely, of a couple. These two had a vibe for sure, not just for each other (may we all be so blessed) but for life–adventurers of the best it has to offer. It was a wonderful encounter and I walked away feeling the world smaller, than I made new friends.
Even though a year has passed since I met Elmi and Sasha, I have thought about them dozens and dozens of times, knowing that they would be the next people I would write about (even though it would take me ages), and that somehow forged an even deeper connection to them than they might have ever imagined, even if it mostly just in my head. As soon as I threw on Mark Ronson’s Version, one of the records they scored, not that I knew the album, or even really Mark Ronson beyond he work outside of Amy Winehouse, I was INSTANTLY taken back to this little moment of meeting these two lovely Bruneians, who I hope to meet again some day. Great record, and high vibes, like these two.
Thanks for letting me take a little break Elmi and Sasha. I’ll try to get back here more on the keys. Inspired again. Love to BSB from Tokyo!
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