I became friends with somebody this year that has really captured my imagination and curiosity, if I’m honest, like nobody quite has in a long while. When I was introduced to her among a circle of brand-savvy fashionistas, in-the-know vanguards, and trendsetting designers themselves, she was wearing something like cheap slacker work dickies, classic checkered vans slip-ons, some chunky self-repaired eye-glasses, fuzzy cardigan, a funky haircut and a kelly-green watch that matched her kelly-green socks. Plus she stood tall, but with a swagger that you could hear in her confident voice.
“This is Xuan, from Beijing” I was told.
“Xuan, tell us about yourself” she was asked.
“Well, I just finished traversing the entire length of Japan, solo, on my motorcycle.”
(“…Phwa phwa phwaaaaa? What did she just say?!?!” I thought to myself.)
“Yeah, you know, I love traveling, camping, nature, but also art, design, music, a lot of passions I guess, oh and working on my bike too…”
(“What the actual F#$%? Am I dreaming this? Is this a dream, Brian, WAKE UP!)
“…yeah, and craft beer, someday I wanna brew my own beer, and have a little bar. Yeah, just hanging out, going to shows, going where the wind blows me…”
(“Coolness Overload Danger! Breaker Box Fuse Warning. ALERT ALERT!)
“…and my favorite color is green, my favorite band is Khruangbin, and I ride a Yamaha SRV-250 V-Twin Cafe Racer.”
And that was my last memory before I woke up in a daze, lying on the floor, surrounded by friends and co-workers. “BRIAN! BRIAN! Are you ok?!?!” Still a little foggy, I finally came to and managed to say, “Whoa, I just had the craziest dream, that I was introduced to the coolest person in the whole world.”
“You mean Xuan?!
WHOOOOOAAAA!!! IT WASN’T A DREAM!!!! OMG OMG, LET’S GO FOR A RIDE! LET’S LISTEN TO KHUANGBIN!!! LET’S TRADE TRAVEL TALES!
So yeah, Xuan and I have become pals this last year and I’m glad to add her to Tokyo Record Style. Thanks for all the hangs, laughs, and chats! And these great additions to the archive, especially the Ray Lynch, which I didn’t know, and which is really FANTASTIC! Looking forward to our next exchange of music, mechanics, and mania!
More Tokyo Records Style on the way!
Ray Lynch – Deep Breakfast
Label: Music West Records – MWCD 102
Format: CD, Album, Reissue
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Age, Ambient
https://www.discogs.com/release/2324871-Ray-Lynch-Deep-Breakfast
Khruangbin – Con Todo El Mundo
Label: Beat Records – BRALN50
Format: CD, Album
Country: Japan
Released: Jan 26, 2018
Genre: Funk / Soul, Folk, World, & Country
Style:Funk, Psychedelic
https://www.discogs.com/release/12167478-Khruangbin-Con-Todo-El-Mundo
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