I met 22-year-old Yuto outside Coconuts as I was rolling up on the motorcycle and he was heading out, holding in his hand a recent score. I killed the engine and grabbed his attention before he could dash away. As I began to explain to him that I was a photographer and wanted to make his portrait, rather than initial suspicion, he was nothing but good vibes and warm smiles. A can badge on his jean jacket caught my eye – “Have you hugged a mutant today?” Then I noticed one untied Chuck Taylor, then a flannel layer, a sorta ‘67 Beatle-y haircut, and a general slacker posture/strut (which I say very endearingly), dare I say there was something about him that instantly reminded me of, perhaps, a Japanese version of myself 20 (or 25) years ago.
When I asked Yuto what he scored, and he very proudly pulled out Kaneko Ayano’s new album “タオルケットは穏やかな” (which is incredibly good – I just listened – Yuto has great taste). “Are you new to records?” I asked Yuto. “I just got a record player and started collecting! This is about my 10th record!” NIIIICE. Yuto and I talked about hi-fi’s, about analog vs. streaming, file bitrate and DACs (Digital Audio Converters) and I could just tell, he had the exact same enthusiasm that I had when I started seriously collecting when I was about his age. And though my excitement for records and record stores has never really waned, I’m noticing that as I get older, I get really excited when I see young people just starting out. Their interest makes ME more interested. It’s cool that way.
I hope I bump into Yuto again out there. He mentioned that he also is a surfer. So if you don’t bump into him at the record, you might see him catching waves in Ibaraki where he surfs!
One last friendly reminder too – tomorrow is the first edition of Tokyo Record Style Day in Shimokitazawa at Flash Disc Ranch from 2pm. Check a few posts back or the event page on Facebook 🙂
カネコアヤノ – タオルケットは穏やかな
Label: 1994 Co., Ltd. – NNFS-1008
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
Country: Japan
Released: Jan 25, 2023
Genre: Rock, Pop, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, J-pop
https://www.discogs.com/release/25807168-%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8D%E3%82%B3%E3%82%A2%E3%83%A4%E3%83%8E-%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AA%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%81%AF%E7%A9%8F%E3%82%84%E3%81%8B%E3%81%AA
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