INDEX
bar BASE
We left the kushikatsu restaurant and made our way to bar BASE, the DJ bar where we would conclude our night. The ambiance was subdued with dim lighting, giving it the feel of a cozy, hidden spot, but the sound quality was astonishingly impressive.
The volume was impressive, and standing close to the speakers felt almost like being in a club, yet it was still easy to carry on a conversation. This brought to mind the legendary Paradise Garage in New York, where guests could chat in the middle of the dance floor, no matter how loud the music was. Truly excellent sound doesn’t impede communication. You could either relax at the bar and chat or dance near the speakers, engaging with the music in your own way. As I sipped my coffee shochu, I shared with Kato just how much I had enjoyed the day. He smiled broadly and nodded in agreement several times.
“There’s a natural flow from day to night to morning, you know? You start with coffee during the day, then enjoy dinner and drinks at night, and dance until the morning. All the places we went to today have strong connections and a friendly atmosphere, but each one has its own distinct vibe, so it never feels monotonous.”
“Yeah, I think I finally grasped why you’ve chosen to stay in Tomakomai. It’s really quite simple: everything you need is right here in your hometown.”
“Exactly! You don’t have to go to Tokyo; this is more than enough! I could happily do this forever”
Despite appearing completely sober, Kato-kun was in a great mood as he discussed the music scene in Tomakomai. He mentioned that Tomakomai has its own solid and independent scene, distinct from places like Sapporo. He also pointed out that in the 1990s, there was a strong connection with the punk scene in Kitami. As I listened to Kato-kun speak so passionately, I couldn’t help but think, “He truly takes pride in his hometown.”
Hokkaido bands often get oversimplified with just one label: “Hokkaido.” People might casually remark, “It has that Hokkaido vibe,” or something similar. Some even view Sapporo as the heart of the alternative scene, seeing other areas merely as followers or offshoots. However, as I noted before, Hokkaido genuinely feels like its own country, with distinct differences in climate and culture across regions. Just as Glasgow and Manchester are vastly different, Sapporo and Tomakomai are also unique. Kato-kun voices his discomfort with the idea of being grouped under the “Hokkaido” label or having Sapporo and Tomakomai mixed together in conversations. This expresses a “Don’t underestimate us” mentality. Those who take pride in their hometowns typically carry this mindset. Every music scene is influenced by such attitudes. Kato-kun’s comments conveyed a strong sentiment of, “What does Tokyo have over us? What’s Sapporo even about? I’m all about Tomakomai!” (Though he likely wouldn’t phrase it quite that way).
The time I spent at BASE was absolutely amazing. When the cover of ANA MAZZATTI’s “FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE” started playing, I felt overwhelmingly happy—so happy that I thought I could be at peace even if I were to die right there and then.
That day, a young guest from overseas happened to be celebrating his birthday, which led to a charming moment when a surprise birthday cake was brought out. I couldn’t help but laugh when Kato dashed out of the bar the moment the DJ spun an early NOT WONK track. He returned with a bashful grin and said, “Honestly, the bass sounds so weak now; it’s embarrassing!” However, when THE BLUE HEARTS’ “Kiss Shite Hoshii” started playing, we wasted no time rushing back inside to dance. The lyrics, “How far will we go tonight? Will we stay right here forever?” felt like a perfect reflection of our own situation, making us laugh even harder. Hiroto Kohmoto always keeps it real in his music.
Just before 3 AM, I dragged my weary, alcohol-soaked body outside. Kato kindly guided me to the guesthouse run by ELLCUBE. Along the way, we spotted a barbecue happening in front of Standing Drink King, so we popped in to say hi, and before I knew it, I was downing another beer. It was late, and the party was in full swing, but it was a delightful moment. At the end of a great day, these bonus moments always seem to happen. After stumbling out of the bar, I finally made it to the guesthouse. It was a charming place, packed with band merchandise and equipment, with six or seven beds scattered around. Completely tipsy, I exclaimed, “I’d do anything for you, Kato!” He just chuckled. Once Kato left, I collapsed into a deep sleep, as if I had fainted.
