INDEX
Embracing Each Day Without Desiring Change
The co-hosts include names from local dining establishments in Tomakomai. Were these individuals the ones who influenced your changing perspective on Tomakomai during the pandemic?
Kato: Yes. To put it bluntly, the people from Tomakomai I met during the pandemic seemed to be living each day without seeking change, and I found that really cool. Before the pandemic, I had always approached music with the mindset of changing everything from 1 to 10, so a lifestyle that didn’t seek change seemed to me like it was subtly giving up something. As a result, I had some difficulty fully adapting to the atmosphere of Tomakomai, and honestly, it wasn’t the most comfortable place for me. But now, I see the way people here cherish and enjoy what already exists as incredibly cool. That was fascinating.
Why does the seemingly resigned way of life now feel cool to you?
Kato: I’m not sure… It’s not that I think this is the best way to live as I get older. Rather, I think I’ve come to understand that valuing what you have now can also be enjoyable. It’s not about resignation, but about incorporating unchanging things and a sense of security into life, which can be very fulfilling. Also, I’ve thought that there might be many places and people where such a way of life isn’t possible.
Yes, especially in an era where factors threatening our way of life are increasing.
Kato: I think I used to see such a gentle lifestyle only in a superficial way. But stepping into the local scenery during the pandemic, I found that each person’s daily life continues to change gently in a well-ventilated space, creating a sense of time that wasn’t present in any other city I visited on tour. I realized how much I had overlooked.
Is it that the various ways of finding happiness and the fact that each person clings to it has become clearer to you?
Kato: I think that’s right. I spent a lot of time interacting with people who weren’t interested in things like bands or Tokyo. For instance, a 55-year-old New Zealander friend from Tomakomai took me to a local snack bar, and when the owner asked me what kind of music I played, I was able to say “punk” with confidence. And when she heard it, she said, “It’s good music, but it probably won’t be on TV.” Those moments were great. I realized that even in one-on-one introductions, it’s possible to convey your message. I saw that it’s not necessary to constantly shout about alternative or punk music. Instead, if you can create music that communicates well with people, it’s better to confront others more simply and directly.
