INDEX
We do what we can do because it’s the two of us.
Celeina: I also wanted to ask you, as a creative person, how do you reconcile your ideas when there is a mismatch in what you think, even if it is not a fight?
Eda：Because we are working together, if my idea was the right one, there would be no point in us working together. bal was originally named after the word “bal” on the LR part of a techno mixer called RODEC. It was a mixer from Belgium, so I had never seen it before. I thought that “balance” could be shortened to “bal,” and I thought it would be good if I could be creative by balancing the ideas of left and right, so I decided on the name “bal.
Takano: So the name “bal” includes the value of the relationship between the two of you. But 20 years is a long time. Is there anything that you value in order to keep your brand going for a long time?
Eda： I don’t really have an image of trying to be extremely successful or to sell out in a short period of time, and when I realized it, 20 years had passed rather smoothly. So I think I would like to work for a long time. I think my motivation is positive in that I want to do it slowly and gradually for the 30th and 40th anniversaries. Also, I really think it is thanks to the customers who have been supporting us for a long time.
Takano: You mean you are doing it in a way that is not unreasonable.
Eda: That’s right.
Celeina: You mentioned music earlier, but this Friday, September 22nd, at GARDEN Shinkiba FACTORY, there will also be a bal 20th anniversary event by Rainbow Disco Club. Have you always been involved with Rainbow Disco Club?
Eda:We had wanted to invite Theo Parrish for our 20th anniversary for a long time. However, as you know, the Corona Disaster has made it impossible to access the venue for the past several years, and we are an apparel brand, so we were not sure if we could do it on our own.
One of our staff members, Takekawa, is one half of a DJ duo called Monkey Timers, and he is a good friend of Rainbow Disco Club. So I asked them to let me be a sponsor, and this is what happened.
Takano: Theo Parrish’s visit to Japan has been big news.
Celeina:You may be looking forward to Friday.
Eda: I’m really looking forward to it. 20 years ago, there was a club called “Yellow” in Nishiazabu, and I saw Theo Parrish’s gig there for the first time. And since I, Kabaya, and the guys I was playing with at the time were all there, we all had the same experience.
Takano: Since both Mr. Eda and Mr. Kabaya are artists who have a special place in their hearts, this event is sure to be a fitting one for the 20th anniversary. Now, I asked Mr. Eda to choose one song that he would like everyone to listen to together on the radio at this time.
Eda：There was a party for my friend’s brand “PHINGERIN” in Vancouver a while back, and a DJ named Powder was playing, so I went to hang out with the C.E. (cav empt) crew. There, I was introduced to Pender Street Steppers around the Mood Hut label, which I originally owned records on, and they were both nice guys. So I thought their dub mix, which I also bought their recent new record, would be a good choice for the time slot.
Takano: Thank you very much. Now, please introduce the songs.
Eda: “The Way They Do (Pender Street Steppers Dub Mix)” RTSAK.
