Tetsuji Kasuya of Yogee New Waves talks about fishing, music, and Gramichi. | feature

PROFILE

Tetsushi Kasuya

Drummer, Yogee New Waves

In 2014, he debuted with "CLIMAX NIGHT e.p." and his first album "PARAISO" released in September of the same year was featured in various media as the best disc of the year. 19 years later, he has toured not only in Japan but also in Malaysia and 10 cities in 4 countries in Asia including 7 major cities in China. In August of this year, he performed at the "Fuji Rock Festival" in Tokyo. In August of this year, he will appear at the Fuji Rock Festival '21, and in November he will release his first new album in two years, followed by a nationwide tour. He is also active in various cultural media, where he enjoys fishing and curry.
Instagram: @kas_fe4 @kas_fishing

Gramiche is a pleasant place to be, both at the beach and in the city.

Mr. Kasuya is known for his fishing. What got you hooked on fishing?

. this thrill is irreplaceable. It feels great when you catch a fish, and it makes you want to catch an even bigger one. There is no end to it. It's a different kind of elation from the excitement you experience at a live show. I was originally inspired to fish four years ago after finishing a national tour in Okinawa , and I was happy to have caught a big fish that time.

What do you think about while fishing?

I keep thinking about what the ocean would be like in today's weather, what kind of tricks I should use, and so on, surprisingly dizzyingly fast. Just because I can see fish on the surface of the water does not mean I can catch them well; I have to plan, change, and confront them.

Do you enjoy fishing during the long period of self-restraint?

. I often drove to the beach alone in the morning, when it was very dark. If I chose the right place, I could avoid the dense environment, and it was a nice refreshment. However, I also like to go with friends. . You can tell whether your fishing results are based on luck or ability. If I catch one fish and my friend catches three, I wonder if my fishing was not good enough. It is also nice to relax while listening to some idle chit-chat. I hope I will be able to enjoy fishing with my friends soon.

Have you changed your fashion with fishing?

The clothes I choose have changed. I used to like vintage clothes, but I now also go looking for new clothes for functionality. However, I am not satisfied with functionality alone; I want clothes that I think are cool. For example, I wear my fishing vest to the studio, and I often wear pants from " Gramichi.

Why is it useful as fishing clothes?

The pants were originally designed for climbers, but sea fishing also involves a surprisingly large amount of movement. We often bend down and move around tetrapods . So I appreciate pants that are easy to move around in. If they are long enough, they can prevent insect bites. I also wear shorts in the summer, but in the end, it is these long pants that are useful all year round.

I love the warmth of your style while you are fishing.

I also like the reasonably loose silhouette. T-shirts like today's are of course fine, and I imagine it would be nice to wear an old military shirt in the coming season. I would like to wear a khaki military shirt , I would like to match it.

LOOSE TAPERED PANTS The rustic look of the gray-dyed pants and the faded multi-colored border T go well together. Despite its soft appearance, the durable original twill fabric is tough enough to move around in. The comfortable silhouette with room from the hips to the crotch allows for a stress-free fit. . ¥10,780 (INS) / vintage striped T-shirt ¥13,200, slip-on shoes ¥16,500 (ISSUE)

What do you think of the second outfit, the white pants?

It is fresh. I have never worn white before, but this is not pure white but a textured white. The calm atmosphere made me think it was a good idea for the first time. As well as this outfit, I feel that yellowish colors suit me, and I thought I could match it with a mustard-colored polo shirt. Of course, the ease of movement is unquestionable.

The gusseted inseam is perfect for the rocky terrain you mentioned earlier.

Indeed . And it's good for camping. I liked nature in the first place even before I got into fishing , and I thought it would be good for going to the mountains.

Fishing, camping, and city life.

Exactly . I want different colors and materials.

Why did you originally love to use it for personal wear?

The reason I started wearing "Gramichi" pants was because the president of my office used to wear them. They simply looked cool, and I was curious about the embroidered logo on the belt, so I asked him to tell me where they were from.

What did you think when you first put on a pair of "Gramichi" pants?

. Anyway, it's easy. . Comfort is important not only for fishing, but for everyday wear as well. When I play drums, it is better to be able to move easily, and in the past, I often took airplanes and bullet trains to travel around the country, so relaxed pants were very useful. The president of our office is also a frequent traveler on tour, and when I tried them on, I could see why he loves them so much.

GRAMICCI PANTS The grayish-white pants are the star of the show, and the whole body is done in light tones, with gusset crotch that allows 180-degree leg opening, webbing belt that can be adjusted with one hand, easy waist, and other long-loved "GRAMICHI" standard functionalities. ¥9,680 (INS) / 〈GRAMICHI〉. T-shirt ¥4,950 (INS), vintage cap ¥10,780 (ISSUE)

. For Mr. Kasuya, comfortable clothing is good for both nature and the city.

. And these pants are designed to be easy to move in while fishing, but also easy to wear when you want to grab a quick coffee on the way home. Gramiche" is a pair of pants that falls somewhere in between my original clothing and functional clothing for fishing.