【FOCUS IT.] If there were no Trasmundo. -Part 1-.

On June 1, 23 years ago, a restaurant opened in Shimotakaido, Tokyo. It was called "TRASMUNDO. Today, 24 years later, it continues to be in the same place as it should be, but what if there had been no "TRASMUNDO"? But what if there had been no Trasmundo? The rappers, the long-time freaks, and the regulars who just drop by, their lives would surely be different. We will present words like letters from people associated with "Trasmundo" in two parts, before and after the show.

Photo_Shiori Ikeno
Edit_Yusuke Suzuki

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01_KID FRESINO (Rapper, Trackmaker, DJ)

Dear Mr. Hama.

Mr. Hama, I feel very unworthy to take advantage of this opportunity to express my gratitude to you now. My apologies.
When you were a teenager, you brought dozens of homemade CD-Rs to TRASMUNDO and said, "I want you to distribute these to your regulars as you please!" I asked them to do so.
When I think about it now, I am still embarrassed at my own audacity.
I think I was young and naive to think that Mr. Hama was amused, that he thought a lively guy had appeared on the scene.
A little later, I remember going to the store and really trusting Hama-san, who smiled thinly and said, "I've already distributed everything.

I don't think Hama-san remembers me anymore, but he used to say to me in front of a convenience store in Kichijoji, "I hope Sasaki's CD sells about 1,000 copies - no, I think it will sell!" as he crossed his arms and tilted his head.
I dreamed for the first time of such a future that never happened.
I felt like I could walk on my own without having Febb give me a piggyback ride.

When I think back on my career, the first thing that comes to mind is that homemade CD-R and Hama-san.
The CD-Rs and kindness that Mr. Hama distributed to each of you have helped us now.
Thank you very much.
Regardless of the number of words exchanged on the days we see each other a few times a year, we want to remember them fondly.

Sasaki

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02_Masaki SAKODA (Barber)

A senior member of the neighborhood.

TRASMUNDO is a local senior.

I don't know what Mr. Hama thinks about this, but I consider myself a senior since I am allowed to store in the neighborhood.
Mr. Hama and I often talk about the city. Newly opened stores in the neighborhood, vacant properties, and so on.

I don't know what the right answer is, but we, as members of the town, have to think hard about whether the market, which could be called the symbol of Shimotakaido, is gone, and whether the town can continue as it is at a time when it is about to change.

Of course I can learn about music because TRASMUNDO has a store in town, but apart from that, I learn about ideas from a perspective that I would never have noticed on my own. I think that every time I visit the store I want to learn something.

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Mr. Hamasaki, a native of Kyushu, is 56 years old this year. After gaining experience in record stores, he opened TRASMUNDO at the age of 32. There is no phone or social networking service, and the store is closed only on the third Thursday of each month; even the day after he performs at a party or opens a store as TRASMUNDO DJs, he opens the store at 12:00 pm.

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03_Sachiko (Salah designer)

A place to stay quietly.

It has been 15 years since I first visited Trasmundo in 2010.

As someone who often perceives and expresses things in a sensual and abstract way, I have always felt a longing and strong attraction to words and music that have a clear intention. There are moments when feelings that are difficult to put into words become clear to me through music, or when I encounter a mix CD that makes me envision a scene or story.... Hama-san has given me so many encounters with music, people, and places that move my heart.

In a world where we are pressed for time every day and efficiency is the only priority, I feel that the music and atmosphere that can only be encountered by visiting a restaurant is a precious moment to stop and get to know oneself.

The landscape of Shimotakaido has changed dramatically over the past few years, and now that I myself have left Tokyo, I am truly grateful and respectful of Trasmundo's presence, which continues to be there and welcomes me with the same conviction.

Sachiko

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04_issugi (rapper and beatmaker)

TRASMUNDO.

I believe that the personality/atmosphere of the person running the store comes out as it is, and Trasmundo is a perfect example of this. I think Trasmundo is a perfect example of this.

I am the type of person who wanders in without any business. Sometimes someone I know is there, but more often Hama-san is alone at the cash register smoking a cigarette and says, "Oh, it's been a long time. What are you working on now? I might talk about the music I've been listening to lately, the cities I've been to, upcoming gigs, the future, and on and on.
He loaned me about 30 CDs when I made a Beattape of Trasmundo vs 16flip before.
I was able to do Beat differently than usual.

Of course I like the goodness of finding good songs by myself, but when I learn about songs I don't know through other people, there is always that person's attachment to them added to the mix. That's why I always buy CDs and records in search of a good chance encounter that I can't find anywhere else, by talking with Hama-san and looking at the reviews written for each one.

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Many people come to TRASMUNDO to listen to the Chicano soul music that Mr. Hamasaki focuses on. In addition, in the past few years, it has become popular to record interviews with invited artists and sell them as a set with new releases under the title "TRASMUNDO RADIO. The walls are decorated with posters of movies and artists with whom they are close friends, and the signatures of ISSUGI and JJJ show their love for Ms. Hamasaki.

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05_Inoue (The Erexionals)

Record ethics for adults.

TRASMUNDO RADIO....

We drank too much and got lost on the way to each other.
Play each other's favorite music in a big sound.
Mr. Kasagawa (representative of Kasagawa Planning)
He's grinning.
　
Hama-san, the owner of Trasmundo, has sold more of our CDs than anyone else.

Next, I wrote a little on a song I'm releasing.

"Tired LIFE 3, 40 minute packet boil down.
Destination at the water's edge handled by trasmundo."

［ Song. Final Destination］

THE EREXIONALS (Inoue)

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06_MASS-HOLE (Rapper, beatmaker, producer, DJ)

MIX CD.

A customer from outside of the prefecture who was going to climb Kamikochi came to visit my store and bought the "DA POINT 117 MIX CD" that TRASMUNDO DJs made for my store.

Later that day, the person contacted me and said that the mix CD she had purchased was so wonderful that she would like to purchase the mix CD of "Emotions Remembered in Silence, Knowing You Are Not Alone" as well. I was very happy to hear this response, and it brightened up my ennui-laden Sunday evening a little.

My life, including music, has certainly received "richness" and "ideas" from casual conversations with Hama-san.

There are still many things I have not been able to repay, but when I visit Tokyo, I will take a can of beer and a Seven Star with me on a whim (this is important)!

mass-hole

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Mr. Hamasaki's careful writing on each piece of artwork is a message in blood itself, born of his knowledge and experience. Merchandise such as sound recordings and T-shirts for sale are often brought directly by the artists, and sometimes the artists' personal belongings are released, making it impossible not to feel the importance of the store as a place and the relationship of trust between people.

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07. heartbeat (company employee)

A place to stay after school.

I first spoke with Hama-san two summers ago when I went to see Hermit's live performance, and I have been visiting Truss since then.

I was a junior in college at the time, and we would go hang out after school with baked potatoes and stuff (laughs). The first day I went to the store, I saw a poster of Gran Torino in front of the cash register, and I think we talked about Eastwood forever.

I basically sat on the floor in front of the cash register and talked with Hama-san about movies and books, and he would ask me about my problems, and I would also ask him about job hunting. I like music, but I don't know that much about it. Hama-san taught me a lot of things. I didn't have many friends in college, but going to Truss was the best time of my youth because I was able to encounter a lot of different kinds of music and get to know a lot of different people.

Truss has Hama-san, and that alone makes it a very comfortable and important place for me. I will visit a lot in the future!

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08_MICHIOSHKA (EBBTIDE RECORDS)

Store.

I don't remember exactly when I met Hama-san, but I think it was in the mid-2000's. I used to hang out with everyone at Seminishukei, so we went to a restaurant and had a lot of fun talking about old rock and roll, but I'm not a movie buff. I was a bit of a novice at movies, so we probably talked about old rock and roll.

I often found interesting used 12inch/LP/CD titles, so I bought records and CDs at Trasmundo when I visited Tokyo. Aside from the interesting merchandise and atmosphere, I think it also made me realize that in running a store, a good sense of humor is just as important as knowledge of music and music software.

I had the impression that many people who take on the culture try to enjoy themselves by merely putting on a facade, but this was the first time I saw a store that was doing business in a way that was not like that.

Naturally, I was very aware of this when I started my own restaurant, and I was consulted and advised on the opening of my own restaurant. I am still grateful for that.

One day I found a Blue Nile deluxe edition CD version (remastered) in a messy pile of CDs behind the cash register and said, "Please sell that," to which he replied, "This is my personal property! No!" I said, "No! I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that that Linn import CD is incredibly thin sounding, and I will buy it at the asking price.

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09. Ryoshi (Company employee)

street link.

2012. I was a student at the time, living in Sasazuka, and my brother asked me to be a nanny. Kosapanera and Bushmind "Letters to Summer". It was a few minutes walk from Shimotakaido station, where I got off the train for the first time. I stepped into the store, which had many CDs, records, DVDs, and clothes, and a man who seemed to be the owner was sitting alone. To be honest, I was scared, but as I looked for the CD I was looking for, I found a lot of music I had never seen before and wondered what this store was all about. As a former Japanese rap-head, it was a stimulating and unknown world for me. While I was looking for CDs in a daze, Hama-san talked to me.

Thirteen years have passed since then. I am listening to "Letters to Summer" as I write this. I have had many important encounters and experiences that started here. If I had not gone to Trasmundo, I would not have listened to other genres of music other than rock and hip-hop(. It was also a shock to me that DJ PK's "TEKNO BOMBING" was recommended to me for the first time at this shop). I would not have watched horror movies, been a DJ, or gone to demos. I don't think I ever watched horror movies, DJ'd, or went to a demo.

To be chic, to notice something, to have imagination for others. He taught me many things that I cannot describe with my poor vocabulary. I live in Shizuoka now, and I don't get to visit the store as often as I used to, but Hama-san is still there to help me. Every time I go into the store, she screams, "Oh my God! I scream every time I enter the store (laughs). I will go back again. I look forward to working with you again in the future.

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