How Japanese Listening Bars Took Over the World | Nick Dwyer Speaks Volumes

Kissa is so much more than just playing records in a cafe or bar.
In "Nick Dwyer Speaks Volumes," Derrick dives into the rich history of jazz kissa - also known as listening cafes - Japanese hi-fi culture, and ponders the good and bad of trendy, Japanese-inspired record bars in the west.
Notable Kissa mentioned in this episode: Cafe Lion, Eigakan, Basie, Milonga Nueva, Posy, Rhinoçéros (Berlin), Hosoi (Stockholm), ESP Hi Fi (Denver, USA)
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Speaks Volumes is produced by Julia Wang. Logo and branding by Jonny Sikov.
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[@TimParker]

Can't wait to see this film! Fantastic episode!

[@Nickbpm]

thanks Tim !!!!

[@sensorycircuits1338]

This has to be the most timely YT recommendation ever. Planning a trip to Japan in September. So glad I found this!

[@robertpearson]

you summed it up with one word. Emotion.

[@elementalfitnesslab]

Good stuff. I too recently got to hang out at Jazz Spot Basie and Sugawara-san was a great host - he played some fantastic records over that incredible system and over good whisky chatted about who he's had play there. Being immersed in those giant 50 yr old JBL speakers, amps, and vintage Linn turntable in that room was something special.

[@Nickbpm]

amazing to read this!!! yeah, unbelievable space.

[@elementalfitnesslab]

@@Nickbpm I realize how lucky I got. I heard Basie was usually not open, but was going to Ichinoseki the following day and thought what the hell, I'll try calling. Sugawara picked up the phone and we talked bit, he said he'd be in the next day please come hang. incredible record collection, I hope somebody puts it to good use when he's gone. So for anyone out there don't be afraid of calling these places up, they are just happy to hear from someone who appreciates what they do.

[@SoapyCilantro]

Sounds magical 😌❤️

[@Nickbpm]

@@elementalfitnesslab oh wow. I was going to ask exactly that! I haven't been back since 2019 and post-pandemic the word was that it was "officially closed" but Sugawara was opening here and there for regulars. incredible that you had that experience. I was planning to get in touch with him once summer eases up and see if i can get lucky. phenomenal place and, as you said, really hope that there will be a succession. heard some rumours but nothing concrete yet.

[@elementalfitnesslab]

@@Nickbpm This was in March of this year. He told me Basie is generally "closed" but happened to have had friends visiting that day so opened up. Word must have got out and some other regulars and staff were there serving drinks.

[@ramonmuniz7296]

Absolutely awesome listen. I can't wait for the documentary or docuseries to make it to my screen. Nick is totally right that we have a lot of "listening bars" that are just bars with DJs and vinyl everywhere. Really makes me want to go and experience the real thing.

[@RebelWithoutFauxPas]

Thank you for sharing this

[@yeknomlana]

Incredible interview, wish I knew of these when I was there this past yr, looking forward to checking out next when I there next year. Thanks for doing the things and very much looking forward to the series.

[@cathodebias]

As a vintage HiFi geek,purveyor of sound systems, and Kissa culture admirer, I want to address the question about the size of the systems. Traditionally vacuum tube audio systems were very low powered by today’s standards - maybe a few watts. To achieve room filling sound they had to rely on acoustic amplification methods like horns. To achieve low bass and relatively high volumes required large systems

[@abbazabbado]

Wow! Cafe Lion is still around?! 😱Amazing! Thought it was long gone. Less than 5 minutes walk from the chaos of famed Shibuya Crossing, used to drop in fairly regularly back in the early 80s, and it seemed ancient even then! Like stepping into a time slip where change only ever occurs outside. Even the coffee had this certain hint of dust extract. The sound system was all obscure (custom?) tube amps (of course), and positively awe-inspiring; like a Frankenstein movie (w/ Basil Rathbone & Boris Karloff quietly sipping their brews in an alcove off to the side). Only thing missing was the subtle crackle of Tesla coils. And the silence (but for the music playing) was breathtaking. Definitely NOT a place to have a light conversation . . . or any conversation at all. Listening (and coffee) was/is the ONLY reason for being there. Very happy to hear Mr. Dwyer's evocative description . . . and history. Will keep an eye out for his documentary.

[@Nickbpm]

Loved reading this! @abbazabbado yes, it's very much still there 40 years on from when you were visiting there!!! and all that charm that you experienced back then still intact

[@asdretdghjhfgj]

Omg shout out to ESP in Denver! Definitely been in there on full nights where ppl talk over the music and it's a sad scene, but in the whole I'm so grateful to have a venue where the staff and some patrons come together for meaningful listening

[@SoapyCilantro]

Fantastic interview!

[@RebelWithoutFauxPas]

Who knows where there is something like this around the Seattle area?

[@siveril]

Great episode! Loved hearing this discussion between the two of you. If this doesn't already exist, do you think there is room for the concept of the kissa to evolve to center around music that does not exist in physical forms? i.e., music that exists only digitally / in online spaces. In addition to the community aspect, I think a big appeal of the kissa is that the music played is on a physical format and on an analog hi-fi sound system. So with more music being made that exists without physical releases, what's your opinion on the future of kissas and digital music? Appreciate your time, thanks!

[@derrickgee]

I think so! But that’s me. I don’t think it should be tied to a media type. Although I can see that it’s part of the ceremony of it all.

[@siveril]

@@derrickgee I totally agree. Excited for there to (hopefully) be more kissas in the future.

[@nickclifton-welker8330]

Great interview, can’t wait to be able to watch the documentary… will it be screening in the UK anytime soon?

[@Nickbpm]

Hopefully there will be a screening at a UK-based festival soon! Working on it!

[@nickclifton-welker8330]

@@Nickbpm thanks Nick, that’s fantastic 👍

[@stellafrisqo]

when and where will we be able to see this documentary?

[@SoapyCilantro]

The film is called “A Century in Sound” (2024) and it looks like it’s available in MUBI. You should also check your local universities and libraries to see if they’re available 😊 it’s a relatively new film, so it might take a few more weeks - months for it to be available everywhere

[@jaimwah]

I cant find the documentary can anyone help please?

[@Nickbpm]

see above!!! ❤

[@robertpearson]

How do we watch this? fellow Kiwi here living in Prague, asking for all my friends..

[@theroyalspice]

host a live music appreciation community - i would love to screen this in manila !! how to get screening details?

[@cerealgriego]

This was so inspiring and enlightening, thank you so much for the interview, Nick is so humble and passionate as well, can't wait to check the whole documentary series!!