August 2019

Video: Japan's Hidden Listening Bars
Bridge / Resident Advisor x Asahi Super Dry

  Located high above Shibuya's world-famous pedestrian crossing and equipped with high-quality Rey Audio speakers, Bridge offers a refuge from Tokyo's bustling streets. It's what the venue's manager, Masaaki Ariizumi, calls a "third place" — somewhere to unwind between home and work. This video is produced by Resident Advisor in partnership with Asahi Super Dry Beer.

Japan's Hidden Listening Bars
We are exploring Japan's rich culture of listening bars and audiophile venues. It's a culture rooted in the joy of discovering music, and listening to that music in the best possible environment — that means precision-made loudspeakers, amplifiers, turntables and mixers.

Tucked away in basements, back-alleys and high-rise buildings, these bars come in different shapes and sizes, but they are united by their pursuit of quality, with owners endlessly fine-tuning their audio setups to create an enriching experience for anyone who visits. These are wonderful settings for people to share their love of music, serving as a "third place" — somewhere to unwind in between their time at work and home.

Though they're the result of long-standing traditions, listening bars offer a glimpse into progressive Japan, one of the world's most vibrant places for music discovery.

Credits
Director: Sam King
Director Of Photography: James Latimer 
Additional Cinematography: Hans Bobŕnovits
Executive Producers: Kate Mullins, Laura Akam, Patrick Nation, and Aaron Coultate
Producers: Tomoko Naoshima, Midori Hayakawa
Camera Assistants: Anthony Rilocapro, Kai Mariella
Sound: Steven Lefever, Paul Doroshevich
Editors: Thomas Beswick, Sam King
Translation: Robert Zetzsche
Colorist: Adam Clarke
Dubbing Mixer: Guy Clarke

Music In Order Of Appearance
Me And The Gang - "Asozan" (Dazzle Drums)
Que Sakamoto - "Uchuu Hikoshi" (Not An Animal)
Coastlines - "Half Moon Shadow" (Flower Records)
Max Essa - "Lights Painted for a Road Trip To Spain" (Music For Dreams)
J.A.K.A.M - "Pray (YO.AN Remix)" (Crosspoint / Hole And Holland)

See more featured Japanese listening bars at this link.