Oto-an (The Sound Retreat)

While living in Tokyo, I became a regular at my neighborhood vinyl bar. Usually, I’d belly up alone, nurse a whisky or Sapporo, and focus on listening to the music that was curated by the owner. His encyclopedic musical knowledge and deep collection would bring together a wide range of songs in interesting, unexpected ways.

There are no photos allowed in the bar. Loud talking is strongly discouraged. Music is the priority here, and the ultra high end audiophile array that dominates the softly lit space makes this very clear. As the owner once yelled at an offending photo-taker while he was being thrown out, “shashin o toritai nara, sassa to Dizunīrando ni ike!” or, “if you want to take photos, go to Disneyland!” Which is one of the best things I heard in Japan.

I’d turn off my phone, listen to the songs and try to piece together the connections between them. I’d hear details in songs I knew and loved that I hadn’t noticed before. Over several months, I fell in love with this feeling of intentional listening. Music suddenly sounded new, as if I was hearing it for the first time.

I spent my final night in Tokyo at the bar. The owner asked me what I wanted to hear. Let it Be by The Beatles was my send off request, which made me cry. At the end of the evening, I gave him a handwritten note expressing my appreciation for this magical shrine to listening. I also gave him a clock as a thank you gift.

After returning to Boulder, I really missed these analog evenings. Oto-an (The Sound Retreat) is my attempt at bringing this experience home and sharing the revelatory enjoyment of focused, intentional listening along with Japanese whisky, beer, and snacks.

All net proceeds from Oto-an go to More Trees, a non-profit founded by the late Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto. More Trees plans and organizes various programs to foster a "society where forests and people coexist for generations to come.”

Read more about the bar here.