Top 3 in-Bar Live Music (Notes from Under the Tatami Mats–70 … My Adventures in Japan)

Too bad for the bandits and the thieves and the robber barons. Great for the artists.

I’ve always liked listening to live music in smaller clubs – typically alternative music of various types. After arriving in Japan, it took a while to find such clubs, but eventually I met plenty of people who knew of such places or who played at such venues.

Creative, unique, diverse

Much of the music we heard at those places was fantastic. It was not only creative, high-quality music, but it was also unique and authentic. Moreover, there was a great diversity – from the bluest blues to neo-grunge to great rock’n’roll and jazz, there was much to listen to and much to appreciate _{(Image source)}

The economy is fucked. The art is good.

According to some theories of culture, as a country’s economy thrives and booms, less great art is created. In such boom times, it seems as if most people are focused on making more money, and not on art or its creation.

Conversely, when an economy declines and crashes, more great art and music is created. In hard times, it seems, artists and musicians have neither the option nor the opportunity to make shitloads of money. Therefore, the only thing they can do is what they love – that is, make good art reflecting the bad times. _{(Image source)}

Bad for bandits, good for bands

In the case of the music that we heard at the end of the Japan Inc bubble, that theory appears valid. As the bubble popped and the economy collapsed, the music scene burgeoned.

Too bad for the bandits and the thieves and the robber barons. But great for the bands and the artists and all those who appreciate good music.

“It was in dying empires that the greatest poets appeared.”

~Jeffrey Eugenides, “Bronze” (The New Yorker, February 5, 2018)

Introduction to – “Notes from Under the Tatami Mats” _{(right-click on title)}

Top 3 Musicians Who Appreciate(d) the Support of Their Japanese Fan Base

Top Guitarist

Top 3 Unbearably Dull Museums / Tourist Attractions

... and more

Links to my Other Series …

      Introduction – "Intro to Vocab-ability" _{(right-click on title)}
      Guide – "Guide to Entries" _{(right-click on title)}
      Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections _{(right-click on title)}

Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1" _{(right-click on title)}
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2" _{(right-click on title)}