I Wanted to Do a Vintage Version of the Dallas Guitar Show

—The upcoming event, "INSPIRATION," seems poised to reorganize the vintage clothing industry in a way. Do events like this exist in other genres?

As you know, I love guitars. In the guitar world, there's an event called the "Dallas Guitar Show." Since the early '80s, guitar enthusiasts in America have made it a tradition to gather in Dallas every April. It's an event of considerable depth, held on an appropriate scale. I essentially wanted to create the vintage clothing equivalent of that.

—That's wonderful. To have a place where people who truly love vintage clothing can eagerly anticipate gathering once a year.

I feel this industry might finally be ready for something like this. What I learned through the process of creating My Freedamn! is that good things can be made as long as one doesn't get caught up in commercialism. And conversely, if it's not good, no one will appreciate it. Therefore, I'm not looking to profit from this event itself. However, as a promoter, I do want to explore how the economics can work and what business opportunities exist. I hope for the proper output of the 21st century, driven by dedicated people with substantial content. It feels like returning to the spirit of "My Freedamn! Vol. 1." So, I want to approach it with as much of a punk heart as possible. The real challenge will be the second event and beyond. As with My Freedamn!, things become more demanding in various ways with each subsequent installment. In that sense, I feel a sense of confidence that this first event will go well.

Ultimately, It's About How Much of a "Heads" Mentality Everyone Participating Can Embrace

—So, in your mind, books and events are fundamentally the same?

Yes. For me, the space of an event is like the layout of a book. In the sense that everything hinges on that single day, there's fear involved, including unforeseen circumstances, but what I'm doing is fundamentally the same. The core importance of content is also the same. However, if I continue to hold events, what I need to be mindful of is the rapid pace of the times. When I first moved to America, I thought it would be fine if a culture took about ten years to mature, but now, it's probably much shorter. That's something I need to consider carefully. But ultimately, I believe it's up to everyone present to decide how things will proceed. It's about how much of a "heads" mentality the participants can bring to this event. I don't know how it will turn out until we do it, but I believe it will head in a good direction if everyone can share that feeling.

—Indeed. For an event, it's crucial that each participant feels it's their own space. As OPENERS, we'll be there to cover it, aiming to be part of that circle. We look forward to seeing you then.

I'd like OPENERS readers who love this world to feel free to come and join us for about three or four nights.

—Certainly, it's no longer an era where one needs to prepare extensively just to go to America.

Exactly. The 14th, the day after, is the "Rose Bowl" flea market, so I think departing Friday night and returning after the Rose Bowl would make for a perfectly enjoyable trip.

—And the My Freedamn! series will continue as well, correct?

Yes, we will continue to publish those as well. For now, we're aiming for a release of "Vol. 9" around early summer 2010, and we'll begin editing immediately after the event.

—We're very much looking forward to that as well. Thank you for your time today.

Thank you, it was my pleasure.