I Believe I've Gained What Money Can't Buy – Okino

– It’s truly admirable that you’ve managed to stay in business for 18 years in such a fast-paced industry.



KAWASAKIThat’s a result of you, Okino-san, remaining musically steadfast as an artist, which has allowed the club’s musical direction to stay consistent. Our customers and other club staff often tell us this.



– So, it’s recognized as a place with a solid musical identity.



OkinoYes, we have customers visiting from overseas, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas. We even had someone fly in from Los Angeles for a two-day trip. It’s a great honor that people travel from abroad to visit THE ROOM, just as we used to visit clubs in London and New York.






Such impromptu events happen, and not only the customers but also the artists are delighted. Isn’t that something money can’t buy? It wasn’t about making a profit. I started with the ulterior motive of hoping to make some money too (laughs), but in the end, it’s not about money. I believe I’ve gained something that money can’t buy.

Creating this club in the first place was a gamble – Okino

– What kind of party will this anniversary celebration be?



OkinoThe title is "GAMBLE," playing on the number "18" (juuhachi), which sounds like "ichi ka hachi ka" (a gamble, literally one or eight).

Creating this club in the first place was a gamble. When I opened this place, I was 25 years old. It was right after "J TRIP BAR" closed, and people were saying Shibuya was finished. Also, at that time, clubs typically changed genres daily, but THE ROOM started with the policy of playing jazz, soul, funk, and more, sticking to one genre for the entire week. Because of this, people in the industry told me it would never work.








Furthermore, while DJs and music producers are widely accepted now, back then, there were only a handful of well-known DJs. There were only a few, like Hiroshi Fujiwara, Norikatsu Onuki, Kei Kobayashi, and Kou Kimura. The decision by various DJs to make a living through music, just as I did by opening a club, was itself a gamble, I believe. It was a start based on chance, and something everyone took a risk for. With that meaning in mind, I named the event "GAMBLE."



For this party, we’ve changed the concept each of the three days. The first day, "GROOVE," will feature mainly hip-hop and funk. The second day, "EDGE," will focus on younger DJs across jazz and house. The final day, under the title "LEGEND," will be a finale with veteran artists who were active in Tokyo even before THE ROOM opened.



KAWASAKIIt’s a commemorative event where those who have been active since the open days, the "LEGENDS," will perform alongside the younger generation representing THE ROOM’s current events. I hope that customers who have been coming for a long time will enjoy "EDGE," and that the younger crowd will discover more about THE ROOM by seeing the "LEGENDS." In that sense, I really hope people will come for all three days.



OkinoYes, even if it’s for a short time, I hope they’ll come for all three days. I want them to experience the musical evolution of the past 18 years and the history of THE ROOM.



– Thank you very much.

• 
  Shuya Okino x DJ KAWASAKI: Master and Disciple Talk (1) – A Different Club Style Than Before
  


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  Shuya Okino x DJ KAWASAKI: Master and Disciple Talk (2) – The Self-Proclaimed Disciple
  


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  Shuya Okino x DJ KAWASAKI: Master and Disciple Talk (3) – What Money Can't Buy