A Canadian who long went East reveals the ins and outs of a magnificent Kerouac event in Japan forced to dodge the impact of the global pandemic yet which hauled triumph from the jaws of defeat
Many years ago, I had the pleasure of road tripping with Dave around the western US, Canada, Mexico, and Omaha, some of those trips in the VW bus, which is now a hot tub in a canyon near Salt Lake City. These texts were never just texts for Dave. They were guidebooks, instructions. Dave speaks about these texts with an authority that can only come from lived experience.
Marvelously rich and detailed interview. I was particularly struck by Dave's account of how he kept adapting his plans to the ever-changing situation with respect to the Kobe exhibition. His laid back adaptations in the moment would, I imagine, make Gary Snyder smile. Also loved the bit about choosing the Red Norvo track for the film. it does resonate strongly as something Sal and Dean might have been listening to in the big old Hudson. Thoroughly enjoyed Dave's account of his journey to, from, and back to Japan. Wonderful questions Simon, and thoroughly engaging responses.
Just the briefest notes before I head to bed to say, "thank you very much to Simon for including me in your most excellent dispatch" and of course another huge thanks to Matt Theado, Kaori Miyashita-Theado and the staff, curators, volunteers et al at BB Plaza Museum and Kobe City University.
Next time, we are getting Jim Canary (and hopefully a ship full of Beat renegades) over here!
Added a video riff from barn studio about this pleasing interview and exhibit plus share a few thoughts and musings about inspiring poets, sparking creative projects, podcasts, postcards, rock and records etc
I was intrigued, Dave, by your reference to those abandoned Japanese mountain villages. Why were they deserted and what did they become?
Thanks, Marc, for comments and insight.
Many years ago, I had the pleasure of road tripping with Dave around the western US, Canada, Mexico, and Omaha, some of those trips in the VW bus, which is now a hot tub in a canyon near Salt Lake City. These texts were never just texts for Dave. They were guidebooks, instructions. Dave speaks about these texts with an authority that can only come from lived experience.
Marvelously rich and detailed interview. I was particularly struck by Dave's account of how he kept adapting his plans to the ever-changing situation with respect to the Kobe exhibition. His laid back adaptations in the moment would, I imagine, make Gary Snyder smile. Also loved the bit about choosing the Red Norvo track for the film. it does resonate strongly as something Sal and Dean might have been listening to in the big old Hudson. Thoroughly enjoyed Dave's account of his journey to, from, and back to Japan. Wonderful questions Simon, and thoroughly engaging responses.
Just the briefest notes before I head to bed to say, "thank you very much to Simon for including me in your most excellent dispatch" and of course another huge thanks to Matt Theado, Kaori Miyashita-Theado and the staff, curators, volunteers et al at BB Plaza Museum and Kobe City University.
Next time, we are getting Jim Canary (and hopefully a ship full of Beat renegades) over here!
Added a video riff from barn studio about this pleasing interview and exhibit plus share a few thoughts and musings about inspiring poets, sparking creative projects, podcasts, postcards, rock and records etc
https://daveostory.com/film-vids-docs/beat-sushi/rock-and-the-beat-generation-interview-usual-poets-postal/