Boombox and cassette tape soundscapes rewind memories
Boombox and cassette tapes
- Soundscapes bring back memories -
The moment you hear the "click," the atmosphere changes just a little.
There's a hint of tension and anticipation in the fingertips as they press the play button.
What comes out of the boombox isn't just music.
It was the atmosphere in someone's room, the memories of someone's afternoon, the turmoil in someone's heart.
During the Showa era, radio cassette players and cassette tapes were not only tools for listening to music,
It was a magical device that allowed people to create their own world.
The era of "recording" music
Nowadays, music is listened to through streaming.
Search for your favorite song and tap to play it instantly.
However, during the Showa era, music was something that was "recorded."
Sit in front of the FM radio and wait for your favorite song to play.
Press the record button at the perfect time so that the DJ's voice doesn't overlap.
His tension and concentration were like that of a craftsman.
The joy of a successful recording.
The frustration of failing and having to wait until the next week.
All of this deepened my relationship with music.
Cassette tape as a "memory device"
Cassette tapes were not just a recording medium for sound.
It contained the air of the day it was recorded, the smell of the room, and someone's voice.
Write the song titles by hand on the tape labels.
The tape he named "My Best Tape" was
It was my own personal playlist and album of my heart.
Lend it to a friend or give it to someone you love.
Cassette tapes were also a tool for communication through music.
"I want you to listen to this song"
I put those feelings into a tape and give it to him.
Perhaps it was a confession deeper than words.
The boombox: a window to sound
The boombox was a window into the world.
News, late-night shows, and idol voices broadcast from the radio.
All of this came into the room through a boombox.
Recording and playback are all done manually.
The feeling of pressing a button, the sound of the tape rolling,
Sometimes there was trouble with the tape getting tangled.
But that imperfection was what made it so endearing.
The boombox taught me the joy of manipulating music.
Turn the dial, press the button, change the tape.
Each and every movement brought me closer to the music.
The fun of making your own radio show
Anyone with a boombox and cassette tapes could become a DJ.
Record your voice, play your favorite songs, and talk to fictional guests.
"Hello, this is ○○ Radio"
Your own personal show starts with that one word.
The voices of family members and phone calls get mixed in.
That, too, was "my world."
Recording mistakes and editing ingenuity were all part of the creation.
Looking back now, that game may have been a way to practice creating stories.
He combines music and voice to tell his own story.
It's a feeling that is similar to today's podcasts and YouTube.
The soundscape brings back memories
When you play a cassette tape,
Not only music but memories are rewound.
The smell of that room.
Sunset outside the window.
The sound of someone laughing.
Words I couldn't say to anyone.
Boomboxes and cassette tapes
It is a tool for listening to music,
It was a device for storing memories.
Now, try making the "click" sound again.
Modern music is convenient, fast, and beautiful.
However, the "click" sound of the radio cassette player
There is a warmth that cannot be measured by convenience.
The sound of cassette tapes mixed with noise
Because it is not perfect, there are emotional fluctuations.
What if you had a radio cassette player in your hand right now?
If there was a cassette tape.
What kind of sounds will you record there?
Who do you want to listen to?
What feelings do you put into it?
The boombox and cassette tape are not just tools for listening to music,
It was a tool for weaving memories.
Beyond that "click" sound,
We can go back and meet our former selves as many times as we like.