The North American Premiere of
A Century in Sound
When
Where
Price
$25.00 (+ $2.50 fee)
Description
“A unique, observant, and fascinating project." — Roman Coppola, via Variety
Join us January 29 for a night tracing the roots of listening bars and the exclusive North American premiere of A Century in Sound, co-presented by JACCC, dublab, Film Independent, and Zizou.
Not just a film screening, the event features a panel discussion with legends of global music and film about how this uniquely Japanese culture is more vital and necessary in our time than ever before.
A Century in Sound is a beautifully crafted documentary series that traces 100 years of Tokyo’s cultural history through the Japanese tradition of ongaku kissa—music cafés and hi-fi spaces where deep, focused listening becomes a shared, communal experience. Moving from classical cafés to jazz kissas and beyond, the film explores how these carefully curated, intimate spaces mirror the spirit of the times.
At a moment when listening bars are rapidly proliferating across the U.S., A Century in Sound offers vital historical context, revealing the origins of this culture and the philosophy behind intentional listening spaces. For fans of listening bars, vinyl culture, and immersive sound environments, the film provides a rare and deeply resonant perspective on how these spaces became refuges for shared listening—making this North American premiere an unmissable experience.
Three episodes from a six-part documentary will be presented together as a single screening. Runtime: 1hr 41min.
Schedule
Listening Lounge + Pop-Up Record Shop (6:30 pm - 7:30 pm)
Presented by Temporal Drift & We Share Records
Enjoy cocktails, explore and purchase Japanese records in the lobby, and ease into the evening.
Screening + Panel Discussion (7:30 pm - 9:45 pm)
Featuring Grammy and Emmy-award winning musicians/filmmakers DJ Peanut Butter Wolf, Kunihiko Murai, Zach Cowie, Mark McNeill
Be among the first to see the first three episodes of the acclaimed documentary series followed by a conversation reflecting on deep listening as an approach, and as a culture.
After-Party at Zizou (10:00 pm - 1:00 am)
Featuring DJs Yuka Mizuhara, Tsugu Itagaki, and Kota Yoshioka
Get fully into the groove at Zizou, an intimate listening bar known for its refined sound, wine, and food.
All event details subject to change.
Things To Know
About the Artists
Nick Dwyer is an award-winning filmmaker and music historian whose work explores music as lived culture. He is the creator and director of A Century in Sound, acclaimed for its deep listening approach to history, place, and community.
Tu Neill is a New Zealand-born and based filmmaker, director, and producer known for his documentary work. He is particularly recognized for co-directing the documentary series Diggin' in the Carts (2014) about Japanese video game music.
Recording artist/DJ Peanut Butter Wolf, aka Chris Manak, is the founder of independent label Stones Throw Records and the vinyl bar Gold Line Bar, which houses over 10,000 of his albums. Both are based in the same building in the Highland Park neighborhood of L.A.
Kunihiko Murai is a key architect of Japan’s modern music history as a pioneering composer, producer, and founder of Alfa Records who played a leading role in laying the foundation for Japanese popular music in the 1970s. This includes introducing the band Yellow Magic Orchestra and its member, Ryuichi Sakamoto, to a global audience.
Zach Cowie is an Emmy-nominated music supervisor and DJ known for shaping the sound of films and series including Judas and the Black Messiah, Emma., and American Fiction, with deep roots in radio, record culture, and global listening scenes.
Mark McNeill is a curator, music journalist, and broadcaster focused on experimental, ambient, and underground music cultures. His work examines how listening spaces and scenes shape collective memory and creative exchange.
Yuka Mizuhara is a Tokyo-based DJ, model, and photographer known for genre-fluid, mood-driven sets drawing from soul, disco, rare grooves, ambient, and global sounds.
Kota Yoshioka is an LA-based curator and DJ connecting Japanese and U.S. independent music cultures as the Japan/Asia label manager for Stones Throw Records. He spins Japanese jazz, soul, city pop, and rare grooves.
We Share Records is an LA-based record shop and cultural platform dedicated to Japanese music, with a focus on jazz fusion, city pop, and electronic sounds. Tsugi Itagaki is an LA-based DJ and artist from Kumamoto, Japan, whose selections are shaped by soul, jazz, and hip-hop influences.
Temporal Drift (Yosuke Kitazawa and Patrick McCarthy) is an LA-based music label publishing contemporary and archival releases by Japanese artists.
Accessibility
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, we ask that you please refrain from wearing strong fragrances. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact info@jaccc.org.
Plan Your Visit
JACCC is a 7-minute walk from the L.A. Metro Rail's Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, which connects to both the A and E lines via the Regional Connector.
For additional transportation options and parking details, check out Go Little Tokyo's Guide to the area here.
Presented by
