Kasai brings Tokyo-style listening room, restaurant to Hermosa Beach
by Richard Foss Your first impression of Kasai Records is one of pusslement. The building on Hermosa Avenue looks like a restaurant, but the name suggests a merchant of music, and their logo has a more than passing resemblance to that of the late Tower Records chain. Walk inside and you’ll see a well-stocked bar, but also a vast selection of vinyl records and some high tech stereo equipment on which those records are spinning every night they’re open. Depending on when you’re there, you might see an Asian woman or a man with swept back blonde hair movin’ and groovin’ in the DJ booth. They’re not just there to spin records – they’re co-owners Ryan Stock and Skylar Tourigny. Ryan Stock at the turntable. Photo courtesy of Kasai Records The Hermosa residents both have owned restaurants for years, but met for the first time about six months ago, when Skylar was considering changing the concept for Decadence. Ryan, who owns a chain of sushi bars, had been to Tokyo and experienced the music listening rooms called onagu kissa. These establishments appeared in the 1920s and catered to classical music lovers in the days when many people couldn’t afford record players or large album…
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