TORONTO – SCHOOL OF LOCK

When I first heard about this Japanese Rock School here in Toronto I was more than muy suspicious. I pictured anime goths doing Venom covers in some tiny, sweaty, musky room inside a karaoke bar, and that when they gave you your diploma they’d also light it on fire as they handed it to you. So you can imagine my surprise when I showed up and banged on a huge wooden door that had a nice school crest on it and discovered that it’s not the Japanese version of a J-pop puppy mill, but an actual school to learn the beautiful craft of making music. 

A tiny, smiling ambassador greeted me and introduced me to Ashley Ingram, the school’s headmaster. He was in that group Imagination back in the day and he’s still a producer now, and he’s huger than fucking huge in Japan, which is why most of the students are Japanese and why they move to Toronto just to go to this music school. Before we left we witnessed a confidence-building dance class, a runway walking class, and a three-guy Korean boy band practice. They did raps and serenades while they jammed on their guitar, sax, and drums.

TOMOKO, Instructor

VICE: Why did you come here?
Tomoko: I came here as a student first but I came for language. Then I found this music school. You can learn how to sing! I was in the vocal course. I got interested in music production as well. I started writing songs and making my own album.

Oooh, so you’re a triple treat. Why do you think students want to come here?
Many students come from Asian countries looking for what they can do and they find themselves. I didn’t believe what I could do in music. Now after four years I’m the school manager, and have a work permit from the Canadian Government.

You’re in!
Yes.

 

 

ASHLEY INGRAM, Headmaster

How many students did you start with?
Ashley Ingram: With three students, in my living room.

Was it hard to be recognized as a school back when you were conducting classes out of your living room?
I have always found it difficult to tell people what this school is about exactly. It occured to me that you are the first Western journalist that have come in here.

Well, why is everyone Japanese anyway?
 I did very well in Japan. I was producing a Japanese artist here, a man called Kazu Marayama–he owns Bits magazine. He said, “Why don’t you teach Japanese people? Everyone passes them by.” At that time I wasn’t thinking of doing a school; I got out of California and was so jaded. I felt I could start again with no one around me.

So how come you chose Toronto?
 I kind of got the feeling that America was killing me. So when I came here to visit a friend, and I hadn’t been here since the early days, Toronto was completely changed for me. I loved it. I saw a Black women with an Asian guy, a Russian with a Brazilian, a this with a that. I saw people getting along.

Yeah, we get along alright here.

 

YOSHI, Student

How long have you been here for? 
Yoshi: Six or seven months

Are they really hard on you?
 Of course sometimes, how can you say it, “I hit the wall”? 

Do you like it at this school?
I really like it; I don’t want to leave.

What kind of music do you play? 
 Folk music. Live folk. 

JUSTICE, Student 

How long have you been at the school for?
Justice: Two years.

What do you think is the best thing about the school?
 It’s getting us out there, into the mainstream. Asians in Hollywood.

What do you want to do?
Music production. To the level where I am respected by black people.

That is a decent goal.

 KATIE HEINDL 

(Photos by Carl Heindl)