THE ROOST
A JOURNEY INTO THE MINDS BEHIND THE METAL OF JAPAN’S ALT-MOTO SCENE
Two Years, Twelve cities, and a wide open throttle. The Roost is the definitive feature-length documentary lifting the covers on Japan’s neo-retro motorcycle subculture. Traversing the land of the rising sun to meet the individuals shaping the custom scene and inspiring a global movement with their mastery of old-world, hand-built and new-world cool.
Japan produces some of the most talented custom motorcycle builders in the world—a rogues gallery of gifted individuals that set trends the rest of the world follows. The Roost captures renowned builders like Shiro Nakajima (46 works and founder of Ritmo Serino) and Kengo Kimura (Heiwa Motorcycles owner and holder of an astounding string of ‘best of show’ awards within Japan and abroad), alongside up and coming builders like Toshi Nakajima (Unfinish) and Rad Yamamoto (Ask Motorcycle). From the country's southernmost tip in the island town of Asakusa with surfer, rider and builder Toshiyuka Kozaka (Switch Stance Riding), to kicking up sand in Kanazawa vintage beach racing with powerful female riders like Ayano Kanno, and everywhere in between with a moving feast of midnight rider meets, rides and races. Each story is unique in their approach though shares an endearing common thread - an unfiltered love of these two-wheeled machines and the sheer joy that fuels the lifestyles around them.
The Minds Behind The Metal
Shiroh Nakajima
“Of course, you can build a bike to look amazing. But if you can’t ride it, it’s back to square one.”
Kengo kimura
“When I’m building a show bike, I don’t work from a sketch. In the process of putting all the pieces together, I finalize the design ”
Ayano Kanno
“Women who ride bikes are powerful. As powerful as all the men! I have so many scars on my legs, I can’t wear skirts”
Toshi nakajima
“I’ve been building bikes since I was a kid. I didn’t have a lot of money, but I used my imagination and passion. You can build anything with a sander and a drill.”
Tetsuya hashimoto
“Everyone worries about me. But I’m not too worried. If I still had two legs, I’d be faster than Toshi!"
Hideaki atsuta
“I think owning a bike gives you independence. I go into my own world when I ride.”
Ryo suzuki
“While I’m drawing a line the world disappears. I keep my mind completely empty.”
Rad Yamamoto
“I don’t want to be the kind of builder who isn’t inspired by new motorcycles. I want to build futuristic bikes.”
Yasu nishita
“Going full-throttle on the bike you love is the best feeling in the world.”
Takanori Katagiri
“I’m always building inside my head. Imagining where to cut, where to. bend, and where to weld a piece”.
Koichi FujiTa
“I don’t aim to be the best of the best, and I don’t do it for money either. I do it purely because I love making bikes for my customers.”
KOSUKE KUMAGAI
“When I create a bike, I complete the build in my head before I actually start working on it.”
Toshiyuka kozaka
“It’s important to be challenged when you’re trying to do something creative. If you don’t challenge yourself, your ideas will never be realized.”
Tomomi shimizu
“When I’m pin striping, I feel there is a freedom of space. I want to use the full range of my skills in the design.”
Kei tashiro
“I think if you get better at riding and can learn skills as a mechanic, it becomes more enjoyable to ride.”
Shin Ikeda
“We’re always told ‘Don’t do anything dangerous!’ It’s bullshit! Dangerous things are the most fun!”
THE ROGUES BEHIND THE GALLERY
The Bards Behind the Music
The Ugly Kings
The Ugly Kings offer a stripped down but powerful injection of energy and emotion to the modern rock scene; formulating what can only be described as ‘Power Blues’. Memorable beats, thunderous bass lines and an electrifying barrage of bluesy ‘grit’ riffs tied with raw and emotive vocals.
Low Volts
Three time San Diego Music Award winner LOW VOLTS is giving the music world a much needed shock to the heart. Armed with an old slide guitar, thunderous kickdrum and howling vocals, this one-man rock n’ roller provides a wild and stripped-down, heavy-duty performance like none other!
The ivory elephant
Scraping out of the grit of Brunswick (Melbourne, Australia), The Ivory Elephant are a 3-piece playing Heavy Blues. Joining the Blues/Rock renaissance of bands such as The Black Keys and The White Stripes, and with a sound often likened to Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, The Ivory Elephant bring their own thing to the style.
THE MAKERS BEHIND THE MOVIE
Australian Producer Matthew Roberts, Tokyo local and Director of Photography William Greenawalt, and Director Jesse Koester have joined forces once again to create a masterful feature length documentary that follows on the heels of their cult classic moto short film - Tokyo Gone. The Roost offers viewers a rare back-stage pass to a world few outside its membership ever get to experience first hand. The film delivers an impactful yet nuanced journey about this elusive moto-community, the challenging nature of creating, the timeless allure of motorcycles and the essence of what makes us human beings. Featured in over 30 festivals across the globe, The Roost has picked up ten awards including Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Score and Best Documentary. Get ready for a journey into the minds behind the metal of Japan’s alt-moto custom scene.
MATTHEW ROBERTS
PRODUCER / WRITER
WILLIAM GREENAWALT
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY / WRITER
JESSE KOESTER
DIRECTOR / WRITER