Baton, the bard from the bar
Baton Domi came back to Kosova after the war and played as DJ, established number of initiatives and then with his business partner Miri founded Soma Book Station. The rest belongs to urban history...
The end of the Kosovo war in 1999 was beginning of Kosovo’s long road to transition(s). Transition from a war-torn area to one building peace; transition from a mostly rural society to rapidly urbanized with thousands of folks moving massively to cities, looking for jobs, security and education; from a conservative society to one embracing open spirit and individual rights; from a super-isolated political appendix of former Yugoslavia, to being a focal point of global media and international interest.
Many Kosovars returned from Europe and USA, not only to navigate these enormous changes but to also participate and help shape a “Brave New World” being built.
One such guy is Baton Domi, one of the first post-war DJs in then fledgling electronic music scene. After opening and closing a number of cool gigs, Baton then brought to Kosovo another big reference to Huxley’s “Brave New World” - opening SOMA Book Station, together with his buddy and partner Ermir “Miri” Shala. They later opened SOMA Slow Food restaurant, bringing organic slow dining, with archaic ethno touches in the menu, and have now just launched Soma Vinyl Station in Tirana.
It’s impossible to overstate the role SOMA plays in city of Prishtina as cultural center, night life spot, daily hub for artists, journalists, diplomats - thus it’s impossible to overstate personal influence Baton had with his wide - very wide - interests in books, music, arts, in shaping Prishtina’s tapestry of cultural references and experiences.
So, Baton seemed a perfect candidate to interview for our TENTEN feature. He gave us so many music and literary references, we kinda hyperlinked them all for our readers joy and further fun!
If your life had a soundtrack, what would be the first track on the album, and why?
Captain Beefheart “Trout Mask Replica - Pachuco Cadaver”. It’s one of the very few songs that describes the functionality of chaos. It feels like there is no beginning and no end to this song. And also because it is the worst album of all time.
Imagine a mashup event where your Soma Book Station hosts a live DJ set. Which favorite author’s books would you pair with which DJ’s tunes?
I think many good books sound like Sex Mob’s Holiday Of Briggan.
What’s a record you secretly love but are a little embarrassed to admit is in your personal collection?
I love Toto Cutugno’s “L’Italiano” and I’m not embarrassed at all. I think the video is what makes it work for me.
If you could invite any three musicians, dead or alive, to perform in Soma, who would they be?
Françoise Hardy with Chet Baker and Iggy Pop serenading one another.
Running a bookshop / LP shop in the digital age is quite a challenge. What role do you think physical bookstores and LP stores play in fostering a community, especially in cities like Prishtina or Tirana?
I don’t think there’s a challenge as long as there are people that see the importance of being part of something good, something cool, something fun.
What we collect are the things that give us access to love and make us appreciate the elasticity of time. I think Printed Books and Vinyl Records are one of those things. They stretch time and will always be present.
Vinyl is making a strong comeback in recent years though. What trends or shifts have you observed among Gen X or younger, when it comes to music consumption?
The people I meet that are into music or dig for music are much more technical now. Music is becoming sound without movement or style. It is both more innocent and more serious at the same time.
If your bars in Tirana and Prishtina had personalities, what would their quirks be? How would you describe them as people?
I’d describe Soma in Prishtina as Tim Finnegan who fell from a ladder and broke his scull and had a wake and at this wake there was lots of whisky.
And I’d describe Soma in Tirana as Mrs.Porter, a fictional character of James Joyce who was inspired by Tim Finnegan’s story to write Finnegan’s Wake. Not quite awake and not quite dreaming.
If your bookshop could only sell books written by musicians, who would be on your shelves?
The least virtuous musicians that write heartbreaking, beautiful songs.
Your restaurant Soma Slow adds another creative layer to your businesses. If you could create a dish inspired by one of your favorite songs, what would it be, and what ingredients would it feature?
Good, old Dee Dee Sharp / Mashed Potato Time and a simple mash with good, old potatoes, high fat milk and some nice butter. Add some good salt, fresh, cracked pepper and have them always served nice and warm… That’s all.
If you had to design a piece of clothing that perfectly represents the vibe of the entire Soma brand, what would it be—a jacket, shoes, or something else?
French work jackets and cowboy boots.