[007b] takitsuba 7th anniversary translation special part 2
the second part of the translations. putting everything into one post was apparently too large. =((
for the crosstalk, RED is takki, BLUE is tsubasa.
2006.12 winkup (in conjunction with two you four you's release)
takki actually says 'un' now and then when he sings ballads, tsubasa sang too many songs at [one!], and takki's costumes shine so brightly that tsubasa makes use of that to search for takki in a crowd!
put feeling into - takizawa hideaki & imai tsubasa
the long awaited album [two you four you] is a compilation of the variety as presented by tackey & tsubasa, and is a luxurious album that comprises of the two of their colours put together. so today they talk to us about some keywords used in song recordings, and because in december, they will kickstart their concert tour after a long break from concerts, and they talk much to us about the concert too!
takizawa hideaki
-- what about [ROCK]? talk about something that gets you heated up or excited
if you want me to talk about something that really heated up, it's got to be the quarrels and fights (laughs). when met with such a situation, I get oddly heated up. it doesn't mean that I started it first though. after I see people wasting time quarrelling, I get really irritated. if you want to quarrel, then make it a quick quarrel, settle it cleanly...I end up wanting to say that. I don't quarrel. but at the restaurant or places like that, after I get drunk, when I get involved in some pointless argument with somebody, I'd tell the person things really sternly. like for example, even though my friend is having his birthday party, somebody disregards the whole ambience and gets into some quarrel with me. then when I see that happening, I'll say what I want to say (laughs).
-- what about [latino]? talk about something that brings up your tension
I've got latino this year too. oh but this year ends in like 2 months, doesn't it (laughs)! but recently I've really told my friends, "latino music is good stuff" excitedly a lot. it's not so much that listening to it moves me...but somehow it naturally brings up my tension. I'm able to get all excited. then again, more melancholic melody lines still suit japanese people the best, I think. so having said that, I suppose I won't have so much latino in my life anymore.
-- what about [POP]? talk about something that's more relaxing and fun
if you ask me about someone who's more POP around me, then most recently it would have to be shimojima (kei)-kun. even though we've had the chance to talk because we acted together in [one!], at first, maybe it's because he's older, I don't know...there was this really odd distance between us (laughs). but slowly we talked more and more, and when the older bunch goes out for a meal, he calls me along too. ahhh he's interesting! he really likes gaming. the day after our offday, he came over to my dressing toom and said, "uhm, yesterday I went for a game exhibition...so here's a souvenir from the event!" he took the trouble to buy a game's t-shirt for me (laughs). in that moment, I understood that he's a very POP kind of person (laughs). how old is he? he's older than I am.
-- what about [ballad]? talk about something more serious and solemn
something very serious and solemn thing that I do? hmmm...I'm sorry, but there isn't any (laughs). well for example, if a really good friend moved house to somewhere faraway, we still can contact each other via handphone and email, and if we feel like meeting up we still can, isn't it. so I'm not lonely or anything. it's the way you think that's important. I think that no matter how tough the circumstances may be, the one thing you can change is the way you think, and the way you feel.
imai tsubasa
-- what about [ROCK]? talk about something that gets you heated up or excited
there are many types of rock, not just american rock. irish rock is not bad too. and for me who is presently sick, I want to see bono perform live! for me, ROCK = persistence in doing something. there's nothing else harder to do than for me to persist in doing things. even with my usual friends, when the situation changes, or sometimes when it doesn't change, I find it hard to push through with my ideas. I can't really say to myself with great confidence, "let's do it this way!". I know that at work you can't get through just by instincts, but to what extent would you go to just to do the things that you want? and I get blown about hard depending on how much I insist on things... but it's really hard to live the real rocker life (laughs). but I don't want to be that obedient kid all the time, and I want to try proving my own existence too. if I lose to my partner = I lose to myself...and that's how I want to live on.
-- what about [latino]? talk about something that brings up your tension
the moment I heard latino, in that instant yonehana tsuyoshi's face came to mind (laughs). isn't latino a pronoun? although I pride myself on latino styles. when you're feeling happy, don't you want to go party? during those times, I think that it's better to just express your feelings instead of trying too hard to be cool.
-- what about [POP]? talk about something that's more relaxing and fun
regardless of whether at work or privately, I'm always surrounded by a fun atmosphere. there's always some sort of atmosphere around me. if it's a good atmosphere, then everyone around me will have fun, I think...isn't that wonderful? but of course, the other way round happens too. like if there are only thoughts about 'you're really damned lousy' or 'this is boring', then the bad atmosphere will spread around too. so I must be careful!
-- what about [ballad]? talk about something more serious and solemn
when my partner sings a ballad, he would occasionally let out a very small, "un" at certain parts, did anyone notice that? (laughs) next time listen really carefully. something that I do really solemnly and seriously. when I had my solo concert tour, I was always in that state when I was onstage. it's not a bad feeling, it's actually a good one. being very serious is something that hits one so hard you almost become numb. and those times when I feel like that, it's fantastic. I would like to thank everyone for giving me those amazing times on stage!
takitsuba interview
if you want to know what takitsuba has been up to lately, it's got to be the release of the album.
that's right. but at this stage we haven't finished listning to the whole thing yet. so what the whole album's feel is like, we have no idea either.
we've been talking about the sequence of the songs, how many seconds to put in between each song, sort of stuff. I'm the type who's very picky about such things.
these are really tiny little details, but it makes a difference to each song.
that's right. for the first half, to put it in extreme terms, we're going to put in so much effort into the songs such that the tempo doesn't seem to change at all, and then we'll open up a gap and change the atmosphere altogether...etc.
the sequence of the songs are also important like at concerts. this time we've put in most of the singles' songs, so it's a good deal (laughs). later we'll be deciding whether to put in the 2006 arrangement of [yume monogatari] or the christmas version, since we haven't decided yet.
yep. but because this is a song that has had the greatest impact in terms of dance steps, so we'll be cutting it from the inside, and we'll have some distortion on the outside, as a more manly [yume monogatari] is cool too, isn't it...that's how we always talk when we're having proper business meetings (laughs).
ahaha that's true. the recording is all done, so now we need to go into concert mode. it's in just 2 months!
there's probably some sort of image we both have for the concert, isn't it? like we'd have a common idea, and we would say things like, "oh I see" etc.
the rest of the planning always goes very fast after we've finally decided on the opening. planning the opening takes the most time. because it has to grab attention.
(in the previous issue, takizawa said, "in [one!], tsubasa sang more songs than was planned, and the stage director panicked very badly"...)
ahahaha! that's right!
nooo that's wrong. what I'm going to say isn't an excuse, this is the truth (laughs).
what do you want to say? defend yourself!
I really didn't know there wasn't enough time on that day! there were people in the audience who wanted to hear more, and so I thought that if I sang more for the audience, everyone would be happy.
well but it's true that the audience was pretty happy.
isn't it so? oh by the way, when it was time for curtain call, the staff told me to stand beside you, but because I thought it was wrong for me to do that, I didn't. I thought, "since this is takizawa's production, it's better if he stands alone".
ehh~so that's what happened. it's okay if you had appeared, really.
I said so earlier when asked about the recordings, but you know how you tend to let out a little 'un' in the middle of your songs.
aahh, I really do~! this time I've also let out a little 'un' (laughs). it must have been hard for the music director to try to cover that part (laughs). I've been scolded pretty badly over this bad habit of mine. but somehow I always do it.
it's totally become a bad habit. when doing the harmonising, takizawa would do the recording first. and so while I'm listening to takizawa's voice to record the parts, I'd hear the 'un' here and there (laughs).
tsubasa's got a bad habit too, I'm sure. just that nobody noticed.
well earlier on I was told by the winkup staff that when I'm doing the shots seated on a chair, I always place my weight further to the front. but when I'm singing, I always lean backwards. and then when we're recording songs, I don't really like that clicking sound that they play for us to catch the rhythm. I'm fine with just catching the rhythm from the drums. but for takizawa, he seems to really like having that clicking sound.
ahh, I suppose. ...but for me, when the sound goes on while I'm singing, eventually the sound doesn't really have anything to do with the rhythm anymore (laughs). I guess different people are different, isn't it.
isn't that so~ going back to the topic of concerts, for me, the concert this time round is finally a tackey & tsubasa concert, so the two of us... we want to really shine so brightly that we might collapse after that, that's what we think. well of course there are also people who want to see our solo corners, so it's not that we won't have our solo corners. but the feeling we have is like this.
I want to feel that both of us enchant the audience. so we should try being more flashy and sparkly, isn't it.
ohh, your private clothes aren't very sparkly today huh (laughs). so mild today. a pink tanktop with white lining!? ah, and your bottoms are damage jeans.
oh really? this is normal okay, just normal.
I'm sure a normal person would think of takizawa in this way too. for me, I think I don't have enough things. but to look cool today, anything will do (laughs).
ahaha! so if I'm always like that, then that's incredible (laughs)!
it's the belt buckle, right? it's got to be big and sparkly right?
ahh, a really sparkly and big belt buckle... it's not really good~ but it draws people's attention (laughs). if one day I have to wear a thin belt, I would get a little annoyed.
but that sparkly belt really helped a lot during the rehearsals for the countdown concert. I was trying to look for you, because you disappeared and kept sprouting up all over the place in that huge venue, I thought, "ah, there's a guy with a sparkly stomach! it's got to be takizawa!" and it made you easy to find (laughs).
it's so useful, isn't it, my buckle. well I think for the concert, my buckle will be so super shiny and my costumes so ultra flashy that it will frighten everyone, so I hope you all have fun (laughs)!
2007.05 myojo (in conjunction with x~dame/crazy rainbow's release) -- sannah 's scans
I really like this photoshoot, because they look ultra cute. but anyway, takki's getting more emotional even while watching sob stories on tv, and tsubasa is just eating too much!
tackey & tsubasa -- since we've actually managed to get them both today, let's have them O (circle) all their X (bad) points!
the two are in the middle of their concert tour that goes round 12 cities, ending in the later half of march. even so, they've released a super popular new song, [x~dame~], so we get them to talk about the 'X (bad) things' and 'O (good) things' around them!
takizawa hideaki
-- so tell us about anything good and bad that happened during the tour.
there wasn't anything really bad... during the solo corner, I had to do a little trick and a pantomime to make a little joke, and the joke was as successful as it could be, I suppose (laughs). I'm trying to concentrate on the joke! as for the really good thing that happened, it was the audience's calling. during encores, usually the audience would go, "tackey *clapclap* tsubasa *clapclap*". but this time there were people who called out the usual way of shouting encores, which is, "encore, encore". that means that there were people who came to our concert for the very first time, and I was really happy about that. but of course, our usual fans who have been supporting us really came together and eventually the encore went back to the usual "tackey *clapclap* tsubasa *clapclap*"... I could feel the unity of the fans, and while hearing all this at the side of the stage, I was really very touched.
-- tell us something good and bad about tsubasa that's recent.
he's been eating too much (very serious face). when we talk about food during the MC part of the concert, he talks a lot. I'm always totally taken aback, "you mean you've been eating this much!?" it's not wrong, but I'm worried that he might harm his body. as for the good part, well, even without me saying anything, I think that because everyone knows that tsubasa has already taken the effort to take me into consideration, they don't say anything out of place.
-- so, just anything that happened, good and bad.
something good. the hotel we stayed at during the tour prepared 8 bath towels per room! I didn't use them all, but I was happy that the staff provided so much for us. but even though they had prepared so many towels, I only used two in the end. as for something bad... there's a friend of mine who didn't contact me at all. it doesn't matter who tries to contact him -- none of us have been able to get hold of him. I know he's busy, but I think it's bad to leave everyone worried for you, and so if you are reading this, please call one of us!
-- a bad type of girl, and a good type of girl.
the type who likes to butt into things, or is unable to analyse the situation and understand how to react is a bad type. even if she's self centred at home, but as long as she knows how to behave when outside the house, I would like her. as for a good type, above being able to behave correctly, somebody who's good at cooking, would be a definite plus for a date.
-- what about something that was bad, and now has become something good? and vice versa.
recently I've begun liking motsu nikomu (a dish that consists of animal's internal organs). previously I didn't fancy the texture much, but after trying it out, I thought it was delicious. and then compared to the past, I've become more emotional. when I watch TV programmes that feature reunions between parents and children after 10 years of separation and stuff like that, I can't help it. my chest would suddenly heat up, and my nose would clog up and I would be going like, "uuuu~~".
imai tsubasa
-- so tell us about anything good and bad that happened during the tour.
there wasn't anything bad. because I always do it really seriously, and give 100% of myself into it. well of course there are some parts where we had to correct. as for the good things, there were so many. but I suppose thus far the best part was having the concert in places where we've never had a concert in before, and being able to do so with a fresh feeling. also, those in the audience who had come for the first time really made me happy, and when I saw how much they were having fun, it really gave me a lot of motivation to go on. I think it has become a memory both of us will carry for life.
-- tell us something good and bad about tackey that's recent.
there's nothing really really bad about him, but if you really want me to say something, I was quite worried about whether the joke he meant to put across to the audience during his solo corner would be successful or not. but the creativeness and determination put into the daring sleight of hand and pantomime was great. it's tough, but I want to be able to motivate myself with that same spirit of not wanting to fail.
-- so, just anything that happened, good and bad.
I'm guilty of doing something bad. when we were coming back to tokyo from another city, I realised I had left all 3 days' worth of clothes back in the hotel room. I had only realised it while travelling, and even though we did have time to get them but... well the good thing that came out of that was I could go buy this pair of jeans I had been eyeing for a long time. so we went to this second-hand shop in harajuku and bought myself a pair of washed out jeans that fitted me just right. this spring, it'll be great if I can use this pair as my main piece of clothing and find clothes that match with it.
-- a bad type of girl, and a good type of girl.
I think a bad type would those who don't take others into consideration and think only of herself. the other way round is bad too. this is from a guy's point of view, but if you are a considerate person, then naturally people would be attracted to you. and if she's good natured then it's definitely a plus.
-- what about something that was bad, and now has become something good? and vice versa.
well previously, when I wake up, I would want some sort of noise. I had to have the tv or the stereo on. but recently I think that having no sounds when I wake up is good. in fact on the contrary I find myself feeling less tired, and because I calm down, it's good. as for the other way round, it's fatty food. I can't eat stuff like the char siew in the ramen. I prefer something light and simple. like raw sardines...eh? you mean that's something that never changed in me? (laughs)
2008.08 popolo (random interview?!?!) -- wingist6 's scans
I took the trouble to scanlate this because it was weirded to translate the slightly random pieces of information around the article. the pages weren't too hard to clean up, but they're not entirely well done! so please forgive the photoshop fail! in any case, this article throws takitsuba into 10 difficult love story scenarios and read how they're going to respond!
2009.01 potato (tackey's new enbujou and tsubasa solo concert talk) -- aanjali 's scans
takitsuba talk about their childhood toys (which are basically cars, cars and more cars) and their christmas memories (which are almost none, unfortunately). also they reflect on 2008 and talk about their hopes for 2009, which is 3/4 through already!
nostalgy - tackey & tsubasa
a photoshoot in a child's room which brings them back to their childhood. and even though they complain that, "we're already 27~~", they still end up playing. today's interview talks about the toys they liked when they were young and and how they were so absorbed into playing with them among other things. also, we'll talk to them about what they did in 2008, and goals they have for 2009.
takizawa hideaki
when I was a kid, I was totally into playing with my custom made mini 4WD toy cars
when I was an elementary school kid? I played with my mini 4WD cars really recklessly. there wasn't a single boy who didn't own one. firstly, I'd buy the main body itself with our pocket money, then slowly modify the body, change the tyres, and customise my very own original machine. and then after that I'll go take my car for a race with everyone else. we would decide to do things like, "I should make a little cut here so as to reduce the wind's resistance", and now that I think about it, even though we were only little kids, we were real enthusiasts. I also like tv games. my 2 brothers and I would put our new year money together and buy games, and we'd be totally immersed in playing the games.
-- wow you brothers seem pretty close...
nahhh, not at all (laughs). we always got into real fights. but I realised that because I was the youngest, I would give in the most. gosh, that's like in the office where the hierarchy goes by seniority, isn't it!?
I don't have much memories of christmas~ since back then, I was the type who didn't think about this event called christmas at all. I didn't believe in santa claus either. and even if I have kids in the future, I would probably teach them that there's no such thing as santa. and even if they tell me, "but I want to meet santa no matter what!", I'd answer them with, "but our house doesn't have a chimney, so that's totally impossible!" (laughs) of course, I'd give them christmas presents, but I'll give them as a present from their daddy. I much much prefer the new year atmosphere over christmas. a must have during new year meals are herring roe! although I don't really fancy the other usual stuff served during new year holidays, I really like the herring roe very much, and I'll eat loads of it. ahh~now I want to eat it!
imai tsubasa
actually, even now, I still display miniature cars in various rooms
when I was small I learnt the electone, and whenever I completed one lesson, my mother would buy me a miniature car. I remember being really happy as a kid. well even now as an adult, when I look for miniature cars in the shops, I still feel that burst of happiness (laughs). the toys nowadays have many amazing features, like the miniature cars now even having seats that are adjustable. and when I see such things I do get really excited. actually, some years ago I was very interested in america-made car models, and so now there are many such cars displayed in various rooms in my own house (laughs).
also, I really like playing baseball with my friends. I'd become my favourite player, and I'll imitate the way they say things, saying stuff like, "XX player is the best batter around, so hold the bat nearer the middle!" or "hit it real hard towards the legs of the 4th YY player!", etc. but I suppose it's because I kept turning into various people that I conjured up so many different images in my head, and in the end I could make use of this skill in my work now! or something like that, I guess.
do I have any other childhood memories...? well once I was chased by a dog, and while I was running away I fell down and banged into a table, and was pretty badly injured... the injury from that time resulted in this scar that's above my eye, but unexpectedly, I'm kinda like this particular scar. I feel like it's a medal of sorts, and it's nothing bad (laughs).
as for memories about christmas, I don't really remember much, but what I remember is that I didn't dislike that special mood in the air or the illuminated streets or the exciting atmosphere around me. what if I have kids next time? hmmm...in place of presents, I'd dance for them (laughs).
takitsuba interview
so, I understand that we're supposed to reflect on the past year (this interview was done in the middle of november 2008), then talk about our impressions, right?
for me I suppose the biggest thing was the preparation for my solo show (world's wing), which took around half a year to prepare for. I was given the wonderful chance to perform in both osaka and tokyo, and so I was extremely excited and the most important thing in my mind was to present different things for each and every show I did. I did go through many difficulties, and I still think that I haven't shown my full potential yet. what about takizawa?
I didn't really have anything much going on lately, but my deepest impressions are of the drama special, [kokuchisezu], which I was given the chance to act it. the filming didn't take a long time, but I felt that the time spent was quality time. I really consider it an honour to act alongside the people from ishihara productions (an old, famous and prestigous talent management agency). I believe different people will have different feelings towards this drama special, so I hope that everyone who watches it will think about their own opinions of the dram special. oh by the way, tsubasa, you're having your solo concerts at the end of the year, right?
that's right! it so happens to be nearing christmas time now, so I'll have to think of something I can do with my performance to fit that mood. I hope everyone who's coming will have loads of fun.
so have you started confirming all your arrangments and stuff?
yep. just a while ago I went to europe, and I thought of many ideas when I was there. so I thought I'd use that as my base, and put various things together. it'll be like a [tsubasa concert IN osaka / MADE IN spain & france] sort of concert (laughs). but after I gave up on that idea and gave myself a change in environment, a lot of new and fresh ideas popped up in my mind, and I thought, if only I could go to europe again now~~
this concert looks like it's going to be one that can tie up all the good things of 2008 together into a fantastic concert, isn't it.
that's exactly what I want to do!
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next up we're going to talk about things that are going to happen in 2009, so from january 1st, takizawa's going to have his stageplay, [shinshun takizawa kakumei], right?
the annual countdown will be going as per normal, but because I've never spent the new year with the audience personally, it's something entirely new to me too. there's probably just one thing I'm really concerned about though... this time there's going to be a lot of juniors performing with me, so during new year's, I'll have to...you know?
you've got to give out new year money!
that's right! gosh how many people are there? my heart is beginning to beat very fast (laughs).
well well well. never mind that now, what stage is the stageplay at now?
the main parts are more or less ready, and so now we're just left with the final formation. I was also thinking that it would be good if the message in the word 'revolution' that appears in the title could be more deliberately communicated to the audience. but even having said so, because it's a performance on new year's day, somehow it shouldn't be such a serious and tiring performance, and I really want to produce something that everyone can have fun and yet carries high entertainment value too.
I see. your new year ahead looks like it's off to a great start. for me, I won't leak any details, but I have exciting plans for the start of 2009, so do look forward to it! well after saying that, it seems like I'm going to continue my solo activities for a long time, but even as we both learn and take back many new lessons and new things, we will still definitely return to our original tackey & tsubasa unit activities.
of course! even though now we are both in the midst of achieving success in our solo activities, in the end, these things are also included in the development and growing of tackey & tsubasa.
even as we both have our own activities, and we obviously are proud of what we do and are very particular about everything we do, but I think that this brings out more clearly the differences in what both of us have to offer, and when we go back to unit activities, we can bring these differences together to make more interesting productions.
we usually have unit concerts around this time of the year, but then this year we aren't having one, and I think there are people who are feeling unsettled and left out, isn't it. but next year we'll bring you better things, so please wait for us! so if you want to see this 'improved tackey & tsubasa', do say so. I always want to deliver whatever the fans ask of me with all that I can, and so all the fans' opinions are very important. so the two of us will be waiting for your opinions about us, and also about your requests for 2009 (laughs).
anyhow, 2009 will be a more fulfilling year, and will definitely be a much more exciting year. and in order to get to that goal, we will labour tirelessly and work hard because we really want to steadily improve ourselves.
but we're not in a hurry, so we'll take it slowly. everyone has a lot of ideas about what we could possibly come up with, so I won't conclude this interview with something safe, but I'll say that we will do something interesting that's unique of ourselves, and so let's enjoy the next year ahead like this!
for the crosstalk, RED is takki, BLUE is tsubasa.
2006.12 winkup (in conjunction with two you four you's release)
takki actually says 'un' now and then when he sings ballads, tsubasa sang too many songs at [one!], and takki's costumes shine so brightly that tsubasa makes use of that to search for takki in a crowd!
put feeling into - takizawa hideaki & imai tsubasa
the long awaited album [two you four you] is a compilation of the variety as presented by tackey & tsubasa, and is a luxurious album that comprises of the two of their colours put together. so today they talk to us about some keywords used in song recordings, and because in december, they will kickstart their concert tour after a long break from concerts, and they talk much to us about the concert too!
takizawa hideaki
-- what about [ROCK]? talk about something that gets you heated up or excited
if you want me to talk about something that really heated up, it's got to be the quarrels and fights (laughs). when met with such a situation, I get oddly heated up. it doesn't mean that I started it first though. after I see people wasting time quarrelling, I get really irritated. if you want to quarrel, then make it a quick quarrel, settle it cleanly...I end up wanting to say that. I don't quarrel. but at the restaurant or places like that, after I get drunk, when I get involved in some pointless argument with somebody, I'd tell the person things really sternly. like for example, even though my friend is having his birthday party, somebody disregards the whole ambience and gets into some quarrel with me. then when I see that happening, I'll say what I want to say (laughs).
-- what about [latino]? talk about something that brings up your tension
I've got latino this year too. oh but this year ends in like 2 months, doesn't it (laughs)! but recently I've really told my friends, "latino music is good stuff" excitedly a lot. it's not so much that listening to it moves me...but somehow it naturally brings up my tension. I'm able to get all excited. then again, more melancholic melody lines still suit japanese people the best, I think. so having said that, I suppose I won't have so much latino in my life anymore.
-- what about [POP]? talk about something that's more relaxing and fun
if you ask me about someone who's more POP around me, then most recently it would have to be shimojima (kei)-kun. even though we've had the chance to talk because we acted together in [one!], at first, maybe it's because he's older, I don't know...there was this really odd distance between us (laughs). but slowly we talked more and more, and when the older bunch goes out for a meal, he calls me along too. ahhh he's interesting! he really likes gaming. the day after our offday, he came over to my dressing toom and said, "uhm, yesterday I went for a game exhibition...so here's a souvenir from the event!" he took the trouble to buy a game's t-shirt for me (laughs). in that moment, I understood that he's a very POP kind of person (laughs). how old is he? he's older than I am.
-- what about [ballad]? talk about something more serious and solemn
something very serious and solemn thing that I do? hmmm...I'm sorry, but there isn't any (laughs). well for example, if a really good friend moved house to somewhere faraway, we still can contact each other via handphone and email, and if we feel like meeting up we still can, isn't it. so I'm not lonely or anything. it's the way you think that's important. I think that no matter how tough the circumstances may be, the one thing you can change is the way you think, and the way you feel.
imai tsubasa
-- what about [ROCK]? talk about something that gets you heated up or excited
there are many types of rock, not just american rock. irish rock is not bad too. and for me who is presently sick, I want to see bono perform live! for me, ROCK = persistence in doing something. there's nothing else harder to do than for me to persist in doing things. even with my usual friends, when the situation changes, or sometimes when it doesn't change, I find it hard to push through with my ideas. I can't really say to myself with great confidence, "let's do it this way!". I know that at work you can't get through just by instincts, but to what extent would you go to just to do the things that you want? and I get blown about hard depending on how much I insist on things... but it's really hard to live the real rocker life (laughs). but I don't want to be that obedient kid all the time, and I want to try proving my own existence too. if I lose to my partner = I lose to myself...and that's how I want to live on.
-- what about [latino]? talk about something that brings up your tension
the moment I heard latino, in that instant yonehana tsuyoshi's face came to mind (laughs). isn't latino a pronoun? although I pride myself on latino styles. when you're feeling happy, don't you want to go party? during those times, I think that it's better to just express your feelings instead of trying too hard to be cool.
-- what about [POP]? talk about something that's more relaxing and fun
regardless of whether at work or privately, I'm always surrounded by a fun atmosphere. there's always some sort of atmosphere around me. if it's a good atmosphere, then everyone around me will have fun, I think...isn't that wonderful? but of course, the other way round happens too. like if there are only thoughts about 'you're really damned lousy' or 'this is boring', then the bad atmosphere will spread around too. so I must be careful!
-- what about [ballad]? talk about something more serious and solemn
when my partner sings a ballad, he would occasionally let out a very small, "un" at certain parts, did anyone notice that? (laughs) next time listen really carefully. something that I do really solemnly and seriously. when I had my solo concert tour, I was always in that state when I was onstage. it's not a bad feeling, it's actually a good one. being very serious is something that hits one so hard you almost become numb. and those times when I feel like that, it's fantastic. I would like to thank everyone for giving me those amazing times on stage!
takitsuba interview
if you want to know what takitsuba has been up to lately, it's got to be the release of the album.
that's right. but at this stage we haven't finished listning to the whole thing yet. so what the whole album's feel is like, we have no idea either.
we've been talking about the sequence of the songs, how many seconds to put in between each song, sort of stuff. I'm the type who's very picky about such things.
these are really tiny little details, but it makes a difference to each song.
that's right. for the first half, to put it in extreme terms, we're going to put in so much effort into the songs such that the tempo doesn't seem to change at all, and then we'll open up a gap and change the atmosphere altogether...etc.
the sequence of the songs are also important like at concerts. this time we've put in most of the singles' songs, so it's a good deal (laughs). later we'll be deciding whether to put in the 2006 arrangement of [yume monogatari] or the christmas version, since we haven't decided yet.
yep. but because this is a song that has had the greatest impact in terms of dance steps, so we'll be cutting it from the inside, and we'll have some distortion on the outside, as a more manly [yume monogatari] is cool too, isn't it...that's how we always talk when we're having proper business meetings (laughs).
ahaha that's true. the recording is all done, so now we need to go into concert mode. it's in just 2 months!
there's probably some sort of image we both have for the concert, isn't it? like we'd have a common idea, and we would say things like, "oh I see" etc.
the rest of the planning always goes very fast after we've finally decided on the opening. planning the opening takes the most time. because it has to grab attention.
(in the previous issue, takizawa said, "in [one!], tsubasa sang more songs than was planned, and the stage director panicked very badly"...)
ahahaha! that's right!
nooo that's wrong. what I'm going to say isn't an excuse, this is the truth (laughs).
what do you want to say? defend yourself!
I really didn't know there wasn't enough time on that day! there were people in the audience who wanted to hear more, and so I thought that if I sang more for the audience, everyone would be happy.
well but it's true that the audience was pretty happy.
isn't it so? oh by the way, when it was time for curtain call, the staff told me to stand beside you, but because I thought it was wrong for me to do that, I didn't. I thought, "since this is takizawa's production, it's better if he stands alone".
ehh~so that's what happened. it's okay if you had appeared, really.
I said so earlier when asked about the recordings, but you know how you tend to let out a little 'un' in the middle of your songs.
aahh, I really do~! this time I've also let out a little 'un' (laughs). it must have been hard for the music director to try to cover that part (laughs). I've been scolded pretty badly over this bad habit of mine. but somehow I always do it.
it's totally become a bad habit. when doing the harmonising, takizawa would do the recording first. and so while I'm listening to takizawa's voice to record the parts, I'd hear the 'un' here and there (laughs).
tsubasa's got a bad habit too, I'm sure. just that nobody noticed.
well earlier on I was told by the winkup staff that when I'm doing the shots seated on a chair, I always place my weight further to the front. but when I'm singing, I always lean backwards. and then when we're recording songs, I don't really like that clicking sound that they play for us to catch the rhythm. I'm fine with just catching the rhythm from the drums. but for takizawa, he seems to really like having that clicking sound.
ahh, I suppose. ...but for me, when the sound goes on while I'm singing, eventually the sound doesn't really have anything to do with the rhythm anymore (laughs). I guess different people are different, isn't it.
isn't that so~ going back to the topic of concerts, for me, the concert this time round is finally a tackey & tsubasa concert, so the two of us... we want to really shine so brightly that we might collapse after that, that's what we think. well of course there are also people who want to see our solo corners, so it's not that we won't have our solo corners. but the feeling we have is like this.
I want to feel that both of us enchant the audience. so we should try being more flashy and sparkly, isn't it.
ohh, your private clothes aren't very sparkly today huh (laughs). so mild today. a pink tanktop with white lining!? ah, and your bottoms are damage jeans.
oh really? this is normal okay, just normal.
I'm sure a normal person would think of takizawa in this way too. for me, I think I don't have enough things. but to look cool today, anything will do (laughs).
ahaha! so if I'm always like that, then that's incredible (laughs)!
it's the belt buckle, right? it's got to be big and sparkly right?
ahh, a really sparkly and big belt buckle... it's not really good~ but it draws people's attention (laughs). if one day I have to wear a thin belt, I would get a little annoyed.
but that sparkly belt really helped a lot during the rehearsals for the countdown concert. I was trying to look for you, because you disappeared and kept sprouting up all over the place in that huge venue, I thought, "ah, there's a guy with a sparkly stomach! it's got to be takizawa!" and it made you easy to find (laughs).
it's so useful, isn't it, my buckle. well I think for the concert, my buckle will be so super shiny and my costumes so ultra flashy that it will frighten everyone, so I hope you all have fun (laughs)!
2007.05 myojo (in conjunction with x~dame/crazy rainbow's release) -- sannah 's scans
I really like this photoshoot, because they look ultra cute. but anyway, takki's getting more emotional even while watching sob stories on tv, and tsubasa is just eating too much!
tackey & tsubasa -- since we've actually managed to get them both today, let's have them O (circle) all their X (bad) points!
the two are in the middle of their concert tour that goes round 12 cities, ending in the later half of march. even so, they've released a super popular new song, [x~dame~], so we get them to talk about the 'X (bad) things' and 'O (good) things' around them!
takizawa hideaki
-- so tell us about anything good and bad that happened during the tour.
there wasn't anything really bad... during the solo corner, I had to do a little trick and a pantomime to make a little joke, and the joke was as successful as it could be, I suppose (laughs). I'm trying to concentrate on the joke! as for the really good thing that happened, it was the audience's calling. during encores, usually the audience would go, "tackey *clapclap* tsubasa *clapclap*". but this time there were people who called out the usual way of shouting encores, which is, "encore, encore". that means that there were people who came to our concert for the very first time, and I was really happy about that. but of course, our usual fans who have been supporting us really came together and eventually the encore went back to the usual "tackey *clapclap* tsubasa *clapclap*"... I could feel the unity of the fans, and while hearing all this at the side of the stage, I was really very touched.
-- tell us something good and bad about tsubasa that's recent.
he's been eating too much (very serious face). when we talk about food during the MC part of the concert, he talks a lot. I'm always totally taken aback, "you mean you've been eating this much!?" it's not wrong, but I'm worried that he might harm his body. as for the good part, well, even without me saying anything, I think that because everyone knows that tsubasa has already taken the effort to take me into consideration, they don't say anything out of place.
-- so, just anything that happened, good and bad.
something good. the hotel we stayed at during the tour prepared 8 bath towels per room! I didn't use them all, but I was happy that the staff provided so much for us. but even though they had prepared so many towels, I only used two in the end. as for something bad... there's a friend of mine who didn't contact me at all. it doesn't matter who tries to contact him -- none of us have been able to get hold of him. I know he's busy, but I think it's bad to leave everyone worried for you, and so if you are reading this, please call one of us!
-- a bad type of girl, and a good type of girl.
the type who likes to butt into things, or is unable to analyse the situation and understand how to react is a bad type. even if she's self centred at home, but as long as she knows how to behave when outside the house, I would like her. as for a good type, above being able to behave correctly, somebody who's good at cooking, would be a definite plus for a date.
-- what about something that was bad, and now has become something good? and vice versa.
recently I've begun liking motsu nikomu (a dish that consists of animal's internal organs). previously I didn't fancy the texture much, but after trying it out, I thought it was delicious. and then compared to the past, I've become more emotional. when I watch TV programmes that feature reunions between parents and children after 10 years of separation and stuff like that, I can't help it. my chest would suddenly heat up, and my nose would clog up and I would be going like, "uuuu~~".
imai tsubasa
-- so tell us about anything good and bad that happened during the tour.
there wasn't anything bad. because I always do it really seriously, and give 100% of myself into it. well of course there are some parts where we had to correct. as for the good things, there were so many. but I suppose thus far the best part was having the concert in places where we've never had a concert in before, and being able to do so with a fresh feeling. also, those in the audience who had come for the first time really made me happy, and when I saw how much they were having fun, it really gave me a lot of motivation to go on. I think it has become a memory both of us will carry for life.
-- tell us something good and bad about tackey that's recent.
there's nothing really really bad about him, but if you really want me to say something, I was quite worried about whether the joke he meant to put across to the audience during his solo corner would be successful or not. but the creativeness and determination put into the daring sleight of hand and pantomime was great. it's tough, but I want to be able to motivate myself with that same spirit of not wanting to fail.
-- so, just anything that happened, good and bad.
I'm guilty of doing something bad. when we were coming back to tokyo from another city, I realised I had left all 3 days' worth of clothes back in the hotel room. I had only realised it while travelling, and even though we did have time to get them but... well the good thing that came out of that was I could go buy this pair of jeans I had been eyeing for a long time. so we went to this second-hand shop in harajuku and bought myself a pair of washed out jeans that fitted me just right. this spring, it'll be great if I can use this pair as my main piece of clothing and find clothes that match with it.
-- a bad type of girl, and a good type of girl.
I think a bad type would those who don't take others into consideration and think only of herself. the other way round is bad too. this is from a guy's point of view, but if you are a considerate person, then naturally people would be attracted to you. and if she's good natured then it's definitely a plus.
-- what about something that was bad, and now has become something good? and vice versa.
well previously, when I wake up, I would want some sort of noise. I had to have the tv or the stereo on. but recently I think that having no sounds when I wake up is good. in fact on the contrary I find myself feeling less tired, and because I calm down, it's good. as for the other way round, it's fatty food. I can't eat stuff like the char siew in the ramen. I prefer something light and simple. like raw sardines...eh? you mean that's something that never changed in me? (laughs)
2008.08 popolo (random interview?!?!) -- wingist6 's scans
I took the trouble to scanlate this because it was weirded to translate the slightly random pieces of information around the article. the pages weren't too hard to clean up, but they're not entirely well done! so please forgive the photoshop fail! in any case, this article throws takitsuba into 10 difficult love story scenarios and read how they're going to respond!
2009.01 potato (tackey's new enbujou and tsubasa solo concert talk) -- aanjali 's scans
takitsuba talk about their childhood toys (which are basically cars, cars and more cars) and their christmas memories (which are almost none, unfortunately). also they reflect on 2008 and talk about their hopes for 2009, which is 3/4 through already!
nostalgy - tackey & tsubasa
a photoshoot in a child's room which brings them back to their childhood. and even though they complain that, "we're already 27~~", they still end up playing. today's interview talks about the toys they liked when they were young and and how they were so absorbed into playing with them among other things. also, we'll talk to them about what they did in 2008, and goals they have for 2009.
takizawa hideaki
when I was a kid, I was totally into playing with my custom made mini 4WD toy cars
when I was an elementary school kid? I played with my mini 4WD cars really recklessly. there wasn't a single boy who didn't own one. firstly, I'd buy the main body itself with our pocket money, then slowly modify the body, change the tyres, and customise my very own original machine. and then after that I'll go take my car for a race with everyone else. we would decide to do things like, "I should make a little cut here so as to reduce the wind's resistance", and now that I think about it, even though we were only little kids, we were real enthusiasts. I also like tv games. my 2 brothers and I would put our new year money together and buy games, and we'd be totally immersed in playing the games.
-- wow you brothers seem pretty close...
nahhh, not at all (laughs). we always got into real fights. but I realised that because I was the youngest, I would give in the most. gosh, that's like in the office where the hierarchy goes by seniority, isn't it!?
I don't have much memories of christmas~ since back then, I was the type who didn't think about this event called christmas at all. I didn't believe in santa claus either. and even if I have kids in the future, I would probably teach them that there's no such thing as santa. and even if they tell me, "but I want to meet santa no matter what!", I'd answer them with, "but our house doesn't have a chimney, so that's totally impossible!" (laughs) of course, I'd give them christmas presents, but I'll give them as a present from their daddy. I much much prefer the new year atmosphere over christmas. a must have during new year meals are herring roe! although I don't really fancy the other usual stuff served during new year holidays, I really like the herring roe very much, and I'll eat loads of it. ahh~now I want to eat it!
imai tsubasa
actually, even now, I still display miniature cars in various rooms
when I was small I learnt the electone, and whenever I completed one lesson, my mother would buy me a miniature car. I remember being really happy as a kid. well even now as an adult, when I look for miniature cars in the shops, I still feel that burst of happiness (laughs). the toys nowadays have many amazing features, like the miniature cars now even having seats that are adjustable. and when I see such things I do get really excited. actually, some years ago I was very interested in america-made car models, and so now there are many such cars displayed in various rooms in my own house (laughs).
also, I really like playing baseball with my friends. I'd become my favourite player, and I'll imitate the way they say things, saying stuff like, "XX player is the best batter around, so hold the bat nearer the middle!" or "hit it real hard towards the legs of the 4th YY player!", etc. but I suppose it's because I kept turning into various people that I conjured up so many different images in my head, and in the end I could make use of this skill in my work now! or something like that, I guess.
do I have any other childhood memories...? well once I was chased by a dog, and while I was running away I fell down and banged into a table, and was pretty badly injured... the injury from that time resulted in this scar that's above my eye, but unexpectedly, I'm kinda like this particular scar. I feel like it's a medal of sorts, and it's nothing bad (laughs).
as for memories about christmas, I don't really remember much, but what I remember is that I didn't dislike that special mood in the air or the illuminated streets or the exciting atmosphere around me. what if I have kids next time? hmmm...in place of presents, I'd dance for them (laughs).
takitsuba interview
so, I understand that we're supposed to reflect on the past year (this interview was done in the middle of november 2008), then talk about our impressions, right?
for me I suppose the biggest thing was the preparation for my solo show (world's wing), which took around half a year to prepare for. I was given the wonderful chance to perform in both osaka and tokyo, and so I was extremely excited and the most important thing in my mind was to present different things for each and every show I did. I did go through many difficulties, and I still think that I haven't shown my full potential yet. what about takizawa?
I didn't really have anything much going on lately, but my deepest impressions are of the drama special, [kokuchisezu], which I was given the chance to act it. the filming didn't take a long time, but I felt that the time spent was quality time. I really consider it an honour to act alongside the people from ishihara productions (an old, famous and prestigous talent management agency). I believe different people will have different feelings towards this drama special, so I hope that everyone who watches it will think about their own opinions of the dram special. oh by the way, tsubasa, you're having your solo concerts at the end of the year, right?
that's right! it so happens to be nearing christmas time now, so I'll have to think of something I can do with my performance to fit that mood. I hope everyone who's coming will have loads of fun.
so have you started confirming all your arrangments and stuff?
yep. just a while ago I went to europe, and I thought of many ideas when I was there. so I thought I'd use that as my base, and put various things together. it'll be like a [tsubasa concert IN osaka / MADE IN spain & france] sort of concert (laughs). but after I gave up on that idea and gave myself a change in environment, a lot of new and fresh ideas popped up in my mind, and I thought, if only I could go to europe again now~~
this concert looks like it's going to be one that can tie up all the good things of 2008 together into a fantastic concert, isn't it.
that's exactly what I want to do!
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next up we're going to talk about things that are going to happen in 2009, so from january 1st, takizawa's going to have his stageplay, [shinshun takizawa kakumei], right?
the annual countdown will be going as per normal, but because I've never spent the new year with the audience personally, it's something entirely new to me too. there's probably just one thing I'm really concerned about though... this time there's going to be a lot of juniors performing with me, so during new year's, I'll have to...you know?
you've got to give out new year money!
that's right! gosh how many people are there? my heart is beginning to beat very fast (laughs).
well well well. never mind that now, what stage is the stageplay at now?
the main parts are more or less ready, and so now we're just left with the final formation. I was also thinking that it would be good if the message in the word 'revolution' that appears in the title could be more deliberately communicated to the audience. but even having said so, because it's a performance on new year's day, somehow it shouldn't be such a serious and tiring performance, and I really want to produce something that everyone can have fun and yet carries high entertainment value too.
I see. your new year ahead looks like it's off to a great start. for me, I won't leak any details, but I have exciting plans for the start of 2009, so do look forward to it! well after saying that, it seems like I'm going to continue my solo activities for a long time, but even as we both learn and take back many new lessons and new things, we will still definitely return to our original tackey & tsubasa unit activities.
of course! even though now we are both in the midst of achieving success in our solo activities, in the end, these things are also included in the development and growing of tackey & tsubasa.
even as we both have our own activities, and we obviously are proud of what we do and are very particular about everything we do, but I think that this brings out more clearly the differences in what both of us have to offer, and when we go back to unit activities, we can bring these differences together to make more interesting productions.
we usually have unit concerts around this time of the year, but then this year we aren't having one, and I think there are people who are feeling unsettled and left out, isn't it. but next year we'll bring you better things, so please wait for us! so if you want to see this 'improved tackey & tsubasa', do say so. I always want to deliver whatever the fans ask of me with all that I can, and so all the fans' opinions are very important. so the two of us will be waiting for your opinions about us, and also about your requests for 2009 (laughs).
anyhow, 2009 will be a more fulfilling year, and will definitely be a much more exciting year. and in order to get to that goal, we will labour tirelessly and work hard because we really want to steadily improve ourselves.
but we're not in a hurry, so we'll take it slowly. everyone has a lot of ideas about what we could possibly come up with, so I won't conclude this interview with something safe, but I'll say that we will do something interesting that's unique of ourselves, and so let's enjoy the next year ahead like this!