Natalie Interview - 「Daybreak」
Link: http://natalie.mu/music/pp/alicenine03
When was the last time i did an alice-nine/v-kei related translation...?
First of all, I would like to briefly go through Alice Nine's activities in 2012. During the interview for album '9', Shou-san mentioned "The album that we can say "This is Alice Nine" was finally completed." That essence of it has been even stronger during last year's tour hasn't it?
Shou: That's right. Last year, we held three tours including the countdown live in Yoyogi; in that one year we've been persistently doing lives that carry '9' forward. In '9' there were songs ranging from heavy metal-like songs to songs with acoustic feels and even to rather pop songs, so that album compressed the extensiveness of Alice Nine's character, but through lives, i think we have managed to present our uniqueness.
Hiroto: Lives or tours are ultimately the most critical axle for bands so we took note of that while creating the album. Within which, the realistic feeling that 'Alice Nine's live is this!" that came about along with the performance was pretty strong. When we entered songs from '9' in to the (live) setlist, the song's position is even more reinforced.
Tora: I feel that we've really done stuff that's characteristic of a band. It is great to be able to do lives for that 1 year to carry forward one album, and through lives, songs are also rapidly evolving. In that sense, i hope to treasure all those songs.
Saga: When we did our first live in Budoukan, I think we solidified our foundations for lives. So that one year helped us to further probe into those foundations and allowed us to experience first hand thoroughly on that. We also managed to carry out different ways of performing a song. Also i feel that just by changing the order of the songs in the setlist, we can give a different impression
Nao: When we were making the album, i was a little worried thinking that "there are many songs with rather difficult plays", but unexpectedly we were able to perform them with no problems (lol). [For that one year] I managed to properly think through how my ideal drums can influence the band, and how i can let the other members play in a more comfortable way.
With that, I'd like to jump straight into the March, April and May's 3 months consecutive single releases...
Shou: Okay. Last year we've been wanting to release singles too so we're venting our frustration here (lol).
(lol) '9' was one huge compilation album for Alice Nine, and i think it also serve as a good juncture. So now we come to the important question "What kind of songs will they release next?"; when i heard the new single 'Daybreak', the feeling that Alice Nine is once again advancing in a new direction really comes to me.
Shou: It makes me really happy to hear that since there are instances where the artists feel 'this is new' but the listeners don't really feel that same way. This time, it's our first release since our change in record label, so with the A&R [Artist and repertoire] of Universal [Music Japan], we said "in a good way, we want to create a work that will make people think that "we have changed"". So if we can transmit that feeling to the listeners, that will be great.
'Daybreak' is a song composed by Tora, what kind of image did you have in mind when creating the song?
Tora: When i was creating the song, I had a theme in mind where i wanted to insert a difference in pitch between the A-melody and the chorus. I feel that this will bring out Shou's talent. Even when singing high parts, Shou-kun can make it sound like it's not that high.
Because he can easily sing the high notes?
Tora: That's right. If i make the A-melody really low, the chorus can be heard to be higher. While it's challenging singing the high phrases, won't that be sexy as well. Well, this might be hard only on the person singing it, but when i was composing the song, i was wondering "Is this singing range okay?". Since this is a song in the range that i completely can't sing (lol). With regards to the arrangment, the song changed significantly after our producer (Hiraide Satoru) came in. I didn't really think much about wanting to show our new sides when making the song, i simply brought that one song over and we arranged it amidst all the discussion.
First of all, the rhythmn's approach was refreshing. This have the taste of EDM right. [electronic dance music]
Nao: Because we inserted a loop. The drums themselves are simpler than usual but i chose to do a take such that the groove can be strongly felt. I think that is one important basic thing that bands should not forget.
Saga: Maybe because Hiraide-san used to be a drummer, his requests were really new.
Hiroto: Yep. Whether in a good or bad way, bands live in a world that consists only of its members, where it is possible to complete a work with just us from the 5-member island. But this time with a new producer, it felt like we had a 6th member. Kind of like the opening of Japan when Perry came (lol). From the pre-production stage to the last sound of the mastering, it was amazing how much thought was put into it, and i think we have managed to do this with much creativity.
The PV that was recorded in the desert was also uploaded. This was in the early morning right?
Shou: Actually, we ended up shooting the PV for the entire day (lol). We went to Shizuoka's Nakatajima Sand Dunes for the PV, but in the morning it was -5C. And we were wearing spring clothes in that cold.
Saga: My physical body was there, but my spirit had gone home (lol)
Shou: Saga was complaining so many times "Why did we put the title as Daybreak! "Burning night" would have been better!"
Saga: If the title's "Burning Night", we could probably have done the PV in a club (lol)
Of course there is also meaning to the title 'Daybreak'. Including the lyrics, this title puts forward the idea that "It's a new start from here on" in a direct way.
Shou: That's right. There's energy in this song, so i thought i should write realistic lyrics. Without any fanciness or tricks to it, I wanted to strongly portray the message on our current standing to all listeners out there. A band that does not continue to advance will eventually cease to exist. This song carries our determination to plunge forward from now on.
Hiroto: Yep
Shou: I think getting stereotyped is the greatest enemy. For instance, during the tour, i always tell the members "Let's create an exciting scene each time". I feel that if we don't always have some kind of tension, things won't work out.
Saga: In a good sense, that is quite some pressure. Whether we can pull it off smoothly or not, if we are on the edge, it's possible to concentrate during the live.
The songs themselves will continue to change as well.
Saga: It's not that we are going to forcibly change them. It's just that, with the world changing all the time, if the songs do not change, before we realize it we would be an old band. A band like AC/DC is really rare. [Australian rock band]
In the case for AC/DC, it's the wish of fans all over the world that they don't change.
Saga: Well we aren't that kind of band. Active band = looking for new stuff.
Do you not concern yourselves too much with the response of the listeners?
Shou: First of all, it think it is most important to be trusted as a band such that the audience can feel "Just by going to the live i can obtain happiness as a present". With regards to songs, we put in effort such that listeners will at least check on our releases and listen to them. It's really just that.
Saga: It's not simply about doing everything new. There is no meaning to it if no one listens to them, and it won't be good if the thinking that 'I have to do something new, i have to get people to like it" keeps lingering in my mind.
Shou: There are also things that have to be changed. However, if we don't update our mentality, there's no meaning to life.
Hiroto: In that way we can have fun ourselves too. If we just keep moving in one direction, it won't be fun.
The fact that everyone has unique personalities is also one strength of Alice Nine. Even the two guitarists, you two are completely different in terms of appearance.....
Hiroto: Very different (lol).
Saga: (While looking at Tora) He's barefooted with sunglasses, that's why.
Shou: Hiding his eyes but not his feet (lol)
Tora: .....True, my character today is probably quite dark (lol)
I am also very interested in the coupling song "Himitsu". There's an R&B like taste put into this right?
Shou: The R&B-'like' part is the main point. Like "Huh so it's not R&B?"
Saga: In other words it's not the real thing. No matter what we do it's not going to surpass the real one. We have never ventured into R&B, and we did not come up with this song because we have been listening to R&B. It's simply that, this might be an interesting song for Alice Nine.
Shou: Even for this taste of music, we implemented drums, and it's completely a rock band beat. We are sticking to the roots of a band and also absorbing the greatness of a different genre...That's the meaning behind us doing a song like this, and also that, i think it's worth a listen.
Saga: There are many songs with a Japanese-like melody but with an R&B track. It's just that not many rock bands do that.
I see. That's certainly true.
Saga: Right. Though when i was composing 'Himitsu', i completely didn't imagine Shou-kun singing it.
Shou: In a really good sense, Saga-kun don't read the atmosphere. Out of nowhere, he'll say "This song is a gospel song so...", and the he'll put poetry into songs.
You mean "Hello, World" recorded in the '9' album right.
Shou: He doesn't get caught up in conventions; if we don't have someone like him, there's no way we can get to anywhere new. Rap is also included in 'Himitsu' ne. We also got the stamp of approval from the people in Universal that "This is like Soul Ja".
Saga: I wanted to increase the rap parts (lol)
The way you put in the acoustic guitar in the intro is pretty much a R&B style ne. I m guessing that during lives, the acoustic guitar will be played live...
Tora: That's right (lol)
Hiroto: Tora is in charge of acoustic guitar.
Saga: Ah, you gave him that task (lol)
Tora: I didn't like the acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar is usually played by the left-side guitarist. The acoustic guitar stand is better placed on the right side so in that sense, if the right-side guitarist plays the acoustic, the stand will block the vocalist....ah, i ended up explaining things (lol)
(lol). Alice Nine is a band where even the guitarist is extremely important. There are many irregular tunings, since there are different playing styles needed.
Tora: We really have many irregular tunings ne. DUring lives, we need at least 5.
Hiroto: But that is fun too.
I'm looking forward to Shadowplay that will be released on 17th April and the single for May. I'm guessing that my expectations will once again be overturned though.
Shou: I think it's a little on the unusual side so i'll be glad if you end up thinking "Seriously?". I think it was a good choice to "let's not fix our music style" when we first formed the band. Though during the period where we had no basis, it was a little difficult (lol)
Hiroto: Even after going major, we were still trying to make sense of things ne.
Shou: When i read our previous interviews, everytime we release an album, we'll be saying "This is our start"
Tora: Hahahahaha! (lol)
Saga: Exactly. We are always saying, "Things will start from this point on"
Shou: But as expected, we stopped saying that around 'Gemini' (released in Feb 2011).
Have you ever felt insecure that your musical styles are getting too wide?
Shou: Hmm...i think it can't helped that we are perceived in having done this and that. But right now, our overall quality is increasing and we've also come to be strongly confident in the new works that we create. The making of the album '9' had also been a big thing for us. Even thinking back about it now, i think it was a compilation at that time.
Alice Nine's National tour "Alice Nine 9th Anniversary #1 World's End Daybreak" will be starting as of June. It's a tour that you can affirm the results of your 3 singles ne.
Saga: Both the coupling and lead songs were made with the same emotions, so i want to properly express that during lives too. I want to make these 6 new songs the lead acts.
Shou: I think it will be a tour with many highlights, and i want to create lives that you can't miss. I want the lives to continue be in such a way that those who were not able to make it to the live will feel "I should have gone" after reading the live report. I mentioned this earlier as well, but we will give you the greatest happiness as a present for coming to our lives, so do come join us.
When was the last time i did an alice-nine/v-kei related translation...?
First of all, I would like to briefly go through Alice Nine's activities in 2012. During the interview for album '9', Shou-san mentioned "The album that we can say "This is Alice Nine" was finally completed." That essence of it has been even stronger during last year's tour hasn't it?
Shou: That's right. Last year, we held three tours including the countdown live in Yoyogi; in that one year we've been persistently doing lives that carry '9' forward. In '9' there were songs ranging from heavy metal-like songs to songs with acoustic feels and even to rather pop songs, so that album compressed the extensiveness of Alice Nine's character, but through lives, i think we have managed to present our uniqueness.
Hiroto: Lives or tours are ultimately the most critical axle for bands so we took note of that while creating the album. Within which, the realistic feeling that 'Alice Nine's live is this!" that came about along with the performance was pretty strong. When we entered songs from '9' in to the (live) setlist, the song's position is even more reinforced.
Tora: I feel that we've really done stuff that's characteristic of a band. It is great to be able to do lives for that 1 year to carry forward one album, and through lives, songs are also rapidly evolving. In that sense, i hope to treasure all those songs.
Saga: When we did our first live in Budoukan, I think we solidified our foundations for lives. So that one year helped us to further probe into those foundations and allowed us to experience first hand thoroughly on that. We also managed to carry out different ways of performing a song. Also i feel that just by changing the order of the songs in the setlist, we can give a different impression
Nao: When we were making the album, i was a little worried thinking that "there are many songs with rather difficult plays", but unexpectedly we were able to perform them with no problems (lol). [For that one year] I managed to properly think through how my ideal drums can influence the band, and how i can let the other members play in a more comfortable way.
With that, I'd like to jump straight into the March, April and May's 3 months consecutive single releases...
Shou: Okay. Last year we've been wanting to release singles too so we're venting our frustration here (lol).
(lol) '9' was one huge compilation album for Alice Nine, and i think it also serve as a good juncture. So now we come to the important question "What kind of songs will they release next?"; when i heard the new single 'Daybreak', the feeling that Alice Nine is once again advancing in a new direction really comes to me.
Shou: It makes me really happy to hear that since there are instances where the artists feel 'this is new' but the listeners don't really feel that same way. This time, it's our first release since our change in record label, so with the A&R [Artist and repertoire] of Universal [Music Japan], we said "in a good way, we want to create a work that will make people think that "we have changed"". So if we can transmit that feeling to the listeners, that will be great.
'Daybreak' is a song composed by Tora, what kind of image did you have in mind when creating the song?
Tora: When i was creating the song, I had a theme in mind where i wanted to insert a difference in pitch between the A-melody and the chorus. I feel that this will bring out Shou's talent. Even when singing high parts, Shou-kun can make it sound like it's not that high.
Because he can easily sing the high notes?
Tora: That's right. If i make the A-melody really low, the chorus can be heard to be higher. While it's challenging singing the high phrases, won't that be sexy as well. Well, this might be hard only on the person singing it, but when i was composing the song, i was wondering "Is this singing range okay?". Since this is a song in the range that i completely can't sing (lol). With regards to the arrangment, the song changed significantly after our producer (Hiraide Satoru) came in. I didn't really think much about wanting to show our new sides when making the song, i simply brought that one song over and we arranged it amidst all the discussion.
First of all, the rhythmn's approach was refreshing. This have the taste of EDM right. [electronic dance music]
Nao: Because we inserted a loop. The drums themselves are simpler than usual but i chose to do a take such that the groove can be strongly felt. I think that is one important basic thing that bands should not forget.
Saga: Maybe because Hiraide-san used to be a drummer, his requests were really new.
Hiroto: Yep. Whether in a good or bad way, bands live in a world that consists only of its members, where it is possible to complete a work with just us from the 5-member island. But this time with a new producer, it felt like we had a 6th member. Kind of like the opening of Japan when Perry came (lol). From the pre-production stage to the last sound of the mastering, it was amazing how much thought was put into it, and i think we have managed to do this with much creativity.
The PV that was recorded in the desert was also uploaded. This was in the early morning right?
Shou: Actually, we ended up shooting the PV for the entire day (lol). We went to Shizuoka's Nakatajima Sand Dunes for the PV, but in the morning it was -5C. And we were wearing spring clothes in that cold.
Saga: My physical body was there, but my spirit had gone home (lol)
Shou: Saga was complaining so many times "Why did we put the title as Daybreak! "Burning night" would have been better!"
Saga: If the title's "Burning Night", we could probably have done the PV in a club (lol)
Of course there is also meaning to the title 'Daybreak'. Including the lyrics, this title puts forward the idea that "It's a new start from here on" in a direct way.
Shou: That's right. There's energy in this song, so i thought i should write realistic lyrics. Without any fanciness or tricks to it, I wanted to strongly portray the message on our current standing to all listeners out there. A band that does not continue to advance will eventually cease to exist. This song carries our determination to plunge forward from now on.
Hiroto: Yep
Shou: I think getting stereotyped is the greatest enemy. For instance, during the tour, i always tell the members "Let's create an exciting scene each time". I feel that if we don't always have some kind of tension, things won't work out.
Saga: In a good sense, that is quite some pressure. Whether we can pull it off smoothly or not, if we are on the edge, it's possible to concentrate during the live.
The songs themselves will continue to change as well.
Saga: It's not that we are going to forcibly change them. It's just that, with the world changing all the time, if the songs do not change, before we realize it we would be an old band. A band like AC/DC is really rare. [Australian rock band]
In the case for AC/DC, it's the wish of fans all over the world that they don't change.
Saga: Well we aren't that kind of band. Active band = looking for new stuff.
Do you not concern yourselves too much with the response of the listeners?
Shou: First of all, it think it is most important to be trusted as a band such that the audience can feel "Just by going to the live i can obtain happiness as a present". With regards to songs, we put in effort such that listeners will at least check on our releases and listen to them. It's really just that.
Saga: It's not simply about doing everything new. There is no meaning to it if no one listens to them, and it won't be good if the thinking that 'I have to do something new, i have to get people to like it" keeps lingering in my mind.
Shou: There are also things that have to be changed. However, if we don't update our mentality, there's no meaning to life.
Hiroto: In that way we can have fun ourselves too. If we just keep moving in one direction, it won't be fun.
The fact that everyone has unique personalities is also one strength of Alice Nine. Even the two guitarists, you two are completely different in terms of appearance.....
Hiroto: Very different (lol).
Saga: (While looking at Tora) He's barefooted with sunglasses, that's why.
Shou: Hiding his eyes but not his feet (lol)
Tora: .....True, my character today is probably quite dark (lol)
I am also very interested in the coupling song "Himitsu". There's an R&B like taste put into this right?
Shou: The R&B-'like' part is the main point. Like "Huh so it's not R&B?"
Saga: In other words it's not the real thing. No matter what we do it's not going to surpass the real one. We have never ventured into R&B, and we did not come up with this song because we have been listening to R&B. It's simply that, this might be an interesting song for Alice Nine.
Shou: Even for this taste of music, we implemented drums, and it's completely a rock band beat. We are sticking to the roots of a band and also absorbing the greatness of a different genre...That's the meaning behind us doing a song like this, and also that, i think it's worth a listen.
Saga: There are many songs with a Japanese-like melody but with an R&B track. It's just that not many rock bands do that.
I see. That's certainly true.
Saga: Right. Though when i was composing 'Himitsu', i completely didn't imagine Shou-kun singing it.
Shou: In a really good sense, Saga-kun don't read the atmosphere. Out of nowhere, he'll say "This song is a gospel song so...", and the he'll put poetry into songs.
You mean "Hello, World" recorded in the '9' album right.
Shou: He doesn't get caught up in conventions; if we don't have someone like him, there's no way we can get to anywhere new. Rap is also included in 'Himitsu' ne. We also got the stamp of approval from the people in Universal that "This is like Soul Ja".
Saga: I wanted to increase the rap parts (lol)
The way you put in the acoustic guitar in the intro is pretty much a R&B style ne. I m guessing that during lives, the acoustic guitar will be played live...
Tora: That's right (lol)
Hiroto: Tora is in charge of acoustic guitar.
Saga: Ah, you gave him that task (lol)
Tora: I didn't like the acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar is usually played by the left-side guitarist. The acoustic guitar stand is better placed on the right side so in that sense, if the right-side guitarist plays the acoustic, the stand will block the vocalist....ah, i ended up explaining things (lol)
(lol). Alice Nine is a band where even the guitarist is extremely important. There are many irregular tunings, since there are different playing styles needed.
Tora: We really have many irregular tunings ne. DUring lives, we need at least 5.
Hiroto: But that is fun too.
I'm looking forward to Shadowplay that will be released on 17th April and the single for May. I'm guessing that my expectations will once again be overturned though.
Shou: I think it's a little on the unusual side so i'll be glad if you end up thinking "Seriously?". I think it was a good choice to "let's not fix our music style" when we first formed the band. Though during the period where we had no basis, it was a little difficult (lol)
Hiroto: Even after going major, we were still trying to make sense of things ne.
Shou: When i read our previous interviews, everytime we release an album, we'll be saying "This is our start"
Tora: Hahahahaha! (lol)
Saga: Exactly. We are always saying, "Things will start from this point on"
Shou: But as expected, we stopped saying that around 'Gemini' (released in Feb 2011).
Have you ever felt insecure that your musical styles are getting too wide?
Shou: Hmm...i think it can't helped that we are perceived in having done this and that. But right now, our overall quality is increasing and we've also come to be strongly confident in the new works that we create. The making of the album '9' had also been a big thing for us. Even thinking back about it now, i think it was a compilation at that time.
Alice Nine's National tour "Alice Nine 9th Anniversary #1 World's End Daybreak" will be starting as of June. It's a tour that you can affirm the results of your 3 singles ne.
Saga: Both the coupling and lead songs were made with the same emotions, so i want to properly express that during lives too. I want to make these 6 new songs the lead acts.
Shou: I think it will be a tour with many highlights, and i want to create lives that you can't miss. I want the lives to continue be in such a way that those who were not able to make it to the live will feel "I should have gone" after reading the live report. I mentioned this earlier as well, but we will give you the greatest happiness as a present for coming to our lives, so do come join us.