[Translation] SMAP Magazine: "To me, SMAP is..." series (Yasuharu Konishi)
“To me, SMAP is…”
Yasuharu Konishi (musician, produced “Shingo-mama’s Oha Rock”): The only interaction I had with SMAP was through music, so I don’t really know them well personally. Yet, their musicality is spectacular. For a group to hold such power and to last for so long, this is probably a onetime phenomenon that exists in this country’s entertainment industry. As a member of the creative force I really envy them, and at the same time I feel motivated by them. They make me think, “I still have a long way to go. I need to work harder.”
SMAP has many famous songs. This also truly illustrates their extraordinary power. If SMAP ask you to write a song for them, it is pretty much guaranteed that your song will be played in front of tens and thousands of audience in huge venues. This really gets us composers’ juices flowing. I mean, for me, if it was not for that incentive I would not be able to produce anything (smile). Thanks to that I was able to work on some satisfying projects.
I want to see some new sides of these national stars. I want to see the “individual SMAP.” From working with them, I had the chance to hear their bare vocal tracks. Kimura-san’s singing ability is really something. I worked with him on the “TeaO” black tea commercial, his vocals quite fit the catchy tune in the commercial. I want to listen to Kimura-san sing a solo song that bears similar musical arrangements.
Since Inagaki-san is such a refined person, it will be nice to produce a vocal album with him. I want to produce a calm, quiet atmosphere, as if he is singing right next to you, accompanied by simple and light music arrangements. I got to know of Katori-san’s prowess as a musical star from “Talk Like Singing,” maybe he should do a musical number. The first thing that comes to my mind that would fit Katori-san really well is old Japanese musical films.
As for Nakai-san, he is the master of talking. I would go ahead and not let him sing. How about making a car GPS system with Nakai-san’s talking style? If you don’t follow the route provided by the GPS, you have Nakai’s voice hooting and jeering at you fiercely (smile). I think this is quite the idea.
Lastly we have Kusanagi-san. In the album ‘We Are SMAP,” I had the opportunity to do the arrangements for his solo song “The Drunkard is Back.” However I did not have the chance to meet him during the recording of the song. Actually Kusanagi-san is the only member of SMAP I have not talked with one-on-one in person. I saw him a lot in Katori-san’s rehearsals for his musical, I also saw him go see the musical in the theatre many times, so I think he is probably a very kind-hearted person. Please speak with me next time.
translator's note:
(1) If they do really make a Nakai GPS, I will be the first in line to buy it :D I will even not follow the GPS's instructions on purpose so I can hear Nakai yell at me XD XD It will be so epic.
(2) And Kusanagi-san how close are you really with Katori-san? Why would you visit Shingo's musical rehearsal so many times and then go see him in the theatre just as much? So supportive ne~
Yasuharu Konishi (musician, produced “Shingo-mama’s Oha Rock”): The only interaction I had with SMAP was through music, so I don’t really know them well personally. Yet, their musicality is spectacular. For a group to hold such power and to last for so long, this is probably a onetime phenomenon that exists in this country’s entertainment industry. As a member of the creative force I really envy them, and at the same time I feel motivated by them. They make me think, “I still have a long way to go. I need to work harder.”
SMAP has many famous songs. This also truly illustrates their extraordinary power. If SMAP ask you to write a song for them, it is pretty much guaranteed that your song will be played in front of tens and thousands of audience in huge venues. This really gets us composers’ juices flowing. I mean, for me, if it was not for that incentive I would not be able to produce anything (smile). Thanks to that I was able to work on some satisfying projects.
I want to see some new sides of these national stars. I want to see the “individual SMAP.” From working with them, I had the chance to hear their bare vocal tracks. Kimura-san’s singing ability is really something. I worked with him on the “TeaO” black tea commercial, his vocals quite fit the catchy tune in the commercial. I want to listen to Kimura-san sing a solo song that bears similar musical arrangements.
Since Inagaki-san is such a refined person, it will be nice to produce a vocal album with him. I want to produce a calm, quiet atmosphere, as if he is singing right next to you, accompanied by simple and light music arrangements. I got to know of Katori-san’s prowess as a musical star from “Talk Like Singing,” maybe he should do a musical number. The first thing that comes to my mind that would fit Katori-san really well is old Japanese musical films.
As for Nakai-san, he is the master of talking. I would go ahead and not let him sing. How about making a car GPS system with Nakai-san’s talking style? If you don’t follow the route provided by the GPS, you have Nakai’s voice hooting and jeering at you fiercely (smile). I think this is quite the idea.
Lastly we have Kusanagi-san. In the album ‘We Are SMAP,” I had the opportunity to do the arrangements for his solo song “The Drunkard is Back.” However I did not have the chance to meet him during the recording of the song. Actually Kusanagi-san is the only member of SMAP I have not talked with one-on-one in person. I saw him a lot in Katori-san’s rehearsals for his musical, I also saw him go see the musical in the theatre many times, so I think he is probably a very kind-hearted person. Please speak with me next time.
translator's note:
(1) If they do really make a Nakai GPS, I will be the first in line to buy it :D I will even not follow the GPS's instructions on purpose so I can hear Nakai yell at me XD XD It will be so epic.
(2) And Kusanagi-san how close are you really with Katori-san? Why would you visit Shingo's musical rehearsal so many times and then go see him in the theatre just as much? So supportive ne~