[Arashi] Pia - 08/27/2009 (6/6)
To celebrate a total of 900 (!) people friending this journal, I spent the entire day slaving away at the computer to bring you a translation of the entire Pia article. It is seriously one amazing interview, and I really do recommend anyone who's a fan of Arashi to read it. I will be posting it in parts, so sorry to everyone for the spam!
All comments are appreciated, and before I forget, thank you for following and/or enjoying my translations ♥ Enjoy!
1980-1984 | 1985-1989 | 1990-1994 | 1995-1999 | 2000-2004 | 2005-2009
Pia - 08/27/2009 (6/6)
2005-2009
A power-up in individual activities as well
The seeds they had scattered are now blossoming into flowers with the passing years
"I've never gone overseas outside of work and I don't go on the internet either, so the fact that we have overseas fans is still unbelievable even now. The large places that we hold our concerts in now are fun, but they can go back to being on a smaller scale too, because that's also fun." - Ohno
During the period from 2005 to 2006, more so than Arashi, an impression of a rush of kouhai groups was no doubt more profound for many people. It is also a fact that the focus of the media had been on them as well. But it was during that period that the quality of Arashi's music and concerts attained perfection. The instant their moving stage moved into sight for the first time in history during their "ONE" tour from 2005, the cheers that were so loud it seemed as if they might shake the Yoyogi stadium itself is something they can still remember clearly. "Matsujun's been doing performances and stuff since he was a Jr. so we depend on him for quite a lot, but all of it was discussed and decided upon between the five of us. Our concerts are created by everyone together." (Aiba)
Furthermore, Sakurai and Ohno held solo tours at the beginning of 2006. Arashi's rapper and main vocalist wholeheartedly displayed various "-ness" in their fascinating live performances. By this point, it had been established that Arashi's staging would be decided largely by its five members. "I was moved by a song that I had written in private and wanted everyone to hear. But regretfully the Sapporo show was canceled (due to bad weather)... to be honest, it made me cry." (Sakurai) "It was really sudden, and I only had two weeks to prepare for it. To be able to do that much alone in two weeks was like a complete perfect score to me." (Ohno)
Were they not worried about their successors gaining on them? When we asked the two of them this question, they both disagreed with firm, promising answers: "Even if there are people who might move on to something else, we have fans who are there for us without change. That's everything to us." (Sakurai) "No~t at all. As long as the five of us are happy anyone can pass over us; whether they pass over us or not is something I have no interest in at all." (Ohno)
A good originator brings up the recipient, and a good recipient tempers the originator. To have a high percentage of core fans means the artist has also imposed high standards for themselves; if the artist maintains diligence towards overcoming that, their core fans will also offer increasing trust. Though we have attained permission to write something that is presumptuous towards either of them, we think the relationship established between the two has, at this point, become something of a beautiful cycle.
Sakurap's "prophecy" becomes realized
The unexpected Asia tour
Above all else in 2006, there was the "incident" of their response to their popularity in various Asian countries in the form of concerts in Taipei and Seoul. In 2006, within their released album "ARASHIC", the recorded song "COOL & SOUL" contained passionate rap lyrics that announced their determination to tackle such a challenge... "No, it was just a baseless bluff when I wrote 'The beginning of the second chapter', but it actually turned out that way. The Asia tour wasn't decided when I wrote that, and there seriously wasn't even a single particle of discussion about Dome concerts." (Sakurai)
Ninomiya's advancement into Hollywood for the film "Iwojima kara no Tegami" garnered an enormous reaction, and Matsumoto's starring drama "Hana yori Dango" also rode the waves. As a result of various accumulating opportunities, they were also given their first Tokyo Dome shows along with a series of concerts for their triumphant return from their Asia tour.
The remarkable advance that followed was just as everyone now knows. In 2008, Ohno, the sleeping lion who had always been called their final weapon, opened a personal art exhibition, and the drama "Maou" for which he took on his first starring role became a hit. As Arashi, they also took on the role of main personalities for "24jikan Terebi" for a second time. In the midst of such busy extremes, they put on unbelievable performances for their first concerts at the Kokuritsu Gekijyou. Once again, they went on a proper Asia tour and also pulled off successful Shanghai shows in a first for Johnny's.
Seeing their present state in the year of 2009, do they not think that their dream of "becoming the top" has been realized? "Hmm... now that I think about it, I don't think aiming for the top meant we were going to fight others for it. If we can make the people who support us happy, that would be the true top." (Aiba) "Our circumstances right now is just a hindsight-based opinion. There's always a sense of danger because we don't know what's going to happen after this. Isn't that the price we have to pay for taking on the responsibilities of doing this kind of work?" (Matsumoto)
The best of album in commemoration of their 10th anniversary
Their respective thoughts
This month, a best of album comprised of all of their singles since their debut will go on sale. However. As Arashi's treasures up until now, towards that unchanging modesty of theirs that is being applauded and promoted, it cannot be helped that doubts will begin to surface. As the expected monument of their 10th anniversary, is releasing a best of album really the best choice? Is that not for the passionate listeners to listen once again to the sounds of the past, but a service for the people who hadn't supported Arashi very much?
When we presented these thoughts that wouldn't be wiped away, there was sincerity in every one of the members' responses. "We went through a ton of discussions about it, about wanting to cut back on the expenses of the fans we wanted to reach." (Aiba) "Our fans over these past 10 years always come up during Arashi's conversations. It's impossible for us to forget." (Ohno). "We've also taken into consideration how we can bring enjoyment to the people who own all of our singles as well." (Sakurai). "We decided that more so than coming out with various things and making it hard to digest, we'd go for a more simple refinement instead." (Matsumoto) "Above all else, it was because that was the best timing that it became a 'best of album'. Like 'if we don't release it now, when will we be able to release it then!?'" (Ninomiya). They each spoke courteously about it.
Even when we asked all five members the same basic questions to take down comments, the way they responded and how they conveyed themselves were completely different, and it makes us feel at ease to be able to sense that they are each offering their own thoughts. They've plowed the soil of natural intelligence with the hoe of consideration, and sprinkled water from the clear stream protected by the fans; and now, flowers have begun to blossom.
Of course, there are no flowers in the world that would continue to flower for eternity... "I know that idols are cool when they retire manfully at their peaks, but we're not manly. (laugh) We'll be clinging on forever!" says Ninomiya. We also wish for the continuation of this "Arashi story" at that time.
All comments are appreciated, and before I forget, thank you for following and/or enjoying my translations ♥ Enjoy!
1980-1984 | 1985-1989 | 1990-1994 | 1995-1999 | 2000-2004 | 2005-2009
Pia - 08/27/2009 (6/6)
2005-2009
A power-up in individual activities as well
The seeds they had scattered are now blossoming into flowers with the passing years
"I've never gone overseas outside of work and I don't go on the internet either, so the fact that we have overseas fans is still unbelievable even now. The large places that we hold our concerts in now are fun, but they can go back to being on a smaller scale too, because that's also fun." - Ohno
During the period from 2005 to 2006, more so than Arashi, an impression of a rush of kouhai groups was no doubt more profound for many people. It is also a fact that the focus of the media had been on them as well. But it was during that period that the quality of Arashi's music and concerts attained perfection. The instant their moving stage moved into sight for the first time in history during their "ONE" tour from 2005, the cheers that were so loud it seemed as if they might shake the Yoyogi stadium itself is something they can still remember clearly. "Matsujun's been doing performances and stuff since he was a Jr. so we depend on him for quite a lot, but all of it was discussed and decided upon between the five of us. Our concerts are created by everyone together." (Aiba)
Furthermore, Sakurai and Ohno held solo tours at the beginning of 2006. Arashi's rapper and main vocalist wholeheartedly displayed various "-ness" in their fascinating live performances. By this point, it had been established that Arashi's staging would be decided largely by its five members. "I was moved by a song that I had written in private and wanted everyone to hear. But regretfully the Sapporo show was canceled (due to bad weather)... to be honest, it made me cry." (Sakurai) "It was really sudden, and I only had two weeks to prepare for it. To be able to do that much alone in two weeks was like a complete perfect score to me." (Ohno)
Were they not worried about their successors gaining on them? When we asked the two of them this question, they both disagreed with firm, promising answers: "Even if there are people who might move on to something else, we have fans who are there for us without change. That's everything to us." (Sakurai) "No~t at all. As long as the five of us are happy anyone can pass over us; whether they pass over us or not is something I have no interest in at all." (Ohno)
A good originator brings up the recipient, and a good recipient tempers the originator. To have a high percentage of core fans means the artist has also imposed high standards for themselves; if the artist maintains diligence towards overcoming that, their core fans will also offer increasing trust. Though we have attained permission to write something that is presumptuous towards either of them, we think the relationship established between the two has, at this point, become something of a beautiful cycle.
Sakurap's "prophecy" becomes realized
The unexpected Asia tour
Above all else in 2006, there was the "incident" of their response to their popularity in various Asian countries in the form of concerts in Taipei and Seoul. In 2006, within their released album "ARASHIC", the recorded song "COOL & SOUL" contained passionate rap lyrics that announced their determination to tackle such a challenge... "No, it was just a baseless bluff when I wrote 'The beginning of the second chapter', but it actually turned out that way. The Asia tour wasn't decided when I wrote that, and there seriously wasn't even a single particle of discussion about Dome concerts." (Sakurai)
Ninomiya's advancement into Hollywood for the film "Iwojima kara no Tegami" garnered an enormous reaction, and Matsumoto's starring drama "Hana yori Dango" also rode the waves. As a result of various accumulating opportunities, they were also given their first Tokyo Dome shows along with a series of concerts for their triumphant return from their Asia tour.
The remarkable advance that followed was just as everyone now knows. In 2008, Ohno, the sleeping lion who had always been called their final weapon, opened a personal art exhibition, and the drama "Maou" for which he took on his first starring role became a hit. As Arashi, they also took on the role of main personalities for "24jikan Terebi" for a second time. In the midst of such busy extremes, they put on unbelievable performances for their first concerts at the Kokuritsu Gekijyou. Once again, they went on a proper Asia tour and also pulled off successful Shanghai shows in a first for Johnny's.
Seeing their present state in the year of 2009, do they not think that their dream of "becoming the top" has been realized? "Hmm... now that I think about it, I don't think aiming for the top meant we were going to fight others for it. If we can make the people who support us happy, that would be the true top." (Aiba) "Our circumstances right now is just a hindsight-based opinion. There's always a sense of danger because we don't know what's going to happen after this. Isn't that the price we have to pay for taking on the responsibilities of doing this kind of work?" (Matsumoto)
The best of album in commemoration of their 10th anniversary
Their respective thoughts
This month, a best of album comprised of all of their singles since their debut will go on sale. However. As Arashi's treasures up until now, towards that unchanging modesty of theirs that is being applauded and promoted, it cannot be helped that doubts will begin to surface. As the expected monument of their 10th anniversary, is releasing a best of album really the best choice? Is that not for the passionate listeners to listen once again to the sounds of the past, but a service for the people who hadn't supported Arashi very much?
When we presented these thoughts that wouldn't be wiped away, there was sincerity in every one of the members' responses. "We went through a ton of discussions about it, about wanting to cut back on the expenses of the fans we wanted to reach." (Aiba) "Our fans over these past 10 years always come up during Arashi's conversations. It's impossible for us to forget." (Ohno). "We've also taken into consideration how we can bring enjoyment to the people who own all of our singles as well." (Sakurai). "We decided that more so than coming out with various things and making it hard to digest, we'd go for a more simple refinement instead." (Matsumoto) "Above all else, it was because that was the best timing that it became a 'best of album'. Like 'if we don't release it now, when will we be able to release it then!?'" (Ninomiya). They each spoke courteously about it.
Even when we asked all five members the same basic questions to take down comments, the way they responded and how they conveyed themselves were completely different, and it makes us feel at ease to be able to sense that they are each offering their own thoughts. They've plowed the soil of natural intelligence with the hoe of consideration, and sprinkled water from the clear stream protected by the fans; and now, flowers have begun to blossom.
Of course, there are no flowers in the world that would continue to flower for eternity... "I know that idols are cool when they retire manfully at their peaks, but we're not manly. (laugh) We'll be clinging on forever!" says Ninomiya. We also wish for the continuation of this "Arashi story" at that time.