Kagrra - In time that keeps turning and turning -
"No matter what kind of form, I want to leave behind reliable traces"
It's exactly 1 year after they achieved their major debut on January 1st 2004. Kagrra, started that one year with release of the "Urei" single, production work and lives, and as they keep going with promotional activities, it's been a year that they fix their eyes on their essence again "so they won't lose sight of themselves." The new maxi "Genei no Katachi/Sarasouju no Komoriuta" waits to be released on February 2nd 2005, and we're seeking out personal interviews for the five members, who pursue their "origin" and "future" so that Kagrra, can continue to exist as Kagrra,.
This January, Kagrra, has met one full year since their major debut, but at the time of last month's edition Isshi-kun was talking about some things that worried him. But at that time you didn't overcome it in the article.
Isshi: Ahh, when I said "I tasted a sense of defeat for the first time as we started activities in the major scene?"
Yeah. But in the end you regarded that utterance as some kind of rival, and now I want to ask you again whether it means you tasted defeat in regards to that.
Isshi: No, this is just myself. When we were indies, that in itself was something like the strength of our own musical performance, our own voice and our own songs. We had the self-assuredness to say that we surpass others in various ways. But, now we find ourselves in the major scene, and more than having walked in on one leg we don't have the kind of relationship of bands, including idols and pop stars and such people who sell to a great extent. Can't I say that in a sense, everyone is standing in the same arena? And like that, you could say we're blending into something called a 'general class' which I feel is a terribly difficult thing.
With regards to a "general class" it's like "We mustn't blend in," right?
Isshi: That's as you would expect. At the point in time when we decided upon going into the major field I was resigned to it I think. It came to the point that I had to hear from a lot of people, there was no meaning at all to go that way.
So what you're saying is, you had the awareness that you may not be popular.
Isshi: More than having to become popular, it's, well... for us, we started as indies and I think therein was the process that could be recognized as our debut. And so, since we've started, I think that we haven't really left behind any kind of traces. What I mean is, any kind of visage in particular would be good, you know? It's just that, I want some certain thing to be there. So for that reason, we kept separate from various constraints that turn up. But, what I first thought then was quite different from reality.
So the various pressures that fell on you exceeded your expectations?
Isshi: That's right. Even just for recording, it was terribly strict. Up until now we'd divide some things like messing up in pitch amongst ourselves, but we didn't at all think that would be pointed out to us. Like, "Isn't that funny to the ears?" And then even when the auditory sensation is nice, when we look at the waveform (turning the sound into a wave) it will actually be disordered. In times like that, the question is what do we believe? Ah, and after this one year, my way of thinking may have changed with regards to lives.
So you've said?
Isshi: It's the difference between professionals and amateurs, isn't it? But I think whichever you are, the ideal is the same, to give 100% of the strength you have. No matter what circumstance you have, you must give no less than 80% but I think that's not being a pro right?
If we get to the meaning of that, it was certainly the other day at Shibuya Public Hall, right? Because even with that kind of singular circumstance, Kagrra, continues to exist as Kagrra, and furthermore you reliably show it at lives.
Isshi: Ahh, but it's not just limited to that time. Even if we don't do so well, even if the condition of our monitors and equipment are poor, if the guests don't perceive that part of a live then afterward we just have to put in even more effort, I think.
After this, Kagrra, will surely be battling with various things, right? In that case, what do you think will be your greatest weapon henceforth?
Isshi: It doesn't change, it can't change, can it? Ourselves.
Does that come to be true?
Isshi: I think so. When we listened to our own part, or now when we become people as part of the profession. (laughs) With various bands there's things like "Shall we go there this time?" and "Yeah let's do that." So, as such things are surely temporary we might become a little popular. But, it may not continue afterward.
The ups and downs of fortune in this world are violent, aren't they?
Isshi: If that's so, I think all the more that we shouldn't change. But in my case, that is exactly what I did in my world of lyrics.
So you're truly being consistent.
Isshi: For example even when I think I'll change, this doesn't change at all.(laughs)
Now, coming out around February 2nd you've got a single with two A-sides, "Genei no Katachi/Sarasouju no Komoriuta" which is pretty remarkable. 'Genei no Katachi' is a song that was written from imagery presented by Akiya-kun, but what kind of subject matter is it, concretely?
Isshi: It has an extremely obscure keyword, but in relation to this song the word "Zashiki-warashi" appeared. So, while I was thinking 'What will I do with it?!' I composed the emotions of Zashiki-warashi here.
When you write 'Genei no Katachi' what is the reason you want 'Genei no Kao' to be read instead as 'Genei no Katachi'?
Isshi: That's the way I use it for another purpose. I think 'form' is a type of 'visage'. So, 'Katachi' is the visage of facial features. Because a face is of course what reveals the emotions, isn't it? The internal visage = the face.
I see. Incidentally, since this Zashiki-warashi exists in a dated time period, some kind of circumstances must be established for him to stick around there, right?
Isshi: I'm finishing the story I have inside me, but this existence seems like some sort of ghost bound to a certain location. Isn't Zashiki-warashi is a child in accordance with his name? Therefore, he doesn't notice on his own that he has died. As such, various things can be seen by Zashiki-warashi even if adults won't see them, and that Zashiki-warashi will be on good terms with a girl in the house who is of a similar age. But, although she grows up steadily, he's still always a child himself isn't he? It's a story with that kind of flow. Furthermore that girl is going to get married one day.
Quite a painful story, isn't it?
Isshi: To put it in Buddhist terminology, this is the first time that Zashiki-warashi is enlightened. He perceives what kind of person he is, himself. Thus, that Zashiki-warashi can ascend and enter Nirvana. And, his existence becomes watching over her from heaven.
Surely, these lyrics start from that scene. The drama is condensed into something short, and it's pretty interesting.
Isshi: I thought, "What will I do for the beginning?" but I put together a relatively smooth story.
Along with Genei no Katachi, you've included a new form of the famous Sarasouju no Komoriuta, which was recorded on "Sakura," a CD from your indies period.
Isshi: We recorded this song for the first time three years ago, but to tell the truth, at that time it was a song with a few remaining regrets.
What do you mean by that?
Isshi: All things considered, I had hay fever at that exact time. Furthermore, there were temporal problems with the situation in that I had to suddenly wake up in the morning and sing, so in those cases my voice won't be in the best condition right? Therefore, it's some kind of gentle song and yet, for me, I wasn't singing it with gentle feelings at all.
So it was that kind of thing.
Isshi: So, since then we've re-recorded that song at any opportunity and saying that, this feels like a wish come true.
It's finally completed as a gentle song.
Isshi: This time I sang it in a way that agrees. In addition to that, this time I have the lovely chorus unit that I like, but Hirotani-san (Ms. Hirotani Junko) participated in that too, and I think we made it a truly gentle sound.
This one being a two-pattern single, you've released them with live versions of "Koi" and "~Yume Izuru Chi~" included respectively. The new portion of Kagrra, and the constant portion of Kagrra, are contents that can be enjoyed on the same level.
Isshi: Thank you very much.
Moreover, since your tour is decided for April, the force of Kagrra, seems to be unstoppable in 2005 too.
Isshi: I think that we're a band who has grown with lives somehow, to come to do a tour on a grand scale. This time we're bringing along alice nine. as the opening act. They succeeded us as the junior band, and at the same time I think we can get good encouragement from a junior band so it'll be fun in various ways.
After that, is there anything you want to do personally this year?
Isshi: Of course, I want to write.
You were saying a while ago, things like novels?
Isshi: If it's just things that are written, there's already countless things in a folder on my computer that I've laid to rest. So I want to get them out in some way or another.
We'll be waiting for it. At that time, your publisher must certainly be a company specialized in music, okay? (laughs)
Isshi: Understood. (laughs)
Isshi: Ahh, when I said "I tasted a sense of defeat for the first time as we started activities in the major scene?"
Yeah. But in the end you regarded that utterance as some kind of rival, and now I want to ask you again whether it means you tasted defeat in regards to that.
Isshi: No, this is just myself. When we were indies, that in itself was something like the strength of our own musical performance, our own voice and our own songs. We had the self-assuredness to say that we surpass others in various ways. But, now we find ourselves in the major scene, and more than having walked in on one leg we don't have the kind of relationship of bands, including idols and pop stars and such people who sell to a great extent. Can't I say that in a sense, everyone is standing in the same arena? And like that, you could say we're blending into something called a 'general class' which I feel is a terribly difficult thing.
With regards to a "general class" it's like "We mustn't blend in," right?
Isshi: That's as you would expect. At the point in time when we decided upon going into the major field I was resigned to it I think. It came to the point that I had to hear from a lot of people, there was no meaning at all to go that way.
So what you're saying is, you had the awareness that you may not be popular.
Isshi: More than having to become popular, it's, well... for us, we started as indies and I think therein was the process that could be recognized as our debut. And so, since we've started, I think that we haven't really left behind any kind of traces. What I mean is, any kind of visage in particular would be good, you know? It's just that, I want some certain thing to be there. So for that reason, we kept separate from various constraints that turn up. But, what I first thought then was quite different from reality.
So the various pressures that fell on you exceeded your expectations?
Isshi: That's right. Even just for recording, it was terribly strict. Up until now we'd divide some things like messing up in pitch amongst ourselves, but we didn't at all think that would be pointed out to us. Like, "Isn't that funny to the ears?" And then even when the auditory sensation is nice, when we look at the waveform (turning the sound into a wave) it will actually be disordered. In times like that, the question is what do we believe? Ah, and after this one year, my way of thinking may have changed with regards to lives.
So you've said?
Isshi: It's the difference between professionals and amateurs, isn't it? But I think whichever you are, the ideal is the same, to give 100% of the strength you have. No matter what circumstance you have, you must give no less than 80% but I think that's not being a pro right?
If we get to the meaning of that, it was certainly the other day at Shibuya Public Hall, right? Because even with that kind of singular circumstance, Kagrra, continues to exist as Kagrra, and furthermore you reliably show it at lives.
Isshi: Ahh, but it's not just limited to that time. Even if we don't do so well, even if the condition of our monitors and equipment are poor, if the guests don't perceive that part of a live then afterward we just have to put in even more effort, I think.
After this, Kagrra, will surely be battling with various things, right? In that case, what do you think will be your greatest weapon henceforth?
Isshi: It doesn't change, it can't change, can it? Ourselves.
Does that come to be true?
Isshi: I think so. When we listened to our own part, or now when we become people as part of the profession. (laughs) With various bands there's things like "Shall we go there this time?" and "Yeah let's do that." So, as such things are surely temporary we might become a little popular. But, it may not continue afterward.
The ups and downs of fortune in this world are violent, aren't they?
Isshi: If that's so, I think all the more that we shouldn't change. But in my case, that is exactly what I did in my world of lyrics.
So you're truly being consistent.
Isshi: For example even when I think I'll change, this doesn't change at all.(laughs)
Now, coming out around February 2nd you've got a single with two A-sides, "Genei no Katachi/Sarasouju no Komoriuta" which is pretty remarkable. 'Genei no Katachi' is a song that was written from imagery presented by Akiya-kun, but what kind of subject matter is it, concretely?
Isshi: It has an extremely obscure keyword, but in relation to this song the word "Zashiki-warashi" appeared. So, while I was thinking 'What will I do with it?!' I composed the emotions of Zashiki-warashi here.
When you write 'Genei no Katachi' what is the reason you want 'Genei no Kao' to be read instead as 'Genei no Katachi'?
Isshi: That's the way I use it for another purpose. I think 'form' is a type of 'visage'. So, 'Katachi' is the visage of facial features. Because a face is of course what reveals the emotions, isn't it? The internal visage = the face.
I see. Incidentally, since this Zashiki-warashi exists in a dated time period, some kind of circumstances must be established for him to stick around there, right?
Isshi: I'm finishing the story I have inside me, but this existence seems like some sort of ghost bound to a certain location. Isn't Zashiki-warashi is a child in accordance with his name? Therefore, he doesn't notice on his own that he has died. As such, various things can be seen by Zashiki-warashi even if adults won't see them, and that Zashiki-warashi will be on good terms with a girl in the house who is of a similar age. But, although she grows up steadily, he's still always a child himself isn't he? It's a story with that kind of flow. Furthermore that girl is going to get married one day.
Quite a painful story, isn't it?
Isshi: To put it in Buddhist terminology, this is the first time that Zashiki-warashi is enlightened. He perceives what kind of person he is, himself. Thus, that Zashiki-warashi can ascend and enter Nirvana. And, his existence becomes watching over her from heaven.
Surely, these lyrics start from that scene. The drama is condensed into something short, and it's pretty interesting.
Isshi: I thought, "What will I do for the beginning?" but I put together a relatively smooth story.
Along with Genei no Katachi, you've included a new form of the famous Sarasouju no Komoriuta, which was recorded on "Sakura," a CD from your indies period.
Isshi: We recorded this song for the first time three years ago, but to tell the truth, at that time it was a song with a few remaining regrets.
What do you mean by that?
Isshi: All things considered, I had hay fever at that exact time. Furthermore, there were temporal problems with the situation in that I had to suddenly wake up in the morning and sing, so in those cases my voice won't be in the best condition right? Therefore, it's some kind of gentle song and yet, for me, I wasn't singing it with gentle feelings at all.
So it was that kind of thing.
Isshi: So, since then we've re-recorded that song at any opportunity and saying that, this feels like a wish come true.
It's finally completed as a gentle song.
Isshi: This time I sang it in a way that agrees. In addition to that, this time I have the lovely chorus unit that I like, but Hirotani-san (Ms. Hirotani Junko) participated in that too, and I think we made it a truly gentle sound.
This one being a two-pattern single, you've released them with live versions of "Koi" and "~Yume Izuru Chi~" included respectively. The new portion of Kagrra, and the constant portion of Kagrra, are contents that can be enjoyed on the same level.
Isshi: Thank you very much.
Moreover, since your tour is decided for April, the force of Kagrra, seems to be unstoppable in 2005 too.
Isshi: I think that we're a band who has grown with lives somehow, to come to do a tour on a grand scale. This time we're bringing along alice nine. as the opening act. They succeeded us as the junior band, and at the same time I think we can get good encouragement from a junior band so it'll be fun in various ways.
After that, is there anything you want to do personally this year?
Isshi: Of course, I want to write.
You were saying a while ago, things like novels?
Isshi: If it's just things that are written, there's already countless things in a folder on my computer that I've laid to rest. So I want to get them out in some way or another.
We'll be waiting for it. At that time, your publisher must certainly be a company specialized in music, okay? (laughs)
Isshi: Understood. (laughs)
