I will start reposting some of the translations I posted in my Tumblr account, so they can be found here as well. This is the translation of the Karyu’s (Angelo guitar) interview from the Interplay Members Fanclub magazine, this is from the Resonance volume.
After the release of the album “RESONANCE” last year in November, the “WAVY EFFECT OF RESONANCE” tour took place. Because the album itself is a work that Karyu is very confident of, I think there was also tension toward the live performance.
K: There were many things that I wanted to do for a long time, all of those things are summarized in the album “RESONANCE”. So, from the point where we started the rehearsal, although I checked the details of the sound, I don’t know how good will be the quality of the musical composition. The PA systems made a good balance too. I also think the sound in the concert was very good too.
I also watched the video work that included the tour concert “Angelo Tour 2018-2019 WAVY EFFECT OF RESONANCE”. The separation of the twin guitars was good, and although it was a live work, it offers a quality in terms of sound source that can be enjoyed in a different way of listening.
K: That’s good to know. I’ve been able to distribute by nature now,the twin’s guitar construction and live guitar arrangement with Giru. For example, I play this phrase, and if Giru plays this other phrase, then I can insert this other phrase here. If you watch the video work, you will understand, I think it looks fun, in my opinion. There are songs that are full powered and very suited for live performances, I think the audience that came to see it might have enjoyed them a lot.
First you attacked the Kanto area, and then it became a countrywide tour. Regardless of being during busy time or during off time, was there any interesting or unusual happenings too?
K: There were many times where we had 2 days venue concerts. There was a lot of time where I could interact with the members, there were good things and bad things. He was amazing… (laughs wryly). However, it was a tour of drum checking, and in the tour final, there was a great feeling of completion. It was like a sense of accomplishment kind of thing. Although I can’t say the full details, all the good things and bad things were maximum, all of them became points of experience. I think it was a tour to make the band stronger.
In a different way of saying, it was like a trial tour…?
K: It was almost like a trial (laughs). I do physical condition management and preparation in order to do a good performance and face the tour, but there are also times that no matter what you do, it doesn’t go well. Nevertheless, I did the maximum performance I could do that day, but I was not satisfied with my body. So, this was a tour that made think about lots of things.
When it’s 2 days venue, if in the following day you try to clear the points of reflection from the previous days, after that too much power will come in, and might make you spin one’s wheels.
K: Yeah, I guess so.
What are your thoughts when you’re off the stage?
K: When I was off the stage, I was already thinking toward the new album. That’s why during the tour, I was checking things such as which songs from “RESONANCE” got the audience excited, I was doing that kind of research inside my mind. Like, which melody line gives a good feeling, or which melody tempo gives a good feeling to everyone. So, while doing that research, I had my eyes set on what’s next.
So, what specifically made you had a good feeling about it?
K: In any case, from the opening of the live show with “ACTIVATE RESONANCE” there was a feeling of excitement that I hadn’t felt before. There was a feeling of headbanging immediately for example. In addition, I think Angelo fans like catchy songs, and the feel of attack. I thought “NEW CENTURY BIRTH VOICE” was going to be exciting, but it was even more exciting than what I expected. That kind of feeling is one of my favorite things.
During the tour, do you also hum to your smartphone the ideas and melodies that later become the main concept of new songs?
K: It wasn’t a melody, however there was an idea that came to mind. It was something that until now I have never done. At this stage, I still don’t know if it will be adopted in the next works, it’s a kind of taste of statelessness. It would be a good thing to have a song that gives you the feeling of being able to see various countries, this is an idea that came up during the tour.
It is likely to become a masterpiece.
K: I wonder if it will (laughs). But I have the hunch that it will become a new feeling. Honestly, I was very satisfied with “RESONANCE” as a composer.
That’s scary.
K: It is scary (laughs). That’s why I was worried right after finishing “RESONANCE”. Like, what would be a good thing to do next?
Did you feel like you reached a goal?
K: At that time yes. But during the tour, the next opportunity was born. I also discovered that there are still things I want to do.
So that means that this is the enthusiasm inside of Karyu for embarking onto the next new chapter?
K: That’s right. What kind of thing it will become…? If pushed I’d say it should be more melodic. As a composer, every day of my life until now, I’m always thinking what would be a good thing to do the next time I get on the stage (laughs).
In the middle of that, this year in February, there was also the performance during lynch.’s managed festival “BLACK BEAUTY BEASTS”, I think that was also very exciting.
K: Definitely. I always watched D’ERLANGER from the rehearsal, well, it was awesome. The band feeling and power. There is always discovery in this kind of way. Since I also had the opportunity to interact with them, I am always getting a new stimulus. I also think the Angelo live in that festival turned out extremely good. As expected in festivals, there is a suitable amount of consciousness from the members to bring the power toward the outside, it’s a very good thing.
It would be great if opportunities for appearing in festivals and events would increase.
K: I think so. I am always working hard from inside the band, but when we are together with other bands in stage, it’s different.
Although we are having this conversation in April, have you already starting working on new compositions?
K: That’s right. I recorded the melodies and phrases that came to mind around January, and March was hell. I was trying to construct it at a fast pitch. So, I didn’t go outside, my physical condition was relatively destroyed (wry smile). Because I was too much time secluded, I wasn’t able to refresh. Although I was not being pressured to do it, I was impatient and wanted to do it as soon as possible, it was mentally harsh. As of now, I have calmed down.
So that means that there is an effect that a good thing is likely to be born?
K: That’s right. When you overcome the next thing that is in front of you, there is always an effect. Recently, an idea of a main point of a melody came to mind somehow. However, I had to rush to the living room to get the smartphone because the idea came while I was in the bath (laughs).
While being naked (laughs).
K: Yes (laughs). I was humming that melody while I was in the bathtub, I recorded it and then submerged again in the bathtub. I had no intention to do composition work that day, but if I get the feeling that something will come out, I start working on it again.
Naked?
K: No no! (laughs). Getting out of the bathtub properly and getting dressed. And then, as of now, I’ve been able to smoothly make songs in the shortest time possible. It would be easy if this was always the case (laughs).
From tour to bathing, are you constantly thinking only about songs?
K: Always. Somehow, when I’m sleeping, I would suddenly wake up too. For a long time, I would end up falling asleep while thinking about songs and what should I do about it. And then, in the middle of the night I would wake up suddenly. In any case, what I do is to record in my smartphone. And then I go to sleep again, however I end up waking up quickly again. And because of that, my physical condition gets pretty bad (laughs).
Do you have nightmares about song composition too?
K: I don’t have dreams related to that, but frequently when I wake up, I’m only thinking about songs. Maybe, all people who compose music think the same way about this. Maybe it’s like a kind of occupational disease. The hardest time it’s when you are creating. Even if I sleep, the mental fatigue doesn’t disappear at all. When the song is completed it’s when I’m relieved, and the following day I try not to do anything. But even if I take a break and play games or something, inside my head, I am still composing songs (laughs). I’m not good at switching from on to off.
You like soccer, and you used to play futsal too, right? Don’t you do exercise while you’re in composition period? Isn’t it better to move your body?
K: I’m not doing it. I haven’t done any exercise nor going out either since March (laughs). But the tour will start in April, and I’m worried that I may end not having done any physical training by then. However right now at the beginning of April, music composition continues as usual. That’s why I bought a machine that helps train the trunk of my body (laughs).
Isn’t this your pattern of being deceived by TV shopping again? (laughs).
K: Not at all, this is a machine that I’ve been very interested in for 2 years. And I thought, now is the time to get it (laughs). This is the only machine that can help me break free from this unhealthy lifestyle.
You’ve been buying machines with the same kind of remarks since many years ago, right?
K: Occasionally (laughs).
Moreover, although I’ve heard the story about you buying these machines, I’ve never heard the story about the results or effects of it (laughs).
K: That might be true (laughs). But I think the next machine is pretty good. I wonder if the effects will come out during the tour? (laughs). Also, the tour is starting soon, it’s about time I have to run.
Because being in the stage for 2 to 3 hours, requires more toughness than what one can imagine.
K: That’s right. I have intention of working on the stage myself, however there are for example people from overseas bands that have more intense live performances. I always wonder what kind of training they do. Maybe they have physical strength foundations by nature. Because by just being in the stage, you can lose weight. There isn’t such thing as an easy live performance in terms of physical strength. Depending on the day, although your body should be in good conditions, there are times when it might not move the way you expect. Although I would forcibly stimulate it with fighting spirit, I think it’s better if I can prepare properly. That’s why I will try to imitate what I read in the blog of soccer players, and I will try doing training during this time.
The baseball player Ichiro was very famous for being stoic, right? Hours before the games, he would always do something in particular, he decided on a routine work to follow. He had curry every morning, didn’t he?
K: He had curry for a period of time (laughs). It was said that Ichiru understood his body, and created the routine. And because of that, I tried eating curry every morning too (laughs). But I didn’t continue. I think I did it for about 3 months.
Oh, that’s not good, wouldn’t have been better to continue?
K: But curry was not suitable for me. I would grow considerably fat (laughs). To that extent, I have to do training. I don’t consider myself a stoic person, but when I devote to something, I can reach the extremes. Trying curry every morning, if you think you may get fat, then you can eat only soba everyday (laughs). Also, if you find a good game, then keep doing that.
I have the feeling that the story just scaled down (laughs).
K: Recently I’ve been drinking vinegar every morning. If you get delicious vinegar from your fans, and you try it, it’s ought to be very good. I dilute it in water and drink one glass every morning. And because of that, my physical condition has become much better than before. And then you can also make a drink of honey and lemon and drink that too, this is effective too.
That’s because vinegar is good for the body. Because it’s a kind of fermented food, it helps boost the immune system.
K: Yes, and I’m also drinking enzymes. I’m feeling very anxious about many things related to my body. It’s because this is my unlucky year. (厄年、in Japan, there are years considered unlucky for men and woman where bad things could happen, for males near Karyu’s age is 42, he will be 41 this year, the year before and after is also considered somewhat unlucky).
Did you also go to the ritual to cleanse the bad spirits?
K: I went at the beginning of the year, however there were too many people, so I gave up doing the ritual (laughs).
Did you do anything else in regards to that matter?
K: Ah yes, I bought an amulet.
Is that all you need to lift your spirit?
K: I think it’s not good to be too conscious of it. I think I should just forget about the unlucky year and live my life. This is the me who detaches from the unlucky 2019 year.
That catchphrase is not very attractive (laughs).
K: I guess so (laughs). But in the private aspect, there isn’t any other interesting thing to talk about. The desire to make as many songs as possible has become my motivation now. When the tour that starts from the last third of April is over, then I will put together a demo, and from there the recording will start flowing. And towards that direction, right now I just have to make songs.
From May, there’s also the era change to “Reiwa”, what will Karyu be doing those days?
K: That is, I want to release as many songs as possible to the world. And then, I also think this will become a year to explore solutions to find new senses. However, the new era “Reiwa” hasn’t come yet (laughs). There was an era name proposal that some people were expecting, it was “安久/ankyuu”, I think it would have been nice to choose this name, however it can’t be helped because the decision has been made already. I’m a guy who was born in Showa era, I survived through the Heisei era, and now I will do my best from May onward.
JAPAN MUSIC SEKAI ~ Jrock & Jpop talk ~ 