いまいなかんじ
Imai Hisashi Presents
-An interview with Imai Hisashi and Yokoyama Kazutoshi the Manipulator-
Reporter: Ikeda Rumi
Translation: Lola
We'll be talking once again with a regular in this corner, Mr. Kazutoshi Yokoyama. We'll be talking about the break in recording and then the return to it. Our chat starts now!
So at what rate is recording progressing right now?
Yokoyama: We're still at the beginning.
How's it coming along with lyrics for your songs Imai-san?
Imai: Still have some left. Still have two songs to do and I think about three to write lyrics for. Still just putting bits and pieces together.
Have the songs for the single been decided then?
Imai: Still deciding. Because we have a number of songs as possible candidates.
The new version of 'SANE' got a really great reaction when you guys performed it during the previous tour.
Yokoyama: We were just working on it today.
Why did you select that song?
Imai: I really love it. The arrangement is incredible too. I figured I could give it a rock vibe. Like in the rhythm. Because you know in the original version it was made deliberately without that kind of feeling....
Yokoyama: And now it's the complete opposite.
Imai: When we did it during the previous live, it was really made complete by the images that were shown at the same time and I mean really, those images truly made the song. Anyway I altered my approach to it a little bit because of that. And it came out really cool.
What sort of give and take is going on between the two of you work wise right now?
Yokoyama: I had a bit of a late start so it feels like I'm only just starting now. I'm working to catch up on the stuff Imai-san and Hide-san did previously.
Were you composing and writing lyrics during New Year's as well Imai-san?
Imai: Uh, it's New Year's. What? Am I supposed to work during the holidays too? *smiles*
Then you were able to take a holiday?
Imai: ...I didn't say that. But New Year's...is still New Year's you know.
Yokoyama: Are you trying to say that even though it's New Year's, the back of your mind is always focused on work?!
Imai: Yes! Constantly! 'Caus there's always a song in my head!!
*smiles* Pardon my assumption. Do you now have a sense for the direction of the album as a whole?
Imai: It's not really a direction but...we're in the process of making something good with a fresh spin...mm.
Yokoyama: I think once we've recorded more songs from this year, the direction will be more clear. Imai told me to do my homework for those songs and he joked saying, "Come the new year, we're gonna be doing them all over again from the beginning". I thought ok, we're surely not going to be doing them all over again but then I realized that well maybe, it would be good to listen to them again as though for the first time, that way we can be more sure of the choices we made with the songs.
Is that true?
Imai: Huh? What?
Well, well, well....*smiles* You weren't even listening to Yokoyama's story were you?!
Imai: I spaced out *smiles*.
We're in the middle of an interview *smiles*.
Yokoyama: Mm...he's always saying how he never gets enough sleep...
So, do you have a concept for the lyrics right now?
Imai: The concept of the lyrics, well the concept for the story is.... Um.... Well there was a sense that it would be better if I wrote the lyrics. But there's no definite plan like...ok, I'm going to write a poem like this. But now that I think about it.......I'm wondering why is it that I'm the one who's writing this anyway? *smiles*
What?! *smiles*
Yokoyama: There is no reason.....
Imai: See, but that's what I'm saying.
Did Imai-san have any special requests for you this time during recording?
Imai: I asked for a few things, same as always.
Yokoyama: He'd ask for things like a specific kind of sound for each song. So that each song has a different image...but well, he always asks that.
Imai: Oh, like today, with the metal percussion. You know for the pattern of the percussion? We started talking about making that sound...sharper.
Yokoyama: Yeah, yeah.
Imai: By metal...I mean things like chimes. However, I wanted them to have a sharp feel....
Yokoyama: We discussed that too, yes.
There's no recording work scheduled for tomorrow nor the day after that, right?
Imai: I'll be working from home.
Looks like you might be pulling some all-nighters huh?
Imai: Yeah. Well, I've got a lot of stuff to do so....
Imai-san, is there anything you would like to say about the work you've done so far?
Imai: Recording has been relentless and intense and now it's......judgement time. And if it's not stylish, it will be rejected!
Yokoyama: Stylish *smiles*.
Imai: Yes, stylish *smiles*. And the very definition of stylish is.....that it cannot be defined.
Yokoyama & FT: *smile*
Imai: I can't explain it but it's something you just feel inside.
Yokoyama: *smiles* It pulls you in completely....
Imai: Yeah. Something like that.
And you're able to take this year after year?
Yokoyama: Um...well I don't know if I'd say that the judgement period is a sweet time per say but...obviously, the thing is you can't really explain it clearly when you're in it. And of course, because I'm involved in working on the album commemorating Buck-Tick's 25th anniversary too even I feel like I want my emotional involvement to show in the work. I want to put my heart into it and I want to keep fighting to show it.
Imai: Wow~
Yokoyama: Huh? *smiles* What do you mean 'wow'? *smiles*
It was an incredibly beautiful thing to say.
Imai: I bet it was rehearsed....
Yokoyama: Hey. *smiles*
Imai: You thought about it in the car on the way over here right?
Yokoyama & FT: *smile*
Yokoyama: Well...anyway it's how I feel....
Imai: Oh? Then you'll have to show me right? Your stylish ways.
Yokoyama: I think I can do stylish things so...it should be ok....
Imai: You'll be like, "Wow~ this sound is so stylish~".
I'm looking forward to it.
Yokoyama: Right. I'll do it!
This issue will come out in March, time has gone surprisingly fast hasn't it?
Imai: Maybe by then...Yoko-chan will have grasped what it is to be stylish...so he won't have to keep asking, "Do you think this is stylish~?" *smiles*.
Yokoyama: *smiles*
Imai: I'm only bringing it up because you asked Asaki-chan (from AGE of PUNK) that. "Is it stylish~?" *smiles*.
Yokoyama: I wanted his opinion *smiles*.
Finally, please say a word to everyone awaiting the new album.
Imai: Um, please look forward it. It's going to be something new once again...and extremely cool.
Yokoyama: Definitely cool. But of course it's going to be amazing because it's BUCK-TICK~!! So everyone, including the staff, please look forward to it with great anticipation.
Thank you both once again!
Despite saying he was severely lacking sleep, Mr. Imai kept talking on and on with Mr. Yokoyama....