MS Exclusive: Ellegarden Interview (Japanese Version)
This is the Japanese (well, answers that is) version of the recent Ellegarden interview. You may view the fully English version here. Many thanks to Takeshi, vocals for Ellegarden, for participating.
Once again, my words will be in bold, with Takeshi-san’s in plain text.
Enjoy!
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Thanks so much for your time in advance. Some of the questions could be answered by the band as a whole, while many I would invite individual comments by the members. My readers are very excited about Ellegarden, and I am glad that you can do this little interview for them.
A.回答者はボーカルの細美 武士です。まずは回答が遅くなってすいませんでした。国内のツアーが３月３日に無事終了しました。
First, some of our readers may not be entirely familiar with Ellegarden. Perhaps you could describe the musical style of the band, and give a brief history of it’s formation.
A.ライブが大好きなバンドです。基本的にはBPMの早いロックバンドですが、やっぱりメロディーの良い曲を書くように心がけてます。
Some of the most interesting stories are those of a musician’s influences. Where did each of you grow up, and did growing up in that city or neighbourhood affect your individual musical style? Also, are there any influences to speak of that may have brought about the musical stlye of the band Ellegarden as a whole?
A.ドラムは東京、ドラム以外の３人は千葉県出身です。俺は田舎育ちなのでどうしても都会の洗練されたものよりは、感情的で人間味のあるものや自然に対する関心が強いです。俺がほとんど全ての曲・歌詞を書いているので、そういう嗜好はやっぱり強く表れてると思います。
On the same topic of musical interests, is there an artist or band (indie or mainstream) that you make an effort to see whenever they are playing near you? Also, did you ever have the chance to be a supporting act for one of your favourite bands?
A.WEEZERの来日公演はほとんど見に行ってます。去年は大好きなカナダのバンド、SUM41のサポートをやりました。
Is there a particular venue and/or city in North America that you are looking forward to playing, whether or not you will actually be playing there during this tour? Why?
A.カリフォルニア（特にサンフランシスコ）。以前自分が少しだけ住んでいたことがあるのと、今でも友達が住んでるから。
With that in mind, is there a venue or city in Japan which you (individually, or as a band) would consider your favourite to play in? Is it because of the fans, or is there some other sentimental value attatched?
A.ライブハウスはZEPP東京。理由はWEEZERを初めて見たライブハウスだから。もう分かると思いますけど、俺はWEEZERの大ファンなんです。
Have you had a chance to play with any of the bands that are also on the SXSW Japan Nite bill, or the Japan Nite US Tour? If so, where? And how was the experience?
A.イベントやフェスで多少交流のあるバンドもあれば、STANCE PUNKSとはレーベルメイトなのでツアーサポートをしたことも、してもらったこともあります。
The bands of Benten have become mainstays in American indie clubs, but seem to have made less of an impact on the music industry as a whole (though not necessarily a bad thing). Do you see Ellegarden continuing to stay on the independant side of the scene here — continuing gigs with future Japan Nite tours? Or do you have greater — perhaps mainstream — ambitions on this side of the Pacific?
A.継続的にリリースやツアーをしたいなぁと思ってます。次回からはイベントがらみでなく。もちろんその結果多くの人に音楽が届けば言うことはないです。ただ俺たちは日本でもインディーズだし、メジャー・インディーズという線引きがよく理解できてなかったりします。
Also, with the continued exponential growth of Ellegarden in Japan, the band has been gaining a reputation among fans of Japanese music in North America. Can we expect domestic (North American) album releases eventually?
A.日本国内では昨年４月にリリースされた”RIOT ON THE GRILL”が２００６年１月に米国でリリースされました。
Once again, thank you for your time. I hope Ellegarden has great success during the Japan Nite tour and at SXSW. I will do my best to promote, and make that possible.
A.ありがとうございます。現地でもしお会いできたら嬉しいですね！
