The Bonkurasu Brigade

Once again “tannoy5″ from the Perfume City Forums has provided a translation of an interview from the music magazine, “Ongaku to Hito”. Credits to him and his translator Yosuke Yamamoto!

(Editor: sentinel011)

Perfume Interview from –Ongaku to Hito-

*NOCCHI
*A-CHAN
*KASHIYUKA

-So, when did you guys record your new single, One Room Disco?

A: When was it? In January, maybe??
N: Yeah, it was in this year.
A: Oh, no no no. It was last year.
K: Last year??
A: Yup, it was last year. We were too busy to remember things (lol).

-How did you feel about this song when you listened to first time?

N: I thought the main melody was pretty sound. It sounds like capsule back in the old days. Nakata-influenced song.
A: I really liked it! Sounds cool!!
K: My first impression was that this song is very simple. There was no intro at first, actually. It was very peaceful and calm sound like in spring. This song, however, had changed a lot when Nakata-san finished up this song.

-How do you feel when you hear the word, One Room?

N: I could easily relate to this song because I felt exactly like this song’s lyrics when I moved to Tokyo. We each had individual bedrooms, but it was so small. I feel that it’s my strongest image in this song.
A: My neighbors called this dormitory a jail, but our earthquake survival system was perfect (lol).

-W-Why?

A: That dormitory was practically a dump (lol). We thought we gonna die if big earthquake hits here. There were some cracks on the wall outside, but we thought that was design of the dormitory (lol). So, we were always making ready for disasters.
N: Yeah, we collected every single item for that.
A: (lol), yeah. Water, flashlights…
K: A crazily noisy alarm too (lol).
A: We wrote how to escape from this dormitory on the board (lol).
N: I may chicken out at the last moment and I may not even be able to scream, so I put a flute, to be on the safe side (lol).

-What a crazy memory (lol).

K: But I was very happy that I could have my own room. I remember I took pictures of my empty room and sent them to my mom via e-mail.

-What kind of image do you have in the word “Disco”?

A: Oh, I actually didn’t know what the word means and I asked them. It’s like “ Jingle, Jingle, Jingle, Jingle, Jingle, OOOHH♪.

-That sounds like Juliana (90’s Japanese Club Music)

A: It’s more like a “ You can dance~♪” chime.

-You mean ABBA…

A: I think everyone has their own images of “Disco”. So, I hope this song can bring about many images.

- Did Nakata-san say anything during the recording?

N: He was bragging his lyrics.
A: He told us you can forget about music a little bit but not musc.

-The B-side song, “23:30”. This song contains very reality lyrics for you guys like the other song, “Negai”.

K: Nakata-san…. What were you thinking? (lol)
N: I know. Why does he make us sing this kind of songs?
A: It’s kinda embarrassing, isn’t it?
K: It’s like “we feel so sentimental”
N: I know. Because we say “Love me”. It’s “Love me” not “I love you”. It’s too sexy.
A: But I’m not singing the song while thinking so.

-Ahahahaha

A: Because we have to memorize the lyrics and sing it ASAP. So, we always don’t have the time to look at it. If I try to read and understand the lyrics deeply, I always want to make it mine, and its not the way Perfume usually sings. But when I read the lyrics once more, they are kinda deep.

-They are deep indeed. The song, “Negai”(Wish), is not like “Dream” or “Longing”, and it seems very close to your life.

N: Yes, we are not 9th graders. We are 20.
A: I am not 20 yet. I can’t imagine.
K: Your birthday is the day after tomorrow. (lol)

-About the lyrics, do you feel that it is actually revolving around you (girls)?

K: Yes, I do. I was able to understand and express the lyrics more. For instance, when I was in actor’s school, I was singing about love, but I can express love more now. I didn’t know what really love is back in the days. I do express not only happiness in love, but also some sadness, or pain in it.

-You are growing up then.

A: If we were younger, we might not be able to express the song as compared to now.

-Do you having fun with changing like that?

K: Yes, we widen our styles. For instance, we are singing about hopeful song like “Dream Fighter,” and we are singing about very little things which everybody has experienced in life, like song called “One Room Disco,” “23:30.” That is because we are able to sing more than one genre now.
N: Yes. Not only singing, but also dance.
A: Thanks to the staff, we are growing up and changing positively.
N: Yet sometimes I feel that some songs don’t sound like Perfume still, like “Negai.”
A: I love that song!
N: Me too!

-(lol). You guys sound like it’s due to somebody’s fault. Well, your live performance in Yoyogi is coming. How you feel about that?

N: We are so excited about it. During a meeting, we are giving a lot of suggestions on what we want to do. I wanna surprise the audience! Not only performance-wise but also staging, including light!
K: You’ll be amazed once you see us at Yoyogi (lol).

-A lot of stage effects too, I guess.

K: Maybe (lol). And I want this concert to make the audience feel that they don’t wanna go home.
A: You’ll see only us on stage this time too. The stage is huge, but only us. So, I don’t wanna the stage look empty.
N: I wanna enjoy concert with 25,000 people as a big family.

-You guys have specific visions and things you want to do as Perfume now.

A: Yes. We were hesitant to say our opinions in the past. But it’s different now. Saying and trying new things make Perfume’s level up.
K: We are learning and growing positively, slowly but surely.

NOCCHI

-Do you think that the concert at the Budoukan and Kouhaku last year were one of the most important events to mark the start of a new phase in your career?

N: Yes, Budoukan and Kouhaku were our amongst our goals. We; however, are ready to go to the next level.

-How do you feel about those concerts?

N: It was very successful. Especially after Budoukan, I felt a bit lost, but gradually I got my motivation back. Next concert is at Yoyogi. Our staff always set specific goals for us, so that we don’t have to get lost.

-How do you think you have changed after going through those experiences?

N: Hmm… I just noticed I do not think too much about these things. I get easily nervous when I start thinking.

-Is that meaning you sometimes doubting yourself that you are actually in the entertainment world?

N: Yes. I sometimes feel weird when I am working with one of my favorite comedians, Daisuke Miyagawa. Before I start being happy about it, I tend to analyze myself with calm-attitude. When I see A-CHAN and KASHIYUKA are happy for my work, I am pleased about myself obediently.

-I think that means you start feeling a stronger sense of responsibility than before.

N: I guess so. I sometimes wonder why I am dressed in disguise during private time.

-What is your opinion of “23:30,” or “Negai”?

N: I thought these songs don’t sound like Perfume. I love the song “Macaroni,” I was so happy when I listened to this song. I also thought that Nakata-san tried to make us to express more grown-up Perfume.

-How did you feel when you actually performed those songs?

N: I empathized with the lyrics. “23:30” is the time right before the new day is coming… It is the last minute we can take the last train in that day…

-Do you see yourself in those songs?

N: Well, I do not feel that exactly yet, but I think that I am getting older slowly but surely. But my image is that we are always on the same ship. We are on Nakata-san’s ship now, so I don’t think we are changing. I just hope we are not stopping or changing. I wanna keep feeling how I feel right now.

-How do you think of Perfume’s “right now”?

N: The most important thing for us is to keep having fun with three of us . I do not want to do concerts that is sad or hollow. It is not about how many people attend, but the intensity of the fans’ emotions and ours. I wanna keep singing as long as I feel that ‘intensity’ and response.

-So, you need to feel fans’ response during concert.

N: Yes. Our stage is getting bigger, and it keeps increasing the distance with us and the audience. I feel sad about it; however, I always feel that hype and intensity from the audience every time. I love when I taste a sense of unity with audience during the concerts.

-Do you feel you are learning from every single experience?

N: Yes I do. 9 years have passed since Perfume was born. …Wow, if I was not in Perfume, how was I going to be? …Japanese gang maybe (lol)

- lol

N: Yeah… But I love how I am right now. I; however, am trying not to forget the common sense… I mean, I am trying not to become a diva or to be excited too much. I just wanna concentrate on “right now.” I don’t want to regret anything. I don’t want to look myself back, and also I do not want to guess or see my future. Now is the most important and best time for me.

-Have A-CHAN and KASHIYUKA changed since 8 years ago?

N: I guess so… Do I sound like an adult (lol)? Well, since we are always together, I don’t know honestly, but they have grown up.

-When do you feel like that?

N: They are very responsible; they can say their opinions. They are very caring towards their family and people around them.

-I think you have changed in that way too.

N: Not really, because I haven’t sent the birthday e-mail to my dad. But I will.

-So you don’t feel that you’ve changed?

N: I am gaining responsibility and confidence little by little. I feel more comfortable to communicate with people. I’m not scared anymore. I wonder if it’s coming from confidence.

-I see. I remember you once told me that you don’t like to talk to people that much.

N: Yes, but I don’t feel like that anymore.

-Why did you wanna sing in front of people even though you were afraid?

N: I didn’t have confidence, so I couldn’t make decision or anything. Now; however, I realize these opportunities get me out of my shell.

-So you think Perfume gives you the chance to break out of your shell?

N: I think so. It is encouraging that I have 2 great friends with me, especially with A-CHAN helping me so much.

-How did she help you?

N: She is the person who can find others’ charming points and bring them out. Also she understands me very well. I didn’t have courage and I didn’t think I have talent before I met A-CHAN. Now, I feel relieved on stage.

-So, you mean you can see yourself more because someone needs you?

N: I think it’s very important to be conscious about that for anything.

*A-CHAN

-How do you feel about the turn of events last year?

A: It was very high-flying year for us. We achieved several of our goals, and I think more people got to know about us. Some people who don’t know member’s name, call us as a position when we are singing, like “middle, right and left (lol).”

-(lol). How did you feel right now after you achieved your goals?

A: I was just happy, but also I couldn’t believe it. It’s so surreal. We have been spending a difficult and challenging time for the past 8 years. During that time, it was very difficult to gather 100 audience. Now 10,000 people attended our concert. It’s just a big step for us, and I was just touched by every single success we have experienced over the past year. I cried a lot (lol). I just realized that some people just cry when they cannot express a big happiness.

-Have you gotten confused or anxious because of that big success?

A: Well, we usually do not see our plans very clearly. If we saw our future too clearly, we might get anxious or pessimistic, but this system worked well to us for now. I didn’t get any negative feelings like that. That is why we just enjoy ourselves during concerts, even if it is in Budoukan.

-Wow. So, do you think it is actually events or environment which is changing, but not you guys.

A: Yes. I started feeling this since “love the world,” Our basic style about music is not changing, but people around us are changing positively, like magic.

-I guess I am one of them who had been enchanted (lol).

A: (lol). Yeah, the same team who has been performing the same music. The only thing which had changed for us is heavy make-up (lol). It’s been 8 years… The way of seeing things might have changed individually, but not as a team. I am very glad when people said that they like our old tunes, simple because it means that our activities and music has get recognition.

-Do you feel heavier responsibilities and increasing confidence when you receive recognition?

A: You are absolutely right. Our staff however, are trying to be calm about it because they do not want us to feel burdened by that responsibility. We are just being very careful about the things we cannot say on TV (lol).

-(lol).

A: We sometimes do make a slip of the tongue… scary…(lol).

-But don’t you just realize your situation or positions now, because of those experiences?

A: Yes, we do. We, however, are very scared to break our style or routine

-Scared?

A: Yes. We are constantly doing new things though, including costumes and dances. We tried to express more a feminine dance on the song called, “Take me, take me,” during the live. We were too young to do that in the past, but now, we look pretty okay. So, this change is scary for us, but I guess we are trying new things little by little.

-So you are saying that you want to accept some change, yet age-appropriate.

A: Yeah, but not too much. We always wanna be just Perfume the way people or fans want us to be. If people like our style now, we just gonna keep it at that. If people come to dislike our style, I guess that is the time for us to review our actions. We just wanna keep doing our best every single time.

-Do you feel that you are needed by people?

A: Yes, that is my style now. If we were doing music for just for our own ego, we wouldn’t get as many audiences as now. For example, if I wrote the lyrics, some my fans would like it, but I don’t think I can write good lyrics like Nakata-san does, and not many people will like it. Hardcore fans, maybe. So, I would like to do my best for everything that is needed by others, and I wanna bring an end to the expectations. We have experienced before that we weren’t needed for a long time. So, if people are interested in us, I wanna do anything for them. I feel very strongly about it in my heart.

-Well, I think you have been doing a great job on that.

A: I’m glad to hear that. I’m on the front page today too. I’m very happy but I don’t know what to do. I was thinking too much last night, and I finally went to bed at 3 a.m. and woke up at 6 a.m. in the morning…

-Lack of sleep(lol).

A: I was so nervous. I would like to do my best for people who need us. I feel appreciated to anything and anyone more than before, because we’ve been through so many tough situations. I believe that I have much more different experiences compared to other girls my age.

-Again, I’m proud of you because you didn’t go wrong.

A: Yeah (lol). I was either stupid to know or I was just so happy to be with Nocchi and Kashiyuka. I was not that greedy to become famous.

-Is the reason you concentrate on the live concerts more than TV because you wanted to feel that you are needed?

A: Perhaps so. I’ve been looking up to SPEED (a Japanese Singer Group), because they were top of idols. But I just noticed that music is a way to communicate to people strongly by having more experiences. Then I was really happy that people loved me through music.

-So you actually felt a stronger relationship between you and people.

A: Yes. They keep supporting me and I never felt like this. It wasn’t a fake, but real. So, today’s Perfume are made of all the people who appreciated and continue to support us.

*KASHIYUKA

-Did you have enough rest during New Year’s?

K: Yes, But now I feel I want to work more (lol). We were very busy at the end of the last year but we had more time to take a rest and working was slow during January and February. I was happy that I could relax but was worried at same time. I got nervous thinking what if we couldn’t get busy anymore (lol).

-So, you are still worried.

K: Of Course! I think I’m thinking that way recently because I just don’t want to have a big head. So, this feeling makes me keep working hard, I guess. I should have that kind of alarm.

-So that’s how you are controlling yourself.

K: Yes. My mom always says “You are always hanging from the cliff”. She said, “ You have to work harder because you guys are about to fall off!” So, I think I cannot forget to have that drive (to keep working hard).

-So, it was a good lesson when you are not famous.

K: Yes, having confidence always is one of my biggest goals always. I learned that I cannot be afraid to make mistakes because we’ve done a lot of big things.

-Are you more confident and feel more responsible than worried?

K: I think so, because we cannot go forward if we are worry too much. We’re not writing lyrics or composing music, so we have to do what we can with faith. We became stronger; we’ve changed for the past year. We gained stronger awareness on making fans happy and we are serious. As I want to do things without regrets, we’ll have to do our best.

-So, people around you actually have big influence to you.

K: Yes. There are so much more talented people than me out there, but everyone is confident, and they have their own unique character. I, however, was asking myself “in what way am I unique’, and the answer didn’t come up easily. So that is why I just wanna do my best for everything to be confident. That is my responsibility to stand on stage as a member of Perfume.

-More than before.

K: I was still doing my best before, but it wasn’t enough, I guess. Since people love themselves a lot, I was making a lot of excuses back then, but not now.

-You are strict towards yourself.

K: Things have to be changing, and I don’t wanna be caught off guard when it comes. I can move fans by doing live performances, but I don’t have enough strength to make changes and improvements by myself. So at least I would like to have more knowledge and be able to have my own ideas.

-Is that your goal now?

K: Yes, I would like to have creative ideas with good reasons.

-I think you became more…

K: Matured…

-(lol). Do you think A-Chan and Nocchi have become more matured too?

K: I think so. We can think on what we should do and what we need to do as Perfume.
One of our most important things as Perfume is that we should feel and know Nakata-san’s compositions and express them perfectly. We, however, can express our individual unique characters in music videos, make-up, costumes, and live performances.

-Those things bring you greater responsibility.

K: You are absolutely right. So, it is almost impossible to kill our anxieties completely (lol), and it is very difficult to be confident. I sometimes still go crazy like what should I dooooooooo (lol).

-(lol).

K: I am always doing reflections by myself at home…alone…(lol).

-But at least you are thinking about your past, future and the present.

K: Back in those days, I was just think too much and stuck with it for a long time, but I am trying to be more active on it these days. After I turned into 20 years old, I’m trying to go out more often and talk to people. Oh, yeah! Did I tell you I am a big fan of Fuji-kun, the vocalist in the Japanese band “Bump of Chicken”?

-Yeah, I heard that 100 times (lol).

K: I met him!! At my friend’s birthday party! I was soooooo happy!!!

-What did you talk about?

K: I asked him, what’s on your mind when you are writing music? A serious and deep topic, even though we are just met (lol).

-(lol). Talking to new people broadens your horizon.

K: Yes. Everybody has their unique view towards life, and I became aware on people affecting positively to others via conversations.

-I see.

K: I was thinking about my strengths, which cannot be taken or stolen from me , yet I couldn’t think of a use of it. But I have very strong feelings that I wanna part of Perfume. That is my strength in life.

-Your strong love for Perfume is what makes you likable, I suppose.

K: I hope so. That is why I am concentrating on work harder after Budoukan. Now are getting recognised, and I do not wanna lose myself or progress due to any reason. I want to see and acknowledge myself as KASHIYUKA in Perfume, as Yuka Kashino in person, just a twenty-year-old woman. That is very important to me right now,to understand myself better.

-And you continue to do so.

K: Yup! I’m getting better at that now(lol).

====

Translation notes:
The -san prefix refers to ’sir’ or ‘MR’.

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