Aoi - COME UP or BOUND UP!?
I found some confidence because now I can produce a sound that I want
At present, the GazettE are on a national, 23-venues tour for their album “DIVISION”, which started with a live performance in Yokosuka Geijutsu Gekijou on October 8th. What did Aoi grasp during the tour, which is titled “LIVE TOUR 12-DIVISION- GROAN OF DIPLOSOMIA 01”? What kind of changes happened to the band’s sound, which resulted from the band’s contact with dubstep? It has been 10 years since the GazettE was formed. With that background, Aoi will tell us about the changes that he felt.
Q: Your first live performance in Yokosuka was really good. I heard only good reviews about it.
The first day was good. I think we could make a great start.
Q: For the first live performance you said that”as expected it feels like the first day”,but you said “we could make a great start” because you felt the great response. Was your feeling towards giving the first live performance different from usual?
I don’t think about very complicated things. In the end, it was about balance. Balance, and also the sound quality. How to say it, I feel like it’s not my job to do it. That time, Ruki and Uruha took the initiative, but they don’t really meddle with the details. That time we had a sense of stability, so there was a feeling that we should aim high. To be honest, at that time I didn’t really pay attention to the details. Maybe it’s correct to say that I left it to others.
Q: So you devoted yourself to your guitar play.
Right. But you know, I used to hate practicing, until now.
Q: I can’t believe it. You do practice often, don’t you?
No no no, only recently. Until now, even for tours I hated practicing.
Q: Really?
Really, really. (in practices) Don’t you have to keep doing the same thing over and over again? That’s why, I’m the type who would think “I want to go home soon” (laughs) But this time I had no such thing, and the moment the sound came out it felt good, and I felt that it was fun. This time, even one sound can change so much, so it was fun just to make the sound. And because it was fun to have 5 people making some sound together, the costume rehearsal was fun. I could concentrate on the rehearsal without worrying about things. Being able to do things that I can do, I had a lot of fun. It was simply enjoyable.
Q: Now that you performed it live, did your feelings towards the album changed from when you made it?
Ummm.. I wonder.. I think, it sounds better live. The CD is finished as a CD, and of course there are good things about it, but I feel that the album feels more dynamic live. If you ask why, maybe because in live performances the good aspects and the “live” aspects also come out. We’re using more sound source than usual, so sometimes we want to make it close to the CD, and when needed we hold it down. Because the sound source is also one charm (of the album). It’s also something that we want to show to people who have been really listening to the album. And it’s not like we’re super conscious about it, but it came out naturally. Right. I think it really became a live version. We also got good responses from the audience. It was so good, I was like, “really?” (laughs). If they were already this happy from the first performance, then what about towards the end of the tour? I think it’s good. Until now, everywhere we got similar responses. I’m so happy.
Q: The current situation is really good. By the way, during the album interview, you said, I didn’t get dubstep, so I didn’t know what is good about it. What is dubstep, anyway? That’s where we started.” Did putting some dubstep change the GazettE?
I think so~ Because recently I also started learning it~ that kind of step recording, I mean. It’s not like I’ve never done it before. During our indies era, when we didn’t have money, we put the horn section and all by ourselves. But, it was like a plus alpha for our band sound, right? That’s why, even though I’ve done it before I’ve never done it firmly. But I think it’s interesting. I have to learn more.
Q: Was it because you challenged yourself to do it?
Q: Was it because you challenged yourself to do it?
Right. Because you know, I really didn’t get it. Dubstep, I mean. That’s why during the music interview, even though the word “dubstep” came a lot of times, it wasn’t me who said it, and at first I was trying to let go (of that topic) by saying, “I don’t know”. But, during tour or recording sometimes I get some free time. Like when we’re moving from one place to another. During that time, I listened to dubstep artists, and when I listened to it closely, the thing that we’re trying to do in this album… doesn’t it sound like dubstep? Somehow, I thought, the kind of music we’re doing won’t come up anywhere, right?! We have that kind of technique or something. However, the music style itself, the so-called substep itself is completely different from our music. I think, the GazettE’s sound is easier to associate and you can see the background better. As I think, for the band, and even Ruki and Uruha, we emphasis on the sounds that have some undulation. So, that’s why in the end I liked the sound that we came up with more.
Q: In other words, not pure dubstep, but the album this time is like the GazettE sound with some dubstep nuances. That’s why you love it.
That’s right. This is my own impression of dubstep, but I feel like somehow it’s like the same sound over and over. And then, in the repeating sound you put some changes and all… maybe that is dubstep. I don’t think I will make (music) just like that ne. If we do it like that, I won’t do it. Because, as I thought, I can’t that music. Because, basically I like the live sound of a band. During the album interview, Ruki said, “I wanted to combine band sound with dubstep”, right? I finally understand the meaning of it recently. That’s why, they didn’t want to make (dubstep sound) just like that, but how to combine the kind of technique or sound used in dubstep with the band. I thought, “So, Ruki was saying this in the interview”. Finally I understood. I thought of that during the tour.
Q: So it’s not like you understand it since the beginning. Saying (that kind of thing) honestly is so like Aoi-san. Indeed, you said “I don’t know” during the album interview. That time you were also being honest ne.
Right. Somehow, in the beginning I thought, “what is good (about it)?” Even though they (Ruki and Uruha) told me something like, “dubstep is good, you know”. I thought, “do you really think this is good? do you understand it?” Because I didn’t understand it. But this time, by my own initiative I wanted to know so I listened to a lot of dubstep music, and then I understood what they were saying. Well, music is a taste, so it’s natural if there is likes and dislikes. I still don’t listen to dubstep because I like it, but even for the people who think that it’s good, as I thought, it’s not like they want to take the GazettE into “that” direction. I really understand it now. As I thought, everyone really think about the band. That’s why, even I who know nothing about dubstep could get into our current sound and like it. And, because of that, I think we came up with something that can reach the audience. Right? How is it, today’s interview? Isn’t it super cool?
Q: Ahahaha. It’s cool. It’s super cool (laughs)
Isn’t it? (laughs). Even though I concluded it coolly, I didn’t deliberately make it like that. It’s my real feeling, so there’s no need to worry (laughs)
Q: I’m not worrying (laughs). Because at first, you thought, “what the hell is dubstep”
Right, right. Kao no?*1
Q: Babu*1
Yes. That is correct (laughs). But, the me who said “I don’t know” regarding that music isn’t good either. Even though it wil take some time, unless I don’t do something so that I understand it, I can’t move forward. In that sense, I feel like I’m the same with people who study diligently.
Q: That is some wise words. Your heart has changed.
Yes. That’s right. Now I have fun making some dub recording too. Because it’s a machine with some knobs, just by touching it the sound changes, it’s interesting. Now I can enjoy it.
Q: Did you challenge yourself to compose some songs using that?
Right. I made, a bit.
Q: Will it ever see the light of the day?
Well… if I got an ok from other members ne (laughs)
Q: Did you show it to them?
No, not yet. I haven’t put the guitar sound either. (during tour) I didn’t bring my laptop so I made it using iPad. Now it’s really amazing ne, I can do anything with iPad (laughs). But I think, that song can be made cool. In other words, no matter what the genre is, if we can turn it into something that we like, then it’s good. There’s no need to make it as it is. And it’s like, in music we don’t have to be strict.
Q: I agree. The listeners also agree with you don’t they? I think they won’t like it if you put 100% of yourselves into a certain genre.
I think so, too. Even though everyone likes the band, so they listen to us and watch our live performances.
Q: It’s like, they listen to your music because they like the GazettE ne.
That’s right. Well, it’s not only us, I think it’s the same with other bands too. For example, if we’re like, “we’re going to do R&B”, it’s not like they want to listen to R&B itself, the most important is the band flavor. If the members say, “Let’s do R&B, or let’s make dub recording our main thing”, I won’t like it either. I think it’s the same for the listeners. Because in the end, it’s about the band.
Q: I agree
“Then, why don’t you quit being a guitarist and become a DJ instead?” maybe some people would say such thing.
Q: I see. By the way, before you said, you are changing your sound one by one, that is also a change ne?
That’s right. Like, seeing the image of each parts. I’ve been doing it for years, but recently it has become more concrete. I feel like my sound has totally changed. Like, during this tour, I asked the staff, “Did my sound change?”. And everyone said, “right, it has changed”. But, it’s in order, and it’s ok if I put my own flavor in it. Before, I tried to match my sound with Uruha’s, but as expected, we are different players so it didn’t happen. Before, we were also like, let’s just match the sound pressure level in our amps. But, as expected, it’s only like blurring the edge, so there was no significant impact whatsoever. We were like that before, but now I don’t care about such things anymore. I think it’s ok just like that, and that is interesting. Even thought we are the GazettE, regarding the sound, I think every member is good by himself. I want to make such album. Not just album, single is ok too, though. Now, in the end, we’re like, how the members approach a certain song. I want to make a song so that the members don’t “approach” it, but “connect” to it. We released “DIVISION” and are now on tour, and now the band can do things like this, so I think it will be interesting if we can reflect it in our works. It will become a work, and a product, won’t it? We’ve been in this for 10 years, so challenges are scary ne.
Q: (laughs). That’s tru. I understand.
It’s weird but maybe, the quality will go down?
Q: Because you do something new.
RIght. If we do it, we have to put all into it, ne. In that sense, the current style is really easy ne. I mean, approaching the song. But, if someone asks me, “then, what kind of sound is Aoi’s?” then it’s a sound that I can’t answer. With our current sound. It’s not like I’m against it, you know. Because, more than “my sound” it’s “the GazettE’s sound”.
Q: Because you’re deliberately doing it.
That’s right. We’ve been doing this for 10 years, and I appear as a player. Like, in a magazine or a special feature. And if that time, someone asks me, “what kind of sound is Aoi’s”, I want to have something that I can use as a name card. After 10 years being in this band, I could now see a lot of things. And I think playing with sounds is also fun. Of course it’s also fun to play games with everyone, but I also want to do something musician-like for fun.
Q: Have you suggested it to the other members?
I haven’t. Won’t that kind of thing be troublesome. I mean, composing songs.
Q: Eh?! Don’t you want to do it? (laughs)
Ummm (laughs) That’s right, but… (laughs) Maybe it’s interesting if I can do something like that outside of work. But you know, for such thing, I’m the laziest (laughs). If someone tells me to do it, I would probably say, “there’s no need. it’s troublesome”.
Q: Even though you said so assertively?
Right, right. It depends on my mood at that time (laughs). And when the peak has passed, I would be like, I’m so sluggish. It’s like, even though it’s my day off, why am I working (laughs). Because it would end up being a work ne. That is, well… But you see, after 10 years it’s not like we started something new, but I think it’s also good if we have something like that. But, if it becomes a product, then I think everyone will be serious about it (laughs). That’s why I’m playing alone now. That’s why during our fanclub tour last time, sometimes I play some stuffs of my interest. I also buy my pick-up myself and make some modifications. Before I changed it little by little, but starting from this tour I’m changing it completely. I changed it completely. Now I can do it, so it’s a lot of fun. That’s right, now I finally understand guitar. It hasn’t been a year since I understood it. Until now I’ve always brought a lot of equipments during tour, but now I only bring one carry bag and a small effector. I can do it now that I understand guitar.
Q: The mental change seems to be quite big
I think so. Before, strangely, I used to have inferiority complex. Everyone wants to give a good live performance and make some interlude or SE, and then I would be pouting. Sometimes I would even end up saying “I never heard of this”. Sometimes I wouldn’t talk to some members at all the whole day, either. Because I was in that kind of atmosphere, well, it’s not like they were holding back, but such things also happened. But at one time it became quite bad.
Q: Was that because you shut yourself off?
RIght. Or rather, I was stil childish. Maybe I was pouting to the band. Maybe it was a stage of fatigue. But, for this tour, I feel like we are making it together. Because it’s the first time for me, being in this for 10 years. Maybe I couldn’t keep up with the band’s flow, and was feeling bad. Regarding the speed of the band’s progress… the point is, even when I still don’t understand the band just kept progressing. That’s why I felt like saying, “don’t do things as you please”. At one point I was like that. Even though it was my own problem, I attacked other people. However, now I have no such things anymore.
Q: If you had thought like that, you wouldn’t have checked up on dubstep, and listened to it either.
Right. I really think so. I won’t even think of learning it. Now I’m like, it’s my first time so I want to know what it is about. Before, I wouldn’t do anything even if I don’t know. Maybe. Like, I’m not interested in it anyway. But I thought, it’s really up to me. If I ask, Ruki will tell me properly. So, now I can finally face it. Maybe I’m the one who had changed the most. But that is because now I understand what kind of sound I want to make, and can produce the sound that I want to make, that’s why now I have some self-confidence. It’s really important. I think my current situation is really good. I want to be able to play more and more from now on with other members.
Credit : http://nobishonennolife.tumblr.com/
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