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| Forum Index » Ai's News » Ai am BEST Interview with excite.co.jp |
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| khmere-smily |
 Posted: Mar 27, 2007 5:15 pm |
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甘えんぼ
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 70
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Oooh thank you for the link and photoshoots  Ai is sooo adorable  |
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| hgillstev |
| Posted: Mar 29, 2007 7:49 am |
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Happy Days
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
Posts: 117
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| wah thxs for the link! ai is so pretty!! =D |
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| Celsius005 |
| Posted: Mar 29, 2007 9:47 pm |
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Planetarium
Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 685
Location: USA
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[Sorry for the long wait! This last week of school before Sping Break has been somewhat of a pain, and thusly time to translate was reduced. I'm happy to say that the job's finally done now!  ] Happy reading, everyone!
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I didn't find this interview particularly surprising or entertaining as the previous few, but it still proved to be quite an interesting read. I suppose there isn't really anything new to expect regarding specific songs seeing that her latest album is a compilation of her history. What we get out of this interview is more like an extended diary entry as we explore Ai's inner thoughts on the subject of her career (not to mention her more personal habits  ).
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Many thanks to zyzzyva for her explanation on the tour's subtitle.
And credit for translation goes to Celsius005, please.
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Interview with Otsuka Ai
It’s been 3 years since Otsuka Ai released her debut single [Momo no Hanabira] in September of 2003. She will now be releasing her very first best album [ am Best]. The contents will mainly comprise her hit singles with an addition to make a total of 13 tracks. Furthermore the package is complete with PVs for all songs, making this the perfect compilation for her biggest fans. I say she’s got a lot in store for us this time. Through various live performances, she’s developed quite a reputation. Otsuka Ai is here with us today to participate in another interview, in which we’ll tackle from each and every angle. The theme?—“Otsuka Ai’s Dissection.”
(Interviewer/Katagai Kumiko, Photographer/Kondou Seiji, Camera/Matsuzashi Naoki)
Q: [This best album [ am BEST] contains songs starting back from your debut song Momo no Hanabira to LOVE MUSIC, the final track of your 3rd studio album [LOVE COOK]. This album has 3 years worth of your history engraved in it—What are your thoughts on this?]
A: [As opposed to this best album being a compilation of my past activities, I see it as a step toward new ideas for the future…It’s like my “business card” in a sense. Everything is inscribed into that one card. When I think about it this way, everything I’ve done for 3 years since my debut—the basics—seem to become my foundation for the future.]
Q: [I understand that your discography is composed of songs you’ve had planned way back and those you’ve just made recently. How do you decide on which songs to release when?]
A: [Each song is ready for release whenever I can say It’s time, self. If not, it’s more like Not yet, self (haha). There are times when I’ll release a song right when I’ve got it down, but other times I must wait for it to bloom like a flower… I’m a wonder.]
Q: [Of course you listen for your songs to give the word, but are there not times when it works conversely? Such that you’re in high spirits but you write a slow ballad in contrast to those feelings?]
A: [That’s something I’d like to know as well. In any case, I tend to wonder what the audience may want to listen to, or whether the audience would like to hear such-and-such song now. This is very important to consider.]
Q: [I see. So you’ve gauged your releases at a specific pace to suit each of your 3 years. Do you also preplan a certain number of singles or albums to be released in a set amount of time?]
A: [Basically, yes. I neither rush things nor slow down when it comes to releasing. I think about the best way to manage releases based on what feels right at any given time. This is my timing.]
Q: [So it’s not exactly like acting on impulse only.]
A: [This has proven to be a very good pace lately.]
Q: [Is that so. Such ideal circumstances you work under.]
A: [That’s right.]
Q: [It just crossed my mind that I’ve interviewed you countless times since your debut and I’m always learning something new (haha). I think today is a fine day for such opportunity. This may sound a bit basic, but I’d like to start off by asking what music or artists have inspired you?]
A: [These are such daring words, but I’d like to say everything has. Most of all, I think the songs that run in doramas have inspired me the most. I believe this not only because they were songs for everyone, but also because I simply had to listen to each and every song to see the trends. Even now I don’t think that part of me’s ever changed. To begin with, my life has never exactly revolved only around music. I can’t say that it wasn’t important in my life, however. Music is just one part of the whole that makes me who I am.]
Q: [In that case, what got you to start composing at 15 years old?]
A: [It all started during my lesson days when I was given orders to start composing. I suppose “taking the initiative” is one way of looking at it (hehe). When I think about it, I’ve always been told that you become someone before you realize it yourself. I never thought much of those words, but I think now that it may actually be the truth (haha).]
Q: [So would you say you owe it all to your teacher?]
A: [No, I wouldn’t say I owe everything to my teacher. I was taught the rules of music and the sensation of playing—That’s when my passion began. I say this comes in 2nd.]
Q: [Do you still get a taste of those feelings even now?]
A: [Yes. It’s just like the times when I can’t seem to compose anything. I think some things just can’t be helped.]
Q: [So everything up ‘til now as gone smoothly, would you say?]
A: [Yeah, I’m always ready to tackle new material. I’m just now going to release my best album and I’m already getting ahead of myself. This is why I said earlier that it acts more like a “business card.” Someone who doesn’t know me will become familiar through this album.]
Q: [Being only the best of yours, I’m sure it’s very easy to understand your diverse musicianship skills.]
A: [It makes me happy to know this. Upon listening, you probably wonder what goes on in my mind when I write these songs (haha).]
Q: [I’ve actually wondered that very thing.]
A: [Ahahaha.]
Q: [Amongst your songs, is there one you think served as a turning point for you?]
A: [Hmm, well all of my songs show variety. Oh, I think a lot of things point to Neko ni Fuusen. After that, I’ve been putting into my songs the same warmth people share. That’s what I think. All in all having the richness of strings in a practical studio creates a completely different feel for things.]
Q: [Speaking of the instrumentation, you’ve displayed quite a variety of instruments. Momo no Hanabira had a shamisen and Planetarium featured a bamboo flute…Where did you get the idea?]
A: [It depends. When making Momo no Hanabira my arranger Ikoman said he wanted a shamisen. Thereon after my director wanted to implement a variety of impressive instruments, so we ended up using this and that.]
Q: [When you think about it, the bamboo flute is quite the novelty (haha).]
A: [Hahaha (hehe). The sound of a flute just sort of came to my ears. At this we had Ikoman play a DoReMiFa line and went with that. At first it was like “This sucks, it’s eating up the vocals!” We ended up using it anyway though. (haha)]
Q: [So I see. (haha) Always itching to have some fun is very much your style, no? As long as the subject of Ikoman is brought up, why don’t we talk about him for a bit? What is it like to have him around? He seems to act as both creator and executioner for your songs, after all.]
A: [Hmm, he’s always around a bit too close so I don’t really know (ha). Let’s see…Of course having feedback is very important. Ikoman served as both that and a director of sorts. During Pon Pon he would issue very specific directions and orders, only to make necessary adjustments later on. He doesn’t give up and works very hard at what he does. For me, he is a vital and authentic part of the team.]
Q: [You’ve got quite a partner there.]
A: [I agree. We met when I was 19 years old, so we’ve known each other for a while.]
Q: [Next I’d like to ask about song-writing. Once before you stated that the instrumentation, such as drums and bass, is just as key to a song as vocals are. I think that vocal lines and music are handled in very different ways from one another. What goes on in your head as you’re writing music? ]
A: [I’d like to take a look at what goes on in my head as well (haha). Though I often feel I’ve got an “Otsuka Ai Co.” going on up there. There, composition, vocals, visuals, works, promotion, live performances, etc. are all managed.]
Q: [Well then, what are your impressions on the Otsuka Ai in charge of composition?]
A: [I can’t see her, so...]
Q: [Then what feedback to you get from those around you?]
A: [No one has ever seen me when I’m composing. It’s hard to write when there are people around, after all. No one other than myself knows what goes on, so I sometimes wonder if I’ve become another Beethoven (haha). Knowing the concentration required, I think it’s something that’s done all at once.]
Q: [Within the composition department, are there different branches for singles and albums?]
A: [There are. For singles I tend to be very selective of their presentation. I try to keep the wording as simple as possible.]
Q: [Is it the melody that comes to mind first as you’re writing songs?]
A: [No, both parts surface at the same time. I think that means the right side and left side of my brain are working together…]
Q: [You’re pretty adept. Did you acquire such skill from everyday life?]
A: [While it doesn’t take much skill for fingertip tasks, I could just have a knack for undertaking original composition. Afterwards the two parts will just work themselves to fit together. For example, I can’t just sit down and watch TV. I can only watch TV if I’m looking at a magazine at the same time.]
Q: [That’s a tad desirous.]
A: [Ahaha (hehe). The hand itches to do something as you’re watching TV.]
Q: [Well, that may be true…The inner workings of your head become ever so mysterious and difficult to understand (haha).]
A: [In relation to musical composition, I suppose this is most like an “internal radio”. The sounds conjured in my mind are voiced, heard by my ears, and played back on piano. This is the process I generally work with.]
Q: [I see, so this is the task of the composition department. How about the vocals department in “Otsuka Ai Co.”?]
A: [Again, this has various roles. Starting from the beginning I will vocalize low-pitch notes to high-pitch notes, practice breathing techniques, and form shapes with my mouth, but these change from time to time. Sort of like Alright, I choose this one today.]
Q: [Like, it depends on the tune itself.]
A: [Yeah, the vocal department is in charge of who sings.]
Q: [That’s almost like a producer. Do you ever consider having someone else decide that for you?]
A: [Hmm, if it could be done in 1-10 minutes then it could possibly work out—I’m not exactly sure. Right now I don’t think the timing would be punctual enough.]
Q: [So everything right now is produced by Otsuka Ai.]
A: [Yup.]
Q: [Next, what does the live performance department do?]
A: [I think it’s a lot like a trainer’s job. During a live, you can’t sing the entire concert all at once. There are limits as to how much endurance a singer has and how far you can push your throat.]
Q: [Speaking of live performances, you’ve scheduled a nation-wide tour after the release of your best album. How do think it’ll be?]
A: [Since it’s being held in commemoration of my best album, it’s feels very complete. It’ll be hectic (haha).]
Q: [Is the meaning of your subtitle 「Besutona Komento ni Meccha Ai wo Komento!!!」 one to be taken literally?]
A: [That’s what I had intended. Speaking of which, the subtitle happens to be in Osaka-ben…I hope everyone else will be okay (haha).]
Q: [Someone with Kantou roots like me can understand it so it should be okay (haha). Since you’re from Osaka, do you feel more relaxed when performing live there?]
A: [I’m not entirely sure. Osakans disapprove when they don’t like something and will shrug off things when they can. I actually think I’d feel the exact opposite—tense and standing firmly. It would be more straining to perform in Osaka than any other district.]
Q: [One last question—Not only is it your name, “Ai (love)” is a frequent theme in many of the songs in your best album, which also happens to be a namesake. Please tell us your thoughts on the word.]
A: [Mmm…lately, love and happiness have been on equal terms. “Oh my!” indeed.]
Q: [Very profound words for sure. Final thought—what kind of person do you see yourself as?]
A: [I wonder what kind of person I am…Up ‘til now, I’ve had the heart of an angel in sorrowful times, only to have happiness intervene in the end. When my heart is that of a demon’s, happiness will always become the punch line.]
Q: [But you know that such talk isn’t always good and neither are jokes.]
A: [The former can sure be painful though (haha).]
Q: [Without a balance, won’t the lack of self-control get in the way with work?]
A: [That may be true. Of course if you think of it as taking one thing into your right hand, you’ll have to eventually let go of what is already being held onto. With that in mind, it’s almost a matter of deciding whether love=happiness.]
Q: [I see, you really are one profound human being (haha). Now concludes a clean dissection from Otsuka Ai. Excite Music will continue to follow you, and until another time please welcome us with your best regards.]
A: [As to you do I say the same. Best regards.]
--
Very poetic insight we get from Ai again. And I absolutely love her closing comments!  |
Last edited by Celsius005 on Mar 30, 2007 9:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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| yukarichan |
| Posted: Mar 29, 2007 10:32 pm |
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ユメクイ
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 1061
Location: USA
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wahhhh~thanks for translating all this!
long interview. took a few minutes to read.
now that i read that no one has ever seen her composing....
I really wanna watch her composing a song.
watching TV&reading a magazine at the same time. hhaha
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| cherrydreamer00 |
| Posted: Mar 29, 2007 10:43 pm |
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Happy Days
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 105
Location: Phillipines
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| waa~ cute as always!! Nice interview... Hmm a realization has struck me there... Thank you Celsius005 and zyzzyva |
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| AnimeDad |
| Posted: Mar 29, 2007 10:57 pm |
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Happy Days
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 115
Location: Australia
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That's an awesome translation. Thanks so much, it's great to know what goes on in Ai-chan's head  |
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| yangirl |
| Posted: Mar 30, 2007 12:37 am |
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SMILY
Joined: 13 May 2005
Posts: 455
Location: Canada
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I'd expect a translation from you Celsius005; thanks a lot^^
*Now 1 thing we have in common^^ I too can't do anything good if there are ppl wandering around* |
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| sakuraangel |
| Posted: Mar 30, 2007 1:35 am |
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恋愛写真
Joined: 10 Feb 2007
Posts: 1413
Location: Canada
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| Thanks Celsius005 as well as zyzzyva for the translations, it was great to read the interview. I have a question though, when Ai-chin said "Osaka-ben" does that mean Osaka slang? |
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| Celsius005 |
| Posted: Mar 30, 2007 6:57 am |
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Planetarium
Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 685
Location: USA
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| ^ In a way, yes. I think people are more commonly familiar with Kansai-ben, but both are really talking about the same dialect. Osakans just call it Osaka-ben. |
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| rvn85 |
| Posted: Mar 30, 2007 7:45 am |
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金魚花火
Joined: 02 Jun 2005
Posts: 166
Location: Singapore
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| the more she matures... the more beautiful and better she gets! |
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| orange_ka |
| Posted: Mar 30, 2007 9:54 am |
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ユメクイ
Joined: 01 Jul 2005
Posts: 1117
Location: *mentally in: yamapi/keita's world*
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thank you so much for the translation Celsius005!!  |
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| mafee |
| Posted: Mar 30, 2007 2:13 pm |
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上塩タン焼680円
Joined: 04 Jan 2007
Posts: 341
Location: Bangkok
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Thanks, Celsius005 and zyzzyva!!
I'll translate this into Thai when I have time.
With proper credit, as always.
Edited: I've translated into Thai. My eyes sore.... And I give a big, big credit to you, Celsius005. Hehehe. Go here if you're interested what Thai letters look like.  |
Last edited by mafee on Apr 04, 2007 4:29 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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| Heisei |
| Posted: Mar 30, 2007 2:47 pm |
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上塩タン焼680円
Joined: 19 Mar 2007
Posts: 375
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
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| Hum, great job! I understand she can´t compose with anyone around... I can´t "do" music when anyone disturbs me.. Anyway, the interview was interesting, thanks for the translation. |
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| fallenrival777 |
| Posted: Apr 07, 2007 5:47 pm |
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桃ノ花ビラ
Joined: 19 Mar 2007
Posts: 28
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| she is so cute and hot!!!! |
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| cheRish<3 |
| Posted: Apr 07, 2007 5:58 pm |
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Happy Days
Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Posts: 123
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| Yay I can see the pictures =)! She looks great in all of the pictures, yay long hair<3. And thanks for translating too |
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