[MAGAZINE] Kimata Syoya (JO1) x Nishikawa Takanori - ar (January 2022)

[dreamweavernyx]

Following on from Ruki's interview I've also translated Syoya's one from the ar Magazine series! He has a special cross-talk with Nishikawa Takanori (aka T.M. Revolution), who JAMs know he's a huge fan of. They're both very cute in this interview, I couldn't help smiling / laughing while translating it. They discuss things like making music, interacting with others, and how they stay true to themselves; they also discuss a lot (a LOT) about sushi.

Brief note: The first part of the interview, consisting of the messages from Syoya to Nishikawa-san and vice versa, I've tried my best to translate them, but the typesetting of the magazine coloured the text white against a very pale background, so I couldn't see parts of it well. If I've mistranslated something because of a bit of the sentence I couldn't see, please let me know m(_ _)m

==

JO1 Meets…: Nishikawa Takanori x Kimata Syoya

Talk Theme: How they polish their true selves

A regular publication where we fulfill the long-held dreams of the 11 members of JO1. In this 2nd round, Kimata Syoya-san will fulfill the collaboration of his dreams with the hero of his heart, Nishikawa Takanori-san. Being true to themselves, their thoughts towards music, their plans from now on… it’s a special cross-talk jam-packed with love!

==

Message: Syoya to Takanori

The anime “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED” was the reason why I first started liking Nishikawa-san. My first meeting with him was when I borrowed the DVD before I entered elementary school and watched it, and heard the opening theme song “INVOKE”. I rewatched just the opening so many times. It was really so cool, so I really loved it. ♡ I remember I was particularly shaken by his singing voice. After that, I went and searched up all of Nishikawa-san’s songs! I’d always sing them at karaoke, and during lesson time I’d keep mouthing the lyrics to myself, to the point where people kept asking me if I was singing. At that time I got embarrassed and pinned it on someone else, though. Sorry about that. The culprit was me (laughs). My favourite song… JAMs would think it’s “HOT LIMIT”, right? Of course, I love that song too. But my favourite is “THUNDERBIRD”. It’s a song that let me realise I like that kind of sound. It’s even influenced the way I create music these days, and all I can say is that it’s a really good song!!

Message: Takanori to Syoya

I’ve been watching Kimata-kun since “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”, you know ☺︎ To be captured by cameras constantly while under the tough circumstances of worrying whether you’ll be able to debut, it must have been really rough on his mental state. He rose up from that and achieved debut. Now, he’s become someone whose activities I am increasingly excited to keep an eye on. I’ve seen JO1’s performances on music programmes and the like, and out of the many Japanese artists who are looking to make it worldwide, I think that they’re among the frontrunners. In between the Japanese entertainment industry and the worldwide entertainment industry there is a huge gap, and it seems tough out there. For example, in South Korea when they release new music they go through a clearly-defined period of time known as a “comeback”, but in Japan that span of time tends to be pretty short, so that might be thought of as pretty vexing. Even though I’m entirely unrelated, I’ve found myself thinking of what kind of process may suit JO1 (laughs).

==

Cross-talk

Music that’s true to himself, and his bonds with his fans, are his precious treasures

Kimata (K): Today, I’d love to be able to learn lots from Nishikawa-san, who I admire, about what you deem important as an artist, and what you always keep in mind! Right now, it’s only just a little, but I’ve begun studying how to create music too. The sound of Nishikawa-san’s music, which uses synthesisers, is really cool, and I made lots of reference to the song “THUNDERBIRD”.

Nishikawa (N): Ohhhh~, I’m happy! When we debuted, our equipment was all really big, and studying how to handle them properly was very important, but now it’s an age where as long as you have a tablet, you’re able to create music. Because it’s become so easy to casually express yourself now (though music), you should try many things. I’d also like to listen to Kimata-kun’s music someday.

K: There’s footage of me creating music on our Youtube channel, but I’m still not quite there… When I’m able to create a piece I’m proud of, I’ll be nervous but I’d love to have you listen to it!

N: Speaking of Youtube and other social media, you tend to get many opinions there, whether good or bad; how do you find that? Do you get curious about them?

K: Particularly during the audition, I was kind of in that space between a regular person and a celebrity, so I was curious about what others thought of me or what those around me were saying, and I did sometimes search them up myself. But now, I think what’s important is what I think of myself, and the attitude I’d like to present to others. That’s why even for Instagram Lives and private mails I try my best to enjoy myself, while thinking that “My fans would probably like something like this”, and keep in mind to have an enjoyable time together.

N: That’s good, that’s wonderful! There’s so many ways to interact with your fans nowadays, and it’s great to create bonds and relationships that can grow together ♪

A genre-less challenge allows your own voice to develop

K: I really admire Nishikawa-san’s voice and (singing) volume! Please teach me your usual training methods.

N: Actually, I’ve never really done things like voice training; instead, I think I just copied voices that I thought were nice, in a genre-less fashion without caring if they were female or male voices, and practiced on my own that way. When I released a best album for the 20th anniversary, I listened to my past recordings during the mastering process, and was surprised by how my voice seemed to change every 5 years or so. I tried out many different methods of vocalisation, and experienced various transition phases such as musicals and long tours, and that’s how my voice has become what it is today.

K: It’s a little impudent of me to be discussing music with Nishikawa-san, but actually, thanks to me singing T.M. Revolution’s songs from young, my throat / voice has become stronger, such that when we were determining our roles in our songs I was told “You would suit the position of a rapper”, and I tried out rap for the first time after becoming JO1, and now I have taken on the position of main rapper.

N: That’s amazing! I’m actually bad at rap, but when I’m writing lyrics I’ll unconsciously end up fitting it to a rhythm, and it becomes ‘rap-like’. So I really admire those who can rap. If you keep on pursuing rap, you’ll definitely feel the effects in your singing as well.

K: Yes! I’d love for you to hear my singing parts in our latest single as well! I’d like to learn many things, and improve both my rapping and my singing.

N: It’s fine even if you just do it with music you like, if you learn from the wonderful parts of those songs you’ll eventually be able to arrive at your ‘own’ singing voice, I think! Of course, learning the basics in voice training is also important. You should properly learn those, and apply them to find a method by which you’re able to sing easily.

K: Speaking of training, I’ve been singing T.M. Revolution-san’s songs while doing crunches, and while doing that I’ve been able to hit high notes while doing crunches!! Although once I stop I return to my lower range.

N: I’m happy if I was able to become even a little bit of a help to you (laughs). For me, I started doing muscle training because I wanted to be able to hit the same quality (of singing) in my first and my last song during long tours. When you clearly set a goal like that, it’s a lot easier to reach whatever you’re aiming for, I think.

He’ll have the dream-like collaboration meeting of his dreams while eating sushi?!

K: I’m a person who gets really nervous, and I will very quickly get shy. Nishikawa-san gives off the image of being a ‘genius of being frank’, and I really admire that too.

N: Actually, I’m also bad at communicating with other people, you know. When I appeared on TV, I would put in all my effort to flip the switch and speak. I was only able to start speaking casually to people when those around my age began to appear more on set, which was around 10 years after my debut.

K: That’s very unexpected! The conversation when you appeared on the show with Downtown-san* was so interesting, I’ve watched it many times over. I didn’t get that sense at all.

[T/N: Downtown are a famous Japanese comedian duo.]

N: Actually, at that time, I was so nervous I was on the verge of puking. Downtown were, to me, people who I admired even more than overseas artists. In a manner of speaking, I think I ended up opening a weird door / a weird side of me because my nerves were at MAX level, maybe (laughs).

K: I see… Right now I’m in that position. It still feels like a dream, like Nishikawa-san is close to me or far away from me and can’t come into focus (starry-eyed).

N: I’m thankful to be spoken of like that! But you know, at the time I was appearing on music shows alone, so I was envious of people who appeared in groups, like JO1. It’s very reassuring when you know you’re up there with your comrades. From now on, as you experience new things, I think it might be quite difficult to calmly perform in all of them, so when you’re stuck against a wall I think it’s good to rely on the others. That’s a strength.

K: I really feel relieved because I’m always able to be with the members. But because there’s 11 of us, there’s also the fear that I might end up hidden. Also, I’m together with the members so much that I can’t make (other) friends (laughs). I also want to learn more about music, but I’m not sure who to ask…

N: If you’re okay with someone like me, I’d be happy to teach you. I have many juniors around me who are good at making tracks, so we can go eat sushi and speak with some of them.

K: (open-mouthed) Eh, that’s, that’s amazing… that’s insane… my soul is about to leave my body…

N: Ahaha (cracks up). If we were able to do a feature sometime, with my singing and Kimata-kun’s rap, that would be fun, I think. I think some fate was behind our meeting today, and I’d be happy if JO1 could one day come to perform at the music event that I’m doing, “Inazuma Rock Fes”.

K: (eyes wide) Of course…!! I was already satisfied just being able to talk with you today, what should I do. I might have just used up all of my luck.

N: Kimata-kun, do you have anything you’d like to do with me?

K: Erm, I still can’t stop thinking about the thing with the sushi from earlier…

N: Let’s go, let’s go for sushi! It’s been decided! We’ll go, we’ll go (laughs). Bring along the other members too.

K: I’ll never forget those words!! (serious)

He’ll do his best to bloom where he’s placed!!

K: We’re still learning every day, but if there’s any knowledge that would help us be active for a long time like Nishikawa-san, please teach it to me.

N: I originally started my career in a band, and while we did debut it didn’t go well. During that time I started activities as a solo singer, and after that I started to receive not just singing, but more acting-related jobs such as stage productions and dramas. In the beginning, I rejected some of them saying “That’s not my field of expertise”, but when I did it I came to realise that there was a charm and enjoyment about it that I didn’t know of before. So I think the most important thing I’ve kept in mind is, to bloom with all my might wherever I’m placed.

K: That’s optimistic, and very cool! It’s a waste to decide things because “I’m this type of person”, isn’t it.

N: To be recommended by those around you, “Do you want to try something like this?”, is to receive a chance or possibility, so I’d like to challenge it without being afraid. What is something you think is important, Kimata-kun?

K: It’s eating food! I really love eating. Part of it stems from taking care of my body, but I also think it’s important to have stress-free time when you’re doing what you like.

N: That’s good, it’s important ♪ What’s your favourite food?

K: It’s sushi. My favourite sushi topping is raw shrimp! (grins)

N: Sushi, the same as me! That’s the best. It’s gluten free, high in protein, and low in fat. My favourite sushi is probably gizzard shad*. I also really like mackerel and horse mackerel, but they’re fattier so I don’t really eat them when I’m trying to lose weight (laughs).

[T/N: A type of fish (kohada).]

K: Gizzard shad… how mature!! By the way, Nishikawa-san, how do you differentiate between your on and off time?

N: H~m. I’m actually really bad at that, and right now in addition to my music activities I’m doing 6-7 different projects, including filming for TV and producing events. I’m able to naturally change my attitude when the genre of work and the people I have to meet change, I guess.

K: Right now for me, too, I think it’s fun to be thinking constantly while working. Yesterday, too, I was looking up things about music creation until morning. It seems that I love working. ♡  Thank you very much for having this precious conversation with me today! I’ve managed to receive something I’ll treasure for a lifetime.

==

Individual talk

A new start ♡ What will your 2022 be like?

Kimata Syoya

In 2021, our first audience live since our debut, which was meant to be a nationwide tour, was confined to Tokyo because of COVID-19. Even then, it was still the most glorious stage we’ve ever been on, so we put in all our effort and did our best. But someday, I’d like to be able to raise my voice and do a call-and-response with the audience. Something like “Everybody jump!”, like they do at Inazuma Rock Fes. And then everybody would jump together. Personally, I love animals so I’d love to appear on more animal programmes. And also, I’d love to meet Nishikawa-san again somewhere ♡

Nishikawa Takanori

2021 was T.M. Revolution’s 25th anniversary, but as expected due to COVID-19 I couldn’t do anything at all. In lieu of that, I’ll be active right from the start of 2022, so I’d love to create as many opportunities as possible to meet everyone, so look forward to that. I’ve been blessed with well-loved songs like “HOT LIMIT”, and have been able to be active for so long, so precisely due to that I’m happy to be able to create a new destiny with Kimata-kun today. Everyone, please believe in your own path, and try blooming wherever you are placed, okay ♪