[MAGAZINE] Kawashima Noel (Travis Japan) - Myojo (August 2023) (Part 3)

[dreamweavernyx]

Part 3!

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Travis Japan’s worldwide debut was confirmed!

After becoming a 7-member group, the group’s fortunes went on an upswing. “Johnny’s Jr. Channel” was commenced, and the stageplay “Toraja” in which you were the starring act was announced. At “Johnny’s ISLAND Festival”, you stood on the same stage as Snow Man and Naniwa Danshi.

It was apparent to us as well, when the group began to gain momentum. At the same time, we were well aware that this momentum wasn’t something we had brought about on our own. This momentum had been birthed from the fans pushing us onwards, going, “Travis, do your best!”, and I felt bad that our skill levels couldn’t catch up to the amount of support we were receiving. During that period, we took part in “Johnny’s ISLAND Festival”, and Shime told us: “Shall we all go for a meal after rehearsal ends? Let’s have a serious talk.”

What kind of things did you talk about?

We talked about how we had to acknowledge that our skill was lacking. That we would disappear if we kept going on the way we were.

3 months after you had that talk, Snow Man and SixTONES’ debut was announced.

I kind of expected that to happen. But even so, I cried tears of frustration then. Thanks to those tears, I came to realise that I’d been keeping a lid on my true feelings, my true desire that I wanted to debut. Up till that point, I’d been thinking that even if we didn’t debut, there might be a path for us to keep on going as a group. But as my tears flowed, I realised that I’d been averting my eyes from my true dream. Ever since that day, I resolved to myself that I would work towards debut with everything I had. At the same time, I resolved to stop comparing myself to others. I wanted to debut. But it’s not like I had to compete with the other groups in terms of how quickly we got to debut. We’d just aim to become the kind of ideal idol group that we thought we would want to become, and work towards our debut that way. In order to do that, we still had some growing to do. That’s why we told the agency that we wanted to train in America. We’d heard from many seniors in the agency, such as Yara (Tomoyuki)-kun, that you really learn a lot from lessons overseas. Actually, there had been a plan for us to go over to America in 2020, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic that plan didn’t materialise,

At that time, what did you imagine your training in America would look like?

What we’d had in mind was that we would go over for a month and learn dance, and then use those improved dance skills once we’d returned to Japan to help improve recognition of our group, and work towards our debut that way.

However, what was announced in March 2022 was an open-ended period of training in America.

Honestly, we felt really uncertain. We had to bring all of our activities and work in Japan to a complete halt. If the period ended up being lengthy, there was a possibility that the fans might even forget about us. Further, if we were to be criticised for our dance abilities in the birthplace of dance, there was a chance that such criticism might cause some irreparable damage to the group. We did feel that kind of fear.

But even so, you decided to head to America?

It was something that we as a group absolutely had to take on. In order to ensure that Travis Japan would continue to exist, we had to improve our skills. So even if we felt uncertain because of the lack of a confirmed end-date (to the training period), none of the members were opposed to the training trip.

And so, you headed to America. At the time you arrived, 27 March, the group took third place at the WOD (WORLD OF DANCE) preliminaries, and received a ticket to the competition finals, all while still suffering from jetlag.

We were happy about that. What we’d cultivated as part of Johnny’s had been approved by the birthplace of dance, America. What we’d been developing and working on hadn’t been in the wrong direction. We felt very proud that we’d proven that Japanese idols can hold their own.

Of course, the struggles you faced when living together in America from then on must have been unimaginable.

It was really tough, you know. There’s no point glossing over that. We were really living together. I mean, up till then we’d be together when we had work. But to be in an unfamiliar environment, to be under the pressure to deliver impressive results, and to be around each other 24/7, we were no longer able to hide away parts of ourselves from each other. During the period when we were living together, I discovered many things about the members that I hadn’t known before. I also had no choice but to show parts of myself that I’d not shown before. But even so, I didn’t come to dislike any of the other members - rather, I thought that even if there was one thing I couldn’t accept about them, there were 10 other things about them that I loved. To be living together in America, an unfamiliar country, was an experience that no other group has had. To have made it through that is something that gave me confidence, and which fills me with pride.

You made it through great challenges too, didn’t you.

In the end, Shizuya’s situation was the greatest challenge for us. Due to his leg injury, his mental state was truly not in a good place. In that moment, rest and recuperation was the most important for Shizuya. I realised that we were hoping, from the bottom of our hearts, to grasp success in America. But Travis Japan is made up of the 7 of us. Even if 6 of us achieved something, there wouldn’t have been a point to that, and we wouldn’t have been happy about it. That’s why, even though we created our formations for 6 members during WOD when Shizuya was absent, in spirit all 7 of us were taking it on together. We placed the folding fans in all 7 of our member colours on the stage, and we would pick up the folding fans one by one. We also made sure to pick up Shizuya’s as well, and we didn’t mind if the judges docked us points for that if it looked untidy for us to do so. That one thing was my own selfish wish. If you check the video, it’s not something you’ll notice at a quick glance, but without a doubt, there were 7 of us on that stage.

I’m sure that those intentions were conveyed to Shizuya-kun as well.

After the performance, we video-called Shizuya from the stage, and when we told him that we’d gotten 4th place, he laughed and told us: “I saw!” During our training period, we’d gained more than just dance skills. I think we also gained something more precious - our bonds as a group.

Do you remember what you said to Shizuya-kun when he returned in August?

Other than telling him “welcome back”, it was pretty much business as usual. Stuff like: “What should we eat for lunch? I’m thinking of getting a grilled meat bento, do you want to go together? It’s my treat, so tomorrow buy me coffee!”

How much longer did you think your training in America would last (back in August)?

At the start of September, we received the demo for “JUST DANCE!”, and were told that we would be recording our vocals for the track for performance purposes, so I’d thought at the time that our time in America would still continue on for a while longer. But then, we got sent a video by Takizawa (Hideaki)-kun. At the end of the video, it said: “Travis Japan’s worldwide debut has been confirmed!” I felt a mixture of surprise and joy. Strangely, I didn’t shed any tears. I guess I’m the type of person who doesn’t cry when I’m truly happy. The rest of the members were sobbing, and I was so busy taking care of them that I didn’t have the spare bandwidth to cry myself (laughs).

Let’s talk about “America’s Got Talent”, which you performed in while you were training in Hollywood, and which led to your debut. You performed an English version of “Yume no Hollywood”, titled “My Dreamy Hollywood”, didn’t you.

It was truly the best experience. This was a song that we received when we had hit rock bottom, and yet we got to perform it on such a grand stage. It felt like the coming of something great that had been foreshadowed in the past.

Noel-kun, during the training period, you also took charge of getting approval for the group’s filming. You shouldered on more responsibility for the sake of the group.

Since we’d ceased all of our activities in Japan for the time being, the only way we could remain connected to our fans was through Instagram, YouTube and our blogs. In particular, in order to film for Instagram and YouTube we’d need to seek specific approval. For example, if we filmed at the dance studio, it wasn’t enough to just ask for blanket permission; we had to get details such as which areas were okay to film in and which weren’t. It was something we had to do, but even so I did feel the stress of having to speak in English every day, and at the end of each day I could feel the exhaustion really set in. Despite that, if I didn’t take charge of that then the group couldn’t move forward.

You corresponded with and made presentations to the agency as well, didn’t you?

That’s right. For example, for the soundtrack we used for WOD, I thought that if we used a more Japanese sound, we would be better able to represent Japan, and represent Johnny’s. It was a track that had the power to affect our fortunes, so I wanted to arrange it without making any compromises. But of course, doing so would incur significant costs. So I made a presentation to the agency, explaining why my arrangement was so important. At the end, I even said that if necessary, I was willing to cover the cost on my own. In the end, the agency staff negotiated with the higher-ups, and we were able to get the music arranged.

Didn’t that mean that you were handling all that uncertainty and pressure on your own?

If I told the other members about my conversations with the agency it might worry them, so there were quite a few times when I didn’t tell them immediately.

Was that tough on you?

At the time, for the first time, I went to my parents for comfort. I quietly slipped out to the garage on my own and called my parents, and told them all about my worries and complaints. At that time, I realised that (my parents) really knew my personality well. They listened to everything that I had to say. It really helped a lot. I’d called them when I was just about at the end of my tether, and if they’d responded to my reasoning with any sort of counterargument I think my heart would have shattered. Our debut aside, seeking comfort from my parents for the first time was another precious experience I’d gained from this America training trip.

Noel-kun, you strike me as a disciplined person, someone who is always looking for a way forward. Couldn’t you have sought comfort from the other members, as well?

It’s not like I needed them to acknowledge my efforts on behalf of the group, or tell me that I’d worked hard. If I could do something to ease the way ahead for the other members, then I’d do everything in my power to make it happen. To me, I really feel that I’ve been kept alive by this group. It feels bad to just keep taking all the time. I wanted to become a giver, even if just a little bit. Even if that meant I might bite off a little more than I could chew, if I compare it to everything I’ve received from the other members, I’d feel like I would take on anything.

Everything you’ve received from the other members?

For example, Shizuya’s optimism has helped me through many things, and Genta broke through my previously obstinate shell. Meeting Shime really felt like a form of cultural exchange, and he taught me the importance of accepting something even if you don’t understand it. When I was a child actor, I grew up in an environment where you had to solve all of your own problems on your own, and if you didn’t know what to do you just had to think up a solution on your own. As  a result, I was really bad at asking others for answers. If I didn’t know the answer or reason for something, I would just be perplexed on my own. But, when I’m with the other members, I feel like I can ask them for the answer or reason without hesitation. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I feel glad that I’m in the same group as the six of them.

>> Part 4