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#Post#: 40--------------------------------------------------
Kalen's first English Interview
By: MirrorcleChild Date: October 21, 2019, 3:19 pm
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英語の初インタビ
ューです！Her
first English interview!
For more than two decades, Japanese record label Avex
(responsible for megastars like Ayumi Hamasaki, Do As Infinity
and Gackt) has been known for defining the sound of J-pop in the
late ‘90s and early 2000s. Now, nearly 20 years after delivering
a particularly iconic era of Japanese pop marked by kinetic Y2K
visuals and hyper-glossy production, one of the company’s most
recently debuted artists is reshaping the sound of
millennium-era J-pop into something both familiar and
forward-facing.
Born in 1999 and hailing from Kanagawa Prefecture just south of
bustling Tokyo, Kalen Anzai has stirred up nostalgia for the
instantly recognizable sound of early 2000s J-pop with her first
three songs. Yes, you know the sound: that sparkling,
tranced-out electro-pop that conjures images of colorful anime,
glossy millennium-era technology and neon-tinged Shinjuku
nightlife.
A Gen Z J-pop idol on the rise (as well as a model and rising
fashion idol in Japan, where she stars in MAC Cosmetics
campaigns), digital and technological themes permeate from
20-year-old Anzai’s eye-candy visuals. The video for her debut
single “Sekai no Subete Teki ni Kanjite Kodoku sae Aishiteita”
(“I felt like an enemy to the world and loved even loneliness”)
shows the singer in a futuristic post-apocalyptic domed city.
She dons a pair of AR contact lenses in order to wander a
virtual version of Shibuya where everyone is tapped into a
digital system, before seemingly breaking free. (Lyrically, the
song speaks to finding strength and forging ahead for a free,
bright future.)
Her second, more sorrowful video, “Dareka no Raise no Yume Demo
ii” (“Someone’s dream of the next life”) finds her reminiscing
about a lover as she observes other couples making human
contact. (Notably, there are LGBTQ+ and interracial couples
featured—progressive and welcome for a mainstream J-pop
release.) Combining Blade Runner-meets-vaporwave aesthetics with
hyper-emotive lyrics, Anzai has built a unique cinematic
cyber-world with her immersive music videos, a narrative which
culminates with her third and final introductory single, “Jinsei
wa Senjōda” (“Life is a battlefield”).
"If you watch the music videos for my first single, 'Sekai no
Subete Teki ni Kanjite Kodoku sae Aishiteita,' second single,
'Dareka no Raise no Yume Demo ii,' and third single, 'Jinsei wa
Senjōda,' you can see there is a clear connection and it’s
interesting, so I would like you to pay attention to it," Anzai
explains, calling her latest track the "last in a trilogy."
"Plus, I was very happy to sing the ending song of my favorite
anime, Black Clover," she continues. "It’s a song that
represents [the main character] Asta, spelling out the pain and
courage it takes to face adversity."
Below, Kalen Anzai opens up about working with Avex, her
thoughts on Y2K-era J-pop and her own definition of what it
means to be cyberpunk.
Many fans have noted that your music pays homage to the late
‘90s, early 2000s J-pop sound, while also embracing a futuristic
sound. Did you listen to a lot of J-pop from the ‘90s/2000s era
growing up?
When I was little, I grew up listening to Western music such as
rock and jazz. I still remember that I felt so fresh when I
first encountered the 1990s-2000s J-pop sound. I interpret it as
a new genre when I listen and sing.
What music has most inspired you as a musician?
My first live show was seeing The Rolling Stones. I was
impressed by the saxophone-playing band member [Bobby Keys] and
worked hard to [learn the alto saxophone] and get into a
tournament. I think it was my motivation to pursue music.
What do you like to enjoy when you're not working on music?
I love watching movies. I'm addicted to Netflix's 13 Reasons
Why!
What are your go-to favorite songs to sing at karaoke?
I always sing Whitney Houston's “I Have Nothing" around the end!
You’re also known for showing your fashion looks on Instagram.
Do you have a favorite outfit from one of your music videos?
My favorite music video costume is the outfit that combines the
red mini dress with the motorcycle jacket that I wore in the
video for my second single, “Dareka no Raise no Yume Demo ii.” I
didn't usually wear red [before], but now I like it!
What are your favorite places to go shopping for unique
clothing?
I usually buy things that I thought are cute in Urahara
(Ura-Harajuku) and Shibuya. When I want overseas clothes, I buy
them online, but I always check out the brand ELF SACK.
What is it like working with MAC Cosmetics? Do you have a
favorite makeup trend currently?
When shooting the MAC collection visuals, the face changes so
much with makeup! I was so impressed and delighted to bring out
my new self. A recent makeup trend [I like] is to contour the
center of the face. I recommend it because it makes your face
look smaller and autumn-like.
Why do you think “Sekai no Subete Teki ni Kanjite Kodoku sae
Aishiteita” was the best single to introduce your music to the
world?
The [combination of the] sound of the ‘90s and the futuristic
aesthetic was interesting and new, and I thought it would be
perfect for me.
Your music videos and songs have futuristic and technological
themes, like virtual relationships and augmented reality. Why
did you want to explore the future and technology in your music?
Musically speaking, I actually wasn’t conscious of the future or
technology—I drew from my real feelings instead. The video
treatment was the inspiration of the creative team, and it
became a collaboration. In itself, it was a very fun experience,
and when I first saw the finished video, I screamed, “Cute!”
Before shooting, when I was asked to propose a world view like
the prophecy [in the video], I wanted to be in a position to
express [my own] reality. On my own, I never really had the
feeling that I always wanted to pursue the future and
technology.
What is it like working with an agency as prestigious in the pop
community as Avex?
I’m really stimulated every day. There are so many things I
don't know yet. Everyone is really cool and I want to do my best
to get closer to them.
Are there any J-pop artists you would recommend to J-pop lovers
around the world?
Recently, I have been listening to Official髭男dism
(Official HIGE DANdism). I love the lyrics and the melodies
linger in my ears.
Your video for “Dareka no Raise no Yume Demo ii” prominently
shows LGBTQ+ and interracial couples. Do you hope that society
in the far future continues to embrace diversity and
inclusivity?
Of course!
Your songs have both themes of hope and sorrow. Do they go hand
in hand?
When you really want something, I think everyone experiences
feelings such as anxiety, fear and sadness.
What does it mean to be cyberpunk in your world?
I think it means to be unique, like the Japanese gals (gyaru)
culture.
What is the cyberworld that is featured in your first music
videos? Is it a future Earth? A future Japan?
It is a new world that can only be made through human
imagination, fantasy and hope.
What does your ideal vision of the future look like?
The ideal future is always changing, but what is unchanging is
the love of music ... I just hope I can continue to convey my
feelings [at any given moment] in real time.
source:
HTML https://1073popcrush.com
#Post#: 41--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kalen's first English Interview
By: Rody Date: October 21, 2019, 11:38 pm
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Amazing! Thank you! I will write a summary in Japanese.
要点を日本語にさ
せていただきまし
た：
・懐かしいサウン
ド近代的なビデオ
を合わせるのは面
白かった
・若い時にジャズ
・ロックなどを聴
いていた
・最初のコンサー
トはRolling
Stonesでした
・ネットフリック
スの13
reasons whyに夢中だ
・原宿のうらはら
が好き
・人間の多様性や
LGBTの権利などを応
588;する
・世界が変わるけ
ど、音楽への愛だ
けが変わらない
#Post#: 46--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kalen's first English Interview
By: はるきー Date: Octob
er 22, 2019, 6:42 am
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ほとんど読めない
けど面白そうね！
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