☆．。．:*･ﾟNEVER ENDING UNIVEЯSE☆．。．:*･ﾟ

A9 Personal Interviews Part 4 is with the guitarist, Hiroto. The journey up until their comeback, lives, music, goods… Even if we talk about certain topics from a range of things, during this interview, we can feel that he approaches A9 with sincerity and never-ending passion. Precisely because they are at the point a year later after “having fought many battles”, the words that he says are overflowing with power. Also, as a concrete goal, we were able to hear straight from his own mouth the name of that stage.

The tour has already started but first, please tell us your honest thoughts about the live on August 23rd.

Hiroto: In times where changes occur quite rapidly, I think that one year is quite a long time. In terms of my feelings at the moment the curtain dropped, I did have the intention of giving it all my best even if for example, there was only one person in the audience, but I thought it was amazing to have that many people there and being able to play music for them all. I thought that it was a really fortunate thing.

How did you feel the moment you saw the crowd?

Hiroto: I was like “Here it comes!” (laughs). And from then, as we played each and every song, I thought that “here” was the right place. That the things we should be doing were “here”.

After the live, did you feel that you had made a complete comeback?

Hiroto: Honestly, I thought that we still couldn’t say we had made a complete comeback. We had never had a year of blank space before, so I thought that it was such a long time. I felt each and every song with my body, but just like athletes, the feeling won’t come to you unless you go 3, 4, 5 times harder than that blank time. No matter how well you prepare yourself, if you don’t actually do a live, you can’t get that feeling to come back to you. Although it’s more than adequate if you have the members, the staff, the crew, the audience and to a certain extent, you’re in perfect condition, and if we are talking about high standards, although I can say we made a comeback, it felt like it wasn’t a complete comeback. I thought, in a positive way, that this band has more to show.

What did you feel in regards to the audience’s reactions to the new songs?

Hiroto: You can’t tell from playing it just once. Once we started the tour, the response was great. Simply put, I thought that for the first show, we still weren’t able to fully grasp the feeling of the sounds at that place.

So you feel like you get more of a response now than when you did at PIT?

Hiroto: That’s right. I’m sure that at that point, people just wanted to hear the songs properly, and it was also a moment for us where we needed to properly showcase these songs, so no matter how much you imagine and plan out how a live show, there are things you will never know about until you actually play it. But both us and the audience managed to get the hang of it quickly, so it feels pretty good now. I feel that by just doing one tour, things are going to change a lot. For us, the biggest change for us was a change in feelings. Honestly, in this last year, we’ve had to fight many battles to get here, so we have a stronger mentality, and we can also see the things that we should do and the path we should go down, so I think that the songs we’ve played up until now and the lives themselves are different. I think things are going to be changing quite a lot.

Watching the live, you looked like you were having a good time playing.

Hiroto: It feels great when the 5 of us play together. And of course, since during the solo session I was free to play to my preferences (laughs). Last year, when I was talking to a certain senior and said to them “I’m really nervous about our 10th year anniversary live”, they gave some really good advice. Since the venue was outdoors and there was a chance the weather would be bad that day, I said things like “Honestly, I don’t want to get my guitar wet” (laughs). They responded with “There’s no point in thinking about it. You never know what will happen in the future. When something does happen, there will be some discoveries you can only make when these things happen. For example, if the power gets cut, there will be something valuable there waiting for you, so as long as you always try and find these valuable things, you’ll be fine”.

That’s amazing.

Hiroto: Ever since then, things have gotten really comfortable, and I’ve come to be able to enjoy any sort of moment. I keep wondering what will come my way at this moment. For example, say if a member is probably at their wit’s end. If I start getting bothered by that, it will immediately be reflected in the sounds, and I would also start wondering what I can do. Just by getting closer to them and looking them in the eye would be enough to start changing things for the better. So it sounds like a lot of fun (laughs)

You notice quite a lot of things around you.

Hiroto: I think perhaps maybe I’ve come to be able to notice these things. During lives, there are moments when I’m able to see everything. There are moments when it’s as if I can see everything external to me, so I know what will happen next and what I will do next. This sort of thing has only happened four or five times in the past, but I’ve come to be able to experience something similar to that, and when I do, I am able to look at each and every audience member in the eyes. When I get into that mode, things will start turning toward the better.

But there are times when you “look each other in the eye”.

Hiroto: A lot of the audience members always think “I’m probably just mistaken”, but if you think we exchanged eye contact, then we definitely did. The place where you can experience that in real-time is at lives, so I really enjoy each and every moment.

So, please tell us which moment hit you the hardest; which scene left an impression on you.

Hiroto: Of course “Subete e”, but also, “Kaisen Zenya”. We started playing this song on the FC tour two years ago, but the lyrics and the world it presents is one that is really full of determination. For the members too, it’s a song where parts of it where composed while thinking about the situation we are in now, and as you can tell from the title, it’s really powerful, and it’s a song that had grown a lot when we played in during last year’s tour, our longest tour to date. Although we played it after one year of absence, it just went above and beyond. When the chrous came, I thought “We will be okay now”.

I certainly did feel a lot of power.

Hiroto: I thought that if we were able to release so much power in just this one moment, we would be okay.

By the way, according to Saga, after the live on August 23rd you “turned off your phone and went to the beach”.

Hiroto: Up until that show, I was really busy (laughs). I did my solo live, I was a support member for Toshi (X JAPAN) and at the same time, I had to prepare for this show. I decided to just fade away for a bit, so I declared “I’m gonna go all out tonight, so tomorrow I’m going to disappear”. I did actually go to the beach, but I didn’t switch off my phone. Something starts once a live is over, so there were many things that I had to confirm, so that’s what I did.

But I’m glad you were able to go to the beach.

Hiroto: I went, but it was so windy it felt like a typhoon. The winds were picking up the sand it was like that trauma we experience when filming the “Daybreak” MV (laughs)

(laughs). Do you usually go there to swim or to just look at the view?

Hiroto: I had hoped to watch the sunset while listening to my favourite songs and just do nothing for the whole day. But it was not peaceful at all, the waves were high and there was sand everywhere it hurt (laughs). But I was able to feel refreshed.

Since you are involved in designing the goods, have you received any opinions on the unique packaging of “Ginga no Oto”?

Hiroto: I got some opinions saying “I listened to the songs before, but since you paid so much attention to the packaging, I really love it”, and that made me feel relieved. If we were only talking about the sound, the power of expression of the hi-rezo data that we sent through the crowd-funding system would be much more superior, but with CDs, it’s not only about the value of the CD as an object, but also the quality of sound on the CD. For all the things that we make, we like to investigate all the possibilities. If we are to walk on our own feet, then we have to take responsibility for the things we express. That was the first step, so knowing that what we are trying to express got through made me glad. To those who haven’t yet shared their opinions, I want to hear them (laughs)

Do let them know, everyone reading at home.

Hiroto: For example, with the CD release, the sound changes depending on the factory it is made at and the materials used for the CD, so having completed the data is not enough, I think that we have to take responsibility for everything to the moment it reaches the customer, so I would like to declare that now.

And the goods this time are quite amazing too.

Hiroto: The hardest part was completing the design for the main motif. The goods team also started off in a brand new environment, so after much searching, when the iPhone case was complete I was like “Great, it’s here!”. So I am quite fond of the design.

It’s really beautiful.

Hiroto: Since I have the opportunity to talk about it now, I will. The motif for last year’s FC live was a butterfly, and the butterfly is symbolic of resurrection and being born anew. This time, I wanted to express the full circle of the concept A9 originally had; combining Japanese styles with Western styles, so that’s why I made the current design. There are butterflies and lotus flowers… I think you will understand if you looked up the meaning of lotus flowers, but it suits our current situation to a T. If I had attempted to give any kind of explanation things would turn quite serious so I kept quiet about it.

There are many different meanings associated with it.

Hiroto: Before I knew it, I came to take on the position of someone who makes things, and when I wondered why that was the case, it’s because I want to connect music and people with physical things. People can be linked with music at lives, but when that time is over, you can associate these goods with the past. I want to provide things that will serve that function. It’s not that we are obviously selling goods because we’re holding a live show, but I want to make these things something more meaningful and valuable, so after talking it over with the members, we gave the goods the proper title of “MIDNIGHT GALAXY”.

I don’t think that there are many artists that give this much thought into their goods.

Hiroto: Thank you very much!

By the way, there is something I wish to ask. During Saga’s interview, he mentioned that A9’s dressing room was really dirty, and that the main culprits were Tora and Nao, but when I asked Tora about it, he said otherwise (laughs)

Hiroto: Hahaha (laughs). Though Tora doesn’t carry things around with him, he just leaves his unworn clothes lying around. The venue staff pick up his strewn clothes and before you know it, his clothes are neatly hanging on the clothes hangers. So I guess Tora would say he isn’t the dirty one, because by then, his clothes are already on the hanger (laughs)

So there are people picking up after him (laughs)

Hiroto: What Saga is probably saying in regards to Nao was when we were at PIT, Nao left without taking the equipment that he brought back home with him, so me and Saga had to take care of it (laughs). That’s why I think Saga said that. Usually, Nao doesn’t really leave his things lying around, but sometimes he does this sort of thing.

According to Tora, when you all arrive at the venue, you place your bags on the tables and your things spread out everywhere.

Hiroto: That’s definitely true. First, I look for a spot with a power outlet and set-up my PC there, then I place my pouch and sunglasses at a certain space to establish my own territory. No matter where I am, I always do this exact same thing. To people watching me, it might seem like there are a lot of things lying around, but in my case, it’s all neatly placed.

I see (laughs). You all have different ways of filling up space with things (laughs).

Hiroto: So it must look like a real mess when all of that is mixed together (laughs). The dressing room at PIT really was terrible. On the first day, the members also get their share of goods so the place was just overflowing with things even moreso (laughs)

I’m looking forward to hearing Show’s opinion next (laughs). So finally, what kind of band do you want A9 to be?

Hiroto: I think there is meaning just in the fact that the five of us were able to make it up until this point. Although it sounds obvious, there isn’t another group of people like us out there, so by being more aware of that fact, I think that if we investigate the kind of things only the five of us can make, there will surely be something waiting for us. So without caring about what others are doing or the trends of the time, I would like to wholeheartedly investigate what the five of us, together with the people that respond to us, can do. Also, I’m gonna go ahead at say it, but this is the first phase after our comeback, so I want to follow through and return to the stage at Nippon Budokan.

I am glad to be able to hear such words.

The first part of A9’s personal interviews is with the drummer, Nao. At this interview, which took place just three days after their 11th Anniversary live “Re:birth-Soar-” on August 23rd, while exchanging jokes and smiling from beginning to end, something becoming of Nao, he talked to us about what was in his heart in a straight-forward and non-embellished manner. Also, he told us about his grand dreams that were the reason for him seeking out his own sound.

It has only been three days since the live on August 23rd, but please tell us your honest feelings about it.

Nao: We managed to keep the promise we made one year ago, and I’m glad that the five of us were able to properly return to the stage. I really felt relieved. There are still many things to work on, so I think we have to work harder.

Does it feel like you’ve made a complete comeback?

Nao: I guess I feel that I don’t want to say that we’ve made a complete comeback yet, as this is still not all of the things we’ve stored up over the last year. I feel that I can still show more of the energy I’ve stored up over the year.

The opening was very impressive. How did you feel the moment after “PRAY” had ended and the curtain dropped and you had seen the crowd?

Nao: Even from my spot [at the back] and with my earphones in, I could really heard the cheering, so if I am not imagining things, it was really loud cheering. I was like “Ohhh”.

What was is like performing the new songs on stage for the first time?

Nao: I thought that there were songs that could grow and we could still all create together on tour. But the drums were quite good. When I was doing recording, I was like “This is really gruelling”, or rather, there were lots of notes so it was way too fast and I was struggling to play, but I got past that and so it was a piece of cake. I was able to perform with confidence. At first, there was this “Okay, here it comes” feeling, but I didn’t feel more nervous than usual, and I was able to play really naturally on stage.

During the interview the other day, you said that the recording for “Judan” gave you some trouble.

Nao: But it really was a piece of cake during the live. Personally, it’s a song that has a funny story associated with it, as I was able to play it after eating eel, so although I might laugh if I think about it (laughs), people who know about that story say things to me like “So that was the song”. And I think that once you get to see the story behind the making of the song, you can enjoy the song on a different level. I thought that I wanted to keep making these stories (laughs)

In regards to the new songs, were there parts where the audience’s reactions was above expectations or below expectations?

Nao: I think that the audience has become more expressive. During the parts where I think that the audience will quietly listen, they end up cheering, so it was kind of like the reactions when got when we played overseas. Like no matter what we did, there would be a reaction. I was like “Huh? Do we usually get this sort of reaction?” (laughs). But well, although I think it’s because they were looking forward to live, I hope this kind of thing continues.

Even though the announcement of the end of the show played, the voices calling for a encore never stopped.

Nao: I think that was due to a number of reasons. Like “Let us hear all of your voices”, and that “You guys finally came back so how can it be the end already?” feeling. But everyone’s feelings reached us all the way in the dressing room, so it made me really glad. It’s become motivation for me for the tour.

Since it has been a year, I bet people are expecting many things.

Nao: We also have many things that we would like to do, that we would like to show, but as expected, all those things can’t be shown in just one day (laughs). I mean, isn’t it a bad thing to show everything at once? It’s the same as love (laughs). You have to make them want to know more.

(laughs). So, please tell us the moment that struck you the hardest, the scene that left a lasting impression on you.

Nao: I guess it would be “Subete e”. At the very end, the “Oh, we’ve really been able to come back. I’m glad” feeling just came over me. Well, there were many other memorable things to. For me, the peak was during the second song, “RUMWOLF” (laughs). It was the moment where I felt the most uneasy. During this song, there is a 4-bar drum solo, and it’s really fast and difficult, and on this day, the springiness of the drums were sometimes off. The resonance changes depending on the springiness of the drums, so it’s quite difficult to get an idea of how it will sound. I was quite nervous. But I was able to play the solo quite cleanly, so I thought that if I got past this I would be okay for the rest of the day, and so I was able to drum full of confidence.

It was quite lucky this happened during the second song (laughs)

Nao: I’m glad I was successful early in the show (laughs). If I had failed then, I would get upset for the rest of the show. Like “Ah~ I messed up…”

During the interview the other day, you claimed that you would drum with a smile.

Nao: And I did! I’m sure people saw it.

And what’s more, the bit you did with Saga was a surprise.

Nao: He said he wanted to play, and this came out of nowhere a few days before the show.

Oh, really! I thought that you both probably practiced a lot.

Nao: No, only a little (laughs)

Saga: What we did couldn’t be considered as practice (laughs). (※Saga, who is waiting for his interview, is sitting beside Nao)

Nao: I mean, I didn’t even remember the rhythm until just before the show. I was like “I can’t remember this” (laughs). I just kept repeating to myself “Dum da da da-dum dum da-dum”

Ah, so that’s what you were tweeting on Twitter (laughs)

Nao: That’s right.

But the both of your were perfectly in sync.

Nao: His drumming was actually quite good, so it was easy to get in sync with him (laughs)!

(laughs). By the way, what did you have for breakfast on August 23rd? Whenever we talk about you, we have this image of food, so I thought I might as well ask (laughs)

Nao: What did I eat? I’m not exactly sure, but I think that when I arrived at the venue, I ate a lunch box. I wasn’t busy the day before. I was relieved since I did what I had to do, and since it was hot, I just drank beer the whole time and it made me feel sick. When I woke up the next morning, I wasn’t hungry. So I thought that I should just go to the venue. That’s why I asked their hair and make-up artists “Since I drank too much beer yesterday, you think I got fatter, don’t you?”.

And what was their answer?

Nao: They said “I don’t think so!”. I don’t know how they really feel though.

(laughs). Your latest release “Ginga no Oto” finally went on sale physically on August 23rd at the live venue, but what was the response like?

Nao: When we had sent the digital copies to people we got responses, but no one has said anything to us in regards to the physical version… (laughs). But it’s quite an elaborate design, so my parents were worried about me, like “Hey, is it really okay to sell this for 2700yen tax inclusive? Isn’t that too cheap?! Is it okay to make this can thing?!”. It’s the sort of packaging we can make only now, or rather, in order to find out the value of these things, it would be nice if we could keep on making things like this. I mean, isn’t that a good thing to have? I get the feeling it’s going to be a premium item in the future. It’s not like you can make tens and thousands of it. I better buy some soon (laughs)

Well it certainly does seem like it will become a valuable item. So after having finished the live from the other day, please tell us your feelings in regards to the tour that will start on September 3rd.

Nao: In order to express the things that I am trying to do and the things I want to show, well… I will work hard with that one feeling. That’s all I have. It would be great if I could express myself through my drumming. I’m looking forward to it. We went on an Asia Tour last year, so I’m used to it, or rather, I’m not worried about it, and since it seems like I expressed myself properly, I think it will be okay. This time I want to eat many different things, and I’d like to go to different places I went to last time. Since we’re overseas, I want to enjoy it. I wonder if we have the time to, though.

I hope you can enjoy yourself.

Nao: Asia, huh. Though the yen has decreased in value, I want to buy some instruments. Last time, I went to some instrument shops, and they had some brands that were available in Japan too, and some brands that were well known there that I had never heard of, so I think there may be some brands that make good instruments yet are not available in Japan. I want to discover them. I want to have a sound that only belongs to me. Right now, I want to supply my own equipment, right from the materials it is made out of, so I am looking for foreign soil.

What?!

Nao: I want to grow a forest. And with the trees from that forest, I want to make drums.

That’s such a grand scale!

Nao: No, no, it is definitely possible to do! In countries where the temperature doesn’t get so hot, the trees are drier, so it will make a different sound to Japanese ones. It sounds drier and harsher! That’s what I’m looking for. I’m waiting for you, foreign soil!

(laughs) It might actually happen one day.

Nao: Like “Nao, will this be okay? Please sign here”

Saga: Aren’t you popular overseas, Nao?

Nao: No, no, I’m not popular (laughs)!

You might get some mail saying “Please have some of our soil” (laughs)

Nao: I’ll go and get it. My dreams are big. I really think that it’s not impossible. Although there’s still a long way to go to achieve it. Apparently, instrument makers overseas are surprisingly, not large manufacturers but people who live in normal houses. Since they make it at home, it takes longer to make and they can only make a few each year. But they are superb instrument makers. So I think it’s possible.

It would be great if you could achieve this dream.

Nao: I can have my own brand, Nao Brand (laughs)

(laughs) And finally, what kind of band do you want A9 to be in the future?

Nao: Simply, I want it to be a cool band. Some people have been saying here and there “A9 are actually cool, aren’t they?”, so I want to be the representative “cool band”. Even if we get old, or rather, because we have gotten older, we get cooler. I don’t want to just be the clean and cool type, but the manly kind of cool too.

It’s because you’ve gotten older and gone further in your career, it’s a manly kind of coolness.

A9 Personal Interviews Part 3 is with the guitarist, Tora. According to Show (vocalist), he is a romanticist, but upon hearing what Tora has to say about many different aspects, he objectively looks at the situation the band has been placed in, and we are able to catch a glimpse of the realist inside of him, who accepts the reality of the situation. In order for A9 to progress even further, we see Tora steadily making progress while always taking on new challenges. Furthermore, when asked about that certain hot topic from Part 2, we uncover a new truth?!

Last time when you were absent from the A9 interview, it turned out to be like a trial in absentia (laughs)

Tora: I’m sorry about that!

It’s okay (laughs). According to Show, you are “someone who looks stern but is actually a gentle romanticist on the inside”.

Tora: Who knows, because I don’t (laughs). But I think I’m a realist.

We also got a hold of some information that you learned to have a permanent smile from the corner of your mouth around the time you played at Shibuya Kokaido during the band’s third year (laughs)

Tora: Ahaha (laughs). I thought that since everyone was enjoying the show, I should probably show that I am enjoying myself too. In terms of image, don’t you find it distasteful when you go to Disneyland and one of the cast members are really sullden? I think it’s the same as that.

I really get where you’re coming from.

Tora: I actually look at everyone’s expressions quite a lot. I hope to be like those guys on the Jungle Cruise attraction. It’s actually quite difficult playing while looking at the audience. It’s not like it’s something that you practice either. But it’s not like I force myself to smile or anything; I’m having fun. There are times when I have so much fun I forget that I’m performing. I’m like “Oh, crap” (laughs)

(laughs) In the e-mail interview, you mentioned that you did most of the recording for “Ginga no Oto” at home, but is this something you only did for this release?

Tora: For the last one to two years, I’ve been doing recording at home quite often.

Was there are a reason for this?

Tora: Nothing in particular. There have been advancements in equipment lately, so there’s not much difference between doing it at home and in a studio, so I thought it would be better to do things at home, where I can relax. You can spend a lot of time working on something, and there’s no pressure to hurry up and finish things. The best thing about working at home is that you can do it indefinitely.

But on the other hand, there will be times where you can’t seem to finish things.

Tora: That’s true. Or rather, you don’t know when it’s a good time to finish. But rather than finishing things, starting them is harder (laughs). Just by not having a set time, you just end up going “Oh, I have to do that”. Once I start, I strangely end up being able to concentrate really well, but I can’t actually find myself starting.

For this release, were there any parts in particular where it was a good thing that you did recording at home?

Tora: I think I was able to be more particular about the phrases. I was also able to do the more detailed parts as I wanted to.

So, I think all of the fans are curious to know what you have to say, as you are the only member of A9 not active on social media. Please tell us your honest thoughts about the live on August 23rd.

Tora: It was white.

It certainly was (laughs)

Tora: Since it had been a year since the last live, there was the issue of whether I could play 20 songs stamina-wise, but I thought that it was just like riding a bike: your body actually remembers how to do it. We did practice a lot, too. But I’m glad we were able to come back with no problems. Also, although during this one year, on the surface it looked like we had paused activities, we were also doing our own solo projects, and we met up weekly and went into the studio, so I’m glad that we were able to make our return after making some progress, and not in a weakened state.

How did you feel the moment the opening song “PRAY” had ended, the curtain had dropped and you saw the crowd?

Tora: I was like “Oh, there are loads of people here”. I was glad that everyone waited for us.

At this live, did it feel like you made a complete comeback?

Tora: Honestly, I won’t know untll I go around on tour. We have an Asian leg of the tour this time too, so once that is all over, I want to think that over.

How did it feel playing the new songs for the first time?

Tora: I felt that it was tough.

Since you’ve made that much progress.

Tora: True. When you have the time to compose songs, the phrases become more detailed, which makes it more difficult at lives.

At this live, another highlight was the solo sessions. What were your thoughts on doing that?

Tora: Saga was the one who came up with the idea of having solo sessions, and it was only decided on with a little time to spare before the show. My solo part was complete two days before the live. But I thought that just a solo session would be boring, so I also created the background footage myself. I ended up creating the background footage for Show’s DJ section, so I thought I’d try making footage for my own part too.

The word “Tora” written in calligraphy style on a single background had a lot of impact and was cool.

Tora: I thought that this sort of things suited me most, and that I shouldn’t make it too fancy (laughs)

Please tell us the scene that hit you the hardest; that left the strongest impression on you.

Tora: It would be the part at the end where we all sang “Subete e” together. We put up the lyrics on the screen behind us, and everyone sang it. Since we’ve never hand something like that before, I though it was nice. On the other hand, I had my doubts about how people would view the first song, “Phoenix”. It was a song we had recorded quite a while ago, and quite a long time has passed since we uploaded it on YouTube, but it was the first time we played it live. But it didn’t really feel like we were playing it live for the first time. When it was put into the setlist, strangely enough, it felt like we had been playing it for a long time.

I thought that since “Phoenix” has A9’s new sound and vigour, it was very fitting as the first song of the live. So, which moment gave you the greatest feeling?

Tora: Right… It felt great playing “Scarlet”. It doesn’t feel good playing the new songs yet. Your body has to get used to it.

So it requires playing them a few more times. The tour has started and you’ve already played two shows, so how was it?

Tora: It was great. It was hot. Both us and the fans are more energetic than I thought. I also get the feeling that there are some new fans at the shows too.

You can just tell, can’t you?

Tora: If it’s a small venue I can tell. I also got the feeling that we’ve gotten more male fans. No matter where they are in the venue, new fans often look at the vocalist the whole time. Even if they are in the corner they look at the vocalist. If they don’t particularly know the members, they only come to hear the songs, so I think it’s natural that they look at the vocalist.

It seems that as the tour has started, Director Tora has made his debut, so how did you making the videos (on YouTube) come about?

Tora: Since it’s been a while since we toured, I thought that we had to let everyone know what we were doing. I hate keeping things on the inside, or rather, I’m the type of person who wants to spread stuff on the outside. I want to show everyone what we can show; that we are doing this for real.

You want to put your existence out there.

Tora: Even if we intend to boldy go out there and say “We’re back!”, I think that the rest of the world thinks we are making a slow start. I think that’s a mistake that a lot of people make. To people who don’t really know us, I think it seems to them that we are being really half-assed about this. They probably also don’t know for what purpose we took a break, and a majority of the people reading this sort of interview are clearly fans, so I thought that if we were presenting something easy to digest, like footage or something, perhaps people would consider giving it a watch. I think that the best thing to do is to not put on airs. If we make this sort of footage fanclub-only footage, then nothing will change. I want to put something that’s easy to understand out there.

Have you always had a hand in film-related things?

Tora: Not at all. It was in this last year that I learned how to use such software. We always wanted to do things ourselves. I’m the type of person who doesn’t really want to rely on others. When it comes to things I have no interest in, I will leave it to others and let them do it how they want. But for things I am interested in, I want to do it myself and I get stressed leaving it in the hands of others.

And just like with music, once you get particular about it there is no end in sight.

Tora: If you get particular about it, it will end up costing a lot of money. Although it’s difficult, I would like to do it, to a certain extent, myself.

By the way, is there a reason that you aren’t on social media?

Tora: Not particularly, and actually, by the time this interview goes up, I will be on Instagram!

Really?!

Tora: The reason I haven’t been on social media is because I don’t want people to know what I do. When I look at other people, it’s too real.

There are also times when things get too close and personal.

Tora: True. I mean doesn’t everyone only just talk about food (laughs)? I don’t get it. My private life is actually pretty lame, so even if I am to upload a picture of food, nine times out of ten it will be lunch bought from the convenience store (laughs). Apart from that, I don’t think I can do it. But I feel like Instagram will be okay for me.

That reminds me, in Saga’s interview, he said that A9’s dressing room was really dirty, and he said that the main culprits were Tora and Nao.

Tora: What, I don’t think it’s me.

Manager: Saga is also one of the main culprits (laughs)

Tora: It’s actually everyone but me.

Huh? This is not what I had heard (laughs)

Tora: I mean, I usually don’t have anything with me.

Manager: The person who leaves behind canned coffee and other drinks lying around is Tora.

Tora: That’s true.

Manager: The person who leaves half-eaten food lying around is Saga. The person who leaves really questionable and random things lying around is Nao.

(laughs)

Tora: When people arrive, first they put down their bags on the tables and leave it there. For some strange reason, no one wants to put their bag down on the floor. I don’t know, since I don’t carry a bag. Then everyone just scatters their things on the table, so it ends up looking dirty. Since the large tables are filled with bags, everyone leaves their empty lunch boxes in the corners of the room. So the entire dressing room gets full. Then our outfits arrive and the place is just full of things. It’s actually not dirty.

It’s just full of things.

Tora: Yeah, that’s why I think.

I think I would like to hear what Hiroto and Show have to say on the matter (laughs). So finally, what kind of band do you want A9 to be?

Tora: I think it would be great if we were a band that could do anything. And it would be great if we were a band that could get more distinctive characterisitcs. Honestly, a guitarist that can only play the guitar is a really outdated thing. I think I have to be able to do a variety of things.

I think that since going independent, there are a now more things that you have to do out of necessity, so did this feeling become quite evident over the last year?

Tora: Just by being in a band, there are a lot of other things that come with it apart from playing music, so if you have the skills, you can pretty much do anything. Up until now we relied way too much on other people, and I get the feeling that by doing this, the band’s direction was all over the place. I think that if we can do everything on our own, we can make things the way we want.

It seems like A9 will keep on showing us new things.