#jprime

Meiko Kaji (梶芽衣子)

I found an interesting article from JPrime talking about Takeru’s career development. Although it’s more like compilations of his past interviews with comments from various person, so not exactly a new content haha..

Below are some excerpts from the article, you can read the full version here.

As always, pls don’t repost without permission, thanks!

Da-iCE ARTICLE: [JPRIME] Da-iCE Ohno Yudai, after 14 years of singing, "I feel impatient and compared myself to those around me" (4/4/19) | CGM

With implied and literal translation. PM me for mistakes/errors. Please put proper credits if you use.

Da-iCE Ohno Yudai, after 14 years of singing, "I feel impatient and compared myself to those around me"

Da-iCE, a 5-member group, that attracts fans through their charming dance and ear-soothing 4-octave twin vocals. One of the twin vocals, Ohno Yudai, who reached his 30th birthday on April 1, released his first SOLO album, “Kono michi no saki ni”. “I want to release an album someday” – here, we gathered an interview.

--- You wrote and composed the title song “Kono michi no saki ni” yourself?

“Yes. I wrote it a year and a half ago, when the release of my album was not yet being talked about. I wanted to make such song, that I could sing to whenever I get tired and such.”

--- What made you think to write a song that one could sing to?

“As I was approaching 30, I see my friends in my town and my buddies get married, have children, buy house, and become independent at work. When I see such things, I feel a little impatient and compared myself to those around me.

But, when I am working on my “singing”, which I really like, and when I am standing on stage, I feel very happy. And so, there’s no need for me to compare. It’s like a song that’s close to a letter I wrote to myself, “I am who I am”. I think there are many people who are suffering the same way, and so I thought that it would be nice to deliver such feelings.”

--- What can you say about working with CHEMISTRY’s Kawabata Kaname on the track “Changin’ feat. Kawabata Kaname (CHEMISTRY)”?

“For me who was watching “ASAYAN” (Audition program broadcasted from 1995 to 2001), Kawabata-san who starred there was already an entertainer and a legend on television. And so, this time is like a dream-like moment for me.

Three years ago, there was an event in which Da-iCE had appeared to. Both me and Kawabata-san love to drink, and so I was asked then, “Let’s drink!” But the schedule didn’t allow us to. When the making of the album was decided, immediately, I asked with consent if it was possible if I could have a personal request.”

--- Is there anything that left an impression to you in this what you called as dream-like moment?

“As I watch Kawabata-san’s part being recorded, it felt as if it wasn’t my first time. I was like, “Oh, it was the same as the time of “ASAYAN”! UNBELIEVABLE!” (laughs)”

--- Didn’t spending time with Kawabata-san become a great encouragement to you?

“Indeed, it was! It was very exciting. I must work harder. The age difference between me and Kawabata-san is only 10 years, and so I can’t help but imagine myself as 40 years old. Thinking on what kind of artist I would become, I feel pressured, half-worried and half-excited.”

--- This SOLO album was released at the time of you turning 30. Is there any change in your way of thinking as you were turning 30?

“In the past, I have these thoughts such as “What would I like to become?”. But now, in contrast to that, considering that I am singing in this way, I wonder, for how many years would I be able sing? It has been 14 years since I started singing. There are times I think of turning back.

Great senpais, such as Tamaki Koji-san who has been able to do continuous aggressive activities extensively, have been able to sing for a long time because of the way they speak. I want to keep on singing, and so I should be conscious about these things even more so.”

--- You have thoughts on the number of years you would be able to sing?

“I got vocal cord nodules (singer's nodes, resulting from repetitive overuse or misuse of the voice) 4 to 5 years ago. There were times when it became so difficult to do a falsetto, even for a little. There were also times when I think of having surgery, but even if I get it done once, because it is the same like the callus on one’s finger, most likely I would be able to get the same nodules on the same spot as I am using my voice. And so, I chose to get along [live] with it. From there, I think my singing voice has become a lot stronger.”

--- What is there to see in Ohno Yudai’s “road ahead”?

“I might be looking at the near future only, about 3 to 4 months ahead (laughs). I wonder what the April 5 release LIVE event would be like. After that, there will be a sequential event in which several artists will perform. However, those are things I cannot see for now, but I have this feeling of wanting to be a singer that is able to sing with a heart that is full of human kindness and will be loved by many people.”

--- So, what are the goals and challenges you are taking in your 30s?

“It is something I think every year, but I think I want to be more humane. After that, I would like to expand my social relationships with people just like in my early 20s. I think I became a little subdued recently and so, to get inspired, I must not forget my sense of adventure.

Also, recently, since I cannot go fishing as my pastime, I somewhat want to try and start playing golf. There is a skilled golf player in the staff. (Iwaoka Toru of Da-iCE) Toru-kun has also a complete set of tools for me start to. Uhm, I think to be someone who can play golf is undoubtedly cool (laughs).”

Meiko Kaji (梶芽衣子)