Lounge
March 13, 2015
Keiko Toda Series | Keiko Toda x Go Ueki: Looking Back at 2010
Keiko Toda | Stage, Live Performances, First Original Song...
Turning Shared Joys and Sorrows of 2010 into Fuel for Further Growth
Keiko Toda x Go Ueki: A Conversation (Part 1)
For our first installment of the new year, we welcome Go Ueki, known for "B・G brand." Last year, in addition to regular live performances, actress Keiko Toda finally realized her long-held dream of starring in the stage play "Putting My Current Self in a Bag," marking her first collaboration with Ueki in four years. It seems to have been a year where the K-CO x GO duo fostered even closer communication. The two now look back at 2010 and share their aspirations for the new year.
Text by OPENERS
Revealing Each Actor's Approach to Their Craft
TodaIn the fall of 2010, we shared the stage again after a long time in the play "Putting My Current Self in a Bag." How was the play?
UekiIt was fascinating. I saw your incredible skill in captivating the audience at the end, and your underlying strength. It was truly impressive.
TodaIt was about four and a half years ago, wasn't it? In the play where we first met, we barely interacted and didn't even talk much by the end.
UekiIn this play, there was a scene where we rehearsed a live performance. During that time, I felt so grateful that we had performed live together before. It's not just the band members; having a mental image of how you usually perform in a live setting was incredibly helpful, and it allowed me to understand your feelings about live performances.
TodaStage productions involve rehearsals, so we were together constantly. I had to show how I approach building a performance every day, like weaving a crane's feathers. During rehearsals, you can see each actor's dedication to their craft.
I believe every actor approaches it differently, but rehearsals are about building something unshakeable amidst the tendency to go with the flow. There are times when you don't want to be seen. But this time, I anticipated it would be quite challenging, so I wanted to work with people who were comfortable with being exposed. Otherwise, I think others would have had to hide more and endure many things. It wasn't about being pampered, but I always felt a sense of security.
UekiOh, it was perfectly woven, though! (laughs)
TodaThat's not true!
UekiIt felt like we were just embroidering our names on the finished product! (laughs)
TodaEveryone is an actor, so even without that, they can act like they're 'allies,' but in this small, elite musical, I wanted to experience that camaraderie from the rehearsal space itself.
It was my own whim, wondering what would happen if I worked with people like that.
UekiI think your intention was successful. Especially with a small cast, even a slight interaction, like making eye contact, should convey a sense of 'fellowship.' In a real band, wouldn't they laugh even if something went wrong?
TodaWhen opportunities like this arise, I get to see how Go weaves his magic, and he gets to see mine. I realized that this is necessary for us to step up, thought about what I'd like Go to focus on, and what was particularly good. I felt many things.
I know you always work hard, but it's not always visible how you do it. Seeing that side of someone close to you could have stimulated each other. I think that's what happened.
UekiIt was funny when you didn't stop me at the point where you were supposed to! (laughs) I almost walked past you and offstage! Because the distance was so great, we both had to raise our voices considerably (laughs).
TodaThanks to that, it became a very realistic performance, didn't it? (laughs)
Keiko Toda | Stage, Live Performances, First Original Song...
Turning Shared Joys and Sorrows of 2010 into Fuel for Further Growth
Keiko Toda x Go Ueki: A Conversation (Part 2)
Thinking, "Ah, this is the grand finale of 2010!" (laughs)
TodaAt the end of the year, we held Christmas live events in Tokyo and Mito in a hotel dinner show format, and a live performance in Nagoya. This was actually my first time trying the hotel dinner show format, and the sight of chairs neatly arranged in a hotel ballroom created a peculiar atmosphere... (laughs).
UekiThe walls were also bright, and live venues are usually dark, so that felt a bit off too.
TodaAlthough it was Christmas, we didn't do anything particularly special, but we prepared a new duet song with Go and performed it for everyone. Also, for casual live shows, the attire is casual, but since this was a dinner show, we wanted to offer a slightly more luxurious experience, so I changed outfits one more time than usual! (laughs).
UekiYou shifted the musical expression so dynamically within the medley, from very catchy tunes to songs from the play, and then to disco sounds for our duets. It was a bit wild for a dinner show, yet had a chic element for a live performance.
So, it appeals to both young people and those who prefer a more relaxed experience; even just listening to the talk is enjoyable, making it fun for everyone. I don't think there are many other live shows like it. Your presence itself is so convincing, Keiko-san, which is what makes this possible, and I think that's incredibly difficult. After all, you can sing anime songs with such conviction! (laughs)
TodaWhat I sing are arrangements of songs like the Anpanman theme in a jazz style, or songs from director Yoshiyuki Tomino's works, such as "Mobile Suit Gundam" and "Space Runaway Ideon." The lyrics in his works are very philosophical. Therefore, they are not the typical bubbly 'anime songs.'
UekiI suspect you could sing bubbly songs with conviction too (laughs). I think it's due to your presence and the quality of your voice. Even when anime titles are explicitly mentioned in the lyrics, it sounds natural when you sing them.
The new song we performed this time is a disco song. It's packed with fun elements, like old-school soul, current pop music, techno, and even the theme from Titanic suddenly playing! (laughs) It's a song filled with many enjoyable things, much like a disco.
I believe we were able to express elements of music that transcend generations, things that we can mutually agree are cool.
TodaWe've sung various songs together before, but this is our first original song. We created this piece with the future possibility of creating great work together through music in mind, and thankfully, we've received positive feedback. We also performed songs from "Putting My Current Self in a Bag."
UekiIncluding the band, there were four members at that time, right?
TodaThinking, "Ah, this is the grand finale of 2010!" (laughs) It felt like a digest of everything we did in 2010.
Keiko Toda | Stage, Live Performances, First Original Song...
Turning Shared Joys and Sorrows of 2010 into Fuel for Further Growth
Keiko Toda x Go Ueki: A Conversation (Part 3)
Becoming Complacent Through Repetition is the Most Terrifying Thing
TodaIn musicals, I sing and speak dialogue, but live performances, where I can sing songs I've chosen myself and talk about things like crying yesterday or what I thought today, are my unique platform. It's not something I have to do, and most actors don't do it, but since I've been given this opportunity and have such a place, I want to do something for the people who come that day.
UekiI believe that passion is what creates that unique show.
TodaThis was my first time performing in Mito, and most of the audience had never seen me perform live. They knew of me, but they weren't people who came to see my plays like those in Tokyo or Osaka, so it was a completely unfamiliar territory. But I actually thrive in such situations! (laughs) If they like it this time, they might come again next time, right?
UekiWhen you made your entrance in slow motion, an elderly woman in the front row was already holding her stomach with laughter! (laughs) It was the first time something like that happened, so I was surprised and couldn't help but look over.
TodaBut that's how audiences naturally are. While there's a comfort in performing for those who already understand, I always make an effort to remember that there are also first-time attendees. Otherwise, it can become complacent. In that sense, I feel this live performance was one where I focused on allowing the audience to appreciate the songs from my previous albums more deeply.
UekiListening to you, I can feel your songs becoming more precious. It's like you can see the theme of the song, and I feel that when you talk about the songs too.
TodaI believe becoming complacent through repetition is the most terrifying thing, and I feel it's important to explain things, no matter how many times. When there's some context, people can feel the song more deeply, and the meaning of the lyrics becomes clearer. Sometimes, I might just play the music first and ask for a bold reaction, but I believe it's essential to be willing to explain. In my case, since I'm not solely focused on music year-round, I become very cautious. I absolutely don't want to be told, 'You're just doing this on the side,' so to avoid that, when the time comes, I concentrate 100 percent on the live performance.
Since Go's activities are music-based, he provides precise answers when asked for his opinion, and I truly rely on him. Just as on stage, it's reassuring to know he's there when I glance over. Thinking about it, it was truly a fruitful year. We need to build on what we learned through our collaboration in positive ways. Despite many challenges, it was a good year, wasn't it?
UekiBy taking on various roles, including band members and backup vocalists, I feel I've grown musically, and it was an incredibly educational year.
TodaLeveraging these experiences, in 2011, we'll aim for even more... well, it's always 'even more'!
Thank you very much.
On January 17th (Monday), the highly anticipated new items from "B・G brand" by K-CO x GO will be released!
The two will discuss the thoughts behind their creations and their appeal!
Note: The release of new products has been delayed. We sincerely apologize for the wait. To those eagerly anticipating the new items, we kindly ask for your patience a little longer.
