Live performances, film festivals, Monday 9 PM dramas, radio… Looking back at a fulfilling second half of 2015 | Keiko Toda

Keiko Toda: Live Music, Film Festivals, Getsuku, and Radio

Looking Back at a Fulfilling Second Half of 2015 (Part 1)

It’s been a while; Keiko Toda here. As winter’s chill begins to set in, I’ve been busier than ever, starting with casual live shows in the summer, followed by the “Kineko International Film Festival” (Editor’s note: a film festival for children, which I chair), another live performance, and the launch of new regular drama and radio programs… I’ll take this opportunity to look back at my whirlwind second half of 2015.

Text by TODA Keiko

A Fresh Start! This Year’s “Casual Live” Features a New Band & New Members

We’ve held many “Casual Live” events over the years, with “Roppongi Sweet Basil” as our home base, but sadly, it closed in May 2014. I wondered where I would sing next, pondering various options.

There are many live houses, large and small, in Tokyo, and I’ve visited them on occasion. Among them, “Cotton Club” and “Jz Brat” left a particular impression. So, I decided to try out both venues.

Cotton Club in Marunouchi has a rather luxurious atmosphere. I performed my first live show in a while with new band members. On August 2nd, I performed two sets in one night.

I felt refreshed from the band rehearsals! The instrumentation changed, with the addition of a wood bass and saxophone. Along with the new venue, I felt a new energy from the sound that pushed me from behind.

The band consisted of four members: Nobunobu Takeshita on bandmaster and bass, Hajime Kawachi on piano, Takashi Saito on drums, and Kei Suzuki on saxophone. I dressed up for the first time in a while, with glamorous nails. Considering the venue’s mood, I sang original songs plus standards like “My Blue Heaven,” “Tennessee Waltz,” and “Stardust.”

I was also happy that everyone from Love Junkies came to support me.New T-shirts also released from "BG Brand".

The live performance at Cotton Club ended in the blink of an eye, but I was delighted to receive feedback that it felt more mature. I’m very happy that everyone enjoyed it.

Then, on August 9th, following last year, I had a joint live performance with Masanori Sera. It was at Yomiuri Hall, with just Sera’s guitar. As a surprise, Ryudo Uzaki also made an appearance! Surrounded by two charismatic adults, I was on a constant high (laughs). “Tsuyogari” played on just one guitar was incredibly ephemeral, and “Rock’n Roll Widow” sung by the three of us was super sexy! It was a happy time.

Full of Enthusiasm! Taking on the Annual “Live” Dubbing at the Kineko International Film Festival

This year’s Kineko International Film Festival was held from August 11th to 15th. Thank you to everyone who attended.

We also invited Molly, who played the cute protagonist Annabelle in the Australian film “The Tenacious Rabbit,” as a guest from overseas. She wore a yukata at the welcome party and seemed to really enjoy it.

I put a lot of effort into the “live dubbing” every year. This year’s feature film was the Belgian-French co-production “The Happy Duckling.” I asked for some strong support for the voice cast of the two main girl characters. From the Anpanman team, I enlisted Chinatsu Sakamoto and Rei Sakuma!

As a result, I believe it turned out to be a wonderfully rich production. The audience was also moved. Being able to work on a Kineko film with close friends makes me very happy, and I’d love to do it again if I have the chance.

Page02.Girls’ Night Out Mode! An Amazingly Fun “Casual Live” with Kiyo-chan

Keiko Toda: Live Music, Film Festivals, Getsuku, and Radio

Looking Back at a Fulfilling Second Half of 2015 (Part 2)

Girls’ Night Out Mode! An Amazingly Fun “Casual Live” with Kiyo-chan

Kineko concluded successfully. Next up was the second casual live show of the year! On September 20th, at Jz Brat, we held a live performance titled “Casual Live Vol. 14 ~With Kiyo-chan~,” just the two of us: composer, arranger, and pianist Kiyoko Ogino and myself. I was completely in girls’ night out mode (laughs).

Kiyo-chan, who usually wears black outfits as an accompanist, wore an outfit coordinated with mine, which was very well received! However, singing with just guitar or just piano exposes the vocals completely, making it quite challenging. But it was a deliberate challenge.

I could clearly see the strengths and weaknesses of my own singing, and it was a valuable learning experience. Rehearsals were also just the two of us, creating music while chatting like girlfriends. It was incredibly fun.

I borrowed a toy piano and some interesting maracas from Kiyo-chan. Jz Brat had the perfect atmosphere for us. At both Cotton Club and Jz Brat, we performed “Sasayaka na J-Game.” The audience and the band members all love it. It’s said that I’ve become increasingly soulful since its release (laughs).

As the live performance was shortly after my birthday, the venue staff celebrated with me. I’m grateful for their thoughtfulness.

Getsuku, Radio, and More Regular Roles: Increasingly Fulfilling Days

And then, in October, two new programs began. The Monday 9 PM drama “5→9: From Five to Nine” and the Nippon Broadcasting radio program “Keiko Toda’s Otona Quality,” presented by Mitsubishi Electric.

In the Monday 9 PM drama “5→9,” I play Keiko, the mother of the heroine Junko, played by Satomi Ishihara. Although I don’t have many scenes with the family, I’m having a blast. My husband is played by Ryudo Uzaki, and my second daughter by Yuri Tsunematsu. There’s always laughter on set.

The only trouble is… the food at the dinner table scenes is too delicious. I can’t help but eat it all. It’s like home cooking. I almost want to bring Tupperware to take it home (laughs).

It’s been a long time since I’ve been a radio personality. I’m so happy because I’ve always wanted to do radio work. “Otona Quality” focuses on “people, things, and events.” We deliver information that adults would want to incorporate into their lives.

Sometimes, we have guests on air. Meeting people from various fields is incredibly enjoyable. I get to hear so many interesting stories. Even the great Koki Mitani came on the show.

Of course, his stories were interesting, but we also include a mini radio drama segment each time. When I asked Mr. Mitani, he delivered a performance full of ad-libs, as expected (laughs). Our conversation, reacting to his performance, was superb. It was truly like “Radio Days.” Since I love radio, I also love radio dramas. I wish there were more programs dedicated solely to radio dramas…

It’s a shame that live performances will be on hold for a while, but with the increase in regular roles this autumn, I’m busier than ever. “Anpanman,” “Studio Park,” “The Kiroba Keiko,” Monday 9 PM drama “5→9: From Five to Nine,” and radio program “Otona Quality.”