Lounge
March 4, 2015
In Commemoration of the Release of His Solo Album 'Page By Page': Yukihiro Takahashi Interview (Part 1)
Yukihiro Takahashi's "Page By Page" Album Release Commemoration
An Interview with Yukihiro Takahashi (Part 1)
Yukihiro Takahashi is a multimedia artist whose career spans far beyond music. He was the drummer for the Sadistic Mika Band, a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra with Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto, and last year led the band "pupa," featuring six collaborators including Haruyo Morishita, Hiroshi Takano, and Ren Takada. He has also been active as a solo artist and previously ran his own fashion brand, demonstrating a keen eye for fashion alongside his musical endeavors. He continues to be active across a wide range of fields.
Recently, he released "Page By Page," his first solo album in three years, capturing the cutting edge of electro-pop music. The album has generated buzz, with contributions from his longtime collaborator Steve Jansen and Atom Heart, and artwork by Tomoki Utsugi.
In this two-part interview, we speak with Yukihiro Takahashi about the creation of his album "Page By Page," as well as his roots, including why he started playing drums and how he met Haruomi Hosono.
Text by OPENERSPhotos by Masahiko NakamuraWith thanks to ENZO pasteria
"Page By Page" Feels Like Turning the Pages of the Present, One by One...
—Where did the album title "Page By Page" come from?
It was a spontaneous idea. I just liked the sound of it in English.
I thought it might connect thematically with my best-of album, "Turning The Pages Of Life THE BEST OF YUKIHIRO TAKAHASHI."
While the best-of album means "turning the pages of the past," "Page By Page" feels like "turning the pages of the present," one by one, in a calm manner. But there's no deep meaning behind it.
I just liked the feel of phrases like "blue moon blue" and "page on page."
—The lyrics are almost entirely in English, but "My Favorite Hat" is a Japanese song.
The melody for "My Favorite Hat" was created with the intention of singing it in Japanese from the start. It's reminiscent of songs like "Flashback" from my Alpha Records album "What, Me Worry?"
It's an emotional piece, a kind of "old man's coming-of-age" story, like "Summer Memories." I took fragments of memories from when I put a hat on a girl and slightly exaggerated them to create the lyrics. The lyrics, as always, have a Showa-era feel, like Michizo Tachihara, evoking that world.
—Your songs often have an English image, so was there a particular sentiment behind this one?
This album happened to have many English lyrics, but that was because many of the songs were collaborations.
Incidentally, the collaboration with Steve (Jansen) was half Japanese and half English, which was also at Steve's request. He wrote English lyrics for melodies I created, and I wrote Japanese lyrics for melodies he created.
—The album's overall sound has a strong, consistent electro-pop element. What is it about this genre that appeals to you?
Regarding electronica, I've been listening to the music of younger artists for about seven years now, like Larry Heard, Karaoke Kirk from the label, and múm from Iceland. I still listen to them, of course, but I feel the scene might be reaching a plateau.
—Was most of the production done on a computer?
Surprisingly, perhaps, for this album, most of the sounds, apart from the noise and rhythms, are from live instruments. If I wanted to play a snare drum myself, I'd actually play it. For live drums, I'd initially put them in on the computer, but then replace them with live recordings later. Nowadays, you can paste live instrument sounds into a computer and do anything with them.
I also added the sound of a toy accordion, and of course, had Hirohisa Horie play the real accordion. I also incorporated ukulele sounds. I'd try things out on the spot as ideas came to me, then process and paste them in.
—Did it feel musically similar to the direction of "pupa"?
Yes.
SKETCH SHOW, the album "BLUE MOON BLUE," and then pupa.
I consider them part of a continuous flow.
Summer festival "WORLD HAPPINESS 2009" on August 9th! Live performance on my birthday!
—Last year was quite active, with pupa, YMO's overseas performances, and the outdoor event "WORLD HAPPINESS" with Mitsuo Shindo. What was that like?
We're doing an outdoor event again this year!
This year it's not with Shindo-san, but I'll be curating it again on Sunday, August 9th. Last year, it was miraculously cool, but I can't guarantee it will be cool this year (laughs).
—Will you be performing solo live shows?
I'll be performing on Saturday, June 6th, at Shibuya AX. That's my birthday.
I used to always have bowling tournaments (laughs). Then someone suggested, "How about a concert on your birthday?" and it was decided. But it was hard to find a venue, and AX just happened to become available.
But everyone keeps complaining. They ask, "Why only this venue?" (laughs).
—What kind of setup are you envisioning for the AX show?
I'm planning a band setup, including drums. Of course, there are songs I'll play drums on, but I can't sing and play drums for every song. Besides drums and bass, Ren Takada, who also worked on the recording, will likely be involved. Also Tomohiko Gondo, keyboards, and guests.
For those who can't be there, I'm thinking of synchronizing them via video. Steve Jansen did something similar at his live show, and it was very effective. I've asked Seiko Ise, who handled the video direction for Steve's show, HASYMO, and pupa, to do the same for this.
Working with Tomoki Utsugi on the New Album "Page By Page"
—Tomoki Utsugi handled the artwork for this album, including the jacket. How did that collaboration come about?
This is the first time I've entrusted all the artwork to one person. Previously, I'd handle the clothing myself, ask Hisao Saito of TUBE for designs, or borrow antique items from Yoshuyuki Shimazu. But having Utsugi-kun photograph and manage the entire artwork was a first.
"Page By Page" EMI MUSIC JAPAN
—What were your thoughts when you saw the finished product?
My initial image was of me wearing a bow tie, looking very stylish, riding a cute bicycle or moped that didn't quite suit me, carrying a bouquet through the city. But we decided something even more ill-suited would be better, like going to the beach on a bicycle. It even led to talk of surfing—I'm holding a surfboard in the jacket photo (laughs).
However, designers who work on CD jacket art told me, "It doesn't look like a jacket." It is certainly unique.
—How were the clothes chosen?
Utsugi-kun brought many clothes, but in the end, a lot of my personal items were used (laughs). The bow tie, shirt, and vest are my Lanvin items. The pants are also mine. The jacket, hat, and shoes are Utsugi-kun's. I own the same shoes, though.
But it's not like we're creating a fashion spread for a magazine.
—Was it largely left up to Utsugi-san?
Basically, yes.
However, I would say things like, "Wouldn't this be better?" about what Utsugi-kun chose (laughs). These cufflinks are also my personal belongings, and if you look closely, they say "YT." They're typewriter keys. I bought them as antiques in England a long time ago. He said, "These are cute," and—he's very quick when making decisions.
Yukihiro Takahashi's "Page By Page" Album Release Commemoration
An Interview with Yukihiro Takahashi (Part 2)To be continued
An Interview with Yukihiro Takahashi (Part 2)To be continued
Yukihiro Takahashi Live Information!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Yukihiro Takahashi Live 2009 "OUT OF HERE"
＠SHIBUYA-AX
Performers: Yukihiro Takahashi
...and more guests
Doors Open / Show Starts: 17:00 / 18:00
Price: Advance ¥7,350 / 1F Standing, 2F Reserved (plus drink fee)
Venue: SHIBUYA-AX
http://www.shibuya-ax.com/
Organizers: J-WAVE / Hot Stuff Promotion
Planning & Production: Hints Music / Office Intenzio
Inquiries: Hot Stuff Promotion
Tel. 03-5720-9999 (Mon-Fri 16:00-19:00)
http://www.lultimo.jp
Notes: Preschool children are not permitted entry.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
WORLD HAPPINESS 2009
＠Yumenoshima
Performers:
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Moonriders
スチャダラパー (Schadaraparr)
Chara
LOVE PSYCHEDELICO
ASA-CHANG & Junrei
mi-gu
Soutaisei Riron
...and more
(Performers are subject to change without notice)
Doors Open / Show Starts: 12:00 / 13:00 (Expected End: 20:00)
Venue: Koto-ku Yumenoshima 3-2
Tel. 03-3522-0281 Fax. 03-3522-0283
http://www.yumenoshima.jp/
Ticket Prices (Tax Included)
Block Reserved: ¥8,500 <Includes leisure sheet>
(Preschool children free; Elementary school students ¥1,050 <Includes leisure sheet>)
Parent-Child Ticket: ¥9,000 <Includes leisure sheet>
(1 Adult, 1 Child)
Ticket Sales Start: Sunday, May 31st, 10:00 AM
Inquiries: Hot Stuff Promotion
Tel. 03-5720-9999
http://www.world-happiness.com
Notes: Bringing your own leisure sheet is prohibited.
Please refrain from using chairs, tents, or parasols.
Please do not bring in any firearms, dangerous items, pets, bicycles, etc.
Please take your trash with you.
There is no dedicated parking for the event. Please use public transportation.