CASUAL LIVE 17 and BG Brand's First Beanie | Keiko Toda x Go Ueki

Keiko Toda x Go Ueki

CASUAL LIVE 17 and BG Brand's First Beanie

Our thoughts on finishing CASUAL LIVE 17, and the debut of BG Brand's first knit cap! We look forward to your continued support in 2018.

Text by Keiko Toda

CASUAL LIVE 17

Keiko Toda (Toda): Go Ueki (Ueki)Great job, everyone!

TodaThis year's live show was in December at JZ Brat in Shibuya, just like the year before last. How was it? It felt like our usual live show, though.

UekiNo, no, I think it's changing with each performance. The interplay between your singing, Toda-san, and Ogino-san's piano is evolving. You have a unique way of singing, Toda-san, and I think the audience comes to enjoy that.

TodaOh, thank you so much. (Laughs) Actually, Kiyochang, the pianist, always says that too – that my singing is evolving. When I analyze it myself, I don't think I'm necessarily getting better, but perhaps I'm developing more of a presence, a power to sing within the space of JZ Brat. I feel like that's gradually growing.

UekiThat atmosphere really comes across. There's a different kind of enjoyment than your usual persona. It's like a talk show.

TodaI always feel that preparing for a live show is the hardest part, but every time we do one, I think, 'Live shows are wonderful.' It truly feels like a place of happiness. I want to deliver not only the songs but also theトーク (talk) in a way that's unique to each performance for everyone who comes. I'm always filled with that feeling.

UekiI think our conversations are also special to the live shows, and they're always fun. Since it was December, I was genuinely surprised by the surprise you prepared for me this year too. (Laughs)

TodaRight! December is Go's birthday month, so it's always fun to secretly plan with Kiyochang. This year's surprise was the best! That's part of the live experience. I think the audience was surprised too. (Laughs)

UekiThe Christmas medley is always wonderful. Our song, 'Dancin’ on the earth,' arranged for just piano, has gradually become something we can sing in a more mature way, don't you think?

TodaYes, it has. Kiyochang really likes it too. And then there's your dancing, Go.

UekiI always perform a special dance there that can only be done at that moment. So, I always look forward to it, and I think it contributes to my growth. It's a popping solo dance, not acrobatics. The feeling of dancing my favorite style to my favorite song. In a good way, there's a lot of tension.

TodaI'm always grateful for your amazing dancing that livens up the show. Thank you!

UekiI enjoy it too.

TodaAnd, I wanted to sing a tribute song for our dear friend Hiroshi Tsuru, who suddenly passed away last November, so I chose Kiroro's 'Best Friend.' Of course, it wasn't planned because it was so sudden, but I felt I had to sing something. I wanted to sing rather than speak.

UekiIt might sound strange, but it was very moving.

TodaIt was still before the 49th day memorial, and I felt like she was listening nearby. At that time, I also had a Dokin-chan card standing beside me as I sang. But I kept crying, so I had Go draw an illustration on the sheet music for me, so I could look at it and sing without crying.

UekiYes, that's right. I'm glad the illustration was helpful.

TodaI think I managed to deliver it without crying too much. It felt like she might have even come to the Christmas live show. At the live venue, Tsuru-san always used to buy BG Brand merchandise alongside me.

UekiI've heard that from you often, Toda-san. She was a particularly heavy user among the Anpanman family.

TodaIt's true. She wore them often and cherished the older items for a long time. I still haven't been able to say goodbye, but by singing 'Best Friend,' I feel like I've had a small farewell. It's difficult to create closure. But I wanted to convey something through singing, and I wanted to cherish that feeling, which is akin to a prayer.

UekiI'm sure the audience felt it too.

TodaThank you. I'd love to debut new songs at the live shows too. What kind of songs do you think would be good?

UekiPerhaps an anthem song. Our own kind of anthem. One created by someone who can do a cartwheel at 60 and someone who dances energetically at 42. (Laughs) A song that gives you energy.

TodaJust thinking about it makes me excited.

UekiI'm looking forward to even more synergy between you and Ogino-san.

TodaThe changing tones of Kiyochang's music. Her expressiveness. Her arrangement skills. And Go's sparkling dance and harmony! I believe we're the strongest team. Thank you. I look forward to working with you again this year.

Keiko Toda x Go Ueki

CASUAL LIVE 17 and BG Brand's First Beanie (Part 2)

BG Brand's First Knit Cap

Keiko Toda (Toda)BG Brand has produced a cap before, but this is our first knit hat.

Go Ueki (Ueki)That's right. Knit hats have become an all-season item recently. It's a fitting item for BG Brand's 10th anniversary.

TodaThere are four colors. How were they decided?

UekiI insisted on black and white, the monochrome options. And Toda-san wanted colors that could be enjoyed in addition, so we created gray and red as limited editions.

TodaFor those who already have black or white, I wanted them to enjoy other colors, so I chose gray and red.

UekiGray is easy to coordinate with, and it sold out immediately at the live venue.

TodaExactly! So, we'll be selling three colors. It's a happy problem. (Laughs)

UekiBut red is also vivid and nice. I recommend it for men too. I think it would be perfect with a flannel check shirt.

TodaWe're both hat lovers, so we wear different colors all the time. (Laughs) Choosing a color is fun every day. And it's amazing how it matches any of our previous BG Brand items.

UekiThat's right! It goes well with our existing staples and suits various styles.

TodaWhat were the design considerations?

UekiIt started with incorporating a BOX LOGO. Recently, BOX LOGOs have been trending in sports lines, streetwear, and even high fashion.

TodaA patch on the cuff of the knit hat?

UekiYes, a BOX patch with 'bg brand' embroidered on it. We aimed for a rock-inspired yet stylish look. The embroidery turned out beautifully.

TodaAnd we can't forget the 10th anniversary. 'Xanniv' is stylishly embroidered diagonally on the top of the cap.

UekiIt's comfortable to wear, and it looks stylish whether worn shallow or deep! It suits various styles.

TodaMy friends often hesitate between colors but end up buying two or more. (Laughs) Koichi Yamadera bought all four colors!

UekiThat's wonderful! (Laughs)

TodaBG Brand is celebrating its 10th anniversary, thanks to all of you. A small portion of our profits supports LOVE JUNX (an entertainment school for people with Down syndrome). We presented LOVE JUNX with original knit caps featuring a peace sign design.

UekiWe receive so much energy from everyone at LOVE JUNX, who are so happy to receive them with beaming smiles.

TodaIndeed. They always energize us. We want to continue working hard with BG Brand so that we don't fall behind them and can bring them joy.

UekiWe look forward to your continued support in 2018.