Our Annual Casual Live at JZ Brat Sound of Tokyo

UekiI had planned to do the same this time, but during rehearsal, I heard "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and decided to dance to the live sound.

TodaThat made it feel more live, and it was wonderful. Also, at JZ Brat, the audience floor and the stage are at the same level, so it looked like street dance, and your dancing was beautifully soft and different from usual.

UekiI could see the emotional exchange between pianist Ogino-san and you, Toda-san, and it was truly wonderful.

TodaThank you. Kiyochann, or Kiyoko Ogino, and I have a very long history. Kiyochann performs on many stages and accompanies me for plays every day, so the piano feels alive. She responds more than sufficiently to the nuances in my vocals.

UekiI was also more mindful of the duo and harmony parts than ever before.




TodaI understand!! A live show with just piano exposes the vocals completely. (Laughs) Actually, it takes courage to do a live show like this.

UekiRight.

TodaIt becomes a very intimate time with the audience. Every word reaches them directly. A kind of "spatial power" comes into play. This time, as an homage to SMAP, I felt the songs resonated more deeply in that sense. For myself, too.

UekiThe way you sing changes, doesn't it? The Christmas songs were great too. And you celebrated my birthday! (Laughs)

TodaIt was a surprise we had planned! I was so happy you fell for it. (Laughs)

UekiThank you very much.

TodaCongratulations!

UekiThis time, I could really listen to your singing carefully, and I was struck by how much you cherish your own songs. Your songs also exert their "spatial power" depending on the live house. Many people are always looking for something new, aren't they? It's wonderful that you never tire of your own songs.

TodaPartly because I don't have that many original songs. (Laughs) I prefer to think I've been given such good songs. They always feel new, honestly. A sense of freshness wells up, strangely.

UekiYour "Tsuyogari" this time was superb. It contained everything.

TodaThank you. (Laughs) I sing it without thinking about anything at all. Perhaps that's the "spatial power."

UekiWhen I think about it, the atmosphere of the casual live shows is completely different now compared to when we started. You seem to be enjoying it.

TodaYes. I'm not 100% focused on singing every single day, so honestly, there are difficult times, but it's strange how I can now transform even those into enjoyment. It's all for myself. For my own growth. That's why even if the live show loses money. (Laughs) Even when I'm losing motivation, I make discoveries after every live performance!

UekiI feel the same. Every time I participate, I make discoveries. I hope you'll continue to do these simple live shows, Toda-san.

TodaYes. When I think about it calmly, I realize I truly love the time spent singing, that space. I want to work hard to be able to spend that happy time again. It would be great if we could create new duet songs too.

UekiThat sounds great! I'll work hard too!!

Page02.New BG Brand T-Shirts: BOX LOGO + Rock Taste

New BG Brand T-Shirts: BOX LOGO + Rock Taste

UekiBOX LOGO has been influencing high fashion, with street brands leading the way. Gucci and Louis Vuitton have incorporated it, haven't they?

TodaI see it everywhere. BOX LOGO is incredibly trendy. For the BG Brand, it was first used on the canvas tote bags, wasn't it?




UekiThis time, I wanted to create something designed, a bit different from the trendy BOX LOGO. With a rock taste. Incorporating asymmetrical fine print, emblems, and crossbones.

TodaOn the front BOX, the words "BG Brand." The font looks quite unusual and spacey, doesn't it?

UekiYes. I wanted people to feel a sense of cosmic expansion. (Laughs) The fine print means, "Fashion fades, but style is eternal," a motto from the fashion industry. I believe it resonates with our way of life. 0207 is a shuffled version of the BG Brand's founding year. On the left sleeve BOX, the BG Brand's motto so far, "SHOW MUST GO ON." Three marks symbolizing eternity on the cuffs. I added "SHOW MUST GO ON" to signify that this motto is always in our hearts. And 0207 here too.

TodaEven with long-sleeved T-shirts, people often think they're harder to style than short-sleeved ones, right? So, we changed the silhouette a bit this time. It has a different feel from usual, doesn't it?

UekiThat's the strength of making the body from scratch. It's somewhere between a sweatshirt and a long-sleeved tee. The fabric feel is also like that.

TodaYes. For men, the length is longer. For women, it's a bit shorter and cute. The sleeves are roomy, and they look great over skirts. The men's length can also be worn as a tunic, so there are many ways for women to enjoy it.

UekiAfter all, long-sleeved tees need a specific silhouette to look stylish, so you really have to make the body from scratch.




TodaI completely agree. For women this time, I think tucking it in, as is trendy, would also work. It comes in white and black. It looks cool as is, or paired with a rider's jacket!!

UekiNext year is the 10th anniversary of the BG Brand! It will also be a milestone year for you, Toda-san. (Laughs)

TodaIndeed, a milestone is coming. (Laughs)

UekiIt's not just because of that, but for our next creation, we want to make something we wear most often and have always wanted to make.

TodaYes. It's exciting. That time will come before we know it, so we want to nurture it carefully from now on.

UekiNext year is your Year of the Rooster, Toda-san! (Laughs) Let's make the BG Brand soar too!!

BG BOX LOGO LONGSLEEVE T

• Keiko Toda's Series: "Happy? Half Century"