[Interview] BAND-MAID releases new song "Zen" born from "Epic Narratives" - "We're moving forward at full speed po!"[Part 2]
◾︎I was reminded of the excellence of "Epic Narratives"
──But even so, what impresses me is that BAND-MAID's creative activities have not stopped even for a moment. It was announced that this single will be released at the same time as the Zepp Tour ends, and that a new EP will be released after that, so in short, they haven't stopped even after "Epic Narratives" was completed. In fact, if there are any changes in songwriting that have been brought about by making that album, what are they?
Kobato: I feel that the range of each song is continuing to expand without narrowing. There are various variations even in mid-tempo songs. I think the range of songs that KANAMI-sensei comes out has expanded even further.
──What do you think, sensei?
KANAMI: To be honest, it's hard to understand when you think of "changes after the album"... Have my arrangements changed in any way?
MISA: Rather than changes after the album, I think the changes during the album production are still continuing, or rather, we are in the midst of further perfecting the changes there. I think that's what's led to the broadening of our range.
AKANE: The songs on "Epic Narratives" are quite mid-tempo songs that are meant to be listened to, or convey something, and I worked on those songs while valuing the feeling of "I want to convey something through sound", but when I actually performed the completed songs at a service, the reaction of the audience was very good, and I felt like I really grasped something there. This is especially true for "The one". I feel like I was able to convey parts that I couldn't express or express before on the November tour, and I was talking about that with everyone. It was a big thing for us that we were able to properly convey mid-tempo songs and ballads, and we're still recording and writing songs with that feeling. I was able to grasp the groove within myself, and I realized that my drumming had already changed during the recording stage of "Epic Narratives", and I gained even more confidence during the tour after that, so I'm having a lot of fun now.
SAIKI: That's good (laughs).
KANAMI: Recording will continue to progress in the future. Right now, I have two songs that I need to finish, but I'm recording as originally planned and writing songs at the same time. Moreover, after going through "Epic Narratives," I've found myself wanting to rearrange some of the songs I'm currently recording. I was actually writing songs for the upcoming EP in parallel with "Epic Narratives," but after the album was completed, I wanted to change the arrangement. So I feel like I'll have to work hard on the two songs I'm working on now, or I won't be able to finish them in time…
──The last part of your statement just now sounded like a complaint (laughs).
KANAMI: Sorry (laughs). But it's true that because of "Epic Narratives," the scope of your arrangements will be even broader in the future, and I hope that the new songs you write in the future will have an interesting quality that comes from having gone through that album, and that I can put that into your next EP.
──When you say that you "wanted to change the arrangement," it sounds like you're denying the answer you once gave, but that's not what you mean, is it?
KANAMI: That's right. It's just a brush-up. It's about reinventing the song. In a sense, it's exactly a complete overhaul (laughs).
Kobato: Just now you said, "I'd be shocked if someone said it was a complete overhaul" (laughs).
SAIKI: It might be difficult for songs that already have the drums recorded.
AKANE: That's true!
──So let's limit the complete overhaul (laughs). Anyway, from what you said earlier, it seems that the ZEPP TOUR in November was short but very fruitful.
MISA: I've always thought so. Although the number of shows was small, I think it was intense. The speed at which we grew was faster than any other tour we've had so far. I really wanted to say that today... I'm glad I was able to say it (laughs).
--That makes you want to do more and more, doesn't it? The 2025 service will start with the "Extra Edition", so what are you thinking about?
SAIKI: The Extra Edition will be held at Liquid Room for two days... I haven't told anyone this yet, but I've been thinking about making some unreasonable requests of everyone (laughs).
Kobato: Actually, on the schedule shared by the members, it was originally written as "SAIKI's Unreasonable Request" (laughs).
SAIKI: That's what we called it among ourselves. And the actual unreasonable request I'm thinking about is that I want to do a medley.
Kobato: It seems like it's going to be something amazing. It's pretty difficult.
SAIKI: That's why I'm currently fighting with the BPM. I'm also thinking that it might be okay to change the tempo a little.
──It would be interesting to connect the songs while inserting session parts.
SAIKI: That would be good too. Everyone, you have a lot to work on, so please look forward to it (laughs).
AKANE: It sounds fun! And it would be nice to have a special edition feel to it.
Kobato: That's right. I've always said that I wanted to do a medley someday.
SAIKI: It's simply because there are so many songs I want to do, but after releasing "Epic Narratives" and doing four shows on the ZEPP TOUR with different setlists, I was reminded once again of how great that album is. I think it was a tour that was only possible because the album is full of great songs. However, if it's a special edition, I'm sure there will be many masters and ladies who say, "I want to hear those songs too!" and we have a lot of songs we want to do, so we're thinking about doing a lot of them.
Kobato: We're looking forward to it too!
──During the ZEPP TOUR, I had the opportunity to see two shows at ZEPP HANEDA, and I felt that the session parts were really put to good use. It wasn't a performance with the purpose of playing solos, and it was fun to connect the songs together, but what impressed me most was how everyone seemed to enjoy playing. I thought it was something that could only be done by people who interpret the same song in the same way, and I felt that playing in a session like that could lead to ideas for new songs. What do you think?
KANAMI: That's right. Someone once told me about a song that hadn't been released yet, "This song reminds me of the session we did at Yokohama Arena." It was an unexpected comment, so I thought, "Huh?" at the time, but I realized that it was probably reflected in the thoughts I had when I was creating those session parts, like, "If I do this, the audience will be excited at the service."
--It's wonderful that it's unconsciously reflected in the songs. The moving bass in "Zen" and the rich fills in the development also remind me of the scene of the session, and I felt that it was a song that made use of the current state of the band. And while we're at it, 2024 will be over, but what kind of year do you want 2025 to be?
SAIKI: I think that with "Epic Narratives" we were able to express our determination for the future, but I am well aware that releasing it doesn't mean that it's over, and there are still songs waiting for us to deliver to you, masters and ladies, so I hope you don't miss them and keep up with us. And in 2025 we'll be touring again, and we'll be going to MISA's hometown of Okayama, and there are some things that haven't been announced yet...
Kobato: Before that, we'll also be performing acoustic shows at Billboard Live TOKYO and Billboard Live OSAKA. In that sense, I think you'll be able to enjoy a different kind of BAND-MAID in 2025.
SAIKI: The acoustic shows are only available to our leaders, but I hope you'll enjoy them. For me, Billboard is a place I've always admired.
Kobato: I hope you'll be able to watch us in a slightly different atmosphere, relaxing and enjoying a meal.
SAIKI: And new songs may appear on the tour after that, and I think the set list will shine differently than before. I want to put my all into it. MISA: Also, the next tour has
more shows than this year, so I want to cherish each show and work hard to grow even more.
KANAMI: I just thought, but I think it would be a good idea to practice some instrumental songs.
AKANE: That's true. Especially the ones I haven't played recently.
──It's like we're predicting exam questions.
Kobato: It's true, it's turning into a conversation about exam preparations.
KANAMI: It might turn out like this: "Even though we practiced it so much, this song wasn't on the set list!" (laughs).
AKANE: But really, as MISA said earlier, the ZEPP TOUR in November was very intense and we were able to absorb a lot of things, so I want to make 2025 a year where we can make use of that. With this many opportunities, I think we can grow even more, and I want to increase the things we can grasp and absorb in a short period of time.
SAIKI: At the same time, I would like to actively work on activities outside of Japan. Since I couldn't go in 2024.
Kobato: That's right. Let's move forward at full speed!
──I'm looking forward to it. In fact, I think it's very symbolic that the new year starts with a fresh song like "Zen".
SAIKI: Yes. I feel like a new wind is blowing for us. So, readers, please take care of your health and do your best in 2025!
Interview and text by Yuichi Masuda.
Photos by Yoshinobu Bito.
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