"This one (new album) is better. 'Muzai (Moratorium)' was my debut album
and is considered to be really well made, but I feel like it was painful
and stressful. I can't explain it, but, at any rate, this is better"
"This" is Shiina Ringo's soon to be released 2nd album "Shoso Strip"
This album, whose recording, from what we understand, finished last summer,
from the beginning, existed (Shiina) Ringo's head, as a pair with "Muzai
Moratorium".
"I, very much, decided to only make 13 songs, and was thinking the title
should be "Shosou Strip", but at that time, the 13 songs I was thinking of
were different than the ones now."
"There was a song from when I was a teenager"
"But, when it became time to record, I happened to stop it."
"At that time, I had to take 'stock' of the different ideas in my head."
"I can't explain it well but, I said I would write the new ideas down at
home and come back."
That moment began to overflow with songs like "Yokushitsu" ("Bathroom"),
"Byoushou Paburikku" ("Public Sickbed"), While making songs like
"Yokushitsu" ("Bathroom"), "Byoushou Paburikku" ("Public Sickbed"),
and "Sutoishizumui" ("Stoicism"), the world of "Shouso~ (Strip)" had now
been created.
"At the time I created the new songs, I decided on the song order myself."
At that point, I already decided how it would be. I decided on the staff
and musicians, and decided on the recording date as well.
I really appreciate that the director let me do it."
(laughs).
If a selfish thought pops into her head, it is probably washed away, Ringo
had something that she very confident in. At that time, she said, something,
what you might call Honnou (fate), was pushing her to move,
something she couldn't resist, something like destiny.
"Even the time I was sick (throughout her first tour Ringo was sick)
I felt like everything was prepared for me (her destiny).
Therefore, even when I was said to be on a so-called "break" (slow period)
"Muzai Moratorium"'s songs such as "Koufukuron" (and) "Kabuki-cho no Jou-o"
were coming out one by one .....
To release it like that, I, felt like I was only doing what I was really
destined to do. I don't know why though...."
Although seemingly by coincidence, "Shouso Strip" was obviously something
that was necessary. In Ringo's Case, because your eye tends to be taken by
the strong words, (it's thought) "Shouso~", which became a high level of expression,
is supported by them, but the thing which is (also) supporting it is actually the
skillful sound creation (arrangements) as well.
"This time with a sound that technically exceeds the image of what I wanted
to do, I think I achieved a higher level. Everything became smoother, from my
communication skill, to being able to talk to musicians more frankly, and that
made the job faster and easier to do.
Because there was no frustration with the sound. I really enjoyed recording."
Even so. Ringo, in a single vivid moment, dissolved anxiety, dilemma, and
uncontrolled emotions into a sound full of richness and emotion. For example,
in the case of "Kyogenshou".
"If I tell the true story (truth), I, since I was an amateur, had hesitations.
"Although the speech in "Identity" is said to be very uplifting,
that doesn't mean I was in a good situation, (because) there were a lot
of critics...."
"That probably gave me the strength to fight back, and at that time, I was
probably thinking that way, but I don't really remember what I was thinking, now.
Why did I say such a thing?..."
"Because,anyway, it is consistent with "Kyogenshou", and I feel like I wasn't
pretending (posturing). Though such a thing happened, I didn't change the words.
Each time I say "you", it doesn't mean the same person."
"When I was thinking/writing, it doesn't have to be true (it could be fiction),
so its ok, I think, to say something like that."
"Shouso Strip" was made while struggling with fate. At the end of the 13 songs,
which are all ordered symetrically, is a song called "Izonshou".
While all the other songs are filled with a spontaneous emotion, something shown
by this song is different.
Everybody relies on something or someone to live, and that's the way we
support ourselves. As a human being and as a woman herself, Ringo has something
to rely on as well.
"I wonder if what I'm relying on can only be done this way? (only way I
can live?)" So, the end of the 2nd album is "Izonshou" but, by the 3rd album, I
don't want to depend on it. To be perfectly level, it's time to say goodbye to
this "me". How do I say it, I, at least, don't think it's right.
Because I have begun to realize what a large influence what I say has,
It's improper to have put out something like that (Muzai Moratorium)."
"I thought that someone, like Benji (Blankey Jet City's Asai Kenichi) was
different. I thought I wanted to become like that person, my impression of
him is that he was very relaxed to meet me or other people."
"He enjoys his life and living comfortably. As a musician, that is a good way to
live. But, I think that I cannot become such a person."
"I think I had intened to be stop at the 3rd album, but because
I still haven't matured as a musician.... I am still going to continue.
Does this really say something about my limited work? It just came out naturally.
I appreciate that people have bought such a thing. I feel that its not good enough
to be called a business, yet, it has become one."
Ringo tends to be prudent as she has said. However, if her music were
created intentionally, it would be impossible to create such emotion (enough to
make people cry). The words in her songs are 200% natural, completely opposite
from the word 'eccentric'.
In the daily life that passes plainly by, while "Shouso Strip" resounds,
Finally, she feels that her true feelings are finally being realized.
