VOL.90 the musician to the musician(Yuri Nakamura)

From music freak magazine Vol.90

The musician to the musician

Episode 38

Yuri Nakamura / GARNET CROW

GARNET CROW released its second album, *SPARKLE 〜筋書き通りのスカイブルー〜*, on April 24. Their musical range had expanded further, and although the work sounded simple, it was filled with their ideas. What are the roots of the music made by Yuri Nakamura, who handles composition and vocals? We invited her to the long-awaited return of “The Musician To The Musician.”

According to Nakamura, music has been with her since childhood. Of course, she listens to many works now as well, and her way of buying CDs is impressively thorough.

“If I decide that a musician is good, I buy everything they have. If there is too much, I choose a few to start with, but in the end I still buy it all... Even if this album does not suit me, there may be something I like on another one, and I cannot feel at ease until I have everything. I am lazy about going out, so I visit record shops on the way home from recording. My basic rule with CDs is: if I hesitate, buy it. Rather than regretting not having heard something, I would rather listen first. So I always take a shopping basket when I browse (laughs). Besides, you cannot understand a person from one album alone, can you? Perhaps the concept they were pursuing at that time did not suit me, while earlier works might, or their current work might... It feels like a waste to decide you do not like someone after hearing only one album.”

She says she naturally owns all the works by the musicians mentioned this time. When buying Western music, however, she has one rule: she always chooses the Japanese edition with Japanese liner notes.

“I read the lyrics too, but what I especially look forward to is the liner notes. When I see that someone did something in the past or worked with someone else, I go on to listen to those musicians’ CDs. Perhaps I will like the musicians admired by the people who influenced me. So although I do hear songs I like on the radio, I more often expand what I listen to by following the liner notes of musicians I already like. I also listen to the top ten at record shops, or works that look interesting in free publications.”

Her listening ranges widely, from chart-top records to obscure works found in free publications and liner notes. This time we asked her to choose six favorite albums she has been listening to recently.

The Cranberries — *Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?*

“When I first heard it, the voice and melodies shocked me. The singer, a woman named Dolores O’Riordan, influenced me with the resonance of her voice from low to high and the way she used falsetto. The melodies have the flavor of Irish folk music, are distinctive, and stay in your ears easily. This is the album I have listened to most. I carried it around in my CD player, and eventually lost both the sleeve and the case. When I reach a dead end while composing, I listen to it first. It is a reliable record, like a fuse that draws out inspiration. After listening to music by this band and others, I wanted to try writing a song with a folk melody, which led to “pray” on GARNET CROW’s second album.”

Record introduction
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band centered on vocalist Dolores O’Riordan (vocals, guitar, keyboards), with Noel Hogan (electric and acoustic guitar), Mike Hogan (bass), and Fergal Lawler (drums and percussion). Originally popular in Britain’s independent music scene, they reached the world with this debut album.

The Corrs — *In Blue*

“They are Irish too, and their tones and harmonies are beautiful. The violin phrases also contain melodies unique to Ireland, so they give me a lot of inspiration and there is much to absorb. This is an album that feels good when heard as a whole. It is more pop-oriented than The Cranberries, so I have been listening to it often lately.”

Record introduction
The Corrs are from Dundalk, Ireland, and were formed by four siblings in 1990: Jim Corr (guitar, keyboards), Sharon (violin), Caroline (drums), and Andrea (vocals, tin whistle). They blended traditional Celtic music into catchy pop and created hit songs that represented a new Irish sound.

From music freak magazine Vol.90

Alanis Morissette — *Under Rug Swept*

“Her voice is extremely powerful, and she expresses a strong sense of self when she sings. That is something I do not have, so I admire it. For example, the slightly distant sense of proportion, or the way she sings as if approaching head-on. Even without talking about harmonies or accompaniment, her voice alone can carry the entire song, so I think it works completely a cappella. The information in the lyrics also strikes straight at the heart. I want to sing with that kind of power, so she is the female singer I admire most. Of course I own all her work. This is her newest album, but I like different things about every album.”

Record introduction
A Canadian singer-songwriter who debuted with *Alanis* in 1991. She won Best New Female Artist at the Juno Awards, known as the Canadian Grammys, and received high praise in Canada. Like her second album, this work was produced by Alanis herself.

Björk — *Selma Songs*

“What I like is the whole presence of Björk. Her voice is persuasive and moves the heart; it is truly outstanding. Her music also incorporates current elements and the latest technology, so its expressive range is enormous. Her personality is simply too strong. Rather than fashionable music that chases trends, I feel that her voice is sharp, stimulates me, and makes me curious about what she will do next. Every work feels like a challenge, and even the listener thinks, ‘All right, I will listen—I will take it on!’ She is already in another field, so rather than admiring her, I watch her as an observer. Listening to her music makes me feel that I too might change, and it gives my daily life stimulation.

“The album I listen to most is *Post*, and I especially like ‘Hyper-ballad.’ The theme song from the film *Dancer in the Dark* is wonderful on *Selma Songs*... By the way, I naturally own all the work by The Sugarcubes, her former band too (laughs).”

Record introduction
Björk is from Iceland and was active as the vocalist of The Sugarcubes in the 1980s. After leaving the band, she made her solo debut in 1993. This is the soundtrack to *Dancer in the Dark*. The film drew attention because Björk starred in it, won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, and earned Björk the Best Actress award.

Cloudberry Jam — *Going Further* (import compilation)

“I feel that this band’s clean, dry quality connects with GARNET CROW’s Neo Acoustic style. Their music makes me feel the earth; I picture Nordic cliffs, the sea, and green plants. I also like the plain, earthy, more acoustic quality of their music. I want to listen when I relax. They have male and female lead vocals, and the male harmony is very well judged. Last year, a former member came to Japan to promote a new band and apparently looked at GARNET CROW’s website before emailing us. If we have the chance, I would love to work together.”

Record introduction
Cloudberry Jam are a Swedish pop band formed in 1991. The band’s name is said to come from a dessert at a Chinese restaurant the members often visited. Singer Jennie’s low, soulful voice and their nostalgic, gentle music made them a representative act in Japan’s Swedish pop boom. After Jennie left in 1998, the band disbanded.

Suzanne Vega — *Songs in Red and Gray*

“It is not glamorous, but I like her atmosphere and slightly husky tone. You could call her healing; she is a singer who calms you simply by listening. Her tone is completely different from Alanis’s. Rather than piercing outward, it seems to wrap around you, and that clean texture is attractive. The music does not deliberately seek challenges or the avant-garde; she continues in her own style.

“I do not listen because a particular moment happens to suit me, or because something is popular. Her music is pop that can be heard the same way anywhere and at any time. She is not swayed by the world around her and seriously makes her own work, so as a songwriter I think she is wonderful. Although her voice is gentle, her attitude toward production must be very strict. It cannot be easy to keep making something that does not change. She has a ‘personal style’ that cannot be compared with anyone else’s, which I admire and want to learn from. I hope I can also always have an unchanging world that makes people think, ‘That is very GARNET CROW.’”

The musicians chosen this time are all women or led by women, something Nakamura apparently only noticed after someone pointed it out. Perhaps because she is a vocalist herself, she is especially sensitive to vocal tone.

“Because I sing too, I do seem to be drawn to women more easily. I have always had an ideal of ‘I want to sing a song like this,’ and perhaps I unconsciously look for people who match it, which results in more female vocalists. After all, when I listen, I also hope to use these things in my own music in some form.”

Yuri Nakamura of GARNET CROW continues to write peaceful songs that still pierce the heart. You too should listen to the works by the musicians who influenced her and whom she respects.

GARNET CROW discography

Singles

1. “Mysterious Eyes” / GZCA-1028 / ¥1,050 (tax included)
2. “君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく” / GZCA-1029 / ¥1,050 (tax included)
3. “二人のロケット” / GZCA-1032 / ¥1,050 (tax included)
4. “千以上の言葉を並べても...” / GZCA-1044 / ¥1,050 (tax included)
5. “夏の幻” / GZCA-1050 / ¥1,050 (tax included)
6. “flying” / GZCA-1055 / ¥1,050 (tax included)
7. “Last love song” / GZCA-1072 / ¥1,050 (tax included)
8. “call my name” / GZCA-2005 / ¥1,260 (tax included)
9. “Timeless Sleep” / GZCA-2020 / ¥1,260 (tax included)
10. “夢みたあとで” / GZCA-2031 / ¥1,260 (tax included)

Albums

1. “first soundscope 〜水のない晴れた海へ〜” / GZCA-1061 / ¥3,059 (tax included)
2. “SPARKLE 〜筋書き通りのスカイブルー〜” / GZCA-5013 / ¥3,059 (tax included)

Independent release

Mini-album “first kaleidscope 〜君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく〜” / TCR-001 / ¥1,890 (tax included)