VOL.132 “晴れ時計”Yuri Nakamurainterview(second half)

●○○ From music freak magazine Vol.132

there was no sense that it had stopped. We continued writing songs as usual, while the fifth-anniversary projects ran alongside that work as an added element this year. We had been making music in the same way as always, songs came together, and then we thought, “All right, let's make this a single.” For us, it was a very natural progression.

●So this was the result of your usual approach to making music.
Nakamura: Yes, that is how it turned out. If anything, the best album was the special thing. This year we released a fifth-anniversary photo book, then a DVD, and then the best album, so from our perspective those fifth-anniversary releases were the special projects. “That is that, and this is this,” as it were.

●Usually, when an artist releases something after a fifth anniversary, they feel they have reached a turning point and want to try something new, change direction a little, or spend more time on it. GARNET's attitude seems different from that of most artists.
Nakamura: It is more that we wanted to keep our usual attitude; in fact, I thought it would look uncool if that changed. If the next single had gone in a completely different direction just because the best album had come out, or if people thought we were straining too hard, I would have found that embarrassing. Besides, after someone listened to the best album and thought, “Oh, so this is what GARNET CROW's world is like,” I would not want them to hear the next single and say, “What? This is completely different.” I would be happy if, somewhere in the intro to “晴れ時計,” they felt, “Ah, this sounds like GARNET.”

●“晴れ時計” really does have that bright, distinctly GARNET feeling.
Nakamura: It was one of several songs that made it to the final selection for the single. They liked it as the opening theme for *MÄR Heaven* again this time, so we thought, “Then let's go with this one.”

●It is another *MÄR Heaven* theme following the previous single, but it was not a song written in response to a request made in advance, was it?
Nakamura: No. The lyrics had already been written for the song.

●On first listen, it feels like a relaxed song that flows effortlessly, but it has turned into quite a catchy, repeatable number.
Nakamura: Yes. It may sound odd for me to say this myself, but it is a song I never get tired of hearing (laughs). Even now, we do not get tired of listening to it ourselves.

●What feelings do you have for this song, and what should listeners look out for in the recording?
Nakamura: In terms of sound, I feel we went with a natural sound that recalls early GARNET. Furui also said that he arranged it with the feeling of returning to the beginning, as if he were going back to his original starting point.

●“晴れ時計” is such a striking title. Was it another title that AZUKI wrote spontaneously?
Nakamura: I think the lyrics and arrangement were developed at the same time on this one, too. As always, the title, lyrics, and arrangement seem to come together without anyone having to say anything.

●Was the recording itself also completed quickly and smoothly?
Nakamura: Yes. It was a song that emerged as we carefully finished each track, as usual. We were not thinking of it particularly as a fifth-anniversary song or as the song after the best album. We did choose it as a single, of course, but we did not set out to do something different or take on a new challenge. We simply worked at our own pace, cherishing our world and finishing it without damaging it.

●This song brings out the unchanging strengths GARNET CROW has maintained for five years.
Nakamura: Yes. Staying the same has always been one of our themes. Changing is easy, but remaining the same without growing tired ourselves or making our listeners grow tired is the most difficult thing. In a sense, we deliberately took on that challenge. We want to remain as we are and establish something like a unified GARNET brand. Whether it is a major-key song or a ballad, I hope that somewhere a world people can recognize as “GARNET-like” will take shape.

●Fans feel reassured by that: “This is how it should be.” They must also be happy to receive a new single the month after the best album. All three tracks have a great feel and show another side of the group. For example, the second track, “たとえば12月の夜に,” has such a seasonal title and lyrics, and it is a wonderful song.
Nakamura: I love that song. I actually had a very hard time deciding whether to put it on the coupling side or save it for later (laughs). I like it that much. But the title says December, and the mood of the lyrics is fairly limited to that season, so I thought it was a good fit. Also, “晴れ時計” was a bright, major-key song, so I thought we could go in the opposite direction with a cool, stylish minor-key song, another area we are good at. I think longtime GARNET CROW fans will love it (laughs).

●Both the major-key and minor-key sides have a world view that is uniquely GARNET's. Furui's arrangement here also has a club feel, with a nice twist.
Nakamura: That kind of thing is part of GARNET's world, too.

●Did AZUKI, who wrote the lyrics, have any comments about this song?
Nakamura: She said it gave her the same impression as the melody itself. She apparently thought about twisting it somehow instead of simply following the melody, but in the end the straightforward version felt most natural. Then she hoped someone might add a twist, and Furui did it in the sound, so she was apparently delighted: “Yes!”

●That is one of the pleasures unique to GARNET fans: listening to the singing, listening to the sound, and reading the lyrics.
Nakamura: Yes, three delicious ways to enjoy it.

●And the third track, “CANDY POP,” is another fun little piece within the single, with an interesting, playful finish.
Nakamura: Since the second track has fairly thick harmonies and a solid sound, we made the third one feel like a little scoop of sorbet after a proper Italian meal—a light palate cleanser to enjoy afterward.

●It has a 1970s folk feeling. Did that kind of melody come from you, Nakamura?
Nakamura: Yes, it has a slightly acoustic feel. I am not really pushing my voice on this one, and even the high notes come out naturally in falsetto. I think the sound also came out nicely light and open in that way.

●The lyrical world also feels very 1970s.
Nakamura: It is cute, isn't it?

●The way the ending finishes is irresistible, too.
Nakamura: Is that so? (laughs awkwardly) I play the final lead on accordion. At first I thought a whistle would be nice, so I recorded myself whistling. But it did not quite fit the image, and after considering several options, including recorder, we settled on accordion.

●So you really do try all kinds of things.
Nakamura: Whenever I get an idea, I try it, then stop when I realize, “Oh, no, that does not work.” We do this all the time.

●It is the same old GARNET CROW recording process. Time passes, but your way of making music has not changed.
Nakamura: No, we will not change it at all (laughs).

●If we ask where GARNET will go from here and how it will change...
Nakamura: It will not change (firmly). We cannot change, and I do not think we will (laughs).

●The atmosphere and visual style of the four members will stay the same, too...
Nakamura: Yes, they will not change much.

●The relationships among the members have not changed either.
Nakamura: I suppose our current approach is simply the easiest for us. It is the most comfortable style mentally, and we do not feel any need to deliberately change the way we make music now.

●And GARNET CROW will have a special live show in December, at Osaka's Central Public Hall in Nakanoshima—a venue with a wonderful atmosphere.
Nakamura: It is an important old building from the Taishō era, so we are thinking about various things to make sure we are not overwhelmed by its atmosphere (laughs). I really hope everyone will come.

●Since it is a live show by invitation only, the competition will probably be fierce.
Nakamura: This is our first live show in this format, so we do not really know how it will differ from a regular concert. I am very excited.

●Are you planning anything in particular?
Nakamura: Well, various things... Yes... various things (laughs).

●As all these different releases keep appearing, fans may be getting ahead of themselves, but they are already looking forward to the next album...
Nakamura: Since we did not release an original album this year, I hope people will be able to hear an original album from us early next year.

●Please keep releasing something or other without stopping.
Nakamura: I am truly grateful that we have been able to release work consistently. I hope we can keep making lots of good songs without abandoning this style.

●That seems to be the general feeling shared by all four members.
Nakamura: Of course. All four of us feel that way. On top of that, the fifth anniversary happened to come along this year.

●GARNET seems to have many devoted fans who remain loyal for a long time. Finally, could you send a message to those fans?
Nakamura: Thanks to everyone, we were able to celebrate our fifth anniversary, and this has been an especially happy year because we even released a best album. From here on, I want us to keep working hard without being intoxicated by that achievement, so please continue to support us just as warmly.

晴れ時計
GARNET CROW

New Single “晴れ時計” — Released November 30
GIZA studio　GZCA-4055　¥1,260 (tax included)

1. 晴れ時計
2. たとえば12月の夜に
3. CANDY POP
4. 晴れ時計 〜Instrumental〜

※“晴れ時計” — Opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime *MÄR Heaven*

★MÄR Heaven special sticker enclosed
★Only first-run copies include a GARNET CROW “晴れ時計” jacket-photo sticker!!

GARNET CROW
Best Selection 2000 to 2005

*Best* — Now on sale
GIZA studio　GZCA-5702〜3　¥3,200 (tax included)
■Three-sided hard case / Includes a deluxe 104-page booklet

【First-press bonuses】
★CD-size desk calendar (2005.11–2006.12)
★Entry postcard for the fifth-anniversary premium live show included!!
800 purchasers will be selected by lottery and invited on each of the two days!!
Dates: Friday, December 16 and Saturday, December 17, 2005
Venue: Osaka Central Public Hall (Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka)
Entry deadline: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 (postmark valid that day)

■OFFICIAL WEBSITE　www.garnetcrow.com