Es VOL.8 concept album“All Lovers”Yuri Nakamurainterview

●What prompted you to make your first concept album?
Yuri Nakamura (hereafter Nakamura): We wanted more and more people to learn about our work, so we planned it with that in mind. I think a concept album is easy for people to pick up as a way of discovering GARNET CROW for the first time.
●Were there several possible concepts? How did the concept of “songs to give to someone important, songs to have them listen to” come about?
Nakamura: We agreed that we wanted to express “love” so that many people could relate to it, but “Summer Song” was also among the candidates. Then someone said, “GARNET CROW and a summer image?! Do we even have that many summer songs?!” (laughs), so we chose “LOVE” as the theme.
●I personally found it refreshing that “Mr. Holiday” was the first song. Was selecting the songs difficult?
Nakamura: I consciously tried to select songs so the album would not lean too heavily toward ballads. “Mr. Holiday” has surprisingly strong support among men as well. The lyrics seem to really strike a chord with them.
●Listening to the album, I felt that many of the songs had warm, gentle sounds. Was the feel of the sound also considered when selecting them?
Nakamura: Since the concept was “songs to give to someone important, songs to have them listen to,” we selected songs that would allow listeners to imagine various people: a lover, a friend, family, a mentor, a pet, and so on.
●Was there anything you paid particular attention to when deciding the running order?
Nakamura: The order came from inspiration. Since it was a summer release, I tried not to arrange it so that it began in an overly melancholy way. I wanted listeners to be able to imagine a sense of fun throughout the entire album.
●The album includes rearranged versions of “Yasashii Ame” and “Koi Suru Koto Shika Dekinai Mitai ni.” Were these two songs rearranged specifically for this release?
Nakamura: Yes. For the rearrangements, we had Furui choose the songs that gave him an immediate spark at that time. (laughs)
●“Yasashii Ame 〜Soushi Souai ver.〜” feels even softer than the original, with the natural instrumentation brought to the fore. What do you like about it?
Nakamura: I like how it feels as though the world suddenly opens up and you are drawn into the world of the song from the introduction.
●The subtitle “〜Soushi Souai ver.〜” was also striking. How did those words come about?
Nakamura: The arrangement made me feel more “kindness,” and the arrangement, the singing, and the lyrics seemed so close and affectionate with one another that we called it “soushi souai”—mutual love.
●“Koi Suru Koto Shika Dekinai Mitai ni 〜Koi no Tsubomi ver.〜” is based on an acoustic sound, but it also feels more dynamic than the original. Did you make any requests to Furui regarding the image for the arrangement?
Nakamura: I left the image entirely to Furui. I like how it became a fun arrangement, as though something were suddenly bursting open.
●The subtitle “〜Koi no Tsubomi ver.〜” feels very charming. How did those words come about?
Nakamura: I had an image of something about to burst open, and I thought it would be nice if that something were love, so I gave it that title.
●The newly written song “Sora ni Hanabi,” including its classical opening, has a strong quality throughout. What image did you have when creating it?
Nakamura: There was a period when I was writing lots of bright, up-tempo songs, and as a reaction to that I wanted to write a bittersweet mid-tempo song.
●What was your reaction when you read AZUKI's lyrics? If there is a phrase you particularly like, could you tell us what it is and why you chose it?
Nakamura: I thought it was a bittersweet song that was perfect for summer. I like the lyric, “I want to keep building days in which we can look at the same things.” I think it is wonderful to share the same things with someone as you live your life.
●Were there any parts you paid particular attention to when singing?
Nakamura: The chorus has a succession of long tones, so I paid attention to the extension and luster of my voice when singing it.
●What did you think when you heard the completed arrangement?
Nakamura: It was romantic and dramatic, and it brought tears to my eyes.
●How was the album title 『All Lovers』 decided? If there are any thoughts you wanted to put into the words, please tell us.
Nakamura: We wanted to give it to and have important people listen to it, so “important people = Lovers” became “All Lovers.” Lovers can mean a partner, friends, family, a mentor, or each person's own important people, so I hope everyone will think of the people who matter to them.
●Now that the concept album has been completed, do you have any thoughts about it in retrospect? Do you plan to make a second one?
Nakamura: I think it has a warm, peaceful feeling that is nice. If we get the opportunity, I would definitely like to make another one.
●The LIVE DVD 『GARNET CROW livescope 2010 〜THE BEST TOUR〜』 is also being released on the same day as 『All Lovers』. What would you say are the highlights of the LIVE DVD?
Nakamura: My entrance scene. (laughs) I think it will surprise you.
●After the concept album and LIVE DVD are released, your first symphonic concert will be held on August 26. Is there anything you personally are looking forward to about holding the concert?
Nakamura: Collaborating with a full orchestra is not something one often gets the chance to do, so I am very excited to see how classical music and our music will blend together.

LIVE DVD
『GARNET CROW livescope 2010 〜THE BEST TOUR〜』

GIZA studio
GZBA-8014〜8015
¥4,800 (tax in)

＜Track listing＞
【DISC 1】
01. Nami no Yesterday
02. Mysterious Eyes
03. Natsu no Maboroshi
04. As the Dew
05. Yuudachi no Niwa
06. Sen Ijou no Kotoba wo Narabete mo...
07. Jewel Fish
08. Yume no Hitotsu
09. Kaze to RAINBOW
10. wish★
11. Clockwork
12. Crier Girl & Crier Boy
　　〜ice cold sky〜
13. Timeless Sleep

【DISC 2】
14. Yume Mita Ato de
15. Holy ground
16. call my name
17. Sekai wa Mawaru to Iu Keredo
18. Futari no Rocket
19. Ameagari no Blue
20. Kimi no Omoi Egaita Yume Atsumeru HEAVEN
21. Koyoi Eden no Katasumi de
〜Encore〜
01.「Sayonara」to Tatta Hitokoto de...
02. Over Drive
03. Bokura dake no Mirai
04. Spiral

Concept Album 『All Lovers』

GIZA studio
GZCA-5222
¥3,000 (tax in)

＜Track listing＞
01. Mr. Holiday
02. Love Lone Star
03. Yasashii Ame 〜Soushi Souai ver.〜
04. Kyou no Kimi to Ashita wo Matsu
05. CANDY POP
06. over blow
07. Shiawase na Pet
08. Cried a little
09. U
10. Haru Matsu Hana no You ni
11. WEEKEND
12. wonder land
13. Mou Ichido Waratte
14. The first cry
15. Koi Suru Koto Shika Dekinai Mitai ni 〜Koi no Tsubomi ver.〜
16. Sora ni Hanabi (new song)

※“Sora ni Hanabi”
Ending theme for TBS TV's “Uwasa no Tokyo Magazine”

★Double-purchase entry ticket included!★

Among those who purchase both the LIVE DVD 『GARNET CROW livescope 2010 〜THE BEST TOUR〜』 and the concept album 『All Lovers』 released simultaneously, 20 winners will be selected to receive a special item, an original GARNET CROW mug!! (First pressing only.)

★ LIVE information!!★
［GARNET CROW Symphonic Concert 2010 〜All Lovers〜］
●Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010　Doors 18:00／Show 19:00
●Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall A
●Performers: GARNET CROW／Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra／Music Director and Conductor: Ikuro Fujiwara
●Price: ¥8,500 (tax included, all seats reserved)

■OFFICIAL WEBSITE　www.garnetcrow.com

●Yuri Nakamura of GARNET CROW apparently drinks “DAKARA” to keep hydrated and replenish minerals during this year's intense summer heat.