Es VOL.36 Yuri Nakamura特别interview: 回顾 2012 年(first half)

●○ From music freak Es Vol.36

GARNET CROW
SPECIAL INTERVIEW　～Looking Back on 2012～

GARNET CROW began 2012 with a countdown live, followed in March by live performances supporting their 9th album *Memories*. They also had many opportunities to meet their fans through the Otodama live, fan club events, and more. We began featuring them in this magazine as well, and they continued to work with us through interviews and live reports just as before! This time, we asked vocalist Yuri Nakamura to look back on the year 2012 as it drew to a close.

●2012 began with a countdown live, followed in March by lives supporting your 9th album *Memories*, as well as Otodama, the fan club event, and many other activities. Looking back, how was the year for you?
Yuri Nakamura (hereafter Nakamura): It was a fulfilling year packed with a lot of substance. We had many opportunities to meet everyone at live events and elsewhere, which made me very happy. Each time, you gave us a great deal of energy and inspiration.
●2012 marked the 10th anniversary of the fan club, and [GARNET CROW Special Fanclub Event 2012 ～Thanks 12, Everyone Gather 'Round!!～] was held. Please tell us your thoughts on the event.
Nakamura: Since Tokyo was the first day, whenever each ranking was announced, there were these “Wooo!” sounds—well, more like a rumble from the crowd—and I was surprised. It was fun watching everyone’s reactions from the stage.

※[GARNET CROW Special Fanclub Event 2012 ～Thanks 12, Everyone Gather 'Round!!～] became an event centered on live performances. Fans were asked in advance which songs they wanted to hear live, and the songs ranked from first through tenth were announced in countdown format. In addition to the top ten songs in this ranking, eleven songs were performed that day, including the latest single “Nostalgia”!!

●This year, it seemed that the fan club event and even Otodama were accompanied by typhoons or rain—and Otodama took place during the rainy season. Could it be that you’re a rain-bringer?!
Nakamura: I’m a bringer of sunshine! Please call me Sunny-Ppe! (laughs)
●GARNET CROW’s unique merchandise is a topic of conversation every time, and this time there were items with distinctive names such as “Yurikkuma” and “MOCCI HADA CREAM.” Among all your merchandise so far, which items have left the strongest impression on you or are your favorites?
Nakamura: Isn’t Yurikkuma the strongest one?! I think it turned out cute, if I do say so myself. Furui still uses Yurippa even now (laughs).
I also like the peach-sandal-style Yurippa. I actually wore them at Otodama in the summer. They’re very convenient for walking on the beach!

Yurikkuma (Small)
A completely original teddy bear plush, about 20 cm tall, with a peppermint-green body and an adorable original yellow T-shirt.

Yurikkuma (Large)
A completely original teddy bear plush, about 50 cm tall, sold in venue-limited and quantity-limited quantities. Nakamura produced every detail herself! It features a pure-white body, a large pink ribbon on its ear, a ribbon and flower decoration around its neck, and an original shoulder pouch. It was sold with a booklet titled [YURIPPE meets YURIKKUMA] filled with newly shot photographs.

●What stands out most in your ten years of fan club activities?
Nakamura: I like fan club events because, unlike regular lives, they have a very warm, intimate atmosphere where we can interact with everyone, and we can relax too. This time, all I really remember is laughing nonstop—we laughed so much! An event filled with smiles is a wonderful thing!
●Thank you again for speaking with us for every release this year. Among this year’s interviews, the story about filming the “Nostalgia” music video drew especially strong reactions from readers. (You talked about scenes where the members ran, and how everyone except Furui looked toward the camera.) Among all your music videos since your debut, is there one that left a particularly strong impression on you or that you especially like?
Nakamura: The first is “Timeless Sleep.” The contrast between white and black left an incredibly strong impression on me. The second is “Tears of Yesterday.” I like its retro atmosphere, which feels a little like The Ed Sullivan Show.
●We’re heading into Christmas, New Year’s, and then the heart of winter. Please choose two or three GARNET CROW songs from the coupling-song best album released this February that you recommend for the coming season.
Nakamura: For Christmas, make it romantic with “Yofuke no Ryuuseitachi,” and for New Year’s, make it lively with “live”!
●By the way, were there any songs or artists you listened to often in your private time this year?