GARNET CROW's new single "夢みたあとで" had reportedly been considered for release several times in the past, only to be held back each time in pursuit of an even higher level of completion, and it was produced with still more care. This song, with a calm spring fragrance that seems to bring to mind a scene of petals fluttering down when you close your eyes, is a love ballad with a simple melody, just as one can imagine from Yuri Nakamura's words that it "came suddenly, somehow, in everyday life." To that, AZUKI 七 depicts emotions that anyone falls into when in love. She says the first phrases that came to her were "If I did not wish for it, I would not lose it, yet I cannot help wanting it" and "spinning in circles." The stronger one's feelings for someone become in love, the more most people end up spinning in circles... Have you never experienced that? The lyrics, which cut out small everyday scenes that anyone experiences with beautiful phrases, make the sadness stand out even more. Spring is a season of partings, such as graduation. At such a time, this is a work to listen to quietly while thinking of someone important. We spoke with vocalist and composer Yuri Nakamura and keyboardist and lyricist AZUKI 七.
-- Please tell us about the composition of "夢みたあとで."
Yuri Nakamura:It was not a song I wrote by thinking extremely hard, or something that came out after being shaken by something. It really just popped out from ordinary, casual everyday life. I think it is a ballad that is very easy to listen to and that people can feel naturally. First, the key melody in the chorus was made, and after that, the rest came smoothly, as if guided along.
-- How do you usually compose?
Yuri Nakamura:It varies. Sometimes it suddenly comes to mind at a truly casual moment, and sometimes I work hard thinking, "Let's make this kind of song." Also, sometimes something comes to me after being inspired by watching a film or something; it really takes many forms. So I try to always carry paper, a pencil, and a voice recorder. Also, I put things into my own answering machine...
-- How do you feel about the overall finished form of "夢みたあとで"?
Yuri Nakamura:I feel we pursued how simply we could finish it and still make it reach the listener. Rather than using something new, we did the opposite and stripped things away, trying to make music that could give the maximum emotion with the minimum elements, and that would sink into the heart.
AZUKI 七:This time, we reworked it over a very long period, probably about a year. At each point, someone would try doing something, and I think it was a repetition of that.
-- How about the lyrics?
AZUKI 七:There are many words in the B melody that are what I wanted to say, or that I thought were important. Rather than wanting to say something especially through the lyrics, I hope people listen to the whole song and feel various meanings from it.
-- Where did you write the lyrics?
AZUKI 七:I think I probably wrote them in my room.
-- Where do you usually write lyrics?
AZUKI 七:Writing in daily life is a different kind of work, and I write whenever I have free time. But when I write lyrics for a song, I only start writing after I have listened to the song.
-- Is it easy to form images from Ms. Nakamura's songs?
AZUKI 七:The songs, yes, and also the voice. It feels like coloring. She brings me a frame like this, and then I paint this color.
-- When lyrics are added to your own song, do you ever feel that they are different from the image you had?
Yuri Nakamura:There is never anything completely different, and by having lyrics added, the song can become one size larger, or grow. So I do not have the feeling that the image is entirely different.
-- I think GARNET CROW's songs have a consistent nostalgic image regardless of tempo. Is that something the members are conscious of when making them?
Yuri Nakamura:When each of us brings in the things we are good at or the things we like, that kind of thing forms naturally, so I do not think we are especially conscious of it.
AZUKI 七:Her voice quality gives a nostalgic image, so I think the atmosphere is already created by that voice alone.
-- What phrase do you like in "夢みたあとで"?
Yuri Nakamura:The phrase "花の雨が降る." Even when I first recorded the vocal, scenes like a road lined with cherry trees came to mind. I had not had a song where the scenery could be imagined this realistically, so it was fresh in that sense too. A scene like cherry blossoms really fluttering down came to mind, so I am glad we were able to release it in exactly this season.
AZUKI 七:With this song, from the imagery of the music, I wanted to make a flower rain fall. Even if I do not describe it, there is definitely an image inside me. For this melody, there is this kind of scene.
-- If you compared "夢みたあとで" to a color?
Yuri Nakamura:Pale pink.
AZUKI 七:Peach. Light pink. Pink placed on milky white, pink placed on frosted glass.
-- What is the biggest listening point?
Yuri Nakamura:The chorus and the weeping-melody guitar solo.
AZUKI 七:The guitar solo and the whole song.
-- What kinds of people do you want to listen to it?
Yuri Nakamura:I hope people will listen while thinking of someone important to them.
-- How about the coupling track "幸福なペット"?
Yuri Nakamura:We thought, let's try doing an incredibly cute song, something cute, a kind of song GARNET CROW had not had before. I wanted to try a cute song that could be listened to lightly, so we did it this time. There are little jokes in it, so please enjoy them after listening. I think you will understand if you listen all the way to the end (laughs).
-- If you compared this song to a color?
Yuri Nakamura:Light blue.
AZUKI 七:Yellow, pink... and polka dots too. Konpeito candy might also be good.
Yuri Nakamura:Yes. In any case, we aimed for a cute, cute song.
-- As vocalist Yuri Nakamura, what do you want to convey to listeners by singing?
Yuri Nakamura:I want to keep singing songs that, when people listen to them, can gently push the backs of people who are lost or worried, making them think, "All right, I will try a little harder." Songs that encourage them, give them a little peace, or give them a small push on the back, saying, "Let's try a little harder." I hope they can become that kind of presence.
-- As lyricist AZUKI 七, what do you want to convey to listeners through lyrics?
AZUKI 七:I hope I can add some kind of color to the life of the person who listens, or have them feel something even just in that moment, and leave some kind of influence in a positive sense.
-- Do you always record separately?
AZUKI 七:Sometimes I secretly go to the vocal recording. I watch steadily on the monitor and so on. But it is often one person, right?
Yuri Nakamura:Yes.
-- About how long does vocal recording take?
Yuri Nakamura:If it is fast, one or two days. When we spend time on it, there are cases where we leave about a week and then try doing it again... Well, if we have three or four days, that is enough.
-- Were there any episodes during this recording?
Yuri Nakamura:The lyrics and arrangement changed from what they were at first. In that sense, we tried many things by trial and error and searched for the best form. It is a form where all the extra things have been stripped away, so I think it is very easy to listen to.
-- By the way, Ms. Nakamura, you appeared at the R&B live. How was it?
Yuri Nakamura:It was really fun. During the actual performance, I enjoyed it without being as nervous as I expected. It was my first experience, and it was the first time many audience members saw me singing, so for me too, it was a very fresh and enjoyable experience.
-- The two of you look very close. Are you always like this?
AZUKI 七:We are always like this.
-- AZUKI, you said before that you are completely in love with Ms. Nakamura's voice.
AZUKI 七:I love it. Her voice, yes, and I think I probably love her sense itself, including her melody lines.
-- Is there anything you would like to challenge in magazines or programs from now on?
Yuri Nakamura:I would like to do a corner where we make things, cook, and eat. I like sweets, so I would like to try making delicious sweets.
AZUKI 七:I like writing, so personally I would like to try writing a long story. With songs, the length is fixed.
-- Finally, a word to the fans.
Yuri Nakamura:We would like to leave behind many songs that can encourage everyone from now on, and at times become a source of peace, so please support us.
Yuri Nakamura:Music.
AZUKI 七:I do not really know.
Yuri Nakamura:Green peppers.
AZUKI 七:Milk.
Yuri Nakamura:I like *Anne of Green Gables* and *Little Women*.
AZUKI 七:Something to watch.
Yuri Nakamura:I am into *Slam Dunk*.
AZUKI 七:I like it. I went to a manga cafe yesterday.
Yuri Nakamura:Travel. I want to go to France.
Yuri Nakamura:I would like to travel around the world.
AZUKI 七:One centimeter.
Yuri Nakamura:I would like to save money, travel, and go around eating lots of delicious things.
AZUKI 七:Ten one-centimeters.
Yuri Nakamura:Something I love.
AZUKI 七:It is hard, but fun.
Yuri Nakamura:The most important thing in my life.
AZUKI 七:Daily life.
Yuri Nakamura:I want a magic lamp.
AZUKI 七:My image is that it seems nice if it exists, and that everything happening is like that.
Yuri Nakamura:I like red and other bright-colored clothes.
AZUKI 七:As long as the material and comfort are good.
Yuri Nakamura:I have an indoor personality, so once I would like to experience an outdoor life on an uninhabited island.
AZUKI 七:That sounds nice.
Yuri Nakamura:Food.
AZUKI 七:Fire.
Yuri Nakamura:Heart.
AZUKI 七:It feels like, is it there? Is it not there?
Yuri Nakamura:Cherry blossoms, graduation.
AZUKI 七:Single.
Yuri Nakamura:The most important thing.
AZUKI 七:The group name. I really like it.