Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL, Part 2
"It turned out to be such an important work for us that we wouldn't have been able to move forward without it."
SCANDAL, who released their 10th album
MIRROR on 1/26, makes their appearance in FenderNews's Cover Artist feature. In part 2 of their interview, we asked about SCANDAL's future.
MIRROR, packed with different kinds of challenges, seems to have been the beginning of further evolution while leaving great results.
"We want to make music that fits us well so that we can continue to play music for as long as possible"
──When I listened to your latest album MIRROR, I got the impression that you broke out of your shell even further by having all of these varied songs and new sounds. What kind of work do you feel you've made?HARUNA: I think this album gave us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves, likely because we celebrated our 15th anniversary during the pandemic. The enjoyment we have of being a band that formed 15 years ago at a dance and vocal training school is expressed once more, and it's a solid work in which you can feel our current ages in. When it was completed, the first thing I thought was how interesting we are.
──During "BEST★Xmas 2021" last year, RINA said, "There might be people who want us to play more intense songs, but we wanted to make a work that could accept listeners of all kinds." Was accepting listeners of all kinds a big theme for you when making MIRROR?RINA: First, we wanted to make music that fits us well so that we can continue to play music for as long as possible. So, for this album we thought a lot about what kind of songs are right for our current ages. As a result, there are quite a few changes tempo and sound-wise. We of course also know that there's a demand for songs where we can go all out and that have distorted guitar sounds, but this time we were more egotistical about it and wanted to be allowed to challenge ourselves to go in a different direction for the time being.
──That led to a variety of songs that could be accepted by listeners of all kinds.RINA: This is a work we're confident in that conveys a new kind of fun by listening to it. We felt that it was a very important time to make something true to ourselves and go through with it, so we tried it out. It turned out to be such an important work for us that we wouldn't have been able to move forward without it. That's why we're convinced, and now we're telling you guys that this work is a fun one.
──I'm sure each of you had new challenges to tackle; how was it?MAMI: For composing, I tried to keep the tempo down really low. Also, I used to make 100% complete demos, give them to everyone, and then decide how to record it. This time, we made the songs together: I would send them voice memos of me singing to my own accompaniment, and then we'd all discuss how to arrange them. I'm sure plenty of bands make songs that way, but that was something I couldn't do until now. That's why it was very challenging for me—or rather, it was a new way of doing things.
──RINA, you also tried something for the first time, right?RINA: Yes. Each member has a song that they did lyrics, music for, and lead vocals for. For me, I did the lyrics, music, and lead vocals for "Kanojo wa Wave," and I used computer music for the first time to arrange it.
──It's an 80's-like new wave funk song.RINA: I really like the funky guitar cutting (laughs). Including that, I chose all of the components in GarageBand, sent the demo assembled as a song to the members, and had them play in their own nuanced ways.
──Is it likely that more songs will be arranged in this way from now on?RINA: If I come up with something, I would like to give it shape.
──TOMOMI, what was a new challenge for you?TOMOMI: We worked with producer Satori Shiraishi for "eternal" and "Ai no Shoutai" and went one by one to record at Satori's home studio. That was a new thing. Since we went one at a time, you were able take your time if you wanted to, or you could record right away. We did things pretty liberally, so it was fun to be able to do whatever you wanted (laughs).
──You did lyrics, music, and lead vocals for "Ai no Shoutai." I was a little surprised by the gospel choir that joins in midway through, but I thought it was really nice.TOMOMI: Gospel is part of our roots since we all studied it at our school. I've always liked that kind of music, so when making this song I told Satori, "I wish we could include a choir in this part," he said, "I have some acquaintances." When I said, "I want a horn section here," he said, "I'll introduce you." This song was made in that way, with Satori's connections.
──Since Satori likes that kind of sound, he was probably really into it.TOMOMI: Satori also had fun. Because the choir consisted of Americans, we asked them to record it in the US and send the files to us. Due to the time difference, Satori was directing them remotely in the middle of the night.
──HARUNA, as a vocalist I'm sure you were challenged in terms of singing unprecedented songs.HARUNA: Up until now, I found it fun to sing each song as if I were singing it as a character rather than myself. Since this work is a reflection of ourselves, I tried to keep myself in the song instead of trying to change my voice, though that wasn't my intention from the get-go. I think we're really great as we are right now, so I wanted to finish recording all of the songs exactly the way I am.
──Even so, the expressions are different for each song because you've added to your expressiveness as a vocalist.HARUNA: That might be true. If so, that's something that's automatically done.
"I think that it being fun to all play in sync motivated me to continue playing my instrument"
──You'll be going on world tour, which runs from March to June and will be held at halls all over Japan, and then in July in North America and September in Europe. Please tell us how much you're excited for this tour.TOMOMI: We think that
MIRROR is an album that suits halls. We want to create that world view using the atmosphere found in halls. At any rate, we're looking forward to it.
──Do you have feel that you want to take revenge for not being able to hold your original world tour due to the pandemic?TOMOMI: The tour 〈SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020 “Kiss from the darkness”〉 in support of our previous album
Kiss from the darkness wasn't able to happen. We only played one livestreamed concert for it, and we're hoping to be able to play some songs from it [on this new tour]. However, since cases are rising again, we're particularly worried about our overseas dates. I hope we're able to go on tour.
HARUNA: We'd love to see our overseas fans soon. They've been waiting a long time. The passion from the overseas fans is insane right now, judging from social media posts and YouTube comments. Of course you'd want to see someone when their fever's at its peak.
──Are overseas fans different from Japanese fans?RINA: Since there are different lifestyles and cultures of each country, of course, there are many differences, but their mindsets are similar. They're all good people (laughs). Maybe there's something about our music that brings together people that share common interests. Our audiences are really great.
TOMOMI: You can't deny that. We've been around for 15 years and are playing music so different that it's enough to call us a different band. So, it's not's a normal thing for people to continue to like our music despite not being like the songs that got them to learn about us. We're grateful.
──I think that's due to the fact that even if your musicality changes, each of your four personalities are reflected in your songs and live performances. By the way, I happened to hear that you've been using new Fender models recently.TOMOMI: I'm using that prototype in the "one more time" MV. It's a Jazz Bass. I started out with a Jazz Bass, so I wondered if there were many people who associate me with the Jazz Bass. When I was asked to make a signature model (TOMOMI PRECISION BASS), I went with a Precision Bass because it suited my mood and our music at the time, but I really do like Jazz Basses as well.
──MAMI, you're using a Stratocaster?MAMI: Yes, a white Stratocaster. The red Strat I'm using right now (MAMI STRATOCASTER) has a standard single coil pickup, so this new one is a little more powerful so as to match SCANDAL's current songs.
HARUNA: I steathily used my new Telecaster at our 15th anniversary concert (laughs). It still has the merits of my current Tele (HARUNA TELECASTER) while being a little more powerful, and can also handle our early songs.
──This time we asked you to take a look at Fender's new Player Plus line released last fall. Can you tell us your impressions of the instruments' appearances?MAMI: This has a color gradient I've never seen before, so I thought it was really novel. It'd be cute if more color gradients are done in the future. It's something cute to have on display, and it's also unisex—or rather, it'd look nice on anyone.
TOMOMI: At first glance, I thought it was American West Coast-like. It seems like it would go with the look of American mid-century interior design. The horizonal gradient was fresh since I had never seen something like that before.
HARUNA: If you use it in public, it'll really stand out. I think it's easy to show individuality. Whoever uses this first wins (laughs).
RINA: It's amazing that they thought up of such new models. Guitar players must get excited when new, unique guitars are released.
──Thank you very much. Lastly, please give some advice to beginners on musical instruments!MAMI: I want you to have fun playing. I think loving music and musical instruments is a really good way to start. However, it's a waste if you find practice to be difficult and you get frustrated. Therefore, I think it's best to first keep thinking about having fun so that you don't lose your feelings of love.
TOMOMI: Thinking about myself, if I had started out alone, I might not have known what to do midway through. However, I think that it being fun to have friends starting together with me and all playing in sync motivated me to continue playing my instrument. So, find some friends and start a band. You don't
have to form one, but having friends with whom you can work together is a big factor in continuing to play.
RINA: My younger sister is in her third year of middle school and is now practicing different songs on the guitar, and there are all sorts of sites where you can view easy-to-understand chord charts. Starting to play an instrument has become more casual like that, and since singer-songwriters are popular, I think there are many fun songs to play and sing along to. I want you to find music and an instrument that you like while being excited about it, and also enjoy it.
──Lastly, HARUNA, if you would.HARUNA: Let's see. It'd be nice if you checked out the "
Start Your Journey!" series on Fender's YouTube channel (laughs).
──These videos feature the members of SCANDAL explaining to beginners the appeal of the guitar and bass + how to play them.HARUNA: There are a lot of easy-to-understand explanations that even beginners can understand, if I do say so myself (laughs). I hope you can learn various chords while watching them. They're really great videos (laughs).
RINA: We got a message on our radio program from someone who said they became a SCANDAL fan after watching those.
HARUNA: That made me think that there really are many different ways you can discover something.
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