•RINA reads the next message from a listener who says they want to scream when remembering past mistakes/embarrassing things, and they bury their face into a pillow and flail their arms around. They ask the band if they have any experiences that would make them act the same way. The band says that they don't really have many of those. TOMO says that she could 100% sympathize with how the listener feels, though. She also says that there could be things that only you yourself were concerned over and that other people probably didn't notice. She then suddenly goes, "What was that?! That was so scary! Our manager just suddenly started throwing rocks!" RINA says, "He reverted back to being a young boy." HARU says that maybe he did so to just let off steam like what the listener did, and the manager confirms that. HARU then says that perhaps guys are more bothered by past things they've done, and the band also says that it depends on the person. RINA says that perhaps there are girls who do what Nene on "Crayon Shin-chan" does.
•RINA then tells a story of when they had an opportunity to talk with the comedy duo Hige Danshaku . They were doing their higuchi cutter joke at the time, which RINA didn't know about. When they did it, she gave an awkward smile. She realized later on when she was about to go to sleep that she was actually supposed to go silent after the joke happened (?) [Note: I don't really get the gag myself so I'm not 100% sure on this lol]. She says, "I was the worst!" and says that she recalls that memory every once in a while. MAMI then says how after she and TOMO came of age to drink alcohol and had put wine in some wine glasses, they tried toasting their glasses together like Hige Danshaku's renaissance gag but did it too hard and the glasses shattered. She says that it's a good memory, but it also depresses her. HARU says that it's understandable since they just came of age and didn't know not to clink their glasses together that hard. TOMO says that remembering this now kind of makes her want to shout.
•After "A.M.D.K.J." plays, TOMO reads the next message from a listener who plays the trumpet in their brass band at work. They usually play about 10 performance per year, but since the pandemic hit they only got to play one performance apiece in January and February, and have no performances for the rest of the year. The other members' motivation is also declining. The listener thought how they needed to do something and has tried to take action, and right around the time when they started to get tired of it all they watched SCANDAL's livestream, which allowed them to reconsider a lot of things. Now, they want to challenge themselves by practicing from a new perspective and using content they've not used before. They ask the band if there's something they'd like to attempt doing in the future. TOMO says that she wants to try fishing. A friend of hers started to go fishing, and although TOMO wasn't necessarily interested in fishing, she went with them and had a lot of fun. That's why she wants to try getting a boat license. MAMI says that the world becomes bigger when you can operate your own boat. RINA says that they would then be able to record Catch up on a boat.
•MAMI says that she doesn't know if she'll actually do them, but there are a lot of things that she wants to do, like bungee jumping, pottery, climbing a mountain like Mt. Fuji. HARU says that MAMI should go bungee jumping sooner rather than later. TOMO mentions that they did go bungee jumping before. HARU says that she wants to have commentary done [of when MAMI bungee jumps]. The band laughs and TOMO says they're hooked on having commentary done. MAMI says she wants to have experiences like the ones she listed on a regular basis. TOMO says that that's surprising. MAMI says that she wants to run in a full marathon again if she has the chance. RINA says that it's a little unexpected, given how MAMI has always been. MAMI agrees, and says she's gotten quite active. HARU mentions that MAMI also goes fruit picking pretty often. MAMI says that she also wants to go mushroom picking, and says that they'll grill them for you on the spot, as well as pick ones that are the size of your palm.
•HARU says that she's studying to get a qualification as a dog rearing specialist. She says that it's pretty difficult to become a pet caregiver, so she thinks she should start by acquiring the knowledge to properly raise her own dog, and she might be able to make use of that in pet-related activities in the future. She also says that it's a little difficult to keep a dog in an apartment so it needs to be trained properly. RINA mentions that a lot of women have been getting licenses to work at saunas recently, and that it's great how people are pursuing what they truly love and getting a license for it.
•RINA says that she hasn't set her sights on anything like that yet, but she's been wanting to draw at home. She says that she's really bad at drawing--if she was asked to draw a picture of a dog, it'd turn out really bad. HARU says that her drawings are pleasantly different. RINA laughs and says they could no longer be called art and are devastatingly bad, and says that she wants to try expressing it only in colors [rather than with actual line drawings]. HARU says that that's perfect to do now since everyone's spending more time at home.
•MAMI reads the next message from a listener who won the "32 types of Meiji snacks" gift given away for HARU's birthday. They then ask the band for love advice. They started working at a pharmacy's medical office in April and went to another branch for help for one day only. There, there was a second-year pharmacist who was nice, cool, puppy-like, and cute. They were interested in them and wanted to be friends, but never had the experience of outright talking to someone to get closer to them. They ask the band how they could get closer to this person. The band says to perhaps establish a mood that allows each of them to talk to each other a little closer. They say they could try starting with a mutual topic such as work, and perhaps get each other's info and go out to eat. They also say that it would be great if they shared mutual hobbies. They say they'll be waiting for a follow-up report, and tell the listener to do their best.
Today, when we arrived at the practice studio, Which we always go to on Wednesdays, Our promoter we've been with for years Sent us some Shine Muscat grapes as snacks〜! So chic〜! That made us happy〜!
We had our recording for Catch up after that, So we enjoyed them before that〜◎
Since Wednesday SCANDAL Will be posted today too, Those in SCANDAL MANIA should check it out. We'd like you guys to watch this one in particular.
SCANDAL MANIA members〜! The new newsletter is ready︎
Backstories about 821 of this year, Our current feelings about Next year's performance at Osaka-Jo Hall... We focus on topics we haven't talked about elsewhere. We also included plenty of other things, So look forward to it being delivered to your house〜!
Today, we recorded remotely, as we always do, For Wednesday SCANDAL
It was so amusing... I'm worn out from laughingʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
A new episode of Catch up is out too〜! If you listen to the program on days such as when you have no energy, I think you'll feel really loosened up︎
This week's Catch up is also being brought to you from a park in Tokyo under the blue sky! Taking it easy and reading messages
Episode ＃30 blog
HARUNA: The cicadas are buzzing...
TOMOMI: They are.
HARUNA: Those who listened to last week's episode will know that we held the 1st Mölkky Championship at a park in Tokyo, and today's episode is being brought to you from that same park.
TOMOMI: We're well acquainted with this bench.
RINA: Catching up under the blue sky.
HARUNA: "Catching up under the blue sky" sounds great! It's refreshing.
RINA: Last week's episode was amazing. Matsumoto-san commentated for us...
TOMOMI: It was so moving.
HARUNA: In my head I'm picturing Matsumoto-san wrapping up the episode.
RINA: I thought he'd come this week too and read messages with us.
(An announcement in the park starts... Recording temporarily stops)
RINA: It was fun. Having commentary makes things really exciting.
HARUNA: Everything is picked up on.
RINA: Like, "They're rolling up their sleeves!"
TOMOMI: Or, "It's being held in both hands!"
RINA: It's like we were the star athletes being interviewed after the game.
HARUNA: During those interviews, as soon as you're asked something you always answer, "That's right."
TOMOMI: Like, "It happens."
HARUNA: They really do say "It happens."
RINA: It really felt like we were players.
HARUNA: It did, thanks to Matsumoto-san.
TOMOMI: HARUNA was so cool.
MAMI: She was awesome.
HARUNA: It was a lot of funー. All right, "Catching up under the blue sky." First off, let's eat some snacks in the great outdoors. What we have are Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato...they're perfect for the park.
TOMOMI: It's like a picnic.
MAMI: Next time we should have a picnic while recording this.
HARUNA: At any rate, we'll be taking it easy reading messages among the buzzing of cicadas.
RINA: We can't fully make the most of being outside.
MAMI: That's true...
HARUNA: Let's read a message.
Natsu
Hello, SCANDAL! I always enjoy listening to your program. My spice in life is blood vessels. I have a blood vessel fetish and I really like HARUNA and MAMI's blood vessels, which is why I fell in love with SCANDAL. I started playing the guitar because I wanted my blood vessels to be visible under my skin, and now I'm also playing the bass. Right now I'm in my second year of high school and can't do club activities nor study for entrance exams, but I'd like to form a band when I go to college. Also, my dream is to someday stand on the same stage as SCANDAL! P.S. By the way, my blood vessels are now visible(*^^*)
RINA: Their motive to start playing [guitar] sure is something.
MAMI: This could be the first time we're hearing about someone starting to like us because of that.
RINA: There certainly are people whose blood vessels show easily and those whose doesn't. Both of you may be ones whose blood vessels show relatively clearly.
MAMI: Yes, perhaps. They show when my hands are below my heart, which is when I'm playing guitar. They've always been out.
HARUNA: They are right now too.
MAMI: They are.
RINA: They're in good condition even now.
MAMI: They're in place.
HARUNA: Blood vessels, huh... I wonder what sparked that. Perhaps when they saw photos.
TOMOMI: That's what I figured.
HARUNA: Maybe they liked other bands and had chances to see them live, but none of them made them go, "Their blood vessels are awesome!"
RINA: Maybe they're obsessed with SCANDAL's blood vessels.
TOMOMI: We're grateful for that.
MAMI: We are. Doesn't it mean that we have good blood vessels?
TOMOMI: Right?
HARUNA: That makes us happy.
RINA: We're releasing a live DVD soon, so there will be many chances to see those blood vessels.
MAMI: Yeah, our hands were filmed. I want you to see our blood vessels.
TOMOMI: Please look forward to it.
HARUNA: They said, "My blood vessels are now visible"... They got them to come out. That's not something we were ever aware of for ourselves.
RINA: They made the effort to make them come out.
MAMI: That's new to hear that people are starting guitar because they'll make your blood vessels visible.
HARUNA: Please look forward to them in the future too.
MAMI: When they go to college, will they choose members based on their blood vessels?
RINA: A blood vessels audition!
HARUNA: That's crazy.
TOMOMI: Is someone more talented if they have visible blood vessels? That's kind of craftsman-like.
MAMI: I seeー. I'm hoping that you come across your favorite kind of blood vessels.
The weather's been great in Tokyo. I woke up a little earlier than usual And while finishing up some plans, I snapped some photos as I took a stroll︎
The video I uploaded to my YouTube channel yesterday Contains clips of us In the studio editing footage for our live DVD/Blu-ray, And I surprisingly got a lot of comments saying, "I didn't know the members were so involved in the editing!"︎
It certainly can be hard to imagine How we make a video release Rather than music〜◎ I'm glad we filmed it!
We members worked with our video team On even the fine details, So look forward to it
As for my YouTube video, I chat about all kinds of stuff while painting my nails, So check it out whenever you'd like〜︎
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I hope everyone can spend their time calmly This week too︎
SCANDAL | SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020 "Kiss from the darkness" Livestream（初回限定盤） | ビクターエンタテインメント ビクターエンタテインメント公式サイト。SCANDAL「SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020 "Kiss from the darkness" Livestream（初回限定盤）」の作品情報をご覧いただけます。 www.jvcmusic.co.jp
Blu-ray予約はこちら
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SCANDAL | SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020 "Kiss from the darkness" Livestream（初回限定盤） | ビクターエンタテインメント ビクターエンタテインメント公式サイト。SCANDAL「SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020 "Kiss from the darkness" Livestream（初回限定盤）」の作品情報をご覧いただけます。 www.jvcmusic.co.jp
I'm taking my time editing a video for YouTube︎ It's been my daily routine to watch something on YouTube For about a year now, And after watching videos from YouTubers And then watching mine, I'm a little self-conscious That I'm speaking too slowly...haha
But that's fineー◎
I'll be uploading a new video tonight at 7 pm JST, So please subscribe to my channel and wait for it〜!
Ah, that's right; New FEEDBACK items are now available〜!
For this t-shirt we took the word "FEEDBACK" And made it into a rose design. This is easy to use As an accent piece◎
This t-shirt features the words "Hankyo Tokyo," Which was made with the image of translating "FEEDBACK" into Japanese, Embroidered onto it. The embroidery is similar in color to the body of the shirt and doesn't stand out too much, But it's unique and easy to use. It's made with a heavier fabric That makes the shape of it look very beautiful. I also recommend this for men and adults〜!
This DANCE T-shirt Is what the members like the most this time! A street-like design Printed with delicate lines◎
We're wearing FEEDBACK from head to toe︎
Also, We're coming out with a cap, which is always super popular and sells out!
This time they were made as a FEEDBACK×NEW ERA Collaboration〜! So awesome〜!
There are some pre-order-only items, So those interested in them, Check them out soon!
It suddenly cooled down〜 It's also a little easier to wear a mask◎ This is FEEDBACK's new mask That went on sale a little while ago. We members have also washed them several times and use them regularly.
The material is soft and gentle on the skin, And its design makes your face line look beautiful. The inside fabric color is also black, so those who wear makeup Can use it without worrying about it. Even if I wear it all day My ears don't hurt◎
It comes in both Small and Regular sizes (I'm wearing a Small in the photo)
We're getting used to it little by little, But to shoot this so much Inside of our own places is a little, well...haha We show off all kinds of things in this ep, So enjoy it!
My sisters have grown up And it feels like I'm hanging out with friends, So it's so much fun when we're together And it feels like my heart's been restored.
Let's keep keeping on with good vibes At our own paces◎
•After "SPICE" plays, Matsumoto asks the band what they think of Mölkky, and they say it's their first time playing it, and that they don't quite understand the rules. He then explains the rules to them and how to play it. He also says that as a special rule they'll each be throwing twice, and their total score will comprise of the number of pins knocked down during both throws. Whoever knocks down the most pins wins.
•When he asks the band if they're ready to play and they say yes, he introduces them as such: "Morocco-loving TOMOMI"; "My Stage HARUNA"; "Roundoff MAMI"; and "Gutsy Youngest Child RINA."
•He then asks the band to give their comments. HARU says, "I'll do my best and have fun." TOMO says, "I'll give it my all for this game of Mölkky." MAMI says, "I'll be aiming to knock down the ＃12 pin." RINA says, "I'm aiming to win the championship."
•The game then starts. Matsumoto asks how the band is going to decide the order in which they go, and they choose to decide with rock-paper-scissors. They do so, and it turns out to be the same order of their ages: HARU, MAMI, TOMO, RINA. HARU goes first while Matsumoto gives play-by-play commentary. She hits the left backside and knocks down two pins. HARU isn't sure where to throw next, and MAMI says to just throw it. She does and knocks over seven pins for a total of nine pins knocked over. She says that it's pretty hard to do, and that it was nerve-wracking as it's hard to control. MAMI goes next and knocks over three pins. On her second throw she overshoots it and doesn't knock down any pins. She goes, "It's so difficult!" Her total is three pins knocked over. TOMO goes next and, like MAMI's second throw, she overshoots it and doesn't knock down any pins. On her second throw she knocks over four pins. She also says, "It's so difficult!" RINA's the last to go, and she knocks over four pins. HARU goes, "She's good at it!" On her second throw she doesn't knock down any pins as the Mölkky stick passes between pins instead of hitting any.
•Matsumoto then says he's been given a memo, and asks the band if they'd like to redo it and play to get a total of 20 points, which they yes to. TOMO says that [the first game] was over in a instant, and RINA says that they have a feel on how to play now. HARU goes first and knocks down one pin. With her second throw she knocks over three, for a total of four pins knocked down. MAMI goes next and knocks over four pins. On her second throw everyone is surprised at how powerful it is, and knocks over a total of 11 pins. Matsumoto says that that was quite the progress she made, and MAMI says she's the type to improve while during a game. TOMO goes next and knocks over five pins. She then knocks over two more on her second throw, for a total of seven pins. Matsumoto says that they've improved with this second round. TOMO says that this game is fun. RINA goes last and knocks over three pins. On her second throw she knocks over five pins for a total of eight pins. They don't yet know the totals for the pins they knocked down, which they have to wait a little bit more for.
•After "Saishuuheiki, Kimi" plays, Matsumoto announces the rankings. With a total of 19 points, HARU gets first place. RINA is in fourth place with 15 points, TOMO is in third place with 16 points, and MAMI gets second place with 17 points (MAMI: "Ah, only two points!"). Voice effects are then placed on Matsumoto and HARU, which makes it sound like it's being announced at an arena. He congratulates HARU and asks her for her thoughts. She says she never expected that she would win, and that she's glad she was chosen to play. He then asks her who she'd like to convey her joy to. She laughs and says her dog at home (AKA her dog Lady). She says, "Lady-chan! Your mom won! I did my best!" TOMO goes, "What in the world?!" RINA laughs and says this is kind of scary. He then asks her to tell everyone her enthusiasm for the next step in her future aspirations. She says that she thinks she got a feel for it today, so if they have a second championships then she'd like to win that one as well.
•The episode then comes to an end. Matsumoto starts reading the "The next episode will be out on..." part and then goes, "Wait, why am I reading this?", which the band laughs at. He also mispronounces Spotify as "Spotifee." The band thanks him for being on.
Who will get the glory!? The first recording done outside will be accompanied by play-by-play commentary! The 1st "Catch up" Mölkky Championship Cup
Episode ＃29 blog
This is the program's first time recording on-location. Furthermore, it involves sports. The quartet gathered—no, they were forced to be gathered in a pleasant park that showed signs of autumn. However, there was already a man there holding a microphone... What kind of sports will they play? The episode began with commentary.
Announcer Matsumoto: To the 30 million fans of Mölkky across Japan, good afternoon. Although we'd like to say that the autumn sky is clear and blue, there are a few clouds around. Below a chorus of cicadas, the sunlight filters through the trees in this park in Tokyo as crows caw. The battle of the century is about to begin... The 1st "Catch up" Mölkky Championship Cup is starting!
Mölkky, which was born and raised in Finland, is now here in faraway Japan. This is the moment when the chosen four are about to blossom...!
Oops, this is a little late to be saying this now, but I, announcer Hideo Matsumoto , Will be commentating on today's Mölkky match. I have covered many sports such as pro baseball, horse racing, soccer, and golf, but in my 35 years of sports announcing experience this will be my first time covering Mölkky! Now it's time for these four elite players, who will be playing an exciting game, to enter!
(The quartet is confused...)
HARUNA: We are SCANDAL, and this is vocalist HARUNA,
TOMOMI: Bassist TOMOMI,
MAMI: Guitarist MAMI,
RINA: And drummer RINA.
Matsumoto: You guys are pumped up! Sparks are flying. The fighting spirit of these ladies just before the match is setting the park on fire!
(The quartet is even more confused...)
HARUNA: Hold on a sec. What is this? Matsumoto-san just suddenly started things off...
RINA: What's happening??
HARUNA: "The 1st 'Catch up' Mölkky Championship Cup"?
RINA: You said we were chosen, but there were no prelims.
TOMOMI: I guess we were seeded.
MAMI: We're grateful for that.
TOMOMI: This is the first time we're meeting in a park to record for radio.
HARUNA: I guess anything goes.
RINA: What's going to happen...
MAMI: Can this be conveyed properly...
TOMOMI: But since Matsumoto-san is here...
MAMI: Isn't it great that we have an announcer here?
RINA: This is legit.
HARUNA: He's our first "Catch up" guest. We're looking forward to working with you today.
Matsumoto: Thank you very much! I'm honored to be here!
And so this Mölkky episode contains the first ep filmed on-location, the first time playing sports on the show, the first time having a live announcer, and their first guest.
Mölkky is: A game from Finland where you throw a wooden stick called a "Mölkky" To knock down wooden pins called "skittles," And the person who scores exactly 50 points wins!
A quick explanation of the rules of Mölkky: ※If you throw Mölkky and multiple skittles fall, the number of fallen pins will be your score. ※If only one pin falls, the number written on the fallen pin will be your score. ※After a throw, fallen pins are put upright at the place where they fell. The game ends when the first player reaches exactly 50 points.
As a special rule, they will be asked to throw each twice...and compete with the total points from those two times.
Despite this being their first time playing Mölkky, the quartet got really excited in a park in Tokyo. Moreover, it was a close battle. Who will win the championship...whose head will the crown shine above?
The SH Cover Band is looking for fan-taken videos to include in their upcoming cover video of "Chiisana Honoo"!
The deadline to submit them is this Sunday, September 20.
More details from Kudo:
The content should be of you and fellow fans at the airport greeting the band, or being in the line waiting for a show, or wefies in the audience during the show (not of the band performing), or you holding a ticket to the SCANDAL show you've been attended (you need to hold up the ticket to the camera so people can see it's a SCANDAL one) or even better, you holding up the photo of you and the band from the pre-show photo op.
Shows/events I am particularly interested in are those from the early days eg cons in the US, the ekiden in Hawaii, and the shows in Japan especially the landmark gigs - Budōkan, Ōsaka Jō Hall. Of course, any of the shows from any part of the globe will be fine!
If chosen (no prizes, I'm afraid - sorry), you will be credited.
Please send me a private message (kudō maharizu ) on Facebook or SCANDAL HEAVEN with the video file (Google drive link or anything that works), your name or SH nick on the forum (preferred) and which show/event the video was taken at.
This was taken from Kudo's post in the SH Facebook group.
•The episode starts off with the band eating Meiji snacks. HARU once again calls the My Style snack "My Stage." The band all goes, "Ehhh!" TOMO goes, "Stop that!" MAMI goes, "W-what? What is 'My Stage'?" HARU laughs and says she'll probably always be calling it that. RINA says that it's probably because she wants to play on stage. MAMI says that if you were to insert whatever word that comes to your head that follows "My," then "stage" would be HARU's word.
•Following that, TOMO reads a message from a listener whose favorite band before SCANDAL was RADWIMPS. He got hooked on SCANDAL after his senior at work had an extra ticket to SCANDAL's HELLO WORLD tour back in 2015 and invited him to go. On the way back from BEST XMAS is when the tracklisting for Kiss from the darkness was released, and of course he was super excited for the track "Laundry Laundry" produced by bassist Yusuke Takeda from RADWIMPS. He thinks it's a great song just as he expected it to be, and wants them to do another collab if they get the chance to. The band says that it was surprising to see that there have been many people who are fans of both bands. HARU asks TOMO how she met Takeda-san and TOMO says they met at a party where bassists met up. She also says when she was playing bass as part of a TV program's band, Takeda-san helped her with reading sheet music as she wasn't able to read it. She calls him her "bassist sensei." She also says that she didn't think the day would come when they'd do a collaborative song together.
•RINA reads the next message from a listener who thanks the band for putting on the recent livestream. He's a baseball player at a medical university but hasn't been able to play or practice since March, and since then the seniors on the team have retired. He normally used baseball and concerts as part of his vitality, and it was difficult for him to lose both at the same time. The livestream SCANDAL held helped to give him courage, and he says he's going to work hard while following SCANDAL, who keeps moving forward in any situation. The band mentions Koshien and how they almost cried hearing the news of the cancelation since the players had been working basically all of their lives to make it there, and those players no longer have a place to direct their energy. However, to hear that their show made people like him feel more positive feels really rewarding for them. They want to continue to be a musical artist that keeps coming up with different ideas to do things even if they can't do something, and that they'll continue to support everyone.
•MAMI reads a message from a listener whose favorite band before SCANDAL was THE BLUE HEARTS. They say TBH's and SCANDAL's live performances are similar. They also say that they'd like to see HARU jumping up and down like Hiroto Koumoto (lead singer of the band). The band laughs at this. MAMI says that when they saw THE CRO-MAGNONS (another band that Hiroto Koumoto is in) at COUNTDOWN JAPAN, Hiroto threw off his leather jacket since it was hot, and started off their set by saying, "This is a real leather jacket." She says that HARU could wear that jacket, which the band laughs at. RINA also mentioned that they played a joint show with them a while back. They still can't believe that happened and that SCANDAL was invited to play that show with them. MAMI says that they had a smile on their faces when SCANDAL's set was over and applauded them. It felt so surreal for them. MAMI also says that her mom really likes TBH. TOMO says a friend of hers makes leather pants for Mashi (the guitarist), and that the pants get all beat up within the course of a year since they play shows almost every day, though she doesn't think they've been playing recently, obviously. RINA says that he does a lifetime's worth of moving within a year. She also mentions that while waiting in the line for taxis at Shinagawa Station, she saw Mashi there and wearing those leather pants. TOMO wonders if he was traveling in his stage outfit. HARU says that there's probably no concept of a stage outfit for him (probably because they apparently play shows more often than not). MAMI goes, "They're real leather pants, aren't they?", which the band laughs at. TOMO says it's like his skin, and HARU says he must wear them all days of the year. TOMO also says that apparently the size of his pants never changes, which the band is impressed with. They talk about how there's no real common point when it comes to fans' favorite bands before SCANDAL.
It's been a little bit since I blogged. These past few days we recorded for Catch up, Recorded new songs, Shot for a FEEDBACK lookbook, Went to the studio... We're spending each day the same as always〜 Are you guys doing well?
It's gradually been getting cooler recently I really do love it when the season's ambiguous like this Today I basked in the sun in the afternoon, And the wind blowing by felt great〜
We were recording while being surrounded by nature, And it was comfortable talking in the shade of the trees. After it was done, no one left for a while... It felt like we were on a picnic...!
For my next vacation, perhaps I'll go somewhere Where I can take it easy and relax〜
How do you get over someone you love? A yell of encouragement from SCANDAL to a listener!
Episode ＃28 blog
HARUNA: Here's a message.
Miyuu
Hello, SCANDAL. I turned 21 on August 25th. And, on the day of my birthday, I broke up with my boyfriend of two years. (He's a year older than me) He was the first person I loved like this. I wanted to fall in love with this person, and thankfully I was able to confess to and go out with him. I was really happy to be with him, and I was happy that he was thinking about a future with me. We both wanted to always be with each other. Still, there were many things that happened, and even though we both "loved" each other, we couldn't see a future together. I was wondering if I could keep dating him, and I still liked him so I stayed with him. He seemed to think the same way, and as a result of a discussion we had, he said he honestly could not see us getting married nor having a future together. He told me, "Then let's end things for now. Let's fix the points we both need to have more growth with, and if someday in the future we still feel the same about each other, let's think things over again and be together." Thinking about the future, I was wondering if things would be okay as they were. I'm only 21, and if we liked each other now then things should be okay. I didn't want to break up but understood what he was saying. It made me sad. Since I was sad, I told him my feelings. However, I couldn't change his feelings and also had to make a decision. In the end we broke up. I've been crying every day. Still, as a way to connect this breakup to growth, I want to become a wonderful person, both as a woman and as a person, and someday I want to be able to think of this event in this way: "Thank you. I was able to grow thanks to you." Also, if time passes and we still have feelings for each other, I'd like for us to think about each other and how we've grown. Even if there's a future where we're not together, I hope that these two years will be very important memories for me.
RINA: I see.
TOMOMI: She's so grown up. At the age of 21 she's had to think about the future and go through a breakup.
HARUNA: She's 21 and he's 22. This about the right time [when things like this happen].
RINA: That's true.
MAMI: That's the time when you're finishing out your life as a student.
RINA: It's really great that they were dating each other in earnest, enough that they were able to think about it in that way. I think it'll be a great plus in her future relationships. The day will definitely come when your wounds will be healed.
HARUNA: It will.
RINA: I don't think she needs to worry about it, but they did go out for two years...
TOMOMI: I'm sure she has a lot of memories with him.
HARUNA: Don't force yourself to get over things. Time will heal your wounds. There's probably nothing you could have done at that time.
TOMOMI: Maybe so.
MAMI: Rather than getting a new SO or doing something to take your mind off of it, I truly do think it's better to wait to let time heal your wounds. All you can do is wait. You might cry every day, and it might be painful and sad, but I think even that could be a good memory.
TOMOMI: Just have a good time right now.
RINA: She loved him that much.
HARUNA: Think about things to the point where you think you've thought enough.
MAMI: Be proud in yourself for thinking about someone and crying over someone. I think it's wonderful that you can be that kind of person for the one you're going to date next.
TOMOMI: I hope you meet someone wonderful.
HARUNA: You might find someone else and want to stay with them. There could be a future like that because you broke up after starting to like someone else. Now, she might need to have positive feelings in order to overcome this.
RINA: A little at a time.
MAMI: I think that's a great experience.
RINA: It's hard at first. You'll keep growing, and the day will come when you realize who you were at that time and see a little of the big picture.
HARUNA: Since she was able to write that much, she probably doesn't feel as thrown into despair anymore.
TOMOMI: Yeah, she's able to organize her thoughts.
RINA: I think it can feel great to tell someone your thoughts, and you feel a little lighter.
HARUNA: I think it's admirable that she didn't say anything bad about him.
RINA: I don't know if the word "level-headed" is suitable to use here, but I think she was able to properly have a great romance. It'll be nice after she gets older and it'll seem like she was such a child then. I think it'll be a great memory for her.
HARUNA: Please continue to have great romances.
RINA: I think she'll be able to. There'll be lots of fun in the future.
XFLAG×SCANDAL: An interview about the original animated short "XPICE" ｜ The themes of "courage and understanding" and "battling together" expressed in music × video
"XPICE," the original animated short sent out via the collaboration between XFLAG and all-girl band SCANDAL, is out on YouTube.
It features the star hero Red Pepper and rookie hero Wasabi. Wasabi, who possesses a healing ability but has lost confidence due to the gap between herself and the image of a hero she has in her head, takes action when her comrade's in trouble――That is the rough outline of "XPICE."
With the themes of "courage and understanding" and "battling together," this animation that depicts the success and growth of the heroes features no spoken dialogue but the fusion of music and video makes it a moving work.
We held a discussion between SCANDAL, the band in charge of the music, and "XPICE" producer Hiroaki Kato.
Hiroaki Kato: My company's main content is the mobile game "Monster Strike," and this project began as a result of wanting to create new content that could be delivered to the world in a different way. We first decided to start with something short, and we thought about doing a 4-5 minute animated short with no dialogue.
We realized that the power of music is indispensible for expressing what you want to convey, and after talking it over with the director and team we thought that it'd be better to express it in a form that resembled a music video.
――Is that when SCANDAL became a candidate?
Kato: Though we're borrowing the power of music, we knew exactly what we wanted to draw and express, and that was "courage and understanding" and "battling together." SCANDAL was the first band that came to mind when we thought about how it'd be great to work with an artist who understands and expresses those themes, so we immediately made them an offer.
――You were a SCANDAL fan to begin with, right?
Kato: Yes. I've been been as a fan since their 5th album STANDARD (released in 2013). Also, when I listened to their 6th album HELLO WORLD (released in 2014), I was quite shocked.
This album features solo songs with each member writing their own music + lyrics and doing lead vocals for. I was fascinated by this individuality and how wide their range of expression is.
I've been listening to them since then, and last year I saw them live at Victor Rock Matsuri 2019. When I heard "Masterpiece," it made me realize how they keep evolving and that they'd fit the theme of this short.
――While each member has their own distinct personality, they produce a great power when they come together as a band, and that certainly matches the project. SCANDAL, what did you think when you received the offer?
HARUNA: Just like what was just mentioned, he presented us with a very passionate offer.
He knew our songs and told us that our individual strengths would match this project.
We were happy that, on top of knowing our personalities, he gave us this offer. Also, above all we were happy that he named SCANDAL [as the band to go with].
――You certainly didn't have a reason to decline it.
HARUNA: Not at all. At the initial meeting they showed us the storyboard and the character profiles in detail, which also made it easy to imagine how it'd turn out.
TOMOMI: When we were shown the storyboard, we knew what it would be about and that it'd be perfect for our current era.
Although they're heroes, they aren't overwhelmingly strong but instead carry their own complexes. We sympathized with how they're battling enemies while grappling with their inferiority complexes. In this current era we must live our lives while acknowledging a wide variety of things such as racial discrimination, so it was exactly what we wanted to see right now.
That's why it really rang true for us, and why at the meeting we considered it to be an honor to be able to do this together.
――MAMI wrote the music for "SPICE" while RINA wrote the lyrics.
MAMI: Like what HARUNA said, I first and foremost was happy that they chose us.
During the meeting I already had the image of the song in my head, so that was also very easy to understand. I was able to write it smoothly since the song that they mentioned as a reference was also a tune we're good at doing.
RINA: There was a clear message I wanted to convey when we heard about the story during the meeting, so I thought it'd be great if the lyrics could play a role in this story of an animated short with no dialogue.
But because of the animation, I think I was able to put the message directly into words. It was very rewarding due to how exciting it was; the people on the "XPICE" team were enthusiastic and warm-hearted; and above all, I was happy that they sought out our music. Ever since that meeting we were so excited to make this with them (laughs).
――This truly is a creative piece of work, but I heard that it had so much passion at its base, which had a lot of influence on every aspect.
RINA: At that meeting they told us what was just mentioned, and told us why they wanted SCANDAL for this project and to add our music to this story.
They also showed us a video of the storyboard, and I wrote down lyrics as I watched it. At the meeting they said, "We also have an image of breaking out of one's shell and leaping out into the world," which is why I put that exact line "Leap out of this confined world" in the chorus.
I jotted down the words that came up during the meeting and turned them into lyrics.
――I'd love to see the material [they showed you].
RINA: It was so impressive!
Kato: It's a little embarrassing looking at it now, but I think we put in all kinds of thoughts into it in advance.
RINA: That made me happy, though!
Kato: We also told them that a song we referenced was specifically what we were going for. If anything, I told them in words what the team and I were thinking.
Also, the production team and I got to see SCANDAL perform live a few days before that. The words conveyed during the planning meeting were written again after watching that performance...
At that show, HARUNA said, "We're all walking the path of life together, so come see us if you feel down or depressed." The nuances might have been a little different than that, but I thought that what she said was really cool.
I wanted to make a work that would inspire me to support the people who see it, so I was inspired by HARUNA's words and compiled the material in my own way.
――You mentioned earlier that you had the story and storyboard video done, but did the animation production start before the song's production?
Kato: The actual CG work was done after we talked to SCANDAL, but we started building the worldview and story in advance.
MARZA ANIMATION PLANET, who did the animating, and Spooky graphic, who did the character designs, were originally partners who we worked with on the "Monster Strike" anime, and to an extent we all shared the same image of what we wanted to make. So, we were going ahead with what we could do.
So, although it was at the storyboard stage, we made a video storyboard and showed them the story and development.
――What was it like when you received the song?
Kato: I was so impressed at how cool it was. Originally, we told them as a reference that what we wanted was close to "A.M.D.K.J.", and they made us a new song that closely follows the story.
It really does straightforwardly convey the message that we wanted to convey. When we received it, we immediately put it with the video storyboard. I was so obsessed with it and felt that the video's appeal increased. The entire team was impressed and so grateful.
MAMI: "A.M.D.K.J." is easy to understand, and since we wanted to make something new for ourselves as well, I took those flavors into consideration and made it quite freely while taking a look at the short's images and material (laughs).
Personally, I wasn't all too serious about it, but I wanted to make a song that has both yin and yang to it. When I started writing it, I was able to go all out with writing the demo for it.
――It certainly has a pretty heavy sound to it. What did you take into consideration, performance-wise?
TOMOMI: Sound-wise, we aimed for our classic sound. Also, the speed of it; I made my bass hum while imagining the sound flying through the air (laughs).
RINA: The finished song puts the rhythm section at the forefront, with the drums also being very dense and powerful. Like the bass, the speed is important but it also feels dense.
MAMI: The guitar tone is done with the same equipment we've used so far, but the chord progression feels like nothing we've done before. We're using pretty stylish chords like a seventh chord.
Also, I play while paying attention to my ensemble with HARUNA. That was done by Keita Kawaguchi, who has arranged our songs for a long time. The Kawaguchi-ness of it is amazing (laughs).
HARUNA: It contains our classic band sound and effects done to the vocals. By doing so, we thought that we could get closer to the sound and the animation.
We thought it'd be great if it could reach a variety of people, such as anime fans who don't usually listen to bands, so that's what we took into consideration.
――It's true that the video has a digital feel to it, so it might feel familiar to some. As for the lyrics, how did you interpret them?
Kato: I was so moved by the line "Tears are the best spice." We created this worldview and characters using spices as motifs, and they interpreted it in the way that they did and expressed it so tenderly!
I was happy that they got close to each character and really expressed them, including their weaknesses. It's such a powerful, tender song.
――It was probably easy to write it in this theme of moving forward while each person faces their weaknesses and complements one another.
RINA: Yes. Like what TOMOMI talked about earlier, amidst the human rights issues and gender issues going on in the world, we continue to be band while considering things like that as part of our identity as well. That's why we could include that into the lyrics.
There are people of various races and religions among our fans, so we hoped that this song could reach those people as well.
――Please give us your thoughts on "XPICE," which is a combination of your own music with an animated short.
HARUNA: To start with, we were shocked at how beautiful the short is. Since it started from a video storyboard, we were shocked at how such amazing animation came about! The lyrics take the place of dialogue, which is what we said ourselves, but we were impressed at how well they match it. I cried a little (laughs).
MAMI: The quality of the animation is simply amazing; I was pulled straight into this animated world. I don't why, but I cried too!
I thought that this work matched us as a band and our own individual thoughts. Stuff like the billboards and passers-by are so detailed. You can enjoy it over and over again!
TOMOMI: I don't meant to persist, but I also cried (laughs). You can feel the kindness of it, and you can feel the characters' changes of heart very clearly.
The colors and details are so stylish, cool, and beautiful. Wasabi-chan's final attack is also very beautiful. I wanted to take a picture of it! It was wonderful! I also felt like I could smell scents coming from the video.
――It certainly has a big sense of reality.
Kato: We were particular about that. Characters are expressed in distorted ways in fictional worlds, but this is a world where characters are properly living and breathing. Since we wanted to express that in reality, the entire team worked hard on the finer details.
RINA: I watched it again while on the train and almost cried (laughs). I was surprised at the delicacy of the character's facial expressions. Their feelings are very much conveyed.
This made me feel once again how great touching animation can be. I thought it was awesome that the townscape doesn't give off any nationality and could be in any country.
I heard that this work combines cutting-edge CG technology and the feeling of hand-drawn animation. Despite it being cutting-edge, it has roundness and warmth, and the animation has a human touch to it. The message permeated the very animation itself.
――SCANDAL also appears in it.
RINA: That made us so happy!
MAMI: We were so touched.
HARUNA: We made something ourselves that looks like the poster of us hanging in Wasabi-chan's room (laughs).
――Regarding video production, did you put "SPICE" into the original video storyboard and complete it while making further changes?
Kato: Yes. When we received the song it already matched the video storyboard we had. Based on the impressions we got from the song, we fine-tuned the facial expressions and gestures. After that, we matched the timing of video switching to the sound, which felt good.
What we got from the song was the work's climax point where Wasabi awakens and is surprised by her own power.
Actually, she originally was going to stand up quickly, but as the band sings the line "I don't know what I can do" at that exact point in time, we decided it was better to make it a scene where she was testing her power to see what she can do now.
I hope Wasabi's expression comes off as her gradually gaining confidence she didn't have before.
――Depending on the timestamp, the lyrics really flow in well.
Kato: I wonder if there was a synergistic effect beyond what we initially thought. We considered the theme of the work itself because we wanted to depict the importance of working together with different forces, and we also wanted to embody that in the project itself.
I wanted to prove that the result of our companies working together as partners, including SCANDAL, and the strengths of many people combined, and that we could turn out something amazing. I hope we were able to do so.
――What caught my eye during the ending are the friends of Red Pepper and Wasabi. Could you tell us about them?
Kato: One is named Garlic, and the other one―the girl―is named Mint. If we get the chance, we'd love to make a story that includes them.
――There are so many kinds of spices, so it seems like you could keep expanding the story.
Kato: This was done as a stand-alone, but as the depth of the worldview and the conflicts that each character has were created after some planning, we could always make a continuation if we'd like to. So, I would like to keep making them (laughs).
――By the way, what kind of Spices would you like to see in the future? Of course, this does not mean they'll be official.
RINA: Ehー! That's hard to say!
MAMI: By "Spices," does that apply only to heroes?
Kato: No, the villains also have their own characteristic spices. The green and purple-colored enemy in the ending is named Shiso.
All: (laughs)
MAMI: A villain with the name "Garam Masala" would be cool (laughs).
TOMOMI: "Cinnamon" would be nice. But I'd really like to see a sequel [to "XPICE"]. I'm interested in so many things like learning about Garlic, and the cat that popped up in the middle of the animation.
HARUNA: My favorite spice is horseradish. It's a versatile spice that can be used in both Japanese and Western dishes. Plus, they could be Wasabi-chan's friend (laughs)!
RINA: I'm Googling spices/types right now; let's see... I'd like to see a character named Ginger.
Kato: Actually, we designed a character like that. We haven't decided on model reference sheets yet.
RINA: So there is a character named that! I would like to see Ginger.
――We're looking forward to seeing a sequel where these Spices play an active part!
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