INTERVISTE/ARTICOLI

EXCITE.CO.JP: GACKT Kimi dake no Boku de Iru Kara Interview - part 3

GACKT 「I'm old enough to take it slow (laughs)」

■GACKT／New Single 『Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara』 Interview (3/4)

――From interview 2

Because 「to deliver」, is something that I promised (to the overseas fans). They’ve been waiting for me

―― For the single coupling, 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara (ReMIX ver.)」 is recorded. It’s been arranged in a dance music style but, what was the direction on it?

GACKT: Because it was made with everyone in the team, when something gets raised up once, it’s completed with instructions like 「Shouldn’t it be done more like this?」 or 「Let’s make it more painful」 or 「Well we don’t really need to use all the lyrics right」. I get the feeling that, this time it progressed pretty smoothly.

―― Just as the single cut for 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」was announced right at the end of the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, the world tour, and the additional return performance in Japan were announced as well, and the concert venue was bubbling with excitement. For a staging with such an exceptionally high level of completion, does it look like there is no further room for brushing up as you head for the world tour?

GACKT: That’s not true. Areas where I think 「If I did this it might be good」 or 「Maybe I have to do it like this」, they’re all going to have new changes too.

―― With the full thing stretching 4 hours and 15 minutes, it’s lengthy and dense in terms of it’s scale. Will you leave that as it is, or will you be compressing it down?

GACKT: I’ll leave it as it is.

―― At present, how much progress have you had with the brush up work?

GACKT: For the work related to creating the stage, it can’t be done unless we start carrying out rehearsals but, when we go into video editing, we proceed while saying things like 「Next, let’s do it this way」or 「It has to be done more like this」.

―― I see. For the world tour, are there portions that will be different from the Japanese version?

GACKT: Firstly, all the songs will be made into English lyrics. So, an album with English lyrics will be released soon too.

―― A full-length English version of 『LAST MOON』!? Since GACKT-san is fluent in languages, it might not be that difficult a task though……

GACKT: No, it’s hard work. As expected, recording everything from the beginning made me think 「This is exhausting」. But, since it’s meaningful work.

―― For 「Hana mo Chiyu」 and 「Kugutsu ga Gotoku」, they make use of Japanese poetry, archaic Japanese words, and unique expressions so, how do you express that in English?

GACKT: Basically, even though it’s fully English lyrics, I intend to keep the focal points and the beautiful parts of the Japanese language. I guess it’ll be produced with that direction in mind?

―― I assume that for the overseas fans, it’s difficult to come to Japan to watch this so, I believe they must be happy that GACKT-san will be going to their countries.

GACKT: They really do come from a number of countries. But, those who come to Japan just to watch my concerts are really just a very very small group, don’t you think? That’s why, I’m glad to be able to reach out to the fans around the world their children like this. Or rather, it’s because 「to deliver」 was something that I promised. They’ve been waiting for me.

―― So finally, you’ll be able to fulfil that promise. Even so, as always, GACKT-san is busy day in, day out……

GACKT: That’s not true? I’m busy when I’m in Japan but, when I’m overseas I take it as slow as possible, I guess.

―― But, you’re also filming a movie right?

GACKT: Well, right after the tour ended, there was filming so that was a little hectic though. After that it’s like I spent my time slowly overseas.

―― Nevertheless, I became keenly aware that there won’t be anyone to hand over that stage to quickly.

GACKT: There isn’t really anyone, that’s quite difficult thus far. Though anyone can just get on a stage that someone else created. Creating all of that on your own, I think that’s tough.

―― Previously you said, you were just going to rush head-on towards the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, I thought that you would take a break after that but unexpectedly, before that, there’s an endless road that’s awaiting.

GACKT: Mm. But, I’m old enough to take it slow (laughs).

 ――To interview 4

Source: excite.co.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

EXCITE.CO.JP: GACKT Kimi dake no Boku de Iru Kara Interview - part 2

GACKT: Although my concerts are long, it ends in the blink of an eye when you watch it. That's just like life, isn't it

■GACKT／New Single 『Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara』 Interview (2/4)

――From interview 1

(Watching the animated MV) I thought, artistes who don’t show their faces sure are good (laughs)

―― In the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, the love between Noritsune and Yoshitsune was depicted, can we think of those two songs as tributes to their love……?

GACKT: No, that’s that. I think that it should just be left to the emotions of those who have watched it though. I think, in the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, this song is a song that is set in present day. Afterall, when someone asks “What is the message that the 『LAST VISUALIVE』 is trying to convey?”, it is that stories and tragic happenings that occurred in the past, even if we change the form of it, they still exist in present day. Not only the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, but all the concerts that I’ve had, although they are long, when you watch it, it feels as if they ended in the blink of an eye. That, I think, is the same as life. It seems like it’s really long but when you look back at it, it was a mere moment. It passes in the blink of an eye. Don’t you think so? That’s why, although those who came to watch it will cry from the transience (of the narrative from the past depicted), they will think 「But, this isn’t just a story, is it? It’s just like everyone’s lives, isn’t it?」. From there, having to think for themselves about what to think, how to feel, what to do, I guess that’s the “blank space” in my view of the world? I don’t particularly say things like 「This is this answer. So please do this」. Just simply, 「From here on, think about it yourself, why not do what you need to do?」.

―― In the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, you were dressed in a white shirt when you sang 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」, and in the fully animated MV for this song as well, the characterised GACKT-san too wore a white shirt. Is there a link to that?

GACKT: Since this song is the opening theme song for an anime named 『TRICKSTER』, this MV was wholly left to the production team of 『TRICKSTER』. We thought, let’s make an interesting MV that can be connected to the characters of 『TRICKSTER』, and that’s what we got.

―― The opening theme for 『TRICKSTER』 was an aspiration from the anime production team. How did you feel when you received the offer?

GACKT: I thought, 「I want to respond to those feelings」. Because we’re an independent label instead of belonging to a so-called mega-record company, such instances don’t come around much. Well, although in this era being an independant label isn’t special, that said, independent recording labels rarely get asked to do anime theme songs so, I’m happy that they decided to nominate us.

―― Having watched the MV, which scene left a particularly deep impression on you?

GACKT: About deep impressions, with this expression, I thought, artistes who don’t show their faces sure are good (laughs). Using just their voices, and never having to show themselves. How about that?

―― That’s a unique impression (laughs). The man jumping because he wanted to see the girl in the bird cage so badly, and even as his feet collapsed under him he jumps desperately…… I could feel that this depiction was really dramatic.

GACKT: Hahaha! That expressionism is only possible because it’s an anime.

―― Doing it in live action is impossible isn’t it (laughs). GACKT-san appears as a voice actor in the anime for the character, the Fiend with Twenty Faces. How did you interpret him?

GACKT: Well, he’s an exceptionally cold character. Nevertheless, I thought that it was interesting to portray his warped heart that can’t distinguish between good and evil, and the coldness in him.

―― Having done voice acting thus far, do you like it?

GACKT: I like it. If you ask me 「Which do you like?」, in actual fact, since a long time ago, I’ve liked voice acting more than acting.

―― What’s the charm of it?

GACKT: For voices, it’s because you can deliver each and every word with convincing power. If you do that in acting, it becomes a bad performance. As I thought, it’s the difference between the realistic and unrealistic. In the real world, if you make each line stand out too much, it becomes too scripted and ends up sounding like lies instead. However, in the unreal world, it wouldn’t work out unless you put your soul into your lines. That’s the difference.

――To interview 3

Source: excite.co.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

EXCITE.CO.JP: GACKT Kimi dake no Boku de Iru Kara Interview - part 1

GACKT's new song is a love song that expresses the wish to protect a lover dying from illness, and the heartbreaking determination

■GACKT／New Single 『Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara』 Interview (1/4)

GACKT reflects on the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, talks about the feelings put into the song, and his enthusiasm for the world tour

The love song that sings about the heartbreaking determination and the desire to protect a lover dying from illness, 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」. Recalling the stage of the 『GACKT WORLD TOUR 2016 「LAST VISUALIVE Saigo no Tsuki -LAST MOON- supported by Nestle」』, the image of GACKT in a simple white shirt singing the song with fervency comes to mind. GACKT’s new single, which will be his 47th, is a recut from his album 『LAST MOON』. The song which became the opening theme song of the anime 『TRICKSTER - Edogawa Ranpo 「Shonen Tanteidan」 Yori -』 (MX, Yomiuri TV, BS11) that began broadcasting in October, started from the aspiration of the anime production to collaborate with GACKT. Made to link with the world of the work, the fully animated music video which features GACKT is also fresh. In this newest interview, GACKT reflects on the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, and talks about the feelings put into the song, as well as his enthusiasm for the world tour.

At present it sure is convenient with a variety of SNS tools to use but…… The most precious medium is still a letter, isn’t it

―― I watched the 『LAST VISUALIVE』 final (July 3, 2016 / Saitama Super Arena) and, I was really astounded by the wonderful staging. By the overwhelming world that only GACKT-san can create……

GACKT: It makes me happy that you say that. Nobody wants to do anything like that (laughs). It’s too much work.

―― It deviates from the ordinary, doesn’t it.

GACKT: It really does. Though I also flatter myself when I think 「We’ve done well so far」(laughs).

―― In an earlier interview you’ve been asked about the live being done in line with the album 『LAST MOON』 but, it was not only the album, but also the world that GACKT-san has created and the stories that you’ve spun that it’s been mixed with. I was able to feel indescribably deep emotions, and also taste a whole spectrum of feelings. You must have been tired……

GACKT: Hahaha! I indeed was tired. Really, I was shocked. I got sick in the later half of the tour, you see. My poor physical condition shows its entirety on my skin, and at the end, a supporter was wound around my arm, and I covered my entire body in foundation…… that was terrible.

―― But looking at things from the outside, it doesn’t look like the situation was like that at all, the dancing and singing were sharp. 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」, which has been made into a single this time, was performed during an important scene in the final stage, wasn’t it. It was paired with 「P.S. I LOVE U」.

GACKT: That’s right, it’s the answer song. Strictly speaking, 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」’s answer song should be 「P.S.I LOVE U」 though. The man’s feelings for a woman are expressed in 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」, while the woman’s feelings about the man is expressed in 「P.S. I LOVE U」.

―― In the interview coverage for the album 『LAST MOON』 (※February 2016), this song was not in existence yet right? Was this song created as the final piece?

GACKT: Instead of calling it the final piece, it’s more like it simply took more time to complete. I started working on it before the other songs but, despite that the melody and lyrics were already prepared, I couldn’t arrange it at all. It was actually meant to be an even longer song but, it was too unfocused, if I’m not wrong, it was completed on the final day of rehearsals. But, I think, having stuck with it that long was worth it. I think it’s a good song.

―― Be it the tempo or rhythm, the feeling of “I like it!” comes rushing out, and I can feel the furious momentum of it, but this couple, they’ve been placed in quite a serious situation, haven’t they?

GACKT: That’s right. Although they thought that everything would go well, the girlfriend suddenly falls ill, and they end up heading towards a future that differs from the one they imagined…… Like, he can’t accept that reality. But from there, he finally decided in his heart 「I’ll protect her」, and was headed towards where she is but, in the end they couldn’t meet…… But he receives a letter from the girl who passed away, and that connects with 「P.S. I LOVE U」. It’s a fleeting but good song, or rather, I think I’ve managed to write a good pair of songs.

―― 「P.S. I LOVE U」 comes in the form of a letter written with their feelings for a lover left behind, and at the start of the music video for 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」 as well, the man was trying to write a letter with a fountain pen. In present times, tools like LINE or emails are at their prime but, I dare say that when it’s a letter the emotions can really be felt. Was that intentional?

GACKT: Yes. A letter is the only thing that can put a person’s feelings into the words. For example, in the strength of the words written.

―― The blurring, the occasional distortion in the handwriting. What you’re saying is, even in those, the feelings are present right.

GACKT: That’s right. Because after all, typed letters can only be conveyed in the same font, that’s why it seems like we can express (our feelings) using emoji but, even with that, it’s still in the digital world anyway. But, emotions can’t be digitised right. Now there are various SNS tools and indeed that makes things convenient though…… But, something that is really precious is still letters I think.

―― The things that can’t be expressed in symbols, are put into letter right.

GACKT: That’s right. You’d want to.

――To interview 2

Source: excite.co.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

HEADLINES.YAHOO: Learn stoic philosophy from GACKT

On the November 24 (Thu) live broadcast of a TOKYO FM program that Takahashi Minami hosts as a personality, GACKT-san appeared on the 「Best 3 Sensei」 corner! Entitled 「GACKT studies」, he spoke about his own particularities and philosophies.

Showing off his body, that was trained like an athlete’s, on Instagram among other things, many are familiar with his stoic-ness. The motto of such a GACKT-san is 「do it with the confidence that you can definitely do it」. By believing that you’ll be able to do something as long as you don’t give up until the very end, and repeating to yourself that no matter how long it takes you’ll arrive at your destination, these thoughts will eventually turn into “I can definitely do it!” whenever you attempt start to anything. 「I think that those who give up halfway are looking at the wrong things. The difficult or painful things right in front of you will weigh down on you mentally. But, it’s important to visualise the you after getting through this. Just by always keeping the image of a good outcome before your eyes, any difficult event you’re going through will become enjoyable」 he said, building on his theory.

Also, he made an emphasis on “giving your all”. 「Everyone tend to say 『It’s impossible』 or 『It’s not suitable for me』, and other excuses like those but, to me, it’s a question of 『are you giving it your all?』. If you don’t want to do it then you don’t have to put in effort or anything. But if it’s something you really want to attain then you should give your all! That’s what I think」 he continued with his passionate words.

Having said these, GACKT-san himself had once given up halfway when he was in his teen, but the words that a certain someone said to him was the trigger that made him bring about a huge change in his feelings. 「Most of the people in this world know of something, remember it, think then move. But successful people have a different way with this, they know of something, remember it, move, then think about it, this is the only difference there is. Among the 4 factors “Know (知る)”, “Remember (覚える)”, “Move (動く)”, and “Think (考える)”, which do you think is the most important? When you line the 4 Japanese characters up, it says “知覚動考 which reads ともかくうごこう (Anyway, let’s move)”, showing you the answer right before your eyes. Simply thinking without moving has no meaning at all. Before you think, just do it!」 he said, emphasising the importance of making a move. To these convincing words by GACKT-san, Takamina was impressed, saying with a nod 「When facing a challenge, there will be lots of difficulties, but I’ll keep these words from today in my heart!」.

(TOKYO FM’s program 「Takahashi Minami’s 『Kore Kara, Nani Suru?』」 broadcasts November 24 2016)

Source: HEADLINES.YAHOO.CO.JP

Translation: GACKT Italia Team

Translation © GACKT Italia

by Sara