[zellyx]

1.) How long have you been a fan of Ayu? In how many ways has this musician/artist changed your life?
I've been a fan of hers for about 4 years. She's made me interested in foreign music and language, and now my passion is to become a translator/interpreter! I've realized my passion for language, and I know what I want to do with my life.
2.) Do you find yourself inspired/influenced by her? If so, can you name some instances?
Yes. When I'm feeling angry or down, I always go to her lyrics and realize that I'm not alone. Someone else has felt this way before! She gives me strength through her music, and that she keeps singing through her troubles (especially with one ear deafness) I should be able to carry on as well.
3.) What can you say about her fashion tastes and music style(s)?
They are ever-changing, and I can find something about her music style I like every day. Don't want to listen to rock? I have all of these other genres to choose from! Whether I'm in the ballad or instrumental mood, ayu has a little bit of something for me.
4.) What do you love the most about Ayu?
I love how genuine she is. She genuinely loves her job. She loves to sing and perform, and you can really see it in her lyrics, the passion in her concerts, and the emotion in her vocals for the songs. I find it easy to connect with her, and feel that she really cares about her fans!
5.) How do you think Ayu presents herself to the world? Do you think she has an "edge" over others (who are in the same industry as hers)?
I think she presents herself openly, and fights to get away from the Barbie Doll, cookie-cutter image with her changing style. She doesn't want to be a product anymore. She has an edge because she's been around for so long that she needs less promotion to get good sales. She still is a fashion icon and a hit with many #1 albums and singles, and when that is attatched to her name, she has an edge over others in her industry. Her name is a household one to the people of Asia and Japan, and that alone has the connotation of her production of good music and videos.
6.) Have you ever talked with Ayu? How was she like?
I haven't talked to Ayu before.
7.) Can you describe what her music is like?
Like reading a series of diary entries; lyrics are things you can easily connect with in her music, and she's known for that. Her music style is ever-changing, but I think it reflects what she feels towards herself or others. Her music is genuine. Rock, Pop, Ballad, whatever it may be, it's usually some kind of crossover (Memorial Address is a rock, piano ballad crossover, Microphone is a rock piece with organ and orchestral styles).
8.) What kind of personality do you think she has? (Is she warm, friendly, etc.)
I think she has a bubbly personality. Extroverted, friendly, and open about her emotions and feelings. Through TA entries, concerts, song lyrics, etc. a person can really see her thought process and what she's going through.
9.) What can you say about the people she works with? (The photographer, director, etc.)
They occasionally make mistakes, but Ayu works great with them to create a piece she has envisioned. PVs and tour videos are affected by the lyrics and ayu's emotions toward the songs. I think she uses her staff/team to channel these emotions to make us(the viewers) pick up on them.
10.) If you've been a fan of hers for more than two years now, do you believe that there has been a change in her personality in some ways over the past years of her career?
I think she has become a little more mature, and grown a little farther away from the bad things in her past (her father leaving, grandmother's passing, etc.). She seems more hopeful since GUILTY, and this is reflected in NEXT LEVEL and Rock'n'Roll Circus. Her past has shaped her to be who she is now, but I think she has learned to leave those things in the past.
11.) Lastly, can you name some of your favorite songs by Ayu?
Boys&Girls, SURREAL, Because of You, Memorial Address, hanabi, Don't Look Back, Microphone, Talkin' 2 Myself, Mirrorcle World to name a few.