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 Ayu since Spring 2000, so just over 10 years. Ayu hasn't changed my life herself, and I like to try to keep a realistic head on my shoulders about that kind of thing. But she has definitely dictated purchase decisions.
She's also been an artistic muse - I've drawn more pencil portraits of her than anyone else, retouched more photos of her than anyone else, designed more fanart CD covers for her than anyone else. She's also provided a soundtrack for some of the biggest events of my life - high school graduation, first boyfriend, first child, et cetera. Sometimes I feel like her lyrics are cheering me on.
2.) Do you find yourself inspired/influenced by her? If so, can you name some instances?
Ayu got me interested in Japanese music to begin with, and now I'm co-creator and cohost of a J-music podcast that's quite successful. I've become a J-music journalist because of Ayu, really! That podcast is a huge part of my life, as are the two amazing friends I do it with, and I have Ayu to thank for that really. I'm also learning Japanese because I want to understand her. And I take cues from her workaholism - I'm an incredibly lazy person, but lyrics like "hajimenakya hajimaranai" from "Fly high" remind me that I have to be the one to make progress happen.
3.) What can you say about her fashion tastes and music style(s)?
Her fashion taste is awesome. Not because it's always perfect, but because she wears what she wants and almost always manages to pull it off. Sure, she's worn some utterly ridiculous outfits, but the fact that she even takes the risk is awesome to me. As for her music style, I listen to TONS of music in TONS of different genres and I'd be lying if I said she was anything but pop. However, her pop does incorporate various styles of music from all over the world, so it's certainly not all bubblegum pop, not all dance pop, not all techno pop, not all rock-pop. But she's done all of that, and then some.
4.) What do you love the most about Ayu?
How human she is.
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 don't think she does anymore. What gave her an edge in the late 90's was how unique her approach was. No one was writing lyrics that personal or that sad in the J-pop music market in the 90's, and listeners finally felt they had someone who was speaking for them, someone they could identify with. Music worldwide has taken a turn away from that approach, unfortunately, and it's the slick production and catchy melodies that win - ayu's melodies just aren't memorable enough anymore. Her trendy fashion sense also is no longer a marketing point. She doesn't really have "looks" and temporary trademarks the way she used to (i.e. Duty's leopard print, Dome Tour 2001's camoflage). Her clothes are a bit more normal now, and she doesn't have "uniforms" for specific single releases (i.e. M's wedding dresses) as often as she used to. She's not trying as hard to be a product anymore though, so that's good.
6.) Have you ever talked with Ayu? How was she like?
Unfortunately not, but from what I've seen in videos and heard from other people she's very polite (almost to the point of being cold sometimes).
7.) Can you describe what her music is like?
Epic. Her music conveys emotion but with a pop sensibility behind it. Her music is dynamic, but slick; honest, but not alienating.
8.) What kind of personality do you think she has? (Is she warm, friendly, etc.)
Workaholic. Probably has an on/off switch - work mode, she's probably cold, to the point, efficient, control freak is entirely likely. Play mode, she's probably fun, friendly (but only to those she's already friends with), and I bet she's a really entertaining drunk.
9.) What can you say about the people she works with? (The photographer, director, etc.)
I'm glad fans can sort of get to know these people. Ayu presents them at the forefront more often than most artists seem to, so we get to know names like Yocchan and Armageddon and Shimo-kun and Stan and Midoring... They're all creative and hard working people, most of them are really talented but I get the feeling Ayu has a hard time letting them go even when they've failed her repeatedly. Every now & then she needs a reboot among her creative crew and it is disappointing when she sticks with people who aren't doing their jobs properly.
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?
After her visit to HK in 2002, Ayu's approach to the "RAINBOW" album wasn't what anyone expected. There was a swift, marked change in her presentation, her world outlook, her lyrics, everything about her. It was kind of jarring. "RAINBOW" disappointed ALOT of fans at the time, I remember. The ayu we fell in love with was GONE, and it was the only real mass exodus of Ayu fans that I ever saw personally. She started writing songs about US and to US, when all we wanted were songs about HER, you know? It wasn't the Ayu we wanted to support. Even my fandom waned slightly, but I came back on board after the RMX WORKS series came out in sept. 2003.
11.) Lastly, can you name some of your favorite songs by Ayu?
M, HANABI, until that Day..., (miss)understood, evolution, JEWEL, TO BE, STEP you, criminal, alterna, Heartplace, About You, INSPIRE, fairyland, UNITE!, monochrome, POWDER SNOW, P.S II, I am..., SURREAL, NEVER EVER, ever free, Far away... oh man there are alot. I will say that I'll listen to all of LOVEppears and Duty without skipping any tracks, and (miss)understood and Rock'n'Roll Circus skipping only one track on each.