[Translation] ViVi April 2014 - Interview

[chocopockymaster]

Not a very long interview, but she shares some interesting insight on her thought process concerning the next album. Can't wait until we get more news on it!

Interviewer: How did you spend your free time in Paris?
Ayu: Well, I wasn't there for very long, so about all I did was watch the city go by as we were driving around.

I: Some of your fans were waiting for you outside the hotel from morning till night, and you were even followed around, right?
A: I'm really grateful for them, but depending upon the place I have mixed feelings about it. There was that, and also whenever I'm in Paris I end up spending a lot of time in my room, so I decide where to stay based on the view. The reason I've been staying at the Shangri La lately is because their balconies are spacious and I can spend my time looking out over the Eiffel Tower and a romantic view of the city. Hotel Le Bristol, which we used for this ViVi shoot, is another place I've stayed where I really love the grandeur of the Parisian interior, but the bathroom (my favorite place) was a little lacking… Clawfoot bathtubs look adorable, but the problem is that the water gets cold so fast. I realized maybe it's better to have a more modern tub. (laughs)

I: The main reason for this trip to Paris was your participation in the movie premiere of BUDDHA 2, which you sang the theme song for. You looked amazing on the red carpet, but I have to tell you that "Pray" has the feel of a classic Ayu ballad, and I heard it and fell in love.
A: In the beginning we had so many potential songs and I couldn't choose one for the life of me, but after reading the manga and the script I knew immediately, "This is the one!", and what I wanted to write came through a very natural sort of inspiration. I felt as though the story of BUDDHA and the melody that Tago-san (translator's note: the composer) wrote had words of their own, or at least that this is what they would have wanted to say, and the lyrics just came to me.

I: Honestly, the first time I heard it, I thought, "Huh? Is this a song about infidelity?"! (laugh)
A: What?? Why!?

I: The part that goes, "The reason I can't see you even though I want to is because I love you more than anyone else~" made me think of a love that's burdened with lots of obstacles. (laugh)
A: Hahaha. That's too narrow minded~ The last scene of BUDDHA really resonated with me. Whether you're with the people you love or not, your feelings don't change. I thought of the message that it's not just about being with someone, it's about sustaining those feelings when you're separated that reveals the true nature of your relationships.

I: I see. Do you share that opinion?
A: People come in and out of your life, and there are some situations where you have to accept that you need help, but if the people you rely on decide to embark on a new journey, I wouldn't stop them. That's what anyone would want. When the time comes for me to choose a new path, I follow it, and I'm not looking for anyone's permission. I follow my feelings, and even if it means parting from someone that doesn't mean it has to be 'farewell'. Something that's unchanging is always there, right? That's the gist of it.

I: Hearing a ballad like this really ups the stakes for your next album, doesn't it?
A: To tell you the truth, I was making an album with a completely different direction up until I came to Paris. But "Pray" was released, and after hearing everyone's impressions and reactions like, "This is what we've been waiting for!" I started to have second thoughts, you know? Things like starting a project over from the beginning in favor of something completely different, or taking on new challenges are what I'm good at…but at the same time, I can stay incredibly consistent, like the group of people I always perform with. That sort of consistency, these things about me that don't change, bring a certain depth, and ballads convey a very similar feeling. I didn't have that mindset when I started making this album; I used my 15th Anniversary as an opportunity to try something new, and go in a completely new direction. But now I'm changing that point of view and realize there's something to be said for having a mix of new and old, and for having a nice variety. There are ballads, rock numbers, and some new ideas, but in the end each and every one of them is Ayumi Hamasaki. I think that's how it will turn out.

I: What? You're just now realizing this?
A: Finally, after 15 years. (laugh) I think coming to that realization is one of the reasons I ended up going to Paris. I don't attend premieres all the time, right? There are countless times when I'm in the middle of touring, or my schedule doesn't allow it, and I have to turn the offer down, but I'm happy to say that everything went smoothly this time. In that moment, I think I really decided to revisit the concept for this album. Like, going brought me this realization.

I: And now you're in the middle of recording.
A: I'm hoping to deliver an album that's very true to the spirit of Ayumi Hamasaki, so please look forward to it! ♥