Art goes beyond the creator's intention. Nalbaric's philosophy on music.
What you hear is a soulful, high-tone singing voice with a grating, uplifting melody. Nulbarich is a musician who has been gaining fans with its sound image alone, despite its somewhat insubstantial existence. The third album "Blank Envelope", which means "a letter without an address", will be released. In order to get a closer look at Nulbarich, a band that has played a successful Budokan concert but has not been talked about much, we asked JQ, the band's mastermind, about his stance on the band, and his perspective as a young urbanite who has been familiar with artisanal ideas and culture came into relief.
Those who like it, buy it , those who don't like it, diss it. If you get into it, say, "Nice to meet you.
When did you first become familiar with music, JQ?
Japan Quality AssuranceI played piano in my childhood and percussion in a brass band in junior high school, so I helped play drums in a copy band in junior high and high school. But at the time, I was just playing in bands of various genres as they handed me scores, and there wasn't any music that I had a particular attachment to.
So you were not attracted to the band at first.
Japan Quality AssuranceIt wasn't until I got really into hip-hop that I felt like I wanted to play music. I was impressed by the fact that hip-hop music has a looped beat that flows bar by bar, whereas in a band, the drums just develop and evolve. I started digging through records by various DJs and going to clubs called "organ bars" where various genres were played, and that's when I bought a track-making device called an MPC.
Nulbarich's underlying beats, such as acid jazz and backbeat groove, are rooted in the classic ones sampled in hip-hop.
Japan Quality AssuranceYes, it is. . like when people who come to a hip-hop party hear a sampling and learn about another genre of music. For people who like hip-hop, bands are a genre they don't usually listen to, but if it is sampled good music of the S-class, it sticks. . So I had the feeling that no matter what kind of music I was playing, if it reached the top, it would be something that many people would know and enjoy.
And that is what has led to your current musical style. For example, "Kiss You Back" (the seventh track on the third album) is a song in which the looping flow of the guitar riff remains the same throughout the song, but elements of EDM and trap are added to broaden the song.
Japan Quality AssuranceEDM has become mainstream in pop music around the world, but I have the image that it has been consumed to the point of exhaustion. However, I feel that EDM is now a good match for country-like phrases, so I wrote this song. Anyway, I am conscious of melodies and phrases that will catch the ears of many people.
Where did you get the idea of "being heard by many people" and involving a wide range of listeners?
Japan Quality AssuranceI started to play at many festivals two years ago, and I thought I wanted music that would resonate farther away. I am not good at playing with the same vigor as other rock bands, so I created this album because I wanted music that would resonate farther away.
When you mention it, the title of the album, "Blank Envelope," seems to make sense. Rather than addressing it to someone in particular, it seems to be a broad statement to all listeners.
Japan Quality AssuranceOf course, there are things in the album that I sing to my friends, family, and others. Although I have created the album with various concepts in mind, I do not have an advertising perspective in terms of marketing this album to this demographic. That is something for adults to do. We just create our own good music and drop it all over the city. If people like it, they can buy it, and if they don't like it, they can dislike it. If they get into it, we say, "Hello.
I don't know what "Nulbarich-ness" is, but I'm the least understanding person in the world.
Over the past year, as you have performed at the Nippon Budokan and continue to set career highs, have you gained confidence and conviction as a band?
Japan Quality AssuranceWell.... I thought I would be confident and satisfied after a normal Budokan, but then I started to see things I should reflect on and things I should do better next time. Maybe I am just greedy, but I am still thinking more about what I can do next time.
I got the impression that the vocal tracks were more front and center than in the previous album, and that the "comfort of listening" and the high-tone, soulful vocals were condensed into the essence of Narvarich's style.
Japan Quality AssuranceBasically, I don't trust people who say, "I have this kind of personality. That is an impression I have to make. So, to be honest, none of the members understand what "Nulbarich-ness" is (laughs). (laughs). So I think it comes down to pursuing what is best for me.
. and as a result, the current album was created.
Japan Quality AssuranceI have been swinging full throttle at everything I do, and although people tend to think that I think and play dexterous music, I create tracks as an extension of my daily life while drinking, and when band members buy new equipment, I just touch and play around with it and create songs that make heavy use of that equipment (laughs).
It's very human.
Japan Quality AssuranceThe band has been criticized by people on both sides of the spectrum, saying that they have a good balance between what they want to do and what is popular, or that they make music in a way that will appeal to professionals, but they do not do it in a dexterous and deft way, but just keep making music that is full swing and pleasant to listen to. We have faced a lot of challenges over the past year, but we have just said, "What we can't do, we can't do.
He said that people who listen to such music interpret it on their own and leave it to be colored.
Japan Quality AssuranceYes . For example, it would be strange if an artist was sitting next to you in a museum, explaining his own work. So, I guess I don't want to say too much, but rather, I want people to freely interpret and "use" my work in their own lives.
. has grown by abandoning obsession and maintaining neutrality.
In this interview, I wanted to reveal the uncertain nature of Nulbarich and what the brains of the band were thinking, but I thought that not wanting to impose one's own color on the band was a clear answer as to the stance of a musician in this era.
Japan Quality AssuranceI see. It's almost like a motto, but basically, I value how neutral I can be in my life. Basically, I want to be neutral in everything, whether it is music or fashion. I think it is more powerful not to have a self anymore. . I am conscious of what I can get out of each day, without being obsessed with anything strange.
Like aikido?
Japan Quality AssuranceYes, that's right. I try my best to be on the "receiving end" of things before I output from my side. For example, I like music and fashion as much as I can, and I try to increase the margin of what I think is good. I want to be influenced by as many influences as possible, and then take those influences and sublimate them.
Do you feel like your favorite style has changed over the course of your music career?
Japan Quality AssuranceIt's natural to change when you meet attractive people. . I think that's why I keep myself neutral. For example, when I go to a fashion exhibition, even if it is something I would not normally wear, if someone says, "Why don't you try it on? I try it on for a week or so. I like the feeling of not being able to go back to my old style. I like the feeling of not being able to go back to my old style.
. the way you dress in today's fashion is also unique.
Japan Quality AssuranceThank you very much. Last year, I had the opportunity to collaborate with "R.M GANG," which is run by stylist Ramuda Takahashi, and I feel that there is little culture in Japan that connects fashion and music on an underground level. I feel that my desire to transcend this situation has led me to where I am today.
So you want to be flat as a listener of music?
Japan Quality Assurance. I myself have always listened to music in that way. I have always felt that the timeline of my life and the music I want to listen to synchronize on their own, making me feel strong and like I want to listen to it next to a girl, etc. As a creator of the third album, I am not ashamed to say that I have made it so that people can listen to it anywhere. I hope that people will listen to it freely and interpret it as they wish, and that their lives and the music will synergize with each other.
JQ / Nulbarich producer and vocalist
Nulbarich was formed in 2016 with JQ as the leader. On Wednesday, February 6, they will release their first album in almost a year, "Blank Envelope". From March to April, the band will embark on a nationwide tour "Nulbarich ONE MAN TOUR 2019" in support of the new album.
Blank Envelope
Release date: February 6, 2019 ( Water )
Limited Edition A
CD + Remix CD + Blu-ray (LIVE + Documentary + Interview video )
Price: ¥5,500+tax
Limited Edition B
CD + Remix CD + DVD (LIVE + Documentary + Interview video )
Price: ¥5,000+TAX
Normal Edition
CD ONLY VICL-65116
Price: ¥2,800+TAX
Nulbarich ONE MAN TOUR 2019
March 31 (Sun) Sendai PIT, Miyagi
April 7 (Sun) Hokkaido, Zepp Sappora
April 10 (Wed) Osaka, Zepp OSAKA Bayside
April 13 (Sat) at BLUE LIVE Hiroshima, Hiroshima
April 17 (Wed) at Zepp Naroya, Aichi
April 19 (Fri.) Zepp Fukuoka, Fukuoka
April 20 (Sat) festhalle, Kagawa
April 24 (Wed) Zepp Tokyo, Tokyo
April 25 (Thu) Zepp Tokyo, Tokyo