MAISON SPECIAL × LUCKY TAPES Umi Takahashi
Tonal blended setup.

Takahashi: A friend of mine was wearing a "Maison Special" printed T-shirt, and I asked her, "Where is that from? I looked it up on the spot and found that I really liked all of their clothes, and I saved my favorites to buy personally. I looked them up on the spot and found that I really liked all of their clothes, and I even saved them in my favorites for personal purchase.

Takahashi: . I was especially interested in the set-up, but I was attracted to the colors and shapes that I don't often see in set-ups, like the jacket of LUCKY TAPES' latest album, and I tend to prefer neutral or light colors, not just in clothing, so I had to check this out.

I remember that just two days after I learned about the "Maison Special," I was told about this project, and I couldn't hide my surprise at the timing, and I asked him to do it immediately (laughs).

Takahashi: I wanted to create something that could be worn at a live concert and also be worn in everyday life. Therefore, the colors are not heavy, but rather easy to wear. These are the three colors that I thought, "It would be nice to have a set-up in these colors. . When I was in the process of selecting the fabrics, they were small scraps of a few centimeters, so I couldn't imagine how they would actually turn out. But when I saw the finished product, I was relieved. It was the right decision to choose these colors.

Takahashi: I chose oversized this time , so I thought it was easy to move around. . I think it will be totally fine for live performances. The silhouette is ideal, yet not too big, and the fabric feels luxurious and great.

Takahashi: It was very interesting. I learned that this is how the clothes we wear in everyday life are designed, and if I have another chance, I would like to try my hand at more detailed work.

Takahashi: Yes . I have a narrow waist, so there are not many pants that fit me well in terms of width and silhouette, and I always have a hard time finding the right ones. . This time, I was concerned about those aspects as well, and I was able to complete pants that were as close to my ideal shape as possible.

Takahashi: . Apart from bands, I often have the opportunity to produce various artists on my own, and the first thing I ask them is the color of the music. Of course I ask them what kind of atmosphere and tempo they want, but I also try to ask them what colors they want to use as much as possible. For my own music, I also value visual images such as colors and landscapes, which are elements that music does not have.

Takahashi: There is a color. Even if the music is colorless at first, color gradually becomes apparent as we build it up, and by adding other elements and compositions to it, new images of color come to mind, and we proceed with the creation of the music as if they are being mixed one with another.

Takahashi: When I go into the studio, I inevitably have to concentrate on a single part, whether it is creating an arrangement or developing a structure. During this time, the other players have to wait, and it is difficult to allocate time. This time, however, we were able to work on the arrangements in the privacy of our own homes, which I felt suited the band well.

Takahashi: Video production was far more difficult than I had imagined. I had never even touched a camera, so I had to learn how to use such equipment and video editing software.

With music, I have the skills and knowledge I have cultivated so far, so there are many things I can do to bring it to the image, make new suggestions, and various other means. I was able to visualize the finished product in my mind, but it was not so easy to materialize it.

However, until now I have only been able to express myself through music, so I was honestly pleased and amused to learn about a new method of video, and I am not sure at this point whether I will continue to make music, but if I have the opportunity, I would like to explore how I can express myself better.

Takahashi: I am not really conscious of this at the beginning of the process, but as I go along, I try to create such a flow intentionally, not only in the music, but also throughout the entire work and in the set list of the live performance.

The kind of music genre that we express tends to be called "fashionable" or "chill," and while it is easy to listen to, I think there is a danger that it will become background music that is difficult to stay with.

When I thought about how to leave a lasting impression on the listener, I thought that one of the elements, as well as the choice of words and the use of sound in the lyrics, was to have a narrative. I think that these days, people tend to listen to single songs, so when you listen to the album as a whole, each song acts as a chapter, and the songs flow together without stagnation.

Takahashi: Of course. The axis of self-expression remains the same, music, but I wonder if it is not necessary to be concerned with expressing myself only through sound. I would like to continue to actively challenge new things, such as making clothes and creating videos, to broaden my range of expression.