What can we do to make HOUYHNHNM more interesting? Please give us your plans!
I'm sorry to say that I'm getting a little too close to the end, but there's still more to come.
D&JQ: (Eating) Thank you very much!
All of us (laughs)
Mr. D just told us that the important thing is whether or not it's interesting. So I was wondering if you two producers could give me some advice on how to make HOUYHNHNM's more interesting!
JQ: That's a pretty high hurdle.
D: It's not so easy to get people to come up with ideas on the pretense of an interview, is it?
JQ: Well, if they are doing that stuff in secret, let's corner them and get a royalty for the use of their ideas! (laughter)
(laughs). By the way, what kind of image do you have of "HOUYHNHNM"?
JQ: There are many fashion-related web media outlets, but I personally think that HOUYHNHNM's is a must-see. You should check out the articles on here anyway! I like it.
D: Heh, I see. That's the difference between JQ and our generation. Our generation didn't have the sense of checking fashion on the web. I had only ever covered HOUYHNHNM's in the past in an interview about a castle (in "HOUYHNHNM's Unplugged Vol. 6: Hip Hobbies"), so I thought it was just like an "adult weekend" kind of thing. When I checked the website again before this interview, I thought, "What? (laugh).
Yes, that's right. It will be a web media that proposes what we consider "hip = cool" by focusing on fashion, music, movies, and various other cultural activities. By the way, what kind of projects would you like people to read?
JQ: I have felt for some time that the link between fashion and music is far behind in Japan compared to other countries. This may be an extreme view, but people in the fashion world don't listen to Japanese music that much....
Is that so? (Chuckles)
JQ: (laughs). (Laughs.) But I can somewhat understand how you feel. This applies not only to fashion but also to music. If you want to do something that is cutting-edge overseas, why don't you just listen to something else? I think so. That is why I felt the need to create a project that would transmit the good qualities of Japan to the rest of the world. For example, an article introducing various artists' stage costumes. Without a time lag. It is very common overseas, for example, Kanye West put on a show wearing clothes from a certain place. We would send out fashion reports along with live reports in real time.
D: I see. So not only music writers but also fashion writers evaluate live performances. That sounds interesting.
JQ: I also forced Gucci to provide me with an outfit for a live performance at Saitama Super Arena, and I was interviewed by a fashion magazine, which led to a relationship with Gucci. I was always talking with Mr. Ramuda (Takahashi), our stylist, about how it would be better to have something that links fashion culture and music culture in real time. At the same time, if we could also do fashion snaps of the artists who come to the live shows, there would be demand for that as well.
Sounds interesting! Certainly there have been no live report articles from that perspective before, and if music fans can read them, that's totally possible.
D: If this can be done, it will also change the value of the relationship with the brand, as in the story of Gucci in JQ. I think it's a great idea, and you should do it right away!
JQ: It simply raises aesthetic awareness on the part of the artists. Reading from the angle of the relationship between musicality and fashion is a good way to do so. Nowadays, there is a lack of information that can be disseminated to the public due to the situation where it is not possible to hold attended live concerts, so I think this kind of project will also help to enliven the music scene.
How about you, Mr. D?
D: (with a serious expression) Well, it just so happens that I was thinking the exact same thing as JQ.
What...? (Laughs)
JQ: That's right, we're "nikoichi" (we're all the same)! My partner in RHYMESTER is Utamaru, but when he looks back, I am always there too (laughs).
When did you become such close friends?
D: I would like to see a little more of a "food" element. For example, a Chinese restaurant in town introduced by a brand director, a standing noodle shop frequented by stylists, or a bar where store staff gather for a drink. Since the entire collection is fashionable, I feel that such a slightly juvenile element would add more depth to it.
It is true that this is an unexplored genre. Just because I am in the fashion cluster doesn't mean that I only eat fashionable café food on a regular basis.
JQ: (To eat), right? If even your food and lifestyle were fashionable, you wouldn't be able to compete!
D: Did JQ have anything to do with the fashion industry? (Laughs). (Laughs.) There must be good restaurants in Sendagaya, where there are many apparel offices and companies, so I would ask JQ to tell me what he does for everyday use, or what he does off the job.
JQ: There are also fashionable people in the fashion industry at the bars around Yutenji. It would be nice if we could catch a glimpse of that kind of humanity and familiarity. We may not think it is interesting for us, but it would be interesting for the readers.
You are indeed a great producer. So, let's take a crack at both of them right away...! (laughter)
JQ: It's not good, is it? I openly announced right in front of you that I was going to take a crack at it (laughs).
D: I don't mind doing it at all (laughs).
The question that remains, then, is how to get the OK for interviews. It seems that some media outlets that are not in the food and beverage industry have refused to cover the event, so if we can get that cleared up, it should be a very interesting project.
JQ: (with a serious expression) I see...then it might be a good idea to try to hit the restaurant frequented by the interviewee in the form of renting it as a photo shooting location for the interview. Or....
D: JQ...you're taking him a little too seriously (laughs).
All of us (laughs)
JQ: Oh, it's always like this. I always try to achieve better results than what is required, wondering how I can make it even better.
I feel like I got a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of creation (laughs). Thank you both very much for your time today!
