FEATURE｜Yogee New Waves will wear JOURNAL STANDARD's patterned shirts in early summer.
Yogee New Waves will wear JOURNAL STANDARD's patterned shirts in early summer.
A year and a half after their last album "Sunset Town e.p.", "Yogee New Waves" has released their new album "Waves". The album features phrases that plunge deep into the heart of the soul, a robust soundscape that is a legacy of rock and pop music, and a tight groove that only a good rock band can deliver. Behind the expressive power of the band, which projects various scenes from the sentimental to the festive summer sea into the listener's mind one after another, lies the individuality and unity of the four members. We asked them to wear the patterned shirts that JOURNAL STANDARD is pushing this season. They say, "I often wear aloha shirts in the summer," and wear shirts as if they were an everlasting summer ensemble. This time, we caught up with them as they walked through the streets of Shibuya and during rehearsals. We asked them to talk about fashion, the band, music, and their new album, which has just been released.
From left to right: Kosei Ueno (Ba), Tetsushi Kasuya (Dr), Kengo Kakudate (Vo,Gt), Ikuya Takemura (Gt)
I only wear what I think is good. It comes down to this.
This time we had them wear shirts from Journal Standard, and it was impressive to see everyone saying, "I like this" or "I want one.
Kengo Kakudate (Vo,Gt)It fits my taste so well that I really wanted one during the shoot (laughs). I often wear aloha shirts. I look for them at thrift stores. Sometimes I find very expensive ones, and when I touch them, the feel is completely different. I always wish I could find shirts like that.
Tetsushi Kasuya (Dr)It's nice, isn't it? I want one too (laughs).
Ikuya Takemura (Gt)Quality items are comfortable to wear. Once upon a time, when I went to Hawaii, I visited a long-established aloha shirt shop, and the authentic items were different. The comfort and silhouette were outstanding. At that time, I thought that I wanted to have at least one good aloha shirt.
Tsuneoshi Ueno (Ba)The shirt I wore today has a vintage look and is of high quality. But at the same time, it also has a modern look, so I simply wanted it. I basically only wear clothes I buy at thrift stores, so today's shoot was very refreshing.
I had everything self-styled this time, and it looked great on me.
corner houseClothing is the first thing that others see, so it is important to be yourself. I am conscious not to look uncomfortable or to look oddly out of place.
What are you aware of?
corner houseI only wear what I think is good. It comes down to this. Of course, clothing is linked to culture, so I try to make my choices based on that.
Do you ever choose clothes with the image of the band "Yogee New Waves" in mind?
gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)I may have become a little more aware of that. Of course, we wear our own clothes for interviews, but we also wear our own clothes to live performances, so I have started to think about what "yogi-ness" looks like. However, I still wear clothes that I think are good for me.
corner houseEveryone has their own personality, our members. Each of us has a different culture and expresses it through our clothes. But that doesn't mean that the way we look at each other is separate. I think that's what I really like about it.
gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)I'm very particular. They each have their own "I like this! I like this!" So it's interesting.
corner houseEveryone listens to music and enjoys fashion according to their own way of life and style, right? Some people change their style according to trends, but we don't. We don't want to be the same as everyone else. We don't want to be the same as everyone else.
(left) Ueno: [Sun Surf x Journal Standard] shirt ¥10,800 + tax, (right) Takemura: [Crucible x Journal Standard] shirt ¥15,000 + tax, all others are personal effects.
I have the feeling that we have built a big ship called "Yogee New Waves.
It has been almost half a year since Mr. Ueno and Mr. Takemura joined the band as new members in January this year. How is the band doing now?
corner houseI think it's very easy for me to do. As I told the members just recently, a band is an object that produces miracles. It is the same when the members meet, and it is also the same when the members create a song together. To keep doing that, you have to be in good health.
corner houseThat's right. With the addition of these two musicians, the work was simply divided into four parts and the workload was reduced. I feel that I can genuinely enjoy music more now that I have more time to spare. I think the sense of trust between the members is really strong. Even if I cut a string on my guitar and had to replace it during a live performance, the other members would be able to connect with me through MC. Even if I suddenly get electrocuted and pass out, I think everyone would keep playing for the audience (laughs).
gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)No, I would indeed stop if I got an electric shock (laughs).
all of usLOL!
bamboo villageKengo has a "come on and ride on my back" kind of attitude that resonates with all the members, and now I have the sense that we have built a big ship called "Yogee New Waves. I think each member has developed this kind of awareness.
It has only been a short time since the new organization was formed, but there is quite a sense of solidarity.
corner houseThey officially joined us in January of this year, but we have actually been rehearsing since last fall.
gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)We have been together ever since. We talk about serious things and talk about silly things. The period of time may be short, but the time we share is intense. I think that's why we are able to communicate with each other.
corner houseWas it last November? We had a training camp, the four of us. At that time, I was impressed when Ueno-kun said, "I haven't had time to be alone.
section of TokyoWe ate, smoked, bathed, and slept together. The only time I was alone was in the bathroom (laughs). (Laughs) But I never felt that I wanted to be alone at that time. I felt very comfortable, and more than anything, I was having a lot of fun. I realized at that time that this was the good thing about this band.
(JOURNAL STANDARD) pants ¥8,300+TAX, (Calzanol x JOURNAL STANDARD Trisect-2) sandals ¥11,000+TAX
Looking at Instagram and other sites, you can see how well the four of them get along.
corner houseI'll upload installations when interesting things happen.
gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)He is always like that. When we are riding in an elevator, someone suddenly makes a loud noise, or Kengo suddenly bites my back (laughs). It's animal-like, isn't it?
corner houseI don't think there is anything I shouldn't do. By daring to do the impossible, I think we can build a pure relationship. I usually do things like that, and I think it inspires everyone else to do the same, which brings us closer together... (laughs).
Ueno-san and Takemura-san, you are both in bands other than "Yogee New Waves", aren't you? Did you have any conflicts in this situation?
bamboo villageI didn't. It simply looked like fun, and if I tried it and it didn't seem right, I could just quit. I just wanted to give it a try.
section of TokyoIt's the same for me. The other band is because I express what I want to do straight away without worrying about what is going on around me. It might be easier to understand if I say it's personal. But in the case of Yogi, I am conscious of having people listen to my music. I want many people to listen to the songs Kengo creates, and I want to concentrate on expanding the possibilities of the songs for that purpose.
