HOUYHNHNM

corner houseThat's not particularly the case.

gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)We had decided about a year ago that we would release the album at this time. That way, we could decide on the members, and we would be able to write songs with fire in our bellies. I'm the kind of person who can't start moving unless we set a deadline and rush ourselves (laughs).

corner houseIt was not intentional. As I mentioned earlier, I don't have a concept or theme in mind, and when I write a song, I am purely concerned with how I am feeling at the time and what mood I am in. So when I wrote "Good Bye," I may have been feeling self-centered (laughs).

corner houseI am feeling more open now. The members have changed, and many people are looking at us. And "Suchmos" has opened a hole in the scene, and many people are paying attention to the existence of a "band. I don't want to miss such an opportunity. I don't care if we make mistakes, we just keep going. I always have the feeling that I want to do so, and I want to get to know more and more people together.

gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)I don't talk about it out loud. I simply want to make good music. When I see artists of my generation making cool music and putting on good live shows, I think, "That's good, why don't you do more of that? I also felt that "we can't lose! We are men, so I think we share that "we won't lose" feeling.

corner houseLet's go for it!" We just want to make good music, get along with each other, and eat good food! We just want to make good music, get along with everyone, and eat good food! That's how we feel. I think that's a healthy way of thinking, and I think all bands are like that. I don't look at other people and think, "Let's do this or that. I think that kind of thing is inefficient.

gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)That's right. Kengo brings a demo and we all arrange it together. So, at the beginning, there may be an awareness on the part of the listeners. Then we listen to the demo over and over again, thinking, "How can we make it better? And then we listen to the demos over and over again and think, "How can we make it better?

bamboo villageThe songs Kengo writes are very good.

corner houseI don't mean to sound egomaniacal, but I think so too (laughs). I get emotional when I sing.

corner houseThat's right. You have to have confidence to do it. When I formed Yogi, I thought, "Why aren't there any bands like Yogi?" I thought, "Why aren't there bands like Yogi? Bands are cool. So I decided to start my own band. I'm going to make a cool band! I thought, "Why can't there be a band like Yogi?

section of TokyoThe situation is different from the previous recording sessions, partly because the members have changed, but also because we have more physical time and opportunity to work on the details. When you have more time, you can work out the details. For example, "Can't you put the bass drum sound a little earlier here? I was able to put in the bass drum sound a little earlier," and so on. I think that ultimately led to the strength and groove of the sound.

corner houseUeno has a bird's eye view of the band and its sound.

section of TokyoBut Kengo also looks at the rhythmic groove and other details. In the previous yogis, there were many times when we knew we should do something better, but couldn't because of time constraints. But this time, I had more time, so I was able to devote myself to the production without making any compromises. Also, as I mentioned earlier, our band is very open, so it is easy for the members to express their opinions to each other. I think this is reflected in our sound.

corner houseI wanted to have a prelude before the seventh track, "C.A.M.P." I had this image of a man and a woman walking in the grass, and a fantastic sound would play and drive them crazy (laughs). I just wanted to put that kind of image of sound in my head. So there was a possibility of putting that one on the first track, and it could have been the third or fourth track.

gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)But you put "Intro (horo)" on the sixth track, which gives the first half of the album a more distinct feel.

corner houseI had that in mind. When I write a song, I have a vague idea of where I want to put it. I have a sense that the arrangement of the songs this time fell into place nicely. I especially love the immersion in the sentimentality of the second half. I would love to just listen to the second half of the song, but the sentimental nuance would fade away if the first half was not so bright and cheerful. That's why every song is important.

corner houseI felt that way at the time I was making the song. However, when the song was completed, my personal feelings were finally purged and it became a song about parting with a friend. I want people who pick up the album and listen to it to put their own feelings on it, without being conscious of mine. As with all the songs, I want to accept the feelings of each person who listens to it. I don't want to force them to listen to it one way or the other. I don't want to force my music on them.

bamboo villageI like "SAYONARAMATA". The lyrics stick with me and I can picture the scene. It is a song to which I can easily entrust my feelings. The flow of "SAYONARAMATA" from "HOW DO YOU FEEL?

gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus)I like "SAYONARAMATA" too. The melody and lyrics gouge out the weakest parts of my heart. I once thought about listening to the song without being a member of Yogi, but I still can't be objective about it.

section of TokyoI like "How Do You Feel? I hope you don't take this song in a strange way, but I think this song could be sung by an idol. The quality of this song as a pop song is extremely high. I don't think there are many indie bands that can make a song like that (laughs). I think it's a great song.

corner houseHmmm, I wonder... I think "Understand". As a vocalist, I am confident that I can sing very well in a live performance because I can honestly put my current feelings into the song. Apart from my singing ability, I can appeal to the audience's heart.

corner houseThe lyrics "I have a feeling that things are going to start all over again, maybe because of the wind..." are a positive feeling, and I felt that the song's pop style matched this feeling. I don't want to lie on stage, and in that sense, this song is especially important to me.

section of TokyoI think there have been a lot of bands recently that could be described as city pop. In my opinion, it sounds very glamorous and fashionable, pop and pleasant to the ear, but I think it is too light. But I think it is too light. I feel that there is less and less music that goes into the essence of the human heart. Yogi's music has the strength to go deep into the hearts of those who listen to it, and I believe that we must create such music.

corner houseIt's no surprise, but many of the festival-goers are music lovers. This is especially true at Fuji Rock. Playing our music in front of such people makes us very happy, and it is a moment when we are rewarded for having done music. There are many reasons for doing music, but I want to convey my feelings through music and unite with everyone. That's all I want to do. Festivals are the place where I can make that wish come true, so I'm really looking forward to it.