Translated from Pakila Music, 2006.05.10
In May of 2006, Janne Da Arc came face-to-face with the ten year anniversary of the band's formation. In the same month, as a commemoration of their birth, they are holding concerts at the live houses in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya that hold special significance to them. At that moment, thanks to the completion and release of their commemorative work composed of the three albums they sold during their indies period ("Dearly", "Resist", "CHAOS MODE") as the "Janne Da Arc 10th Anniversary Indies Complete Box", as well as their live shows being composed of several songs from that era, we can say that they composed a lot of songs during their indies period. Shall we say that those who were lucky enough to be able to attend these special stage shows were dealt a lucky hand?
Janne Da Arc, who ought to do such a commemoration, are anxiously awaiting the release of their 26th single, the double-A-side "HEAVEN/Möbius" on May 10. One of the songs, "HEAVEN", due to being used in a Meromix commercial as well as a commercial for a mobile telephone music service, is a familiar number. "HEAVEN", born of kiyo's strumming approach to his organ and its tone color, yasu's bold and straightforward voice opening the curtain, it is a friendly and lively number. Yasu, the lyricist and songwriter for "HEAVEN", returned with the comment that "I thought, "Let's make something punk-ish." Certainly, it is a powerful song, bright and full of movement, but the extreme aroma of its punk roots can also be felt. With the sentiment of a music group on the rise, it is performed with a sense of abandon. Yasu also told us, "I had trouble with the feeling of the tempo in this song, and also the sound. Especially in telling the musical instruments, "strum, dammit!" So, shall we say that this explosion of energy and powerful emotion is the ideal incarnation of the things that yasu was personally looking for in this song? Regarding the style of the song's opening, he also admitted that, " When I think about the intro, it's because there were problems with that, too."
Amidst that joke, reviving your musicianship to the fullest in the free-spirited "HEAVEN", can we take that to mean that "it's because the intro style is the best way to grasp the hearts of listeners and by then they'll already have made their decision about it"?
In the lyrics to "HEAVEN", the lines "For instance, you throw everything away, suppose you have things to protect, too/That's not like you at all, there are no words" appear. The word "you", while simultaneously carrying the meaning of "A special person", also has the connotation of "Janne Da Arc's fans" who have continued to support them. According to yasu, "I'm painting the picture of the times when you get to liking someone so much, you have no words for it." While thinking of the meaning behind these words, I surely want everyone to be touched by "HEAVEN". According to yasu, the deciding point is the song's groove and sound, so I too would like to listen to this just for the fun of listening.
Continuing on to "Mobius", a song with a grand feel, using chimes as it embraces a violent urge, also featured in the broadcast of "Bakegyumon". Those who watch "Bakegyumon" are already thinking of that in the sense of "Möbius" being part of a thrilling collaboration, calling to mind most of all the world view of the story told and the feelings of the viewers.
Above all, through the magnificently dramatic tone in the introductory keyboard and the multifaceted furiousness of the multiple guitar parts, the song embraces the sensation of the climax in the film. Yasu, in regard to "Möbius", replied, "I was dedicated solely to arranging the rhythm section and pulling everything together." Surely, such a composition is brimming with drama, and with just that carries the ten-part feeling of rising elements. Moreover, with that dignified sound, if you put yasu's hidden, melodious voice on top of it, shall we say that it naturally has the ability to make one feel deeply moved and excited?
Again, we can say that yasu has chosen his words carefully.
"Nowhere to go, this place in time/Repeating again, a möbius of sadness"
Going along these lines, these words liken the image of a Möbius strip, an expression of "the feeling that "No matter how much I say "Let myself forget about this", I can't forget." Can we say that this side's expression of sorrow is Janne Da Arc's unbreakable "element of sadness" in their own way?
For yasu, when he listens to "Möbius", "It's how a room changes, the expansion of the simplicity of failure." I want to listen to this more closely, considering the organization of the song, the changing of facial expressions, and the progress of the musical performance in and of itself.
"HEAVEN/Möbius" has been released in three styles: CD-ONLY with a trading card (1 out of 5, inserted at random), CD+ "Möbius" Music Clip, and CD+ "HEAVEN" Music Clip. In regards to the two music clips, yasu says, ""Mobius" is a perfect work of performance by CG imaging. "HEAVEN" is a musical performance in front of a bunch of girls in bathing suits. To be honest, I was shy and really embarrassed." If I can, I would like to see all three styles of the singles and experience them for myself. Furthermore, Janne Da Arc is holding a show on May 20 in Saitama Super Arena, "Janne Da Arc Live 2006 DEAD or ALIVE". I wonder what kind of show Janne Da Arc will put on in the Saitama Super Arena, most recently famous for its role as a paragon of sports events…?
yasu answered, "I think this live will be more about putting on a show than the serious considerations of a strictly musical performance. Also, we'll be playing songs from our indies period that we haven't played in a while. This will be a live where the enthusiasm of our indies period built up from within the live houses of that time, will really be allowed to explode, I suppose." Surely, on that stage as well will be yet another celebration of Janne Da Arc's tenth anniversary. It seems that it will be a live where they'll really be able to feel emotional, thinking of what they have done in their past.
And, finally, yasu, as representative of Janne Da Arc, leaves us at Pakila MUSIC with the following message: "Because all of you are here so enthusiastically supporting us, we will keep doing our best. From now on and always, please keep watching over Janne Da Arc. We think that, if you keep listening to the songs from Janne Da Arc, new and old, even starting with what we're doing now, we are very grateful to you."
Lastly, yasu told us, when asked about direct materials to the Official Janne Da Arc Circle on Pakila, that he would like to try being interviewed by the fans. I think I would like to try this as well. Please look forward to what arises out of this idea.
Original Text by Nakazawa Tomonori.