Translated from Excite Music, 2005.6.29
Excite: It's been about a year since you've done a new album. How do you feel your performance has changed for JOKER?
yasu: I feel that the work on the previous album, Arcadia, and on Joker, blend together. At that time, we had the idea of making two albums with the same energy, so we composed these songs feeling like they were in the same current as our previous work [on Arcadia]. So, we always felt like we were working on this album. "Arcadia" had the theme of "the recurrence of one's origin", but now I believe that Janne da Arc is moving in an entirely different direction from that.
Excite: Since "Arcadia" featured "the recurrence of origin" as a theme, are the things you've seen in that project off-limits now?
yasu: Not really, even though we thought about changing that much, it doesn't mean that we did it to that extent [of not using the ideas in Arcadia]. At the time we produced Arcadia, we decided that if there was something we were missing in the songs we had made, that a new style could be the way to gradually be happy with what we were doing. It's easy to understand if I say it like this, but the new album and the previous one give me completely different impressions. Now, it's common to think of songs as separate, divided entities, but I feel accomplished in that we were able to bring an album to our fans containing no insufficient pieces to the whole [of the album itself].
Excite: So, figuratively, this album is a sort of "Arcadia 2", as it were?
yasu: Hmm, do you think so? Even though we wanted to write the two albums as one being a sort of prequel to the other, each work grew into entirely differing productions. Even though we've gotten used to being called a band who has really grown up, we feel that this work has gone even farther into revealing our true selves as compared to our previous work. We were particularly worried about the order the songs should go in on this latest album.
Excite: And why was that?
kiyo: Because each one of the members had different ideas on where everything should go, we spent a lot of time talking about it.
yasu: Though, we got along this time deciding which songs to cut. Since this album has so many different kinds of songs, to expand the album, having ones that were completely incompatible was unacceptable. Also, since we had a sort of musical current we had to mesh with, we spent a lot of time on it.
Excite: So you had to be very careful to include the entire musical current, then?
yasu: That's right.
Excite: Next, kiyo-san, will you tell us your impressions of the album?
Kiyo: As yasu mentioned, there's been a lot of evolution in our individual parts. Of course, we've included some of our favorite elements, too. I think our work is achieving a greater expanse of theme and style.
Excite: And the differences as compared to Arcadia?
kiyo: Personally, I feel that we're no longer at a place where we use all our energy in one shot. In Arcadia, there were sections like that. Overall, our image has become a little bit better.
Excite: What do you think, you-san?
you: Until now, even though our songs have been great, if you listen to the latest album, I think we really sound like "Janne da Arc". Since we have so many different kinds of songs, from the beginning it's really been more uniform. Even though we worried about the song order, we're taking things from an entirely different direction.
Excite: Which song do you feel relates to you the most among all the songs you've done?
you: The first song on the album, "in silence", allows you to hear the direction of Janne da Arc thus far, I think. Then, the sixth song, "Kamen", is the song which shows the difference in style.
Excite: "Kamen", (lyrics by yasu & kiyo, arranged by kiyo) features keyboard work, rising from a dark tone to the feeling like something is being revealed. It's quite an emotional ambiance, isn't it.
kiyo: Saying it like that, I've noticed that feeling. Even before I put the keyboard part in, I didn't really make it that way. Since we wanted to make something new, I set my sights on the metamorphosis of a mental state that might be perceived as trifling or petty [since everyone does it].
Excite: The vocal duets make for a wonderful mood; the vocals are really great too.
yasu: It's not really a new experiment on my part; even since we were still on the indies, I've had the idea to do something like that. It was a little bit daunting, but I really like the song. When I listened to kiyo's demo tape, the phrase "It's not weakness, it's the meaning of life" really left an impression. [This line shows up in "Kamen".] From that, my outlook on the world broadened. Oh, I remember, it's not very much like kiyo to be someone who sings at the top of his voice...so these things that he wanted to express, I sang them.
Excite: But, you made it seem as if your voice was a little artificial.
yasu: Oh, yeah. That was how I tried my best to simulate consciousness.
Excite: But, it's a little difficult to do things that way, singing at the top of your voice?
yasu: From the beginning, it's been my habit to give my singing everything I have. Because you have to be strong to do things that way, I suppose that's right.
Excite: Well, then, shuji-san, will you tell us your impressions of the album?
shuji: In the first song, "in silence", there's a sound there we haven't done until now. Since a different feeling from before has come out, it seems that the sections have grown up a little bit.
Excite: "in silence", written entirely in English, has the air of being inspired by Western music. It's an illusion-like introduction, developing into a change into a harder sound. Which side of the heart of Janne da Arc do you think this illustrates?
shuji: From the beginning, we came to the scene as a rock band, and no matter how many new parts we add in, we'll always be a rock band. It's a song saying we'll face up to any challenge.
Excite: That song was a collaboration between ka-yu-san and yasu-san, right? How did you work together?
yasu: It was a song that ka-yu wrote while we were still on the indies. In the beginning, he wrote songs like this...it's kind of the typical rock song of the time. But, I think we took a different approach to it and adapted it. I talked to ka-yu about it, and the two of us completely revamped it.
ka-yu: It's a great tune, with clear variation. So, with this image in mind, I made a demo. Then later, yasu dropped by my place and through trial and error we finished it. For me, this song was a self-imposed challenge, but I was able to arrange all the parts.
Excite: By the way, ka-yu-san, how do you feel about the work on the album?
ka-yu: When I first listened to it, I felt that it had some incompatibilities. Even if it wasn't anything like what Janne da Arc had done so far. I hadn't really become used to this new stuff. "There's something strange about this". I had this really strange feeling, but it wasn't a bad one. I feel this album is a very skillful change from our previous work.
Excite: And you called the album "JOKER"? What significance does that have?
yasu: As of late, we added a great variety of songs to this album. For rock enthusiasts, for fans of pop music, we wanted everyone to enjoy this album—to be the almighty album that has something for everyone. Just like how the joker is the almighty card in a poker game.
Excite: Certainly, there are several different sounds on this album. But, is there one song among all of them that shows the most change? Also, comparing one to the other, do you feel like it gives you the impression of a more polished work?
yasu: Basically, because the songs express the things that human beings carry around with them at times, it looks to be very general, it seems to fit together somehow. [As in, no one song really stands out as being more polished or changed.] But, in the beginning, we decided just how much variation there would be.
Excite: In songs like "Tsumetai Kagerou" and "WILD FANG", there's still the impression of an aggressive musical performance.
yasu: When we were first picking the songs for the album, we didn't think it would become so dark. But, consequently, we were happy with the way we put things together. Every time we make an album, we don't want it to be very simple, but we never really consider the fact that it might be "dark". Actually, we try to achieve a balance in arrangement.
Excite: On the other hand, yasu-san, your work on "I'm so happy" made a fresh, enjoyable pop tune in the end.
yasu: I suppose I didn't really think of my mood as cheerful when I was writing it, but I guess it was. When we were picking the songs to go on the album, I thought it was all right to let that one in. But, in putting finishing touches on a bright tune like that, when I listen to the album it gives me a good feeling. It lets in something a little more pleasant.
Excite: So, when you were making this latest work, were you showing us the things of the human consciousness (or your own)?
ka-yu: Because we're always conscious, our emotions are always following things like sound and music. Because we also have our previous sound in "Arcadia", it's not clear how we've changed from song to song, or what style we were thinking of at the time, or what approach we took. From now and in the last two years, on those albums, during those times, the kinds of music I like to perform and write has come forward and allowed me to express myself personally. I'm currently really pleased with the bass line in "HELL or HEAVEN ~Itoshi no Psycho Breaker~. It really suits me.
shuji: To tell the truth, in "Kamen", I didn't do the recording. I say that because it was becoming of the sound in our indies period, and it was just like it was then. We've begun to use things like that. So, I was a little anxious, I was asking myself if I could really be satisfied with this. Later, when we did the drum beats for "Mr. Trouble Maker", it was at the tempo that I've always loved. There was one part where it was exceptionally difficult, however, that part left an impression on me. Really, it was a battle!
yasu: Even though I say I sing with all I've got, the way I heard myself changed. That is, it might be because of the parts where I used my consciousness to sing. Now that I don't really have as expansive of a vocal range, we have a lot of higher-pitched songs. That's so that I can sing the transitions smoothly. But, it's nice to use my voice for something a little different.
kiyo: Even though it's pretty obvious, I'm trying to use different patches on my synthesizer now. But, because the instruments I use aren't ready-made, I'm always wondering ‘What can I use this for?' when I see all these different patches for my synth. Small sound effects, various changes in notes and tones... I'm really careful and search out the exact sound I'm looking for.
you: I wasn't paying particular attention to "consciousness", but in all, this album allowed me to come to terms with my image. However, I always keep the actual performance of the songs we have in mind. Then, the time we're actually working is pretty long, beginning as early as a year in advance. After listening to performances, it really worries me. However, when the occasion presents itself, I fix whatever's on my mind.
Excite: Lastly, please give a message to all the readers of Excite!Music.
yasu: We, Janne da Arc, with this album, hope that it's what you wished for. Those who understand and support us know that there are some new parts involved in this, and we think there's a whole set of experiences in it. We never know what kind of image people assign to us just from our singles, but with this album we sincerely hope that Janne da Arc is the rock band you wish for.