Megamasso has certainly kept busy the last few years, releasing album after album, Loveless, more Loveless being the sixth release since the band's formation. So, how does Loveless, more Loveless differ from their previous releases? JaME spoke with the oshare kei trio about the album as a whole, covering 80s band Ippudo's Sumire September Love, and working with IZAM of Shazna.
Your latest album, Loveless, more Loveless, was released this February. What can you tell us about this album?
Megamasso: From the first to the tenth song, without thinking too much about the record label, we thought about what it is we want to do now. The core was looking for that, and that's how we made the album. On the other hand, we made the thirteenth cover song to be a popular one lots of people would like.
Could you describe the style and sound you are trying to portray with Loveless, More Loveless?
Megamasso: We wanted to make beautiful melodies with an avant-garde approach, using watery sounds, modulation, odd meters and so on.
The title, Loveless, more Loveless, seems like a slightly negative title. Why did you choose it?
Megamasso: That's what we felt, if we were to put it in one phrase. But even in that feeling, it's the kind of album you can still see hope in.
Gou, this is the first time Megamasso has released a song written by you. What kind of sound can we expect from it?
Gou: I focused on the heavy sound and beautiful vocals. I think in the chorus you can really recognize the beauty of Inzargi's voice.
Why do you now feel that Megamasso as a band is ready for Gou's work, when previously it wasn't?
Megamasso: Because he started writing songs actively.
Loveless, more Loveless features a cover of the song Sumire September Love. How did you come up with this idea?
Megamasso: Because the song, which was covered by Shazna, was on the first CD our leader Ryohei bought.
Was it difficult covering a song that has already been done twice before? In what ways did you remake it with your own style?
Megamasso: We wanted to use Megamasso's nuance to control the beautiful melodies, so especially in the chorus the progression is crushed into something completely different from the original song.
Inzargi, you sang alongside IZAM of SHAZNA on Sumire September Love. How did you find him, vocally, to work with?
Inzargi: I thought he was brilliant. I found that he was a man who makes his presence felt, and he certainly has his own colour.
The PV for it features some choreography. Was it difficult learning such a complex routine?
Megamasso: It was difficult, but it was a good experience.
Finally, could you each recommend a song from the album?
Inzargi: The Requiem. Ryohei: Shizuka na kuchizuke de, asa no aisatsu wo. Gou: Hakugin shojo.
We will now ask questions based on the titles of each song on the album.
01. Sekai no owari no jellyfish (Jellyfish at the end of the world): If the world were ending, what would you do on your last day?
Megamasso: Hijack a TV station and broadcast Megamasso.
02. Loveless, more Loveless: What do you hate most and why?
Megamasso: Rain, because it makes us gloomy.
03. Hakugin shojo (Silver Girl): Please describe your ideal woman.
Megamasso: White, little and soft.
04. Kagome Kagome in TOKYO Night (Note: Kagome Kagome is a children's game): What were your favourite games as a child? Do you still play them now?
Megamasso: Brandish series. We don't play it any more.
05. wonder_wall_sunset: If you could watch a sunset anywhere in the world, with anyone, where would it be and who with?
Megamasso: Somewhere on the equator, with someone familiar.
06. Tasukete (Help me): At which point in your life did you most need help? How did you overcome it?
Megamasso: Many people were always helping us, so we cannot single out where we need it the most.
07. fate: What do you think you are ultimately destined to do? What is your fate?
Megamasso: To write songs.
08. Pandemonium, hakken. (Pandemonium, Discovery): What do you think is the greatest discovery ever made and why?
Megamasso: A twelve-note scale.
09. The Requiem: Is there a part of your life that no longer exists? For example, something that you no longer do.
Megamasso: Up till last year one of us was talking too concretely in his sleep. It's been getting incomprehensible recently.
10. Shizuka na kuchizuke de, asa no aisatsu o. (Morning greeting, by a quiet kiss.): What is the best way to wake up in the morning?
Megamasso: When the breeze touches our faces right when we wake up.
11. Twilight Star: What comes into your head when you look at the stars?
Megamasso: Actually we're almost indifferent. We have fancies of becoming heroes.
12. Hanabira (Flower Petal): What is your favourite festival? Do you have any special memories of festivals from your childhood?
Megamasso: Shrine festivals. They have a Japanese style.
13. Sumire September Love (Violet September Love): Could you please tell us a love story from your past?
Megamasso: Though we have some stories like everyone else, we don't have any super stories that we can share with you.
until: Is there something you are waiting for?
Megamasso: There is nothing we can think of right now.
Lastly, please give a message for our readers.
Megamasso: We crammed Megamasso's art into the album. The first half especially has many different approaches, so we want you to start from the beginning and enter into a deep world.
Thank you very much for the interview.
JaME would like to thank Avex Entertainment Inc. for making this interview possible. We would also like to thank M. Denno for the translations.
