Interview with Tsubasa

After the live held on July 5th, in a small Parisian café basement, JaME had a talk with Tsubasa, an independent artist from Kanazawa. While another musician went to the small stage to sing an acoustic song in front of a few people, Tsubasa answered our questions with joy and simplicity.


Could you first introduce yourself to our readers who don't know you?

Tsubasa: I'm from Kanazawa. I'm a Japanese singer and songwriter. I like to play the guitar and sing.

When did you start playing and singing, and what motivated you to make it your career?

Tsubasa: Since I was little, I liked to listen to music and draw, and I decided to make this my occupation. Since my fourth year of elementary school, I wanted to compose my own songs and sing them. At the age of twenty, I formed a band that played folk music. Three years ago I met Robert Regonati, who helped me create a CD. Then I went on the road and played all over the map, and met managers from important labels.

How did your meeting with Robert Regonati come about?

Tsubasa: We both played in the same location, and that's how we met.

Coming from Kanazawa, wasn't it more difficult to break into the scene than if you were in Tokyo?

Tsubasa: Thanks to the Internet, I've been able to meet and hear the opinions of a lot of people, so I can easily share my songs.

Is this town a part of your inspiration?

Tsubasa: Kanazawa is a little remote, it's the countryside, but thanks to that I can get inspiration from it and find ideas to compose my music.

What are other influences that inspire you?

Tsubasa: I get inspired by looking at a lot of different things, by listening to music, but most of all, by meeting people.

How do you compose your songs?

Tsubasa: Actually, I first imagine the melodies in my head from my feelings, and then I try to sort my ideas out and create the music by playing it.

You primarily sing in Japanese; is the language barrier a difficulty for the communication with your audience?

Tsubasa: I went to Brazil and Korea and I didn't understand what the audience told me. Despite that, by expressing myself through singing, I succeeded in communicating my feelings and the audience seemed to appreciate it and feel what I wanted to share.

We read that you had a radio show on the Internet. Was that different from your usual artistic work?

Tsubasa: I began this weekly program four months ago. And despite the fact that I speak in Japanese, there are some Brazilian fans listening to me and sending me messages. And even though this is something pretty different, I like to do it.

This is your second time coming to Europe; how was the first time and what do you expect this time?

Tsubasa: Four years ago, I mainly came for sightseeing. I visited Le Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and so on. This time, it's different because I came to play a live. I was a little nervous, but I could discover the audience's reactions. I'm really happy to have the possibility to share it with people.

A few days ago the Japan Expo convention was held in Paris. You also played at a similar kind of convention in Brazil. Usually, the shows at such events are different from normal concerts. How was this experience for you?

Tsubasa: At conventions, people are there for different reasons, but not especially for music. They may not even know me, but as a result, the fact that I can perform there is an even more fabulous experience.

Was the reception very different from your usual concerts?

Tsubasa: Hmm... actually, in live houses, the atmosphere is more relaxed, and I communicate in a calmer way with the audience. In conventions, it's almost the same except that on my side I have a full band. But people react in the same manner.

You released your first album Ame no yoru ni in 2009. Could you tell us a little about it? How was the recording?

Tsubasa: Before producing Ame no yoru ni, I'd already worked on a CD using my own experience, but the quality of the recording was very unequal. Then when I worked on Ame no yoru ni, I met Robert who took care of the song's arrangement, and I reached something more complete. This album was composed with various influences, so that there are Japanese as well as Americans and Brazilians who listen to it. Thanks to that I could go on tour in Brazil. It's a very good album composed and arranged through different experiences. It was also played on various radio stations, TV channels, and so on.

After this, you also released a live DVD from your performance at Bunka Hall. How was it looking back on your own performance to make a DVD of it?

Tsubasa: We made the DVD one year ago. It was created drawing on the energy from people and accordingly, it was very difficult to achieve. As for the recording, there was some moment where, seeing the feelings communicated there, I thought, “this moment is better that this other one.” So I tried to rebuild the content and success of the moment to really complete it.

Do you have other releases or tours scheduled?

Tsubasa: This year, I plan to release two cover albums of anime songs. Next year, there will be a Japanese tour organised and later in summer, a European tour.

What goal or dreams do you wish to reach in the future?

Tsubasa: Above all, I want to continue to play, try to have a long career and as long as people feel my feelings, I'm satisfied. This is enough for me stay satisfied.

Do you have a message for our readers?

Tsubasa: Dear French fans, thank you for coming, I'm very happy to have made this live in such a beautiful country, and I hope to see you again next time.



JaME would like to thank Tsubasa, Kochipan and Social Alienation who made this interview possible as well as Robert Regonati and Angela Azzarone for the translation.