CA4LA MUSIC CONNECTION vol.1
the chef cooks me | Ryosuke Shimomura

The turning point leading up to the completion of the album "Feeling"

 

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For artists, there is always a turning point in the process of creating works and the source of their activities.

"CA4LA MUSIC CONNECTION" is a serial feature in which artists are interviewed about turning points in their careers.

The first artist to appear is Ryosuke Shimomura from the chef cooks me.

In October of last year, they released their first full album in six years, "Feeling," and recently released COLLABORATION items with CA4LA. We spoke to Shimoryo of the chef cooks me about the reactions to the new album's release, his work, and his commitment to the collaboration items with CA4LA. We also asked him about the turning point in the production of "Feeling," an album that has been highly praised as a masterpiece among the works released in the second half of 2019.

Text by CA4LA
Photo by Tetsuya Yamakawa [Showcase]

 

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Interview：the chef cooks me

 

 

"The essence of this album is to have many different people listen to it and ruminate on it, and spread it."

 

 

Shimomura Ryosuke (hereinafter referred to as Shimoryo):　 Thank you.

 

 

Shimoryo: This album took me more than a year to complete, and before I released it, I thought of it as something that belonged to me, or something that was for me, but once I released it and it was available to an unspecified number of people, that feeling changed, and after it was released, I started to think of it as something that belonged to someone who was listening to it. It was the same with my previous releases.

Three months have passed, and now I'm able to get a sense of how the album "Feeling", its songs, lyrics and sound are resonating, being conveyed and being felt.We live in a convenient age where if I search on social media I can find people writing about it, and at the end of the year it was chosen as something like"The Best of 2019."​

 

 

Nowadays, even if a new release is made, it is sold out in record stores after about two weeks, and new works are released one after another, and new music, both Japanese and foreign, is released every Wednesday and Friday on subscription services... Of course, I think that this cycle is created because so much music is being created. So, I honestly thought about what meaning it would have in releasing a new album in CD format at such a time.

But I think that having people listen to it over time is a very positive thing. Of course, it would be the smoothest and happiest thing if it became known right away, the number of plays increased quickly, live venues filled up, and I was invited to various places... but I think that having a lot of people listen to it properly while ruminating on it and spreading it is what makes this album "its own". In that sense, I've been able to steadily feel more and more things after three months, so I'm glad that I was able to release it in this way.

 

 

Regarding the Shimoryo　 digital jacket, to be honest, I still don't know how people feel about it. We sell the regular version with the jacket at the live venue, and some people buy it because they wanted it, and I think there are a lot of people who don't even listen to the album on CD in the first place. We tried it out, but we still can't judge how people who actually pick it up feel about it.

 

 

 

Shimoryo　: However, the digital jacket site "Feeling" has the potential to continue in perpetuity, so I'm thinking about creating new content on it. Right now, I have something like a blog called "Feeling," and I'd like to think about the content of projects that could branch out from there.

For me, I think this year is the year to spread the "Feeling".

 

 

We were also able to announce the hats with Shimoryo　 CA4LA early on in the digital booklet's "Feeling" content.

 

I'm happy to hear Shimoryo　 's voice. I think there are many music lovers out there, and I'm sure there are some who have no interest in credits at all, but if they can look at the credits on the digital album jacket and find more music they like, that would be a dream come true, and I would be very grateful.

 

 

"Because I'd been working with the song for a long time, I was able to relax and just let myself go with the flow and naturally decide that I wanted to ask this person to do it, which was great."

 

 

Shimoryo:　 There are cases where it's decided from the beginning of the production that I want to ask a certain person to work on the entire project, and there are also cases where I want a certain person to work on a certain song.
For example, Ibuki Fumihiro plays all the drums, and since we first met him he has supported us at live shows and played on new songs, so we've built a relationship with him through each step and story, so we wanted to leave it all to him.
Bassist Shige Murata has been supporting us at our live shows for a long time, and Michihiko Nakanishi from Yasei Collective, who still supports us today.
The same goes for Hiroko Sebu. Naturally, only she can play Sebu's piano.

 

 

I think it's the perfect song to introduce "Hit Love with Your Heels," the last song on Shimoryo's　 album.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 This time, the impression changes greatly depending on which song you listen to first. I made a playlist called Feeling (Naked) on Spotify, and I think that I can enjoy it no matter where I start listening to it these days.

 

 

 

Shimoryo:　 That's right. It was like that all the way through to the final mastering.

 

 

 

 

 

The person who took the photos of Shimoryo　 was Yamakawa Tetsuya, who I've known for over 10 years. This is the third album I've made with Yamakawa's photos, and I've already released "Kyōtai" and the EP"RGB and the Center", as well as the digital-only single "Now's the time", but this time, before he listened to all the songs, I told him in advance that I wanted to use a lot of photos. I told him the title and melody, and after he listened to the music, I asked him not to specify any image for the photos. I told him that I would leave it up to Yamakawa's sensibility to decide what would be good. I made such an unreasonable request, and he chose from the photos that were submitted.

I mentioned earlier that a variety of musicians are participating in the project, but in the recording studio, I wanted to bring out as much of the best in each of them as I know them, so I wanted them to play as freely as possible and produce good takes, and I wanted them to be involved in the project and go home feeling like, "Ah, I get it," so I was focused on that.

In that sense, I'm in a producer-like position, but the film is packed with touches and warmth that I never would have been able to produce on my own.

I consider that a treasure.

 

 

When it comes to my own music works, from start to finish, I have always been particular about the jackets and artwork, and it's the same with jackets. When someone's sensibilities clash, it can become very distorted, complicated, and a little hard to understand, but because it is something created by a human being, I still believe that there will always be someone who looks at it and finds a different answer, a hint, or a trigger.

So maybe there isn't any uniformity. But on the other hand, it's like a miniature version of the world, with all kinds of people living together and no doubt things don't always go as planned, but I think that the parts that don't mix well together are what make it real and beautiful.

With Yamakawa-kun's sensibility now in the mix, I was able to reach places I had never known before, and experience the song from an angle I had never thought of. After all, vision is very important.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 I discovered things like that too, and I think the people who listen to it are probably looking at the album from a different perspective than us and Yamakawa, who took the photos.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 It's exactly the same. To put it in very rough terms, it's just a throw away. (Laughs) Of course, it's with trust and respect.
The same goes for the album designer, as I asked him to select the photos based on his own sensibilities.

 

 

Shimoryo: That's right. It feels like my album, but there are parts that I can't quite call my album. It feels like we all made it together.

 

 

Sudden deafness and "Now's the time" were the starting points for Feeling

 

 

 

Shimoryo:　 This year marks the 17th year since we started working as the chef cooks me. There were originally five band members, but we've had our ups and downs, and in the end I'm the only one still working, so there are so many turning points, or crossroads, and choices that have brought me to where I am today.

But the beginning of this album, or the beginning of the whole story, was when I suffered sudden deafness in my left ear in October 2017 and lost my hearing, and looking back, I think that was probably the starting point.

At that time, I was already planning to quit being a player or singer. If I lost my hearing, I wouldn't be able to work, and even if I was supporting ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, I wouldn't know the pitch, so I thought that if I was in the opposite position, I probably wouldn't ask them to do it.

Shimoryo　 's original guitarist, Sato, was no longer able to collaborate with us midway through the project, so we were forced to change our strategy and go back to a more basic level.

After we'd finished the bass, drums, and piano, Sato decided to leave, so we had a lot of time to work on the song, replacing the guitar parts that were supposed to be there with synthesizers.

That's why I think it was great that I was able to take my time and just go with my instincts and ask this person for help.

 

But thankfully, my hearing in my ears almost completely returned within 2 to 3 weeks.

I missed my first live performance and caused a lot of trouble to a lot of people, but in the midst of all that, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION pulled me out onto the stage again. I think there had been a lot of talk between the agency and the members, but they just asked me, "Can you do it?"

At the time, I wondered if he was sane.

But I think that that is actually the greatest kindness.

Goto-san and the other members all felt that we had to stand there and do it again.

If I hadn't had that opportunity, I might not have thought about making music, and it was through that experience that the song "Now's the time" was born.

 

the chef cooks me - Now's is the time (New Feeling)

 

After I recovered from my hearing loss, I thought about what I would do if I could no longer hear, what kind of work I would do, and what music is to deaf people in the first place. If I could write and play music based on that, I wanted to have a strong message for myself and for my music. Until now, I had been thinking more than a little about writing for someone, so that someone could listen to it and it could become someone's, but with "Now's the time" I wanted to write honestly about myself.

If I hadn't had sudden deafness, I probably wouldn't have been able to do "Now's the time."

Without "Now's the time," I don't think we would have continued on.

Without that, when Sato decided to leave, I might have lost sight of the meaning of continuing as The Chef Cooks Me.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 I thought that if I wasn't writing about myself honestly, it wouldn't resonate with the listeners. I realized that being true to yourself is very important.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 I'm one in 140 million, and one in 7 billion in the world, so I'm not special or anything different. I believe that everyone exists independently and that life has equal value, so in that sense "we" means that we're all the same, but we're all different, and we're all lonely. I probably couldn't have written that unless I faced myself.

 

 

 

Shimoryo: That's very nice.

 

Shimoryo　: That's true. In terms of whether it's easy to understand or difficult to understand, I don't think it's easy to understand. But it's not difficult to understand either, I think my music exists in that grey zone.
In that sense, it's not easy, and it may be hard to reach for the listener. But I still listen to it and it cheers me up, so I think it's an album that can be a powerful ally for some people if they listen to it properly and make it their own.

 

 

 

 

Shimoryo　: I wanted to use the album logo for "Feeling" and I really liked the photo on the cover, so I consulted with them with only that photo in mind. I had also acted as the go-between for Gotch's label cap for "Only in Dreams," so I had a rough idea of how the production process went, and when I consulted with them about making cap with a string, they said, "I can do anything."

 

 

 

Shimoryo:　 I was prepared to have my wishes fulfilled, so I was a little worried about where to end up. I had the idea of making a jacket with an all-over pattern, but it might be seasonal, and it might be difficult to coordinate with other clothes.

The songs on this album will always be close to you, no matter what the situation, if you use your imagination to take them into yourself. I think they are songs that change shape depending on the person's emotions, so that's what I wanted to make into a hat.

It doesn't stand out too much or make a statement, but if you look closely at the details, you'll see that they've put a lot of effort into it.

My goal was to create a hat that could be coordinated in a way that looked good on anyone, if worn with a little love.

We received detailed feedback and had the opportunity to create the game in a very positive atmosphere, including the involvement of managers and designers.

 

 

 

As you　 can see, I'm wearing it right now. (laughs)
I really like it because it can be worn in any situation. I was also aiming for people who don't know about the chef cooks me to think "Oh, that's nice" when it is placed in a CA4LA store, so I would be very happy if people wore it there even if they don't listen to music. I feel like I've created something that's about that level.

 

 

 

 

"As a millinery maker, we make and sell hats with love. It's simple, but that's what makes us trustworthy."

 

 

 

Shimoryo:　 I first bought a CA4LA hat when I was in my second or third year of high school. I was still in a cover band when I was in high school.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 It was a shop on Meiji-dori. I happened to be passing by, and I realized that coming to Harajuku is a status symbol for people of that age.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 I think it's a bit of a strain. (laughs) In that situation, I was dressed in what I thought was the coolest outfit, and as I was walking down Meiji Dori, thinking I wanted to buy a hat, I thought, "Oh, there's a store like this," and went in. That's how I got started.

My image of them hasn't changed since then, in a good way. I think it's probably because they have so many stores in Japan, but I think it's because people who really love hats make them with love, and sell them in stores. I don't think there are many hat stores like that in Japan.

In the end, it's the same with music; unless you really love music, you'll never be able to make good music.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 There may be some process that people talk about, or rules for making a hit song, but I've never found them interesting or to the point.

I can tell when I see the products on display in the store that are made by people who love music and are involved in various ways, and that they are made with love. I believe that my instincts as someone who just loves music and makes it with love are not wrong.

The good thing about CA4LA is that, although they are not experts in making things, they make and sell hats with love as a millinery shop. It's simple, but that's what makes it trustworthy, and that's why I feel cheerful when I go to the store. That's how it is.

 

 

Shimoryo　: In recent years, we had talked about having a company print or embroider hats for the band's merchandise, but we decided against going that route. As the saying goes, "let's leave it to the experts," and we wanted CA4LA to make them, so we decided to hold off on having the chef make them on his own, and so we've finally been able to make them in this form.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 I hope this reaches a lot of people.

 

 

 

"I think it's really great to be able to achieve something through a connection."

 

 

 

When we have Shimoryo　 hats made, we of course think about what we hope our customers will like, but when they are put on display at CA4LA 's store, maybe, like I said earlier, you might think, "I want one of those hats," and try it on, and wonder, "What is the chef cooks me?", and when you look into it more closely, you find out they are musicians; that's how you might encounter music, isn't it at CA4LA?

I would be very grateful if my music were to be stocked in stores, giving people the opportunity to discover new music there, and I think this could be an interesting development, with potential as a culture.
It would be difficult to include the entire album, but it wouldn't be difficult to do a remix. When I was thinking about who would be the most interesting person to ask to do a remix between me and CA4LA, we both knew George from Mop of Head​ ​(※), who happens to be a support member of my band now, so I thought, "Well, there's no reason not to ask him," and he agreed. After all, this interview was also a result of fate.

(※) George from Mop of Head is a model for CA4LA and a DJ at events.

 

 

Shimoryo:　 We originally just met by chance and had talked together many times. As time passed, we were asked to make hats in this way. On top of that, George was also an acquaintance of both of us, so we said, "Oh, let's do something together," and although it seemed inevitable, I think it's a very natural form of expression.
Of course, I think it's important to be able to offer something to a musician you like, but I think it's really great to be able to realize something through such a connection. Also, CA4LA also values music very much, doesn't it?

 

 

Shimoryo　: I think fashion and culture are really closely related, and I'm grateful and think it's wonderful that they value that aspect as well, so I really wanted to do the audio recording, and I'm grateful to salesperson who cooperated with me.More than anything, I'm incredibly happy about that one action of customers of the chef cooks me coming into the CA4LA store and looking around at other hats.

 

 

 

The process for the Shimoryo　 remix was the same as the process for making the album, and it expresses George 's feelings, so I hope you enjoy it as well.

 

 

Shimoryo　 is wonderful. I definitely want you to listen to it.

 

 

 

Latest music video "CP" released!

the chef cooks me - CP

 

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the chef cooks me
Ryosuke Shimomura (Vocal, Keyboards, Programming, Songwriting, etc…)

Formed in 2003. A band by Shimoryo, also known as Shimomura Ryosuke, who also plays as a support member for ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, Gotch (Goto Masafumi), Chatmonchy, and others. After several member changes, the band became a 10-member polyphonic band with support members on wind instruments, chorus, keyboards, etc., and in September 2013, released their third album, Kaitentai, produced by Goto Masafumi, from only in dreams. Kaitentai received a great response from all quarters and was highly praised as a milestone album, becoming a long-selling hit. With the album, they embarked on their first national tour in about five years, Kaitentai Tenkai tour2014, which ended with a performance at Tokyo Kinema Club to the cheers of their fans. After that, they released the 7-inch EP Hello Anthem at RECORD STORE DAY2014, and appeared at summer festivals around the country, and are always moving forward while making further lineup changes. In April 2016, he released the long-awaited "Kyoutai" on vinyl and held the "Return to the Focus Tour 2016" in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. In Tokyo, he performed two shows in one day at the Mt. RAINIER HALL, his first hall. In October of the same year, he released a split single with Turntable Films, "Tidings One," which includes the new song "Latest World Heart and Heart Insin," which he says "definitely opened a new door inside me" (Shimoryo). In February 2018, he released a new song, "Now's the time," exclusively for download. Chef's new anthem, with a cool sound and a heartfelt message, is a work that makes you feel the anticipation for the upcoming album. On October 2nd, he released his long-awaited original album "Feeling," his first in about six years since his previous album "Kyoutai," through Kioon Music. The chef will hold eight performances at eight locations across the country, starting with Look in Chiba on Friday, March 27, 2020.

HP | TWITTER | Instagram | Facebook

 

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LIVE INFORMATION

the chef cooks me Tour 2020 "Feeling"

​March​ ​27th (Friday) Chiba LOOK
START 18:30/OPEN 19:00

​April​ ​2nd (Thurs.) Kyoto UrBANGUILD
START 19:00/OPEN 19:30

​April​ ​4th (Sat) Kagoshima SR Hall
START 18:00/OPEN 18:30

​April​ ​5th (Sun) Fukuoka The Voodoo Lounge
START 17:30/OPEN 18:00

​April​ ​19th (Sun) Sapporo SOUND CRUE
START 17:30/OPEN 18:00

​June​ ​6th (Saturday) Sendai enn 3rd
START 18:00/OPEN 18:30

​June​ ​28th (Sun) Nagoya JAMMIN'
START 18:00/OPEN 18:30

​July​ ​4th (Sat) Tokyo, Uguisudani DANCE HALL New Century
START 17:30/OPEN 18:30

 

Unknown Tokyo -5th.Anniversary-

​February​ ​21st (Friday) Shinjuku LOFT
Open 18:00 / Start 18:00
avengers in sci-fi / the chef cooks me / PC music club / gato / ravenknee / Taira Daisuke (DJ)

 

Tsuta Rock Festival 2020 supported by T-Point

​March​ ​21st (Friday) Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls 9, 10, 11
Open 9:00 / Start 11:00 / Close 21:30 (scheduled)
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION / King Gnu / Gesu no Kiwami Otome. / sumika / the chef cooks me / Tempalay / 04 Limited Sazabys / PEDRO / MY FIRST STORY / Macaroni Enpitsu / and more
http://sorry.tsutaya.co.jp/m_mnt.html

 

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Tour 2020 Drunken 2 ~ The Song of Apple ~

​June​ ​9th (Tue) Zepp Tokyo
Open 18:00 / Start 18:45
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, the chef cooks me (Opening guest)
http://www.akglive.com/tour2020/

 

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RELEASE INFORMATION

 

『Feeling』

2019.10.02（Wed）
the chef cooks me
KSCL-3179
\2,545 (+tax)
First edition: Digital booklet No booklet will be included with the CD, but purchasers will be able to view lyrics, credits, photos, and other content expressing the concept of the work on a dedicated website.

「Feeling」Linkfire
https://kmu.lnk.to/tIWZk

 

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Radio regular information

InterFM897 「Just a Feeling」

Broadcast day and time: Every Saturday from 23:00 to 23:59
DJ: Ryosuke Shimomura (the chef cooks me)

https://www.interfm.co.jp/