CA4LA MUSIC CONNECTION vol.2
Ovall
A turning point for balancing “band and individual” after hiatus
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 serialized project in which artists answer through interviews what turned out to be a turning point in their own activities.
The artists appearing inthesecond installment areOvall.
last year12A month6First full album in yearsOvall], On the other hand, he is active in many fields as a soloist, producer, and support.Shingo Suzuki,mabanua, Sekiguchi Shingo's3By humanOvall. Recently, "Seki jam complete combustionSHOWThere may be many people who have seen and heard the name in ". They are2013Suspend activities once a yearFourthrough the years2017Resume activity from 2019. What was the turning point in the band during that time?CA4LAIncluding commitment to collaboration items with3I talked to people.
Text by Atsutake Kaneko
Photo by Kana Tarumi
Interview: Ovall
"In 'DAWN', I tried to pack songs in various directions, but if I had to say I was confident in what I was doing... Now that I think about it, maybe I was at a loss." (Shingo Sekiguchi)
Shingo Sekiguchi (hereafter referred to as Sekiguchi) went on hiatus... I wouldn't say that, but since a little while ago, I've been gradually getting into a rut, and even though I've been doing live shows, I feel like 'it's not going so well'. … Was there something like a decisive blow?About a year before
mabanua... since I started dropping sticks while playing? (smile)
Sekiguchi It may have appeared in such places (laughs). There was something I vaguely felt about the feeling during the performance, and the communication between the members after the performance... 『DAWN”, I tried to pack songs in various directions, but I wonder if I did it with conviction… Now that I think about it, maybe I was at a loss.
Shingo Suzuki (hereafter Suzuki) I feel like the part where you can't set your goals was also reflected in the live. before thisYouTubeI saw a live performance at that time, but I felt like I wasn't fully enjoying it. Regardless of the size of the live house or whether the equipment is good or bad, I feel that there was a momentum in the old live performances where people were like, "Let's do it!" I knew from the video that there was no such thing.
the Sekiguchi festival. I feel like that kind of situation had a bad effect on my motivation.It was noticeable at
mabanuaWhenI talk about things like this, some people go, "Oh, is that so?" Certainly, from the point of view of the audience, they're chasing their favorite artists each time, so they don't see it as a whole. But maybe because each of us was working as a producer, we were sometimes called out to big festivals. Because of the wide range of activities, I was sensitive to the movement of the whole scene, for better or worse. As Secky (Sekiguchi) said earlier, there was a time when the album had a wide range, and that's why I've become conscious of songs that would look good at festivals. hand.
Sekiguchi: If you look at it objectively, it hasn't changed that much (laughs).
Sekiguchi: If that quest had gone well, it might have turned out to be a different situation, but it didn't go so well, and I felt like I was really straying. At the same time, each of us was producing, supporting, and doing solo work quite a bit, so if that happened, it would be like splitting up... I had that feeling.
"Each member of Ovallis active individually, so we can work at our own pace." (mabanua)
Suzuki:As for me, Iwas the one who invitedthe twoof them in the first place.
Suzuki:I wanted to focus on the band because I thought, "We definitely became a good band." It was a type of music that didn't exist in Japan at the time, so I always thought it was a challenge.DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS THAT" /2010), especially before and after the release, I felt that I wanted to get together as a band first. From there, we gradually got invited to festivals, and when we started appearing in the media, we began to see a different world.
mabanuaI also started when I wasn't doing much solo work, so at first I was like, "Let's start a band!" Since then, my solo activities have gradually increased, and there was a time when I wondered, "How can I balance this?"2We had people do things for us, and gradually we were able to spread the burden on each other. When I see various bands in the world, I think that people who only play in bands,For better or worse, ``my life is a band,'' isn't it?
mabanuaThat's right. That's why, when there is a dissolution or withdrawal from the group, it's as if everything you've been wearing will be stripped away, and that person's individual strength will be tested, and their future will be affected. I think But in regards to Ovall, each of us is working individually, so we don't have to worry about that, so we can work at our own pace. It's like, "Aren't you aiming for the main stage of Summer Sonic?" Even if we didn't go there, we would continue to do it even after we took a break, so I think we unconsciously established our own stance.
Sekiguchi: Lately,I've come to understand the balance betweenOvall 's activities and my own activities, but conversely, when I think about 2013, I thought I was trying to find a balance in my own way, but that balance has changed quite a bit. Maybe I didn't get along with the members of . At the time, it took a lot of time to decide on just one thing, but now it's easier to pass, like, "I'm asking you to do this." Maybe it was because I had a stronger sense of "band" before, or maybe I had something close to obsessive thoughts like "we have to decide together". I think that's one of the good things about the band, but there are times when we clash with each other. But now, when I'm having a hard time, I can just let it go, so it's been a lot smoother.
"There are still important things that you can understand if you stop doing them, and that was the band. But it took time to understand that." (ShingoSuzuki)
the Sekiguchi scene, sounds like what you did with In terms of the flow of Ovallhave become mainstream, or rather, they're increasing. When we compare the days when we went on hiatus and now, I think the ratio of hip-hop bands at big festivals is completely different. When the times gradually became like that, people started to say things like, "Aren't you going to resume your activities?"
mabanuaEven in a solo interview, at the endOvallIt ends with the question of.
SuzukiI felt like salesperson had high expectations. Even when I go to sales,Ovallhow is it? ''It seems like he said that. So I've come to feel that kind of expectation from both the musicians and salesperson. So, I had a quick meeting with the president once to ask, ``What should we do next?'' Just here (in Harajuku)CA4LAI remember doing it at a cafe near my office), and during that time I thought, ``Maybe it's time to do it?'' and ``Well, let's put out a song first.'' I wonder if it happened.
mabanuaI thought it would be lonely if it was only a solo. I simply thought, "I want to be in a band." When I'm producing a band, when I'm in the studio together doing various arrangements, I'll say, "I'm leaving for the interview," and I'll be left alone. Well, I think it would be difficult for people who have been in bands for a long time because they might get tired of bands and start solo, but we are all people who wanted to do both in the first place.
As SuzukiYama-chan (mabanua) said, there are important things that you can understand after you stop doing them, and I think that's what a band is, but it took time to understand that. I think that as time passes, some things stay and some things don't. There are some things that just disappear, but when it comes to the band, the feeling that I don't want to lose it is getting stronger and stronger. Of course, there were waves in between, and I think there were times when I wanted to do it/I didn't want to do it, but on top of that, I thought, 'I really want to do it again.' Now that I think about it, I wonder if I was able to start again at the right time after that period.
mabanuaIt's not about the festival I mentioned earlier, but I think that going out to a big place is something that you have to do bit by bit. But there aren't many times when someone like us can appear in the living room. In the past, there was a program called "Artist" by Ellie Omiya, andU-zhaanappeared in "Yorutamori", and for a moment we could see the possibilities (laughs), but now It's gone. Under such circumstances, "Seki Jam" is a program that "I've been waiting for you!" What's more, with the influence of Kanjani Eight, they hook up the maniac part, so it's a good program that couldn't be better. That kind of program is rare, so I want to appear when I can.
Sekiguchi: If you can reach out to people you wouldn't normally reach, and get them interested, it will spread.
Suzuki:I'm right where I should be, so even if I leave, I can come back. If I go to many places with no roots, I'll lose track of where I stand, but now that I have a solid footing in origami PRODUCTIONS(the label and management I belong to), I think I'll be happy to be invited. I mean, you can go anywhere you want.
SuzukiYes, I think so.
"Musicians are a community that is used to disadvantaged situations, so I think it's easy to be a role model in an emergency." (mabanua)
SuzukiThis topic came up in another interview a while ago, and the interviewer at that time asked me, "How were you worried?" and "How was the negative side?" Say, I'm not worried at all or anything. Of course, everyone is worried about the new virus called Corona, but when it comes to life, the economy, and music activities,origamiThinking about the past, it was much more difficult in the old days. The president and I were laughing as we looked at the bills from that time the other day. Even though I didn't have any savings, I was like, "But I rented a studio." that kind of thingTenI've been here for more than a year, so I'm scared of the coronavirus as a disease, but I guess I already have immunity and antibodies against different kinds of anxiety.
SuzukiIt's a pity that the band can't play live right now, but I think that will pass someday. I think we live in a world where things happen.At the time of311, origamiwas much smaller than it is now, and there weren't any jobs at that time either. I came. I think this time is also one of the big changes in the flow of the world, but I just keep my feet on the ground and do the things in front of me one by one.
mabanuaI don't like to complain.TwitterWhen I look at things like, "It's no more" or "There is no compensation"... I understand your feelings, and there are certainly some problems, but if you talk on the premise that nothing is perfect, Rather, I think that musicians are in a position where it's easy to become a role model at times like this. label balance50It's been a yen, I've had my gas turned off, and I've heard stories like that when I went to say hello to a wedding, I was told, 'You can't be a musician' (laughs). , I think musicians are in a difficult position to begin with, or rather, it's a community that's used to being disadvantaged. However, because we live in such a community, we can set an example at times like this. Rather than teaching "how to overcome" in detail, as a spirit, "from negative to positiveI think you can present it.
"First and foremost, I want to make people happy. I once again thought that this was my starting point." (Shingo Sekiguchi)
mabanuaAnother thing that comes to mind is that about 5years ago, people said things like, "From now on, we're going to live in an era where we'll give away music for free, and live through live performances." So,you were doing live performances atOvall, but now you're like, "Huh?"
Because it's mabanua, I think it's no good if each of us has to do things in a well-balanced manner within the limits of what we can do. Depending on the person's stance, I think that just the sound source is fine, but it is necessary to think to some extent about preparations for when something like this happens. No matter what it is, if you have complaints about the government, I think you should say that something is wrong, but you have to prepare yourself for what you can do. There are so many cases in the world today where that balance is bad, and I thought about that a lot.
mabanuaInthe first place,origamiitself is a group of people who are doing a balance between producing, solo, and band. There is a possibility that it may be said that it is half-baked, but when it comes to the situation like now, I can feel that I am glad that I have come with this stance.
Sekiguchi I thought a lot about my work. When I didn't leave home at all, I ordered Uber Eats for the first time, tried using supermarket delivery, and that kind of thing helped me a lot. Also, staying in the house all the time makes me feel depressed, so I bought some flowers to hang in my room, and that changed my mood. Under such circumstances, I thought that I was doing a job that brightened someone's feelings and made them feel positive. While maintaining the core of making what I want to make, the main premise is that the people who listen to it will be happy. I feel like I'm back to where I started.
Sekiguchi in the pastOvallliveFiveThere was a time when I was about a person, and when it was my solo0(laughs) There was a second stage at a jazz bar, but after rehearsals the door wouldn't open. So, the master said, "If you make a sound, people who hear it will come in", and the first stage45I gave up and still no one came in. Then, before the second stage begins, one member will be the master1500They handed me one yen at a time and told me to go home. I remembered that time again. During the self-restraint period, I did an Instagram live almost every day, and at first,0What if you're human? ', but there were quite a few people who were watching. It's all about playing the guitar in my room, but when I see comments like "I'm feeling better to go to work tomorrow"Uber Eats(laughs) I thought that the first thing to do was to make people happy, and that was my starting point.
"When I think about it from the buyer's point of view, there is a line between buying and not buying depending on the maker's little preferences. I was happy to be able to talk with you while thinking about that." (ShingoSuzuki)
SuzukiA summer knit hat would be nice. It uses a material called Coolmax, and it's refreshing to wear it. "coolmax.comI think you'll understand better if you look it up (laughs). The colors are well balanced.
mabanuaThose who insist on one point and those who are easy to match with various things. I think orange can go with so many things.
Sekiguchi For the time being "PARANOIADid you check to see if there were any other hats from the brand ? (smile)
SuzukiI think it's more thoughtful than writing the band name, and it's easy to get over. Also, the tagis a double name ofOvallandCA4LA, which makes me very happy.
mabanuaI also wanted to give it the feeling of being sold at a souvenir shop in America. It's a bit like a souvenir, and if you look closely, it's really high quality.
Sekiguchi i am completelyOvallIt's from the live. Until then, I hadn't worn it at all,2009morning mist of the yearJAMWhen I had more and more big live shows, people said, "You look like a big brother from that university". started. I've been wearing it ever since, and now I can't go out without a hat when I go to take out the trash (laughs). It's become so commonplace.
Suzuki:I've been wearing it a little bit since I was a university student, but I remember quite a while ago when Yama-chan said to me, "Let's make it a little more sporty" (laughs). I don't think so anymore, but in the past we used to talk about cap for live performances. I've always liked CA4LA, cap personally I hunting bought a lot of them. There is a designer at CA4LAwho I really like, and the things that person makes fit my face shape.
mabanuaIoriginally had really curly hair, so I started wearing it when I was in middle school to hide it. Like Sekky said, I feel like I can't even go out without a hat, and I think it's something that makes me look many times better. Even when I don't care about other clothes, there are things like "I just want to wear a hat that I like".
mabanuaThere are some that are tight when you put them on, but this is just the right amount of comfort and doesn't ruin your hairstyle. It's not just a ready-made product with the band's logo on it, it's made from scratch, so even if the price is a little high, that's the kind of thing I want.
Suzuki:I'm really happy that we can sell things that we usually like as our own goods. When I think about it from a buyer's perspective, there is a line between buying and not buying based on the creator's particular preferences. I was happy that I was able to talk and talk together while thinking about it.
Ovall x CA4LA COLLABORATION item will be released from Wednesday, August 26th
Product information
Ovall x CA4LA KNIT CAP
PRICE: ¥5,500 (tax included)
Ovall
A trio band consisting of Shingo Suzuki, mabanua, and Shingo Sekiguchi.
A multi-player group where all members are also active as solo artists/musicians/producers.The current members have been active in earnest since 2006, and to this day they maintain an attitude that focuses on musicianship rather than genre.
Arranging jazz, soul, hip-hop, and rock on the same level, live performance and sampling seamlessly go back and forth, throwing sounds into an oval groove.
His innovative style and unique sound gradually caught on with the times, and he was flooded with production and COLLABORATION requests from domestic and international filmmakers, film directors, and various artists.
Each of them started active solo activities, but the fact that each of them became extremely busy became a double-edged sword, and in 2013 they suspended their band activities and began pursuing their own individual expressions. However, there was a constant demand for ``I want to hear an ensemble unique to these three people,'' and the members responded to that desire and restarted the band in 2017 after four years.
Immediately after, they performed at large domestic festivals such as FUJI ROCK, COLLABORATION with artists from all over the world, and went on live tours overseas.
Bringing together the skills and know-how cultivated through their solo activities, the band continues to roll in an elliptical pattern today.
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LIVE INFORMATION
11/3 (Tue./holiday) [Transfer performance] origami SAI 2020 Osaka [info]
11/2 (Mon.), 4 (Wed.) [Transfer performance] Ovall Tour 2020 Fukuoka/Nagoya performances [info]
2/11 (Thursday/Holiday) [Transfer performance] origami SAI 2020 Tokyo [info]
