Interview Aooo・Riko Ishino
"When we decided to start a new band from scratch, I was about 90 percent anxious at first (laughs)."
When Aooo was formed, Ishino-san was meeting the other three members for the first time. If you were to express your expectations and anxieties at that time as a percentage, what would you say they were?
Ishino: When we decided to start a new band from scratch, I was about 90 percent anxious at first (laughs). I had been active as an artist before, but I didn't feel like I had "achieved anything" emotionally. Many of the members of Aooo are also active as solo artists, and at the time I felt like I didn't have enough experience to carry that title, so I honestly felt like I "didn't have much confidence" at first. None of the three of us had ever worked together before, so whether it was songwriting or our relationship, we were feeling our way around at first, wondering how we should proceed, but we decided on a direction together with the other members through repeated conversations.
Are you generally good at making friends with people you meet for the first time?
Ishino: If we can find something in common or just one thing that sparks our connection, it's easy to become friends, but the members of Aooo have surprisingly different musical roots. However, when someone says, "This song is good," and I listen to it, I can definitely think, "That's good!" There are parts that we can understand and resonate with at a fundamental level. By relying on those kinds of things and creating our own music, we've started to see how to gauge our relationships and distance from each other.
You've been involved in various activities even before Aooo, but did you ever feel like you were "searching for your place in the world"?
Ishino: I wasn't consciously looking for it, but when I was alone, I inevitably felt a sense of emptiness and loneliness. When I was working on my projects alone at home, I could say it was calming, but I also felt a sense of incompleteness. I think that's because I've worked with various teams up until now. With Aooo, while our bond as teammates grew stronger, I also felt that I shouldn't rely on them too much, and that a relationship of dependence on the members wasn't right, so at first I was trying to gauge the right distance. But as time went on, I naturally came to feel that "this is a place where I belong," without having to think about it too much.
"Normally, you start to see people's shortcomings as time goes on, but strangely enough, that's really not the case with the members of Aooo."
I imagine that your mindset gradually changed through a series of small steps leading up to that point, but was there a specific moment when you felt a change within yourself, Mr. Ishino?
Ishino: That's true... but I think the biggest thing was overcoming difficult things together and sharing experiences together, and through that, I got to see more and more of the members' personalities. Usually, as time goes on, you start to see the bad parts or shortcomings of people, but strangely enough, that wasn't the case with the Aooo members. On the contrary, the closer I got to them, the more I noticed their good character, and the more I felt at ease around them. Especially in 2025, we spent a lot of time together, so I think the accumulation of time together was significant.
Speaking of the importance of "non-dependent relationships," I think it's significant that Ishino-san not only sings but also writes lyrics. I get the feeling that writing lyrics was also a way for her to gradually let the other members get to know her personality.
Ishino: That's right. When I thought about how I could contribute to Aooo, I realized that nothing would start unless I took initiative, so when we formed the band, I said I wanted to write the lyrics for the first song we made, "Apathy." It's a song that incorporates the darker side of my inner self.
The theme is loneliness, isn't it?
Ishino: That's right. We wrote the music first, and there were melodies that were easy to put those kinds of lyrics to. At first, we didn't meet privately at all, so we got to know each other's personalities as we worked on the music, and I think that was a big factor. Basically, they accept anything, or rather, they bring out the good in each other, and they're laissez-faire in a good way, so I feel like I've earned their trust, and I think we're a team where we all have that kind of feeling towards each other.
I think it also had the meaning of writing lyrics that stemmed from his own personal experiences, and then handing each song over to the other band members as if it were a letter.
Ishino: When I write the lyrics first, I often create the song with Hikaru. Sometimes I write the lyrics first, and Hikaru picks out the emotions I want to express from those lyrics and expresses them through music. She can understand my feelings from the lyrics without us having to communicate through conversation, so she's a very reliable partner when it comes to creating music together, and I'm always amazed by her ability to pick up on things. I hardly know any people my age in the music industry, so she's a very stimulating presence for me, and I feel reassured knowing that we can push each other to improve.
"I'm generally the type of person who's slow to notice my emotions, so in the case of 'Star Sign,' I put it into words first, and then the emotions caught up later."
Having accumulated those experiences, "Star Sign" was first performed at the Tokyo Garden Theater concert commemorating the band's second anniversary, and all four members co-wrote the lyrics.
Ishino: Since our very first song, "Apathy," we hadn't done anything as a four-person production team, so the Garden Theater was a memorable time for us too, and we thought this was the perfect place to do it. So we were really motivated, but the way we made it was very rough, in true Aooo style. We even played rock-paper-scissors to decide who would write the lyrics, so it was a fun process.
Ishino-san won at rock-paper-scissors and got to write the chorus, right? Did you write the line "Because I've found my place" honestly? Or did you hesitate a little?
Ishino: I hesitated a bit. I'm generally the type of person who's slow to notice my emotions, so in the case of "Star Sign," I put it into words first, and then my emotions caught up later. When I wrote it, I vaguely had the word "place to belong" in my mind, but considering the background up to that point, I thought it was a word that would resonate deeply with the listener. However, it was a word that came out honestly to me, so I decided to go ahead and put it into the lyrics. At first I was a little embarrassed, but by the time we first performed it at the Garden Theater, I had already gotten used to it, or rather, it felt right. Before that we shot the music video, and on that day too, all the members were getting along really well, and I thought we had a great relationship. Now I'm really glad that I was able to use the word "place to belong."
"Nobody is dependent on Aooo, so it's open, very airy, and a comfortable space."
"Star Sign" means "constellation," and it represents how each member is active in solo or unit projects, shining brightly on their own, and how they have come together to form the band Aooo. What are your thoughts on that meaning, Ishino-san?
Ishino: I have a longing for the kind of community that a band is, and I'm fascinated by bands, and I think there's a lot of romance in them. I'm drawn to the explosive power that comes when all the members are focused on the same direction, and a lot of things happen that wouldn't happen when I'm creating alone, and I get advice and approaches from unexpected angles, and I make a lot of discoveries, and I also crave that kind of stimulation... so I think there's definitely a lot of romance in bands.
I think that over the past three years, each member has brought back what they've done in their solo or unit projects, and the band has been renewed in return.
Ishino: That's right. I want to increase the intensity of both my solo work and my band activities, not just the intensity of my work, but also the way I present myself. Getting to know myself through other people is very important, and I live with the feeling that "everything is a hint." Aooo is an important place for me, and while I belong there, I can also come and go freely. I don't feel bound, and I'm not dependent on anyone, so it's open, very breezy, and a comfortable space.
At first, you might have felt a little hesitant, wondering, "Should I really be here?" But now, do you feel like you're standing on your own two feet?
Ishino: I definitely feel that way. With Aooo, we want to present ourselves as equals, like a "one-on-one-on-one-on-one" kind of thing, but there are times when people's attention is drawn to the frontman, and times when the frontman has to take the lead, so recently we've been fully aware of that necessity, and we're working to create a balance where ultimately people's attention is drawn to all four of us.
"The 'RINGRING' tour had a tight schedule of shows packed into about a month, so that's when the groove really started to come together."
Recently, Aooo collaborated with Tsumiki's unit NOMELON NOLEMON on the opening and ending theme songs for the same anime, covered each other's songs, and even held a joint live performance. This kind of thing is definitely unique to Aooo.
Ishino: I thought the connections that come from being on the same label would be interesting, and Tsumiki took the lead, saying, "Since we have the opportunity, I'd like to do a live show together." Aooo values each member's thoughts and will, and of course the other members also agreed with a positive attitude this time. Conversely, if even one person has a different opinion, the others will stop and think about it, and I think we are all able to face it with the same level of enthusiasm.
What were Tsumiki's thoughts after performing together at a joint live show?
Ishino: Tsumiki posted something on Instagram that day saying, "I'm glad we started both Aooo and No Melody," and I thought, "Why didn't you just tell me that directly!" (laughs), but I was really happy to hear it. We support each other's activities, so we feel like, "If the other members are happy, then we're happy too."
This year you had a tour in May, followed by summer festivals. How do you feel about the response to your live performances?
Ishino: The Aooo tour "RINGRING" that we held in May was packed with shows in a tight month, so I feel like we really started to develop a groove during that time. I think we were in a phase where we got used to putting on live shows, in a good way, or rather, we became more comfortable with it. At first, we were feeling our way around, but especially with this tour, I feel like we created it together with the people who came to see us. We've always been exploring how to involve the audience in our live shows, and in the process, we created songs like "Yankeee" and "Neowabishii" that allow us to interact with the audience during the show, and as we gradually added more songs like that, the live shows became more fun. We approach the audience ourselves, but we also know when to step back, and I feel like we've gained that kind of composure through the "RINGRING" tour.
"For us, the Nippon Budokan concert is less of a milestone and more of a summary of 2026, or rather, a stepping stone for the future."
What about festivals?
Ishino: I don't know what the other members think, but for me, festivals are still difficult. After all, there are people who like all kinds of music there, so I can't help but worry about whether our music will be received and accepted. That's why at festivals we play songs from a wide range of genres, and I hope that at least one song will resonate with them. Even with the songs we create from now on, I don't want to be constrained by the idea of "this is what Aooo is like," and I want to keep challenging ourselves more and more.
You've performed at several festivals, including "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL." Were there any performances where you felt a particular sense of accomplishment or satisfaction?
Ishino: Thankfully, this year we've had many opportunities to perform on big stages at festivals, and at the same time, we've also realized that there are still many people who don't know anything about Aooo. "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL" is a festival that the members have always loved, so we were very happy when we were able to perform there. Despite the heavy rain that day, many people came to see Aooo, who were the opening act, and I think it was a stage that really got the crowd going. However, because the environment is unique compared to other festivals, we also felt that we could have done more, or that we could have shown more as Aooo. So, we felt an even stronger desire to perform there again and convince the fans of "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL," or rather, to be recognized.
So you've set a new goal. I imagine you'll be building towards that goal by taking one solo show and tour after another. And right around the corner, you have your first performance at the Nippon Budokan on November 22nd. What kind of live show are you hoping to create?
Ishino: Budokan is a place that artists aspire to perform, and it's a place I've always dreamed of performing, so of course I'm happy to be able to stand on that stage. However, for us, it feels less like a milestone and more like a summary of 2026, or a stepping stone to the future. I think it will be a live performance that doesn't try too hard, building on what we've accumulated and honed through tours like "RINGRING".
This isn't a culmination of everything, but rather Aooo's best live performance of 2026.
Ishino: Yes, that's the plan.
"I've been wearing (the knit hat) for the past year and a half, no matter how hot or cold it is."
Now, let's talk about hats. When we think of Ms. Ishino at Aooo, we often picture her wearing a knit hat, right?
Ishino: For the past year and a half or so, I've been wearing it no matter how hot or cold it is, and I even wore it in direct sunlight at summer festivals (laughs), so I'm happy that it's become a staple. At first, we were talking about how "as a vocalist, it would be nice to have an item that really catches the eye," so I started wearing it around the summer of 2025, and then I decided to just keep it up. As I continued to wear it, I started to feel comfortable with it, and I realized that when you look at photos, having a little something like that really catches the eye.
Do you often wear hats?
石野： もともとそんなにかぶるタイプではなかったんですけど、 それこそCA4LAさんの帽子は持っています。 どこかふらっと出かけるときとか、 日焼けをしたくないときにかぶったり、 自分の中ではあんまり着飾らないときに、 帽子をワンポイントで入れる、 みたいな使い方が多かったです。 でもAoooの衣装で取り入れるようになってから、 メンバーも似合うって言ってくれるようになって、 だんだん調子に乗っちゃって（笑）、 自分でもよく買うようになって、 プライベートでも結構かぶるようになりました。
Could you tell us why you chose each of the knit hats you wore for today's photoshoot?
Ishino: The gray knit I'm wearing now goes well with today's outfit, and it was the easiest to blend in. I chose gray because it was closest to my everyday hat and easy to use.
This black knit is so voluent that I've never used it for an outfit, and the design is quite large, so it was a bit of a challenge for me, but when I tried it on, it felt just right. It's cute but not too cute—if you have this as a key point, it really tightens the overall outfit. That's the kind of hat I think.
Also, this crochet knit is similar to the one I bought myself at CA4LA, but it's also on the larger side, giving the head a nice sense of volume. I thought crochet knitting was cute and modern in style.
Watching the photoshoot, I realized that even though they're all knit hats, the impression they give changes completely depending on the color, material, and design.
Ishino: If a hat can change your impression so much, I'd like to collect various hats and use them depending on my mood each day. It made me realize that I want to wear hats more often in my daily life.
If you had to choose your favorite out of the three, which would it be?
Ishino: It's the gray knit sweater I'm wearing now. I really love it. I think it would go well with any outfit. Lately, Aooo's costumes have been conceptual and reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s, but then again, sometimes we go for a more Y2K-esque, grunge look, and I thought this would work with all of those styles, and would go well with any outfit.
By the way, it doesn't have to be a hat, but are there any points you consider important in your everyday fashion?
Ishino: I guess it's elegance. It's my own standard, but I try to incorporate elegance somewhere in my outfit so that the overall impression is clean and refined.
Ms. Ishino, you're a big movie fan and you even write columns about movies. Do you often use movies as inspiration for your fashion choices?
Ishino: When it comes to fashion inspiration, I tend to look at Instagram accounts more than movies. However, the stylist who has been working with Aooo recently is also a movie lover, and sometimes Aooo's costumes are inspired by movies. For Aooo's autumn/winter collection, we've taken inspiration from the movie "Clueless," so I hope people will enjoy that aspect of Aooo's costumes.
Interview&Text by Atsutake Kaneko
Photo by Kana Tarumi
Location courtesy of S.H.P OTOWA FAB STUDIO
Wearing /
ARISSAMU / ￥6,380-
HAND KNITTED METAL CHAIN WATCH / ￥16,060-
SOPHIA 2 / ￥14,410-
LIVE INFORMATION
Aooo 『Budoookan』
Sunday, November 22, 2026 Doors open 17:00 / Start 18:00
Venue: Nippon Budokan
All seats reserved: 9,900 yen (tax included)
detail: https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Aooo/
NEW MUSIC VIDEO
Aooo 『DAYS!』
Aooo
This is a four-member rock band formed in 2023, consisting of two men and two women. The members are: Ishino Riko (Vocal), the former vocalist of Akai Koen, who also works as a solo artist; Surii (Guitar), who has several Vocaloid songs with over 100 million views, such as "Ego Rock" and "Telecaster B-Boy," and whose live performances with her own vocals have caused frequent crowd control at festivals throughout Japan; Yamamoto Hikaru (Bass), a new generation female bassist with extensive experience supporting artists such as YOASOBI and Momoiro Clover Z, and performing on large stages such as Coachella and Tokyo Dome; and Tsumiki (Drums), who has worked on numerous hit songs such as "Phony," "Tokyo Shandy Rendezvous" (MAISONdes), and "Bibbidiba" (Hoshimachi Suisei), and also has roots as a band drummer. The band name is derived from the members' blood types.
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