Hiroto's Keyword 1: Alice Nine
Even though I'm charge of making tour goods, recently because we've changed our
name to alphabets and changed the official logo accordingly, i've been taking a
break from making tour goods. (laughs)
Music-wise, we have done various types of music that are different from the
past, and there's also the concept, which is how「アリス九號.」came
about, but in terms of remembering the name, i think it was a good one. For
instance, from a senpai, 「Ah, I've heard about you guys. Is the
kanji 9 [九] in your name "Arisu" like the whale? [whale = 鯨
= kujira, the number 9 can also be pronounced as "ku"] well something
like that (laughs). After that, the image of the [new] 「Alice
Nine」
logo has a feeling that is closer to us so it's a name that i like a lot.
Hiroto's Keyword 2: Sound
I think for the sound face, one important thing that you can't miss out is the
catchyness of it.
No matter the color of the songs, for instance if there's not many songs in a
certain band, unless there is catchyness [in their songs], i think there won't
be meaning in the band. Song-wise, we think about our 3 individual levels
(Saga, Tora, Hiroto), and contribute jointly to the songs we make. So from
there, we kind of set up a focus point.
After being in a band together for 5 years, even though we know each other's
features, whether it's about the genre, the sound color, making a sound is
actually quite simple, but how we plan on mixing well our ideas is an essential
step, for example the way Shou-kun will sing it, the way Saga-kun will play the
bass, the guitar and the drum's also the same, even though it's a difficult
task, i think if we don't do these things, whether for me or for the band, it
won't be interesting. That's the stance that we have now.
Hiroto's Keyword 3: Combination
Recently I invited a few spiritual kei acquiantances to watch our lives, and
they said 「Hiroto-kun is in charge of therapy right.」
Somehow i give out the soothing vibes (laughs).
I seem like a "green person", it doesn't seem quite right at the time
but somehow i kept on seeing things as green, so it's like, ah so i see. Do i
give out the negative kind of vibes...well that's not the kind of talk we're
supposed to have ne (laughs).
The combination from the viewpoint as a guitarist...in my previous band i was
the left--side guitarist (rhythmn/side guitarist). The guitarist i admire was
also a rhythmn guitarist, and i also didnt play much solos. In Alice nine, it
was Tora's suggestion, "[You] often move so it's better you be the lead
guitarist!".
And then, within our band we don't divide into side guitar or lead guitar. If
there are 2 guitars, it's good to go forward together. But that's really hard
acutally, honestly if we're talking about combination on that note, i think
we've yet to completely demonstrate our efficiency. Conversely, i think if we
can become better we can produce really cool sounds.
When it comes to deciding on the solos, it's usually during rehearsal where the
person has a surge of inspiration and goes "I'll do it" and that settles
it. For me, i don't really want to play solos to my own songs; when making a
song of a certain standard, there's a part where there might a solo coming, and
so a solo will be set there. But leaving it just like that is something i don't
like so that's why we say "I'll play this song" [so as to not leave
the solo there hanging]
For example when Saga-kun creates a song and there's the expectation that
Tora-shi will play the solo in a certain way, if he played it dead on and is
good, then that will be settled, but if there's a time where I want to go
beyond that expectation I'll refute and say "I'll play it". It's
somewhat like the feeling of adapting to the requirements of the environment.
Hiroto's Keyword 4: Visual Kei
Personally, i think that the term doesnt have much to do with sounds, it's hard
to express this in one word, and there are people who don't like to summarize
it just like that [meaning visual kei summarized as visual], but for me i
completely don't think about such things [like what visual kei means],
originally this was named by our senpai and i thought it was cool and now that
I'm in it, i find no reason to object to it.
For the initial image, there might be people who think that people in visual
kei wearing female costumes are gross, but if we do the right things, even
though it might take a while, i think the image of visual kei will change
little by little. On the contrary, i will like to think about good ways to
change their [people who don't have a good image of vk] thinking
the reason why i like visual kei is because there is a very strong
"enchanting" part of ourselves that we can show the audience, the
performance is also cool, it's like how recent cellphones has everything?
(laughs) [like the outward appearance, cool features etc] Fully inclusive. To
add on, it's also because it's really fun [being in visual kei] , you won't get
tired of looking at it, as a bonus, playing it myself also makes me feel numb!
If you know that charm [of visual kei] the normal cool performance won't seem
to be enough. That's why i think it'll be good if this time i can make people
think "it's good" after watching [a visual kei performace] and
cultivating this thought and let our next generation inherit this genre.
Hiroto's Keyword 5: Tour Goods
My reason for being involved with making of goods is quite simple, first of
all, i've been drawing since young, i also made plastic models and i've enjoyed
doing that, so these are my reasons. Also, the artist that i like has really
attractive concert goods, because he/they didn't just add in the logo, but
instead thought of different ways to make it, and following that mentality as a
fan, it made me happy.
Even if during the live, you were very moved by it [the live], won't memories
of that live gradually fade away with the passing of time. But concert goods
are things that represent "the item of only that day" and can be kept
as a memory, and so seeing it, you can remember the scene of that time, so from
that standpoint i started making goods of that type.
For the scheme of making goods for the tour, it starts from the tour title, and
[the people involved] also includes the company's work staff, i contribute my
ideas on different things that i thoguht will be good, but of course there were
many times where my ideas were rejected (laughs). Recently, along with the
practicality I also thought about how to achieve balance [for the tour goods]
So far, the idea that i proposed but was quickly rejected was a bicycle (BMX)
ne. 1 second after i proposed that idea, i was given the reply NO (laughs) [of
course...xD]
but no doubt the stuff always work hard, especially the designer-san that
thinks [about the goods] with us, we're just no match for him [in terms of
ideas maybe]. saying this, he's the only [designer] member.
As expected, there are times when i mentioned unreasonable things that were
based on my own obsession, but the staff from the company also considered my
ideas and helped me a lot.
I will always go to the line of goods stores in front of the venue and check the
line of customers. So all those who came to buy the goods, please think that
you've always seen me around (laughs)
There are times when i see some goods were not so well-received, and thought
"huh? this is not good? even though i thought it's okay" , recently i
researched on what's popular and what's not, and apply them to the next batch.
Also, I/we made the goods while thinking about the balance between standard
goods and the goods we want to challenge ourselves making. For me i like thin
T-shirts with a wide neck and we've made them before but because there are many
female fans, these kinds of shirts are kind of embarrassing for them, so
through a survey, we changed the goods a little, so we also consider the
opinions of fans.
Same with song compositions, if I don't have motivation i can't make goods, so
there are times where i switch between the two. [making goods when there's no
motivation for song writing and writing songs when there's no motivation for
making goods]
Hiroto's Keyword 6: Yourself 5 years from now
Certainly facing our radically changing mentality, things might not be what it
is now 5 years later, so we are just doing whatever we can for now. This is how
i feel as a band, a member and as a guitarist
As a guitarist, I'm definitely Alice Nine's guitarist; as a solo guitarist,
I'll like to be one that i can make a living with. As expected if i don't have
the sense of urgency or to have some feelings of ambition, i think i won't be
able to be in a band. Definitely, during those [next] 5 years, even if
unconscious, i might have the spoilt thought "if I was in this
band..." Even if i like the member, if we can't have fun together, it'll
be tough. That's why i think it's not good to be without that persistant sense
of urgency. [honestly, i don't know what he's trying to say = =]
Hiroto's Keyword 7: Must-have item
Guitar and memo. if i don't have my memo, my schedule will collapse (laughs)
Guitar and memo. if i don't have my memo, my schedule will collapse (laughs)
Secret Interview
[Song Composition]
I don't really have a particular concept in mind when making songs everytime,
personally, I start writing songs when I have a particular inspiration.
"Because i have this kind of feelings right now, I feel like writing such
a song", "Because I received influences from certain things, I wish
to give form to my own interpretation" if i don't have inspirations like
these, i can't make a song.
Personally, I don't have any special sounds that i restrict myself to so I make
songs with different colors. There are people who research deeply into one type
[of sound] but I think there are too many things that i want to do, and i think
i can get weary looking too deep into one area.
My song compositions starts from inspiration, from there whatever phrase that
come into mind, I play the chords that match [with the phrase] and create the
song, but recently i used the recorder in the cellphone, and whatever i
recorded, i will send to my own laptop, gather them and from them give them a
form. recently there's also a function in the cell phone that allows you to
hear guitar chords so it's very convenient in making a song.
[Rules you follow in everyday life]
I have. Even though i really don't have a lot of things, i'll tidy things up
soon after i use them. Constantly tidying things up and keeping them in order.
(laughs)
Personally there are things that i don't follow through right to the end, but i
have the personality of being concerned with various things.
For example, a PET bottle [clear plastic beverage bottle] will be on the table,
for some reason I'll be bothered by it. I'll be bothered by it, then the
feeling will disperse. That's why I gathered all the stuff I'm concerned with
at the moment and start on something else. So, for the sake of prevent that
from happening, I tidy things up.
As a result of that, I'll be connected to my guitar within my unconscious
everyday and so the time spent on practising the guitar naturally increased.
There are also times where i just plainly practised, but at home, I used the
amp stimulator and my laptop and even in my room I'll be playing perfectly
(laughs)
[Guitarist]
Because i love hide-san i started joining a band and ever since I've been
playing the guitar. I think Hide-san is an artist beyond a mere guitarist and
is my most respected figure. If we're talking about a guitar hero, then i think
it is U2's the Edge. At first, I was just aspired by him [i'm presuming the
Edge], but after that it went beyond aspiration to the point where i want to
become like him.(laughs)
[Audience]
Personally, i'm a visual-kei band fan, so i think my stand and the stand of the
people who watch us is the same. That's why no matter what side we are
performing on, there are artist that I like, there are also lives that i want
to see so those are things that won't change.
However, recently i once again often thought about the existence of the
audience because as expected, without the audience, our music can't form. If
the people who came to watch our lives can't enjoy themselves, there won't be
any meaning to it, and also no meaning to performing songs. if i have to say
more, it will be that i won't have any incentive to make songs for the band. I
guess, music is something that can be enjoyed with anyone, so i think i often
have that awareness. I want to fully make songs that can be enjoyed together
with the audience, i want to do that kind of lives. To be able to let even
those who have not seen us [visual kei] or know about us enjoy themselves like
the others is my ideal.
During the previous tour final at the international forum (Tokyo), when we
played the song "Subaru" i have the instant thought of "Ah, it's
this kind of feeeling", the audience were singing along with the song, and
when we saw this, we were able to relax, and at that instant, i thought "I
want to make this kind of songs". Year by year, the venues that we are able
to perform at have become bigger, but I want the distance feel between us and
the audiecne to not change, whether there is a large audience or a small
audience, I want the things that we want to do not change. And for that
thankful thing, for the sake of meeting more fans, i want to perform without
changing in front of fans. Of course if there's more people, the venues will be
more spacious, if we don't think of ways to portray ourselves more it won't
work out. But the most basic feeling will not change no matter what..
Fan's Question
Q1. Because I admired Hiroto-san so I started learning the guitar (●´┏＿┓｀)
Currently I'm practising Zero from the Alpha album, but I just can't seem to
play the guitar solo well. Please give some advice (´┏＿┓｀)
Thank you!
About not playing well, anyone won't be able to do so well from the start so
it's okay!
Even now, for me, there are phrases i can't play, so I start off with a slow
tempo and then slowly go faster.
Once you get used to fast phrases, your fingers will be able to move in ways
that seems to defy nature, but for now, confirm the fingering and picking and
after that it's just intense demonic training (laughs).
Vow to yourself "I'll definitely be able to play it my way, I'l definitely
play it" and ganbatte★
In order to become a good role model, I'll diligently improve myself everyday!
Q2. What kind of foods do you like?
Ice-cream, Konnyaku jelly and salted mustard
Q3. During AliceNine's lives, what is the most important thing that
Hiroto-kun takes note of?
The temperature feel between the stage and the audience [what he means by that
i dont know...]. Then it's 99% of effort during the Live.
Q4. Now that I'm playing the electric guitar, I think i want to form a
visual kei band when i enter high school. Please give me some advice on that.
Back in high school, i was also someone who wanted to form a band (laughs)
Above all that, there are many places to learn and the only thing to do is to
polish your sensitivity ★
Whatever you think is right, other people won't be able to interfere, if you're
determined to work hard, you're opening up a path for yourself where people who
will naturally gather around you will increase!
So first, there's nothing much but to get into action!!
Enjoy your high school life immersed in music!
Q5. Recently, i think Hiroto-kun used a Sadowsky guitar as the main
[guitar], as well as another Gibson guitar, i will like to ask on the reason
why you use them separately. Also, are there any other guitars that you're
interested in? I also want to ask what guitars you will want to get hold of one
day.
Sadowsky's guitars give a very good balance on the sounds, when various things
occur during lives, the sense of stability when playing [the Sadowsky's guitar]
is very useful.
As for why i use different guitars, there's simply nothing much to say except
that it's an obsession (laughs)
Technically, sometimes a song is easier played on one guitar, but the most
important reason is that "the tone can only be produced by this
guitar"
Q6. Recently Hiroto-san has begun keeping a puppy. Does it have any wierd
habits or special skills?
When we go for walks, it will definitely cling on the my legs. And then, it
often jumps. It's probably similar to its owner (laughs)
Q7. Recently where do you feel you've improved?
Probably in analyzing things. If there's any other things [that he can improve
on], please tell me! (laughs)
Hiroto's Playlist - "ROCK MUSIC that can get you fired up through their riffs"
The usual definition of a good song is probably one with a good melody and
moving lyrics, but here i will like to introduce ROCK MUSIC where just by
hearing the intro riff, your heart's temperature will rise and will make you
want to go for their lives.
1. Hysteria by Muse
Just listening to the bass riff at the intro by Christopher Wolstenholme can
somehow turn me on. There shouldn't be anyone who hear it and not get a rise in
tension right!!! From the sound to the phrasing, it's juz cool!!
2. Vertigo by U2
The band's song intro started with uno,dos,tres,catorce!; the manner of The
Edge's playing provides a good riff. The union with the bass in addition to the
sprinting feeling and power make it even more bad! [bad as in 'OMG awesome']
But U2 doesn't just end it with the exhilarting riff. During the chorus, The
Edge used what seems like delay guitar and modulated the riffs, when [the song]
returns to the chorus again, there is a rise in the explosive feel.
3. Fight! Smash! Win! by STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB
Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello (Gu) and The Coup's Boots Riley (Vo)'s
simple clear riff was quite a sensation, Rage and Audioslave [associated acts
of SSSC] are also very cool, this time it's a composition from one daring
project!! [because it's a supergroup of people from different bands] Last
summer, they actually came to Japan!!
4. Elephants by Them Crooked Vultures
This one is really just Cool without reason!!! [Here it is again! Hiroto's
fired up!] Even though the singing part starts around 1:30, the riffs and the
instrumentals are just so cool that i don't mind. I copied it right away, and
played the song in the studio which didn't quite fit (laughs). Even just the
melody itself is really really cool so it's a must listen.
5. www. by Alice Nine
A song compiled in our 3rd album. It was a song with a theme strongly
influenced by the 90s alternative rock. Our efforts have been worthwhile, i
think we've managed the song's riffs quite well (laughs) Please also feel the
entire song with an alternative mood!!!
6. Blue Planet by Alice Nine
This is a song from our 1st album. Even though it was unrefined, listening to
the song now I can still recall the feelings of time during the intro call
along with the starting explsoive feeling. It think it is amazing to be able to
feel that youthful and unsophisticated power from the past.
7. Beat It by Michael Jackson
This famous song is probably one that anyone should have heard at least once.
Recently with the new publication of 'This Is It', there should be more people
who know about this. Eddie Van Halen's solo is also a must listen!!!
8. Metal Master by Metallica
I don't listen much to bands classified under metal but in the midst of it,
Metallica happens to be a band that i really like. For some reason, even Alice
Nine has started practising this song often in the studio (laughs) Just the
intro riff is something that can be hummed to and after listening to it once,
it won't leave your mind.
9. Back it Up by Oasis
A song from their album that starts with the guitar riffs by Noel (Gu). Last
year the unexpected departure of Noel made me curious about Oasis from then on.
The beat feel is really good and feels great!!!
10. BAD FEELING by BOoWY
If we're talking about Boowy, it's about as famous as the riffs by Totei-san.
It's a pity that this can't be heard in real time!!! It is just like The
[written in English] Totei-san for his light cutting riffs!!! Recently this is
also in some application in iPhone, even for those who don't play the guitar,
do immerse yourselves in the mood when playing!!
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