Arena 37° November 2008 – Ruki [Leech] Personal Inspiration Interview (2008)

 

[Leech]
 
- Leech, a parasite that feeds off people. What is your first association with this word?
 
[Blood sucking. And concerning blood sucking it would be a vampire/blood sucking demon, and from there it would be going on to the crucifix…that’s kinda the direction it’s going (laughs). However, when it comes to the nuance of feeding off people, it would come down to a swindler.]
 
- When being in a band, doesn’t one also encounter people/adults, which are ‘feeding off others’?
 
[There are, there are! [Leech] is first of all drawing this kind of picture. Yet, compared to what I have written in songs in the past, today it is probably much more vivid/lively. ]
 
- Probably because, those people that are approaching (in this situation), are increasing as the band gets bigger…and in between there are probably questionable stories, aren’t there?
 
[Hmm. However, we don’t act thoughtlessly concerning things like that. As a result we became (careful) like that, but it does not mean, that there aren’t we facing these problems anymore (bitter laugh) However, as a rule in society this has become a matter of fact.]
 
- Not only are the people like that increasing, there is also that part, which can’t dispute their own will and it results in whatever they then do?
 
[Yeah…to say what we think is rather easy, but there are also people who are influenced by that. Well, there are also times, when things are said, where it’s not our own position to say things. (laughs) Actually, lately there has been such a situation at hand, but at that time, we could not believe anyone. If we look at this more from the working standpoint, we are pretty at ease, though.]
 
- Certainly, there are also business aspects in acting as a band, but essentially, the wish is to have a creative live, isn’t it?
 
[Yes. Therefore, from the finish of just one photograph to where it will be used in what way, there is nothing to do, but put a lot of interest in. For example, the quality of the paper is important as to how the colours will turn out, and you have to put your thoughts into that.]
 
-  Today, too, when you came into the studio, you immediately checked back carefully with the cameraman, didn’t you?
 
[It’s the same as it is with songs, because in the end, they are goods.]
 
- And because you are aware of such things, it can be said that you are genuine as a representative.
 
[For me, I think it’s normal, and I think we are really lucky, that we can work with people, who understand us and put just as much effort into us (and our works).]
 
[Distorted]
 
- What is the first thing that comes to your mind, when considering distortion and twist as words?
 
[Of course, first of all it is [Distorted Daytime] as a song, but ‘distorted’ as such, I came to grasp the meaning, that the shape of what I thought was decent is changing. For example, during a normal day, terrible things are very close, which means that such incidents can happen very suddenly, don’t they?]
 
- Certainly. Even more so, when only considering the internet which is overflowing with information, where danger and pain become so emotionless and stolid at times. In this aspect, it shows how distorted society really is.
 
[Yes. And when facing such things the sensation grows dull a lot of times. For example, when at the scene of an incident, people gather to just watch what is happening mostly, and probably only take pictures with their cell phones, don’t they. And in that sense these people, very calmly and while laughing, take those pictures. And that…it is somewhat a strange story, when some atrocious crime has happened, there are such people, who probably rather think of it as cool. And with that meaning, the world is falling ill. As for peace, I don’t think of this as peace as such.]
 
- Within Ruki-kun himself, is there anything that is distorted like that?
 
[…I can’t think of anything that distorted within myself.]
 
- Have you been told about such things?
 
[Yes, I have. (laughs) However, I think about myself as a rather decent person.]
 
- For example, aren’t there people, who think of their surroundings as strange while they are actually a little strange? Doesn’t one let such things slip?? (laughgs)
 
[Yes. Because those people think of themselves as normal and are calm about it, those people who think of themselves as a little strange, are probably not really strange. Well, generally, no matter what people are told, there is almost no opposition. (laughs)]
 
[Daytime]
 
- What is your first association with the term daytime?
 
[It’s winter’s daytime. A winter morning is the kind of daytime I like.]
 
- Is it that dignified air you like?
 
[Yeah, exactly. There is this feeling of transparency/clearness. On the contrary, I hate the summer. During Japan’s summer, with the heat of the asphalt, I find it hard to breath, isn’t it? However, if it was Los Angeles or so, there the air is dry, which is a good feeling. It’s not so sweat inducing, therefore it’s good.]
 
- Seems like you are more of a night person then?
[The night type, yes. However, I try to influence that myself. Getting up in the morning is a lot better for the mood.]
 
- It seems like it, doesn’t it? (laughs)
 
[Mostly (laughs). Although, lately I have a very strange timing of getting up. I go to sleep at five in the evening and then I get up in the middle of the night.]
 
- That’s quite a time span isolated from the rest of the world. (laughs)
 
[It’s quite worrying (laughs). It happens a lot when I write songs and such.]
 
- Does this mean, that you don’t write songs or lyrics during daytime?
 
[No, (I do that) at night. However, when it’s not cold, I can’t write songs. In hot places, there are certainly no ballads created (laughs).]
 
[Hole]
 
- What’s your first association with the word hole?
 
[It’s an unexpected image, very much like a trap. Wherever one goes, there are those holes you can fall into.]
 
- Ruki-kun doesn’t seem to be falling into those holes easily, though.
 
[Hmm, I don’t fall.]

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