Gackt's New Projects - Music-ups Article Translation


There's an interview with Gackt on music-ups.jp discussing 2006's lack of musical activity from him, his new single, the video and school memories. Below is a translation...



On his 2006 musical activity...
"Since it seems as though I wasn't in the media that much, it might have appeared that I didn't have much activities, but I continued to work in the studio on creating a new album. So, I was able to make a lot of new music. And, when I take another good look at it myself, I think of it as training."


New single, "No ni Saku Hana no you ni"...
"After having completed it two days before, this song was performed in public for the first time at Kobe's Maiko High School graduation ceremonies. But, it was actually four years ago when the idea for this song first came about."


So, it was four years ago when the theme for this piece of music came to mind?
"No, it was in a dream, I was doing a ceremony for something, where consequently I sang."


Oh I see, you were able to see the outline for the song at that time.
"Yes. So, once I woke up, I recorded it with a IC voice recorder and saved it. And two days before the graduation ceremony, I was able to complete the music compositions."


What inspired you, the reasons you rushed to the Maiko graduation ceremony in the first place?
"This was a promise between men. What more can I say? It was simply to keep this promise."


At that time, that version of the song only had acoustic guitar and vocals, is that the way the main work will be now? You have done a total of five versions, right.
"The main version was recorded with sound production as it was sang at the graduation ceremony. As for the rest, I tried to do various versions, me singing to my own piano accompaniment, singing with guitar..But both were good, so I said, let's try and put them all in."


So, as you being the author, does music this fresh and heart wrenching have an affect on you?
"Definitely. It's a song that makes you feel nostalgic and brings back memories of the past. Also don't you think there's quite a lot of things that come with parting, going off in various paths in life? But I feel as though, because of songs like this, you can get past the sadness of separation by pushing forward, meeting new people and believing in the potential of yourself. As for myself, I don't remember the time when I left for Tokyo."


His student life...
Do you have (fond) memories of "school"?
"I mean, I'm thinking about it and I can't say!? Because I think of my school life as downright turbulent, full of ups and downs (laughs)"


Well how about when you were listening to the "Graduation ceremony"? (laughs)
"I felt like dancing wildly. (laughs) Because my student life, in general, it seemed like I was unable to talk to other people. Well that was because I was a mess (ie...roguish/incoherent/a little crazy). (Gackt forces a smile)


But this song has a theme and a message stating, "dreams are not something you see, but something you make come true". Perhaps this is the lesson you learned from your youth.
"Definitely. After all, I think the ability to have a dream is equally available to all people. However, I feel that there is truly no point in merely seeing a dream, but starting to make them come true, therein discovering it's significance. And I want everyone to keep in mind that, whether or not their dreams are fulfilled, is decided upon by their own consciousness and actions."


The music video...
A music video was made for it as well, and videos were collected and edited together showing school life ?
"Yes. I thought I should keep it simple this time and when people look at the video clip, it'd be good if it's able to create memories of their old school. This project was implemented out of such a simple concept as that. We thought putting in images from all the submitted works was realistically impossible, but when editing, it's so that everyone's emotions are reflected a little."


How does the finished work look to be?
"I think it's extremely sparkling, a memory reflected on the surface of the water. I wonder if feelings like that are in the capacity of my character."


New projects...
Well then, since Gackt Job begins to work in 2007, what is the focus of your thoughts right now?
"World domination!!"


Indeed! (laughs) But before that, you are busy filming the NHK Taiga Drama "Fuurinkazan"and we are certainly expecting a new album.
"You already expect it! Even though it's true that the filming schedule for "Fuurinkazan" will occupy more than half of the year, I'll push forward with recording a new album and preparations for a new project at the same time. Needless to say, I have a lot of new plans. Please look forward to it!"



source: http://www.music-ups.jp/pc/pickup/01.php