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What thoughts did SCANDAL have during these ten years? 【MAMI & RINA edition】
―― Looking back on these past ten years, is there anything you felt anew?
MAMI: That we really didn't understand anything when we first started.
RINA: Yeah. We were just really frantic back then.
MAMI: That's right. I think for me, especially, my feelings towards everything--the band, instruments, our visual aspect--were more insensitive than anyone else's. It's not that I changed gradually, but I think everything changed just before we started writing our own songs. By living our lives as a band, I began to think about what I ought to do.
――What specific changes happened?
MAMI: The way I listen to music changed. I began to take interest in all kinds of things. I still have so much more to study, but after that had changed, I didn't think about anything almost to the point of thinking, "Eh?! What should I do? Sleep?" when I would look back on who I was until that point. But, I believe that who I was until that point did her best in her own way. It felt like I just managed to get through things. It's because I went through that is why I want to do so many things now. That's why I'm glad there was a point of time where I didn't think about anything.
――It's because humans don't understand things in the heat of the moment.
MAMI: Yes! That's so true! I don't regret it because it was an important time in my life. But, thinking about it now, I wish I had studied even more. Each day of each year was so profound.
――What about you, RINA?
RINA: It's the same for me. These ten years were truly the best. Even at the end of my life, I'll think of how glad I was to be a part of SCANDAL. It's my entire youth and will forever be my core. It's so important to me. Since I had been dreaming about this kind of world since I was little, nothing has changed since the time of our major debut. But, I feel that my ambitions and wants are becoming more colorful. I'm clearing the things I'm bad at a little at a time. That's why I think there's still much more to come and that everything starts from here on.
――It's like things are still developing.
RINA: Yes. We're truly still on our way. What I mean by that is we've been fighting against ourselves during these ten years.
――A while back, when I grabbed RINA's arm for a second, I was surprised at how it's so delicate but the muscles under your elbow are very defined. I remember thinking, "She really practices hard, doesn't she?" It was so heart-pounding that I was on the verge of tears.
RINA: Ahaha. It was heart-pounding, was it (laughs)? But that makes me happy. My muscles are really defined because I practice with all my strength. I don't think it's hard on me, though. Since I do what I fundamentally want to do and what I like to do, it'll always be fun and enjoyable for me. For that, the more we play lives, the more confident I become. Similarly, there are also days I don't have confidence. It's not easy. I think each year were ones where it seemed like the same thing can't happen twice.
――SCANDAL is your entire life, isn't it?
RINA: Yes. But recently, you know, I've been searching for something outside of music that rounds myself out. I can now challenge myself to do all sorts of things, and I feel that my way of living has become very open. Going out, taking trips by myself, going to language school--I never thought that I wanted to learn so much after becoming an adult. I'm currently the most interested I've ever been in many things. Some time ago when I was drinking with the members, they told me, "RINA's entire self is a banner; no matter where she's pressed, the link jumps back to SCANDAL" (laughs).
MAMI: But, you know, it really is like that (laughs). RINA is always thinking about SCANDAL.
RINA: I am always thinking about SCANDAL (laughs). I'm always thinking "Can't we do this?" I want to become stronger for SCANDAL's sake, so I'm always thinking "What can I do?" every day.
――Each one of RINA's emotions becomes a piece of SCANDAL's music and a piece of the lyrics. When MAMI writes music or lyrics, how does it start from 0 and turn into 1?
MAMI: I'm very much influenced by music I like listening to. I always go back to my favorite musical roots even while writing songs. Although I listen to many kinds of music, I really do go back to my roots. Now I have "MAMI-like songs." When I bring along songs I've written, the members will often tell me, "That's so MAMI-like!" I've become able to understand that kind of "individuality" recently.
――That's awesome that you were able to understand your individuality for yourself. That's also an incredible strength. You make your roots as your own and are able to make that part of your personality.
MAMI: For better or worse, I look at that very objectively. That's why, for a while, I didn't have that awareness of making songs for ourselves--I made them with a "MAMI is making songs for a band called SCANDAL" sense. Staff members have actually told me that, and I was somehow able to understand that meaning.
――I see. That differs from RINA. RINA just said that she doesn't make songs from a third-party perspective.
RINA: That's right. I think I'm really in the middle. In my case, there are words that come forth precisely because of our current situations, and a theme I want to write about is born due of my lifestyle.
――It's directly connected.
RINA: Yes. I think it's directly connected. That's why, you know, I've been thinking recently that the ways we live our daily lives are so important.
――The evolution in lyrics is connected to RINA's evolution.
RINA: That's right. Recently I've had many chances to go eat and drink with musicians. Up until now I would avoid times like that, but recently I made my own rule of not trying not to refuse invites and am trying to go as much as possible. It's a wonder that the number of people inviting me out has increased. So, I got a few more friends in our tenth year (laughs). We mainly talk about music, but it really is fun to listen to other peoples' stories. There have been many times I've been told that their image of me changed after us talking together, which makes me wonder how in the world did they see me before (laughs)? Also, since SCANDAL has appeared on TV from our start, there have been some misunderstandings regarding our public image. But, by talking to people one-on-one, they understand that we're the bandmen with the same heart. That is truly enjoyable for me right now. That's such a big evolution since I was someone who was like "I'm okay being with just the members!" (laughs).
◆What are the emotions included in 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 and 「HELLO」?
――Regarding new songs 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 and 「HELLO」 on your best album 『SCANDAL』, RINA wrote the lyrics and MAMI wrote the music for both songs. What kinds of emotions do they have, and what forms did they take?
RINA: 「HELLO」 was completed a little while ago as a heated-up song that we wanted everyone to hear when the right timing came along. We initially selected it because our best album hits stores on Valentine's Day and we wanted people to listen to a love song perfect for the season. For 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 it's exactly the opposite--we wanted to a killer tune packed with our best aspects. We began writing from the lyrics, keeping an intense melody and coolness in mind.
MAMI: We decided to include 「HELLO」 first, so we thought of how we wanted to include the exact opposite essence. The members discussed it and completed 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」. 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 made the ideal form of SCANDAL. It feels like we included all of our special moves in it. It's a song we're very happy with, in regards to being able to write this kind of song at the same timing of our tenth anniversary and being able to include it in this best album. It became a culmination song in a good way. Of course, it doesn't mean that we have no future; it's that it means that it's a culmination of our ten years.
――It certainly is a song that includes everything. But, it's a bit surprising that the lyrics came first. You'd imagine that the music came first.
RINA: Right. There's a message we really want to convey. We wrote this song while imagining a scene of asserting your freedom and marching on the streets. There's an overwhelming amount of middle and high school students among our listeners, and the message we most want to convey to them is "We want you to live freely." There are many times when you ask yourself "Who am I?", and I think the influences from your favorite music around that time in your life has a profound effect on you. It also has the power to greatly influence your life from then on and your future, so we wanted to say to those kids, "You can live freely" and "Choose the future you want for yourself." It was necessary to have original views to put those words into lyrics, so we took our time to carefully write it. We're making songs during various conflicts while asking ourselves questions. It actually took a long time to give a shape to 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」. We were worried; it was clear that there was something we wanted to convey, and because it was so strong, it was hard to grasp and it took a long time. Because we will be telling people strong messages, we must write only the songs that we truly want to do. We have many ways to make songs, but we can only make songs that we can continue to perform for the rest of our lives--we thoroughly stuck with that as we wrote it.
――Your feelings towards yourselves shows there too.
RINA: That's right! We wanted to reach all of our fans, but it became a song that also encouraged the band. It feels like we're fighting together.
――That's true. But, you four are still in your 20s. Even though there are still people in the world who have not yet determined their own paths, it's because the four of you have been living your lives as SCANDAL from early on, that you were able to create 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 as real feelings.
RINA: That's right. There truly are words and sounds that we couldn't have produced if we didn't go on this journey. But, you know, that's why it's also been a challenge for us to release this song into this world. We, who have been able to continue saying this, must stay as we are. We worked hard in order to proudly be able to send out this song. That got us fired up again.
――You didn't want to support everyone irresponsibly.
RINA: Yeah. If we lived in such a way where we wouldn't have been able to proudly send out a song, we couldn't have been able to properly convey this message.
MAMI: Right. I really think that's our mode right now. It feels like, without having to say anything, all of our consciousnesses are focused on the band when the four of us talk about what kind of lives we want to play and what kind of stages we want to stand on from this point on. By being in this mode we believed that we were able to deliver 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 and were able to put it on this album. It's because I think that this song is one where we needed that kind of resolution and had to do it. We made sure to confirm it together and include it in the album, so we hope to prove our feelings we entrusted here over the course of our tenth year..
◆What are words that have supported MAMI and RINA?
―― There's a phrase in 「HELLO」, "Words you gave me." Do you each have words that support you?
MAMI: There are words that made me take notice of something. We have times when we want to do many things ourselves; like, I had a time when I suddenly went blonde. Everyone told me "You've changed, haven't you?" at the time. I had only changed the color of my hair, but it definitely was a time when I was able to naturally be ambitious in regards to lives and song production. Those around me all said "You've changed, haven't you." It didn't really occur to me at the time, but I understood it later on. This made me realize again that everyone's words made me develop self-awareness.
――That's a great story. How about for RINA?
RINA: For me, it was something that our long-time manager said. I feel that we have the same ways of thinking. That manager always tells me, "There isn't anything you can't do, so feel free to do whatever you'd like. You guys aren't 'goody two-shoes' ; just go out and do what you want to do." Those words give me courage to play music. After we started SCANDAL I've always thought, "Someday we'll all die." Someday our lives will come to an end, so when there's something that I want to do, I make sure to do it. That perfectly describes 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 right there (laughs)!
◆What feelings do you want to convey to each of the members?
――May we ask about messages you'd tell the members since it's your tenth anniversary?
RINA: This is kind of embarrassing.
MAMI: Eh~. I wonder.
――All right, how about HARUNA first?
MAMI: HARU-chan? Okay. SCANDAL's beginning was special, so we started off from not knowing anything. But, amidst that, we became a band and sang while playing instruments. I think that must have been especially hard on HARU-chan, who became our leader. She was a third year high schooler at the time. HARU-chan had a dream of being a singer, and being in a leading position, she had to pull us along. When I think about those times, I think of how she really put up with a lot. She's someone who is well-attuned to many things and can deal with them too. Being together for such a long time, I've come to understand the parts she's not too good at. She's the type that gets stronger, doesn't complain, and has endurance, so I think the three of us must follow and support each other. I think SCANDAL will become more and more band-oriented from here on, and I understand that HARU-chan will desperately be trying to change, so I'm really looking forward to what she'll become!
RINA: Thanks as always. I've always been watching HARUNA from the back. She's always standing firm at the last second even when it seems like she has time to spare, and she's worked hard to stand on stage, so I think that that's really cool. She's a rock goddess. She's always fighting with herself. I want her to become who she wants to be and always shine on. Together, let's do a ton of things you want to do! Love you.
――To TOMOMI.
MAMI: TOMO-chan, huh. I've truly always respected her dexterity. What comes from TOMOMI is like turning a jack-in-the-box upside down. Her lyrics are also unique and she has something that others absolutely do not have. I think she's someone who is very talented, so I want her to keep continuing on without changing; like, "It's okay to have more confidence in yourself." The members, staff, and fans all recognize TOMO-chan; have more confidence in yourself! That's what I'd like to say.
RINA: Yeah. TOMOMI can do anything, so it feels great watching her. We say that a dexterous person is someone who's like TOMOMI. Although I think she's often told that she's spontaneous or flighty, she's a very capable person who has her own way of thinking and is a lovely woman of principle. So, I think that it would be great if everyone knew the TOMOMI that only we know. She's such an interesting person......I love her (laughs).
――Ahahaha. A confession (laughs)!? All right, how about each other?
MAMI: We have many responsibilities among the SCANDAL members: HARU-chan is our leader, TOMO-chan is our life and soul, I'm the bandmaster, and RINA-chan is the leader in back who has always been supporting the three of us. We're all inspired by RINA-chan's words and actions. She often says, "Okay let's do our best!" HARU, TOMO, and I are motivated by RINA. She's even speedy with her songwriting, she tells us when she understands us, and we can really count on her. I hope the two of us can continue to write the core parts of SCANDAL's music. Please continue to be a great partner.
RINA: Okay! That makes me happy! But honestly, that does make really embarrassed.
――Finally, RINA to MAMI.
RINA: I think MAMI currently stands at the helm of SCANDAL. The band's future has significantly lengthened due to MAMI's explosive songwriting abilities; she opened a new door for us. We write the songs we want and can go on tours--we're here now because MAMI is here. She's so interesting and so much fun even when we're just having normal conversations. It makes me really happy that we have a member like this in our band. She's an asset of the band and a member I'm proud of. So.......I love her (laughs).
MAMI: Ahahaha. Thank you very much (laughs)!
RINA: I truly do want the four of us to continue to stay together for a long time. Truly.