Just a quick short translation, sorry for mistakes!
Credits: Hannah (LianaiGeming21)
Ishii Rika is an independent artist who was at one time was under the spotlight as Peachy, then in the famous Hello! Project known for its Japanese idols. For six years she has given new meaning to her career. By taking risks it has built a new musical world much more true to her personality and what she wants to share it now with the public. The year 2009 was a busy year for the artist with the release of the single "Blue" and participation in the project "Such a Beautiful Girl Like You", intertwined with numerous concerts in Japan.
How did you get started in the world of music and what attracted you to this?
It was under the influence of my sister who was aged 10 years older than me and she listened all the time music. So there was plenty of time to listen to the music in my situation. Although I didn't understand the meaning of the words in my childhood, I listened to the melody and sang the music that flooded the house and I felt really happy. I had a deeply instilled desire to become a singer in the future since I heard the voice of Yoshida Miwa of "Dreams come true". I really fell in love with her singing powerfully while having a smile each time and then I also had a desire to help people with my songs. I started by going to a music school in my neighborhood during my years in high school and I released a CD through an independent label of Hiroshima.
Much of the public became acquainted with you with your first single as "Peachy" and then following through your work with Hello! Project. What impact have these experiences on your career and what do you remember of those years?
I learned many important things from the artist Kaori Okui, singer of the former group Princess Princess, whom produced me as "Peachy" and I also learned from musicians who have supported me through the recordings and live performances. The records in a very limited timing and promotional activities across the country were very hard. However, going through such an experience, now any kind of situation is possible for me to continue my journey.
Additionally, the experience of "Hello! Project" reminded me what I really want to show and what I really want to express. My friends of Hello! Project shined when they were with me on stage, even in the most difficult situations. Sometimes we go shopping and drank tea together during our breaks. Most of the activity as a member of Hello! Project seemed to be time spent in school but the being with all those wonderful friends is now a treasure for me.
How did you make the decision to terminate your career as an idol and what were the reactions of the public and music professionals?
As an idol in Hello! Project, I did some concerts on big stages, I also spent time on television programs. These experiences were very pleasant. However, when I spent all these days as an idol, a thought came to my heart; "I want to convey my words in my songs with everyone and directly" and it became stronger every day. When I discussed my desire to end my career as an idol, my family, my friends and of course the music industry teams of course objected to this idea. I was really sorry to my fans and the team who supported my career and I was keeping this to myself about this idea. I was imagining my future. Two years after what did I want to be? Ten years after what did I want to be? The answer to that was very clear to me. I have only one life, I wanted to be myself and I still continue to question myself today.
As an idol in Hello! Project, I did some concerts on big stages, I also spent time on television programs. These experiences were very pleasant. However, when I spent all these days as an idol, a thought came to my heart; "I want to convey my words in my songs with everyone and directly" and it became stronger every day. When I discussed my desire to end my career as an idol, my family, my friends and of course the music industry teams of course objected to this idea. I was really sorry to my fans and the team who supported my career and I was keeping this to myself about this idea. I was imagining my future. Two years after what did I want to be? Ten years after what did I want to be? The answer to that was very clear to me. I have only one life, I wanted to be myself and I still continue to question myself today.
You're now an independent artist and listening to songs we can feel in a very intimate environment. How would you define your musical style and what are the main differences with what you did before?
Thank you for that wonderful expression! I loved the world pictured like *Nabi by Bonnard and Vuillard.
The big difference compared to my old job is done because I'm writing the lyrics and the songs by myself. The musical production is done by singing with a musical instrument, mainly the piano. I began by establishing the lyrics or sound, depending on the song. Regarding the arrangements, I have established a music stand with other musicians who do the arrangements. I'm aiming for a sound that does not fade, even after 30 years. During the recordings, I try to have a direct, basic sound.
Your new single "Blue" was presented to the public this year. What is the spirit of this song and how did you work on it?
This was the first stage of life. In it were more moments where I laughed as much as when I cried. This song reflects all these thoughts. One afternoon during a pleasant day, I was in the train. When I looked at the people who went in and the scenes that paraded through the train windows, the melody and lyrics of the main part of the songs were being born. I returned home immediately and I composed the entire music playing the piano. The song is a music that I composed for a plain heart. I will certainly continue to sing this song with the heart that I felt then.
You do a lot of live concerts in particular in places like the friendly livespace Mona Favorite Records and Cafe. What kind of atmosphere can you bring this kind of place with your music and what is your best memory of your live shows? The lives in warm places like livespace is like having a party at home. In entertaining the people who come to hear my songs with music and good food and making lives in these places brings nostalgia to my music. Everyone does their best every day at each location. If the music brings a sound to a place that allows people to feel better and that place makes you want to go back through my song, I am very happy to have done that.
You seem to have a bond with the MySpace community site especially with your latest project: "Such a beautiful girl like you."Can you tell us a little about this album and how the idea came?
"Such a beautiful girl like you" was produced as a project of MySpace Japan. It is a compilation that Mona Records and MySpace Japan co-produced to showcase new artists and women who were registered with MySpace Japan. MySpace supports the production and promotion of several independent artists now. I am one of those artists. I joined a collaborative project that MySpace will do to promote new independent artists.
Do you think that an artist can exist without an independent internet and what your vision of the potential impact of the internet through culture and music?
As an artist, I make a song, I sing and I play. You can still express yourself without internet. But I think the internet is an effective tool for more people can listen to music and in return they send us some "sympathy".
To survive as an artist, I think the most important thing is that artists can express their music while keeping their passion. To change the world, it depends on how artists can use materials or tools like the internet. I think the current situations are that CD sales continue to decline including dissemination via the internet and it's really unfortunate. However, I will continue to use sites such as MySpace in the future. And I want to increase opportunities for people to listen to my music, not only in Japan but also abroad.
Many people on the internet just love your music but do not know how to get your CDs. How can they and in order to expand your music do you plan to make concerts outside of Japan?
Fans can buy my CDs Japans on a local website, but for those who live outside of Japan it is not possible since it's only for Japanese users. Next year, fans will be able to buy my music through download sites like iTunes. [You can now, I believe] Sometimes I get offers to do live performances outside of Japan, but I have no plan yet to make concerts abroad. I would do lives in France if given the opportunity.
What are your future projects and what can you hope for the continuation of your career?
I will release a mini album in spring 2010. Through this release, I will wish to expand my activities across the country and around the world. And as the next stage of my musical career, I'd like to produce artists one day. I learned many wonderful things from artists that I respect and I would like to convey these things to the next generation.
Note:
*This references to French art from 1890, the year in which Edouard Vuillard met Pierre Bonnard he had joined the Nabis, a group of art students inspired by the synthetism of Gauguin. I think it was joke since the article was in French.
So interesting, I really like what she had to say! A mini album in spring 2010, that's now!?
