Interview After Japan Nite

HearJapan had an interview with Asakusa Jinta right after their Japan Nite performance.

Yukari: I want to ask you a few questions about tonight’s performance.
Oshow: This was the second time I performed in New York, and both times the audience responded so quickly, it’s really a lot of fun. They were really into it, even though I can’t speak English. I simply wanted to express myself through music, so just being on stage was fulfilling.

Yukari: You’ve played in other areas of the U.S. up to this point, do you feel that the audience responds quickly in other regions as well?
Oshow: It’s different place to place, but this time we only performed in New York and Austin, and last time we hit 8 different cities, it’s apparent that each place is subtly different. The crowd’s response and atmosphere.

Yukari: Depends on the type of audience, I take it?
Oshow: The buzz of information travels fast in festivals, especially in New York and Austin.

Yukari: Do you think Japanese audiences are more shy?
Oshow: For sure. Although I think there’s no difference in how a Japanese crowd and a foreign crowd perceives it, there are certainly differences in how they react with their bodies and voices. The difference being, over here they came to have a good time, and in Japan they came to watch.

Yukari: Certainly.
Oshow: In Japan, if everyone is screaming and shouting then it’s ok to do the same, but over here one person can do the same thing and they could care less what anyone else is doing. *laughs

Yukari: That’s for sure. I want to ask about the new album. It’s a pretty general question but, what’s different from the last one?
Oshow: There’s a stronger sense of color, spirit and native-ness. And it’s more soulful rather than conceptual… Maybe it’s a bit hard to grasp. *laughs. Just because our name has Asakusa in it doesn’t mean we’ll simply sing about Asakusa, on the contrary there’s very little to sing about. However, I think through the melodies and stuff like that it will appeal to the listener. Rather than just entertainment, it has a lot of soul. There’s a lot of sentiment.

Yukari: Would you say it’s a very passionate album?
Oshow: Yes. I think the lyrics reflect true emotions within me, no dressing it up for the sake of it.

Yukari: Thanks a lot for you time.