During our first day at Japan Expo, we met with the members of the Japanese band MAGIC OF LiFE on the 6th of July for an interview filled with a lot of humor.
MAGIC OF LiFE, who you may know under their former name DIRTY OLD MEN, is a Japanese pop-rock band formed by four members: Takatsudo Nobuyuki (Vocal, Guitar), Takumi Yamashita (Guitar), Yuji Watanabe (Bass) and Shotaro Okada (Drums).
They started their career in 2005 after they signed a contract with SONY MUSIC. Some time after, they released their first album “PRESENT” which marked an important step for the band.
12 years later, here they are, in France at Japan Expo for showcases and signing events with their fans.
You want to know more about them? This interview is for you!
Hi, could you start by presenting yourself and the band?
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: We are the Japanese band MAGIC OF LiFE and I am the vocalist.
Yamashita Takumi: I am the band’s guitarist. My name is Yamashita Takumi.
Watanabe Yuji: My name is Watanabe Yuji, I am the bassist.
Okada Shotaro: I am Okada Shotaro, the drummer.
You know each other since high school. Why do you think this is something that can be important in a band today?
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: I think that it’s music that is the link between us. And that is what is important for us. That is the first link that exists between us.
Before changing your name, you were called Dirty Old Men. Why did you decide to change it? What does your new name, MAGIC OF LiFE, mean?
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: I started to do music at only 10 years old. At that time, I wasn’t self-confident. But when I was going on stage, I just was taking my courage in both hands. When I saw our fans crying, cheering on me, it felt like magic. That is what gave me the courage to overcome my fears and doubts. That is the origin of the name MAGIC OF LiFE.
Last April, you released the single “Senkou Hanabi”. Do you have any other project for this year?
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: We would really like to release a new album this year ! If possible in the year, maybe at the end of 2017… We cannot tell any precise date for now.
(laughs)
In Japan, you are considered as the ambassadors of Tochigi Prefecture and you wrote the song entitled “Tochisuke” for this city. What did you want to share with this song?
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: With the Tochisuge-Kun mascot, we would like to make people in Japan and all over the world, discover the charms of the prefecture of Tochigi. That is what we wanted to share with this song.
Some of your songs are used for animes. Do you think that it participates in increasing your popularity?
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: Yes I think so. It gave us the opportunity to reach more people and not only fans of Japanese rock music. We were able to make our audience wider.
It’s the first time you are coming in France at Japan Expo. Had you heard of this event before coming?
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: Yes of course! It is really popular in Japan and we wanted to come since a long time! We are very very happy to be here!
Which projects would you like to do besides of music?
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: I am very happy that our music is coming outside Japan. When I am meeting a translator I think “that’s awesome to speak two languages”. So I think in the future I may like to try learning a new language et maybe become a translator too.
CKJ : French is the best language!
(laughs)
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: You are the best!
(laughs)
Do you have a message for your French audience?
Okada Shotaro: I really like wine. As I heard France is the country of wine, I suggest you to come and have a good time listening us with a glass of wine!
CKJ: That is a good idea!
Okada Shotaro: Tchin Tchin! [Editor’s Note: “tchin tchin” (used to clink glasses in France) means “wee wee” in Japanese which explains why the other members laughed a lot. It Japanese it is said “kanpai”.]
(laughs)
Watanabe Yuji: France is the country of fashion. I think it is beautiful since I like fashion a lot. So you should come listen to our music well dressed.
Yamashita Takumi: For me, France is the country of cheese, it is really famous. I suggest you to eat a tasty cheeseboard when listening to us.
Nobuyuki Takatsudo: French people like animes and mangas. I think our music which is used for animes can reach a lot of people. French people our fans of Japanese Culture that is why our music can please them.
Yamashita Takumi: With cheese.
(laughs)
You are coming at Japan Expo? Come to see them at:
July 7, signing at sumiré 1 at 10:30 am, at 4:30 pm on the Yuzu stage with Wasuta.
July 8, signing at sumiré 1 at 1:30 pm, showcase on the Karasu stage at 3:45 pm.
You can also find them on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicoflifeJP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MAGICOFLiFE_JP
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicoflife_jp/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzx6fhk8cXShQoPR4duEjA
Official website: http://magicoflife.jp/
Thanks a lot to the band MAGIC OF LIFE for taking time to meet us,
and to the festival Japan Expo for making this interview possible!
