Entry tags:

interview translation, mask

MASK Interview...
I found a MASK interviews in a Thai magazine, and I thought some of you might be interested since I've never seen any MASK translations around~ 8D

Please be noted that I found this interview in a Thai magazine who had translated it from the original Japanese. I'm just translating it to English. Therefore, there might be several mistakes in translations and such. I'm sorry in advanced if there are any (> <)


At last, it seems like you have found a new vocalist.
Michiru: Congratulations!

How did you meet each other?
Michiru: We had written an advertisement searching for a vocalist in SHOXX. When looking at all the people who applied, we saw a person who radiated a very sparkling aura. It was Jin-san who had the talent and bright aura. Please introduce yourself!
Jin: Yes. I'm Jin. Nice to meet you (smiles)
Everyone: (laughs)

Did you know MASK before you applied?
Jin: Yes, I was familiar with them before.

And what was impressive about each band member?
Jin: Sana-san and Nana-san both have scary images, but they actually aren't scary at all. They are very kind. Kazutake looks like a calm person, and his personality does match with his image.

What about Michiru-san?
Jin: I couldn't tell what kind of person he was from looking at his pictures. I really couldn't tell. But when I met him, I thought he was a really funny person.

What do you think about the songs and music of MASK?
Jin: I really like the songs of the band. But I feel that my voice doesn't really reach the key. I must practice a lot more.

And what does everyone else think of Jin-san?
Kazutake: He came at the perfect time. Meeting him was very pleasant. I had a very good feeling after the first time we met. Isn't that an important thing for people who are going to be in the same band?
Michiru: A small person, but a very big heart. (laugh) He plays catch ball very well and his ideology is very interesting.
Nana: A very happy person and still very young. Still a child. (smiles sheepishly)
Everyone: (laughs)
Sana: The first time we met, I thought was very cool. We would be very happy if we could get a vocalist like him. And if I had to find a rival, I think Jin-kun is the best match.

After meeting each other you must've all felt joyous.
Michiru: When we agreed, Jin didn't really have time to think it over. But with good feelings he agreed to follow. I think that the important element of a musician is not the amount of experience or lives they have had, but the amount of intention they have. And of course cheerfulness and happiness helps mend the cracks and build the band.

The cheerfulness that you mentioned, is it really so obviously seen?
Jin: Well, it's just cheerfulness...
Everyone: (laugh)
Kazutake: I have felt that cheerfulness, and of course I must continue to play the bass better.
Sana: Jin-kun is the kind of person who will say 'hai'* every time we're talking. No matter what we are talking about, Jin will agree without thinking about it. He's a strange person -- very exotic.

Up to this day, how is your experience? You seem to have been in a band before this.
Jin: Yes, I have. But it's more like a band with one person. Since I used to sing in temples.

More like a chorus?
Jin: I began when I was in 8th grade**, and broke of to form a band for the first time in 9th grade***. Back then I played the drums, because I didn't like being a vocalist. I really didn't want to sing. Apart from singing, I also played many instruments. However, in the end I couldn't escape singing. I was forced into being the vocalist (pulls an ashamed expression). I never played music in a large live house before. This is also the first time I have been interviewed by a magazine. Because I really liked volleyball, I never thought that I would choose to become a musician. In 9th grade, I decided to become an athlete. I wanted to play seriously, but in the end...quit...and then... (seems like he's going to continue speaking)
Michiru: That's enough! Stop talking now!
Everyone: (laughs)

It seems like the atmosphere within the band has changed?
Kazutake: Yes, it changed quite a bit.
Michiru: It seems like a person who talks more than Michiru has joined. This is starting to get dangerous (laughs).

Is the talking that much?
Sana: I never met a person who talks this much. He's as noisy as a car's engine (laughs).
Michiru: It's just as if we entered summer. Energetic like we're at a festival.
Kazutake: Even with things we've never talked about as a band, when Jin came he just babbled on and on. It was amazing.
Jin: I'm also very close with everyone (openly smiles).
Everyone: LIAR!!!
Jin: EH!?
Everyone: (laughs)

(smiles sheepishly) It seems like the atmosphere within the band is very different from before. From now on, what will the direction of the music be?
Kazutake: We will think a lot about the fans and put in some of us.
Michiru: I think that the songs will be produced with MASK's standards.

There will also be a new song released soon, am I correct?
Michiru: I think that we will start working after August. For now we will work hard with lives.

As a songwriter, will the songs change since there is a new vocalist?
Sana: Well, I see some changed versions, but it still isn't so clear. (smiles sheepishly).
Kazutake: The songs might be a little lighter, a little more popish. In order to advance to the next step, I have the intentions to keep producing songs.

What kind of vocalist is Jin-san?
Jin: Very bad. My singing is terrible (laughs).
Everyone: (laughs)
Michiru: I told you to act normally. Don't be so tense (laughs).

(smiles sheepishly) Do you think you will survive?
Jin: From now on I will try my best (laughs).
Kazutake: But I really like his voice. Every live seems to be improving impressively.
Jin: It would be unacceptable if it was worse than this (laughs).
Everyone: (laughs)
Michiru: He's a very colorful person.

What do you think as MASK's vocalist?
Jin: I can't see the future clearly yet, but accepting me as a member might cause a lot of chaos (smiles sheepishly). No matter what, I'll do my best. To make up with the luckiness of being here.
Kazutake: When we first spoke, Jin said 'I will try to be a hindrance of everyone'. These words made me feel happy.
Jin: Eh!? I said that!?
Everyone: (laughs)
Michiru: It feels nice and strong. There is happiness, anger, sadness, and fun that we are all in the same band. That is the best thing isn't it? Expressing emotions clearly.

What are the plans after this?
Michiru: On August 27, there will be a live at Harajukuid. It's a small group. In October we will go to Toumeisaka. And on the 10th and 11th of November is the 2 Disc One Man at the Astro Hall. Oh, the 11th is performing.

It seems that after this, there are regular activities?
Michiru: There are many more, because we want to keep going on. I think that MASK will surely be able to climb over the wall, and we will slowly advance. Starting from August 23, I hope that everyone will come to our First live.

And what is the intention or aim of the live?
Sana: I think we 5 will want to go with all our strength.
Jin: We try to make it the best stage. Please take care of us. It would be very lonely if during the live no one calls out my name. Please call Jin's name!
Sana: We are finally going to perform on a big stage for everyone.
Kazutake: We will do our best like every time, but our concentration will be far more than before.
Michiru: DUSTAR-3-san will come and help play the guitar. I think this time's performance will be amazing. We won't give up. No matter what we are going to become the coolest band.
Kazutake: Because we have god (laughs).
Sana: Hey! What are you saying? Be responsible for what you said! (laughs) No matter what, we will become the coolest band!
Michiru: Is it not the coolest musicians?
Sana: Eh? It's okay to not talk about the band?

In conclusion, you all want to become the coolest band, am I correct? (laughs)
Everyone: Yes, exactly.

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*hai = yes
**8th grade = second year middle school
***9th grade = third year middle school






There are several other interviews that I found while looking back.
So, if you're interested please tell me, I'll gladly do more :D
If you'd rather not see these kind of interviews in the future....then please tell me as well (.__.)