the pillows After Their USA Tour

After having their third tour in the USA performing in various cities across the country, Yamanaka Sawao of the pillows took some time to answer JaME's questions about touring, current releases, and more.


Let's begin with your tour this past spring, how successful do you think it went?

Yamanaka: That was the third tour for us in the USA. Therefore, we had as much fun as we always have when we perform in Japan.

During your tour, you performed solo concerts in several cities, but also performed at the anime convention Anime Boston. What are some differences you noticed between performing during those solo lives and Anime Boston?

Yamanaka: The way the audience dressed up was different.

How were the pillows received at Anime Boston? Was it anything like you expected? Please tell us more from that event.

Yamanaka: The number of people who came to our concert was the largest that we ever had in the USA. We were surprised that more than 5,000 people actually came to our show.

This is not your first tour in the USA, but please share with us some moments that stand out the most - positive or negative? We understand a lot happens, but what is something that stood out most?

Yamanaka: We had performances in Texas and San Francisco. There was a big temperature difference of 104°F in Texas and 50°F in San Francisco. Also, while we were performing in Seattle the staged moved because it was a simple stage and then the audience surged ahead.

It is obvious that Japanese and overseas fans react differently toward certain songs or releases. Can you tell us some differences you make in choosing which songs to perform depending on where you are performing?

Yamanaka: There isn't quite such a difference between performing in Japan and in the USA. However, when we sang our slow songs, the audience in the USA listened to our music much quieter than those in Japan.

the pillows have quite an extensive repertoire, which has been each of your favorite album or song and why?

Yamanaka: The newest song is our favorite because we made a song that we want to listen to today.

Even though you play various types of music, what are some themes that the pillows like to stick with or want to express to your listeners?

Yamanaka: We try to make songs that we can enjoy listening to so that the audience can also enjoy our music.

In a previous interview with JaME you mentioned that it is not a problem composing music since you do it on a daily basis; surely there must be times when you have writer's block. Can you explain how you go about overcoming this temporary problem?

Yamanaka: We never have writer's block.

You've previous mentioned that Strange Chameleon was a memorable achievement. What is it about that single that makes it so?

Yamanaka: This work was made when we were having a difficult time to operate our activities. Therefore, this work is memorable for us.

The cover of your upcoming single New Animal portray a giant boy in a city, helicopters flying around him, with people and Buster-kun watching from the top of a building. What's the story behind this song and what kind of sound can we expect?

Yamanaka: Our theme was, "it's not a bad thing that you cannot adapt to society or communities at all because you are a new living thing." This song is for the UK rather than for the USA.

How about the two other songs on the single: Finger post of magic and Mr.Droopy. Can you tell us something about these songs as well?

Yamanaka: For Finger post of magic, my friends who came from the same place as me, Hokkaido--my home town--participated in the chorus part of this song. Mr.Droopy describes our pop sense (taste).

On the same day as the New Animal release, your label DELICIOUS LABEL will also release the compilation album ELECTRIC RAYS. How did you determine which songs were going to be on it? Did you specifically compose these songs with keeping a certain theme in mind to fit to the compilation album?

Yamanaka: The DELICIOUS LABEL features alternative songs, and because these bands were brought together, our song is also a little bit alternative.

In June, you will release the album Pied Piper. What can we expect from this?

Yamanaka: This album describes that we can take everybody into the rock field.

Considering you already have some anime experience working with "FLCL," how is "MOONLIGHT MILE" different? How did you receive this opportunity and how did you decide which track would be used?

Yamanaka: "MOONLIGHT MILE" was my favorite; therefore, I was very happy when they told me that they wanted to use this work [Scarecrow]. I was already thinking that this song would sell as a single, then because they liked this work, he used it without arrangement.

Your recent PVs are all cartoons rather than real life things. Why did you decide on this and how do you come up with the storylines for these videos?

Yamanaka: It was done this way because the song matched with animation. The story was created by the director who made the promotion video.

Yamanaka, you have also composed for other artists, such as the song Sayonara Summer for PUFFY last year. How do you go about composing for their artists, is it much different for you to compose for other artists than for the pillows?

Yamanaka: There isn't a difference because these artists who want us to compose "the pillows'-like songs."

And finally, please give a final message to all your international fans.

Yamanaka: We are thinking that we will have performances in other counties other than in the USA. Please look forward to it in near the future.

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JaME would like to thank Avex for making the interview possible, Kanae Jitozono for her help with translating, and Yamanaka Sawao for taking his time to answer our questions.