barbosa2007 | Wink Up Sept 2010 - Aiba Masaki (Reply)

A long overdue translation. I just need to finish up Matsujun's interview before I'm done with this series. Enjoy!

What do you think the fans like about Arashi?

If I knew what it was, then I wouldn’t be falling into the ice-cold water, or getting criticized for my clothes in Himitsu no Arashi-chan… right? (laughs) I wonder what it could be… I have no idea. The people who watch us laugh and become more lively… They may get an impetus to begin on something new… I mean, that’s what we’ve been aiming for in all that we do, right? Such as in our live performances or in our concerts.

If people come to appreciate us for the things we were aiming for, and then come to our concerts because of that, it really lights up my day. Everyone has the same spirit and enjoys the [concert] immensely. We do our work with the spirit of wanting to share that special atmosphere [at concerts] with the people who come. So if you were to ask me what the fans like about us, I wouldn’t know much since I haven’t analysed it.

Tell us about “Boku no Miteiru Fuukei”.

There are lots of places you should be listening out for! Firstly, Aiba’s solo. (laughs) Because this is our first album in a long while, I… kinda have this strange feeling about it. Perhaps it applies to my solo as well… It feels like I overdid it. (laughs) We pretty much went at it at full throttle, so the lyrics and melody were amazing stuff. That’s why we’re on a roll. Right now, the thing which I’d like to express most is “being on a roll”, I guess. (laughs) It’s because that’s the kind of solo that’s in the album… How should I put it, putting aside the issue of the solo, there are 10 new songs on the album as well. There are ballads, a number of relatively cool songs and also songs with a Pop sound to them. It covers a wide range of styles. It would really make me happy if people out there could listen to the album and then come for our concerts.

Forgive this sudden question, but please tell us an interesting story which happened recently!

The other day, I had an appointment to eat BBQ with Himura-san from Banana-man. I arrived at the meeting place slightly earlier [than the appointed time], and deliberated on whether I should go into the restaurant first. I decided not to and instead went to a nearby café to have a drink. Just as a I entered, the person next to me set her mobile ringtone as “Troublemaker”. It was a slightly older woman, but I was super hyped. I thought to myself, “Ah, I’m gonna get found out!” Our eyes met for countless times… Actually not. But I had the feeling that she was stealing glances at me. I was not discovered at all. They went back without noticing me. (laughs) Then, when I met Himura-san, I immediately told him about this incident. And Himura-san said, “Aah, since her ringtone was set to Troublemaker, she must have been Sho-chan’s fan.” And I accepted it after that. (laughs)

Tell us about the tour.

I was in my second year at middle school when I first appeared in a senior’s concert. I felt that it was such a great atmosphere, and ever since then, whenever we sing, dance or perform in our live appearances, I still think that it is our starting point. I liked the stage of “live performances”, and when we became Arashi, I deeply remember the concerts that we held as a group. We felt really uncertain about whether people would come to watch our concert. That’s why even now, I am moved the most at the moment we first appear on stage. I say, “Look at how many people have come to see us!” And to think that these people have chosen to spend their precious time with Arashi. It touches my heart! That’s why I don’t want to forget my origins, and performing live is one of my joys. With the new album in the forefront, we would like to work hard on this fresh tour.

Comments are appreciated!