Maaya updated her website today with her new 'Hot at Present' corner where she tells us briefly about the things she's thought about or encountered recently. Here's the translation:
Hot at Present! 30th April 2009
◎ Recent Spring
It’s definitely spring! I changed my clothing for the season – come quickly summer! Wait…I’m not really someone who likes summer that much...it’s just I’ve lost interest in the coldness. I want to walk in a t-shirt soon!
◎ Recent Sneakers
I don’t usually wear sneakers very often but recently I brought some because a very kind shop assistant a sneaker shop. Fresh!
◎ Recent “Kazeyomi”
The live DVD is coming closer! The first pressing has a “Jump out case”…I’m excited to know how it exactly it will jump out!!
◎ Recently my stomach sank at…
The cell phones I’ve had for less than a year often break so I’m always changing models suddenly…I don’t understand why it happens...
◎ Recently Mysterious
I have so many glasses I can’t possible count them all. When they get made up at the opticians I think “Wow! They’re great” but when I try them after I get home something is wrong somehow. I wonder why?
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Live Tour 2009 WE ARE KAZEYOMI Notes
Well! Here's a big one! Maaya's official site updated this week with a new mini site to commemorate the release of her first live DVD, the recording of the Tokyo show of her hall tour WE ARE KAZEYOMI which took place in January. On the site it has the usual information but there was a rather large section which contained notes on the live written by Shinya Ueno. Very interesting which of course means they were difficult to translate (haha). Well, enjoy! It's a nice insight for people who are getting the DVD:
Maaya Sakamoto 2009 Live Tour "WE ARE KAZEYOMI" Notes
Original text: Ueno Shinya
Taken from here
This January Maaya Sakamoto’s 6th album was released. When the album was finished、she said that she experienced “A happiness that was out of this world”. It wasn’t that the creation of the record had taken months, it wasn’t because it had taken 3 years and 3 months since her last work ‘Yuunagi LOOP’, it was the sense that everything since she began singing, the path she had walked and everything up to this point in time had all been connected into one. It seems to have been a moment of where she looked back from a place with a fine view on her journey up to now and found in her hand a new energy to grab a new dream which reflected her and continue forwards. It was then that the words that fell from her lips were “I want to do a concert”.
And it was this that after the release of the album “Kazeyomi” her first hall tour ‘Sakamoto Maaya LIVE TOUR 2009 “WE ARE KAZEYOMI”’ was decided upon. January 21st in Nagoya, January 22nd in Osaka, January 24th in Tokyo, the tour held in these three venues was the first tour in 5 years that hasn’t been limited mini lives for her fan club. At the venues, the heat of fans with high hopes for seeing her perform for the first time in a long time was felt even before the performance started.
A vivid opening with Maaya coming out in a red mini dress! Made up of Kouno Shin (p,key&g), Sano Yasuo (ds)、Tomohiko Ohkanda (b)、Ishinari Masato (g)、Misawa Izumi (per) and the Oki Shouko Quartet (strings) the sound from the band members echoed out with a brilliant strength and instantly the hall was wrapped in excitement. In the carefully carried out rehearsals not one uncertain element was left to chance for this one day and the motivation of the main person herself was certainly not half-baked. In the songs as well, numbers from the album ‘Kazeyomi’ were certainly there “Get No Satisfaction!”, “Remedy”, “Kazamidori”, her debut song “Yakusoku wa iranai” and “Kiseki no umi”, “Purachina” the representative songs were all there and the line up she chose with the thought of “What I want to sing now” is sure to please both fans who have been with her from her debut and people who are seeing her for the first time. Both powerful and cute enough to make you think there had never been a 5 year gap, her performance on stage communicated the transition between each song’s world view through a delicate singing voice and a bold power of expression. A voice which upon hearing in person, unconstrained and entrancing with clearly overflowing without her voice with the power to spellbind you and make you comfortable without you even realising it, and an appearance which with its small movements holds your eyes and won’t let you look away – surely this is enough to nod and realise: “this is natural talent”.
However, when the live was heading towards its end Maaya began a long MC beginning with the words “I’m doing this tour because I think I felt like I had to explain why it’s been 5 years since I’ve done a concert”. This honest confession about the motivations for this tour was an important moment that deepened the bonds between the audience and Maaya Sakamoto. The weak self that surely most people have in their hearts was standing to face an invisible wall and about to overcome it. Through this tour we were all able to share the moment where Maaya was pushed forward by the album “Kazeyomi” to advance. The dazzling moment when she raised her arms up to the sky passionately singing “Hikari Are” after this MC was a scene so moving as to be permanently burned into one’s heart.
The red mini dress from the first half which so suited happy numbers like “Get No Satisfaction!” and “Praline” was in the second half replaced with a costume change to a black dress for the more calm numbers like “Yakusoku wa iranai” and “Yubiwa” and the contrast was quite dramatic. Through this personal expression in a ‘song’, the things she has thought about and felt during her long career rather were communicated and that Maaya Sakamoto the artist was both serious and real towards the field of music, always being truthful in communicating the feelings of a living person, flesh and blood.
Every moment was something that both the staff and guests could not take their eyes from, the scene when Maaya introduced the final ending, singing “Universe” alone with a piano was moving enough to surprisingly bring forth tears. The DVD “Maaya Sakamoto LIVE TOUR 2009 ‘WE ARE KAZEYOMI’” is definitely filled with must-see items! The second disc includes all of the MC’s from the Tokyo performance are included, document footage of the rehearsal and songs that were only performed in Osaka and Nagoya. You can see all the expressions of Maaya Sakamoto, her nervous face from before the real show, her sigh of relief after finishing playing the piano and then her happy tears. And, more than anything, in this package is something that captures both her courage and the audience’s wonderful energy that filled the entire space with warmth. Even the people who couldn’t go to the concert, with one press of the play button everyone can become “Kazeyomi People” with this release. We can all share in the moment when, after reaching an arrival point, a new door opened. A thing that many people have in common that after a career of 14 years, a new door opening at that arrival point. And on the other side of that door, a wonderful song penetrating the soul with a light to fill you with courage
Text: Ueno Shinya
Maaya Sakamoto 2009 Live Tour "WE ARE KAZEYOMI" Notes
Original text: Ueno Shinya
Taken from here
This January Maaya Sakamoto’s 6th album was released. When the album was finished、she said that she experienced “A happiness that was out of this world”. It wasn’t that the creation of the record had taken months, it wasn’t because it had taken 3 years and 3 months since her last work ‘Yuunagi LOOP’, it was the sense that everything since she began singing, the path she had walked and everything up to this point in time had all been connected into one. It seems to have been a moment of where she looked back from a place with a fine view on her journey up to now and found in her hand a new energy to grab a new dream which reflected her and continue forwards. It was then that the words that fell from her lips were “I want to do a concert”.
And it was this that after the release of the album “Kazeyomi” her first hall tour ‘Sakamoto Maaya LIVE TOUR 2009 “WE ARE KAZEYOMI”’ was decided upon. January 21st in Nagoya, January 22nd in Osaka, January 24th in Tokyo, the tour held in these three venues was the first tour in 5 years that hasn’t been limited mini lives for her fan club. At the venues, the heat of fans with high hopes for seeing her perform for the first time in a long time was felt even before the performance started.
A vivid opening with Maaya coming out in a red mini dress! Made up of Kouno Shin (p,key&g), Sano Yasuo (ds)、Tomohiko Ohkanda (b)、Ishinari Masato (g)、Misawa Izumi (per) and the Oki Shouko Quartet (strings) the sound from the band members echoed out with a brilliant strength and instantly the hall was wrapped in excitement. In the carefully carried out rehearsals not one uncertain element was left to chance for this one day and the motivation of the main person herself was certainly not half-baked. In the songs as well, numbers from the album ‘Kazeyomi’ were certainly there “Get No Satisfaction!”, “Remedy”, “Kazamidori”, her debut song “Yakusoku wa iranai” and “Kiseki no umi”, “Purachina” the representative songs were all there and the line up she chose with the thought of “What I want to sing now” is sure to please both fans who have been with her from her debut and people who are seeing her for the first time. Both powerful and cute enough to make you think there had never been a 5 year gap, her performance on stage communicated the transition between each song’s world view through a delicate singing voice and a bold power of expression. A voice which upon hearing in person, unconstrained and entrancing with clearly overflowing without her voice with the power to spellbind you and make you comfortable without you even realising it, and an appearance which with its small movements holds your eyes and won’t let you look away – surely this is enough to nod and realise: “this is natural talent”.
However, when the live was heading towards its end Maaya began a long MC beginning with the words “I’m doing this tour because I think I felt like I had to explain why it’s been 5 years since I’ve done a concert”. This honest confession about the motivations for this tour was an important moment that deepened the bonds between the audience and Maaya Sakamoto. The weak self that surely most people have in their hearts was standing to face an invisible wall and about to overcome it. Through this tour we were all able to share the moment where Maaya was pushed forward by the album “Kazeyomi” to advance. The dazzling moment when she raised her arms up to the sky passionately singing “Hikari Are” after this MC was a scene so moving as to be permanently burned into one’s heart.
The red mini dress from the first half which so suited happy numbers like “Get No Satisfaction!” and “Praline” was in the second half replaced with a costume change to a black dress for the more calm numbers like “Yakusoku wa iranai” and “Yubiwa” and the contrast was quite dramatic. Through this personal expression in a ‘song’, the things she has thought about and felt during her long career rather were communicated and that Maaya Sakamoto the artist was both serious and real towards the field of music, always being truthful in communicating the feelings of a living person, flesh and blood.
Every moment was something that both the staff and guests could not take their eyes from, the scene when Maaya introduced the final ending, singing “Universe” alone with a piano was moving enough to surprisingly bring forth tears. The DVD “Maaya Sakamoto LIVE TOUR 2009 ‘WE ARE KAZEYOMI’” is definitely filled with must-see items! The second disc includes all of the MC’s from the Tokyo performance are included, document footage of the rehearsal and songs that were only performed in Osaka and Nagoya. You can see all the expressions of Maaya Sakamoto, her nervous face from before the real show, her sigh of relief after finishing playing the piano and then her happy tears. And, more than anything, in this package is something that captures both her courage and the audience’s wonderful energy that filled the entire space with warmth. Even the people who couldn’t go to the concert, with one press of the play button everyone can become “Kazeyomi People” with this release. We can all share in the moment when, after reaching an arrival point, a new door opened. A thing that many people have in common that after a career of 14 years, a new door opening at that arrival point. And on the other side of that door, a wonderful song penetrating the soul with a light to fill you with courage
Text: Ueno Shinya
Friday, 17 April 2009
I.D Monthly Messages 2006
Only a few for 2006, but still that's 3 years ago now! Wow! I've kept them around for ages! Both by the lovely Philosranter
I.D Monthly Messages 2006
March 2006
Happy Birthday to...ME!!
March 31st is my birthday. I will turn 26. In March I will be in Nagoya, in April I will be in Tokyo, performing in the musical Le Miserables.
Maaya
February 2006
Valentine's Day is here again this year~. Girls across the country, let's do our best.
Ah, now that I think about it, this year is the tenth anniversary of my debut. I'm thankful for being able to continue one thing for ten years. It's "Thank You".
MAAYA
I.D Monthly Messages 2006
March 2006
Happy Birthday to...ME!!
March 31st is my birthday. I will turn 26. In March I will be in Nagoya, in April I will be in Tokyo, performing in the musical Le Miserables.
Maaya
February 2006
Valentine's Day is here again this year~. Girls across the country, let's do our best.
Ah, now that I think about it, this year is the tenth anniversary of my debut. I'm thankful for being able to continue one thing for ten years. It's "Thank You".
MAAYA
I.D Monthly Messages 2005
2005's monthly messages from Maaya's official site!! Translations as credited:
Philosoranter
December 2005
The year is coming to an end... So fast~. I'm going to end my year with My First Essay Book! and Les Miserables at Osaka. I'm going to eat a lot of delicious food in Osaka~!
Happy new year. *heart*
2005 December
Maaya
October 2005
10/26 Yuunagi LOOP On sale!
Check it out 'k?
Maaya
September 2005
Sakamoto Maaya 5th Album [Yuunagi Loop] on sale 10/26! It's almost upon us. Starting this month, there will be sample downloads. For more information, please check this home page!!!
Maaya
August 2005
Well! The release date for my fifth album has finally been decided!!
26 October (Wednesday)!!
More detailed information will be put up here as it is decided, so keep checking and checking and checking, OK!!
Maaya
July 2005
It's hot.... It's so hot....
I don't like the heat!
But in spite of that, I really want to go to Hawaii right now.
Maybe it's calling me.
I want to go to Hawaii!
It's so hot!
But anyway, "Star Wars EP3" was interesting & I cried!
By all means, everybody please see the Japanese dubbed version!
June 2005
To all the people kindly listening to Loop, thank you very, very much. Now, I'm making an album. Until it's complete, put Loop on a loop and wait, please.
Maaya. Loop -> Loop -> Loop -> Loop -> Loop...
January 2005
Happy New Year!
I will show you a good year, without a doubt!
Maaya
Year of the Rooster.
Luminaire
March 2005
On the 31st of this month, I will finally become 25 years old. Happy Birthday to ME!!! And, more information on my new single which will be released on the 11th May, "LOOP", will be uploaded on my page anyday soon! Please check it (everyday)!
2005. MAAYA
Philosoranter
December 2005
The year is coming to an end... So fast~. I'm going to end my year with My First Essay Book! and Les Miserables at Osaka. I'm going to eat a lot of delicious food in Osaka~!
Happy new year. *heart*
2005 December
Maaya
October 2005
10/26 Yuunagi LOOP On sale!
Check it out 'k?
Maaya
September 2005
Sakamoto Maaya 5th Album [Yuunagi Loop] on sale 10/26! It's almost upon us. Starting this month, there will be sample downloads. For more information, please check this home page!!!
Maaya
August 2005
Well! The release date for my fifth album has finally been decided!!
26 October (Wednesday)!!
More detailed information will be put up here as it is decided, so keep checking and checking and checking, OK!!
Maaya
July 2005
It's hot.... It's so hot....
I don't like the heat!
But in spite of that, I really want to go to Hawaii right now.
Maybe it's calling me.
I want to go to Hawaii!
It's so hot!
But anyway, "Star Wars EP3" was interesting & I cried!
By all means, everybody please see the Japanese dubbed version!
June 2005
To all the people kindly listening to Loop, thank you very, very much. Now, I'm making an album. Until it's complete, put Loop on a loop and wait, please.
Maaya. Loop -> Loop -> Loop -> Loop -> Loop...
January 2005
Happy New Year!
I will show you a good year, without a doubt!
Maaya
Year of the Rooster.
Luminaire
March 2005
On the 31st of this month, I will finally become 25 years old. Happy Birthday to ME!!! And, more information on my new single which will be released on the 11th May, "LOOP", will be uploaded on my page anyday soon! Please check it (everyday)!
2005. MAAYA
I.D Monthly Messages 2004
The cute little pictures Maaya's website puts up every month were once upon a time translated, again by the lovely Philosranter. Not all of them are available but here are the ones I had up.
December 2004
Merry Christmas!!
All of a sudden the year 2004 is coming to a close. I really owe a lot to you this year!!
Happy New Year.
Maaya
November 2004
November...
Only two months left in this year.
I spent the fall really thinking about a lot of things, so it's a really fitting season. All that's left before busy December, remember this month.
2004. Maaya
October 2004
Happy Halloween!
Give me candy!
Give me candy!
Maaya
December 2004
Merry Christmas!!
All of a sudden the year 2004 is coming to a close. I really owe a lot to you this year!!
Happy New Year.
Maaya
November 2004
November...
Only two months left in this year.
I spent the fall really thinking about a lot of things, so it's a really fitting season. All that's left before busy December, remember this month.
2004. Maaya
October 2004
Happy Halloween!
Give me candy!
Give me candy!
Maaya
Hot at Present! September 2005
Another little thing to archive from the ol' website. Here's another little translation by Philosranter of Maaya's corner 'Hot at Present!' which features on her official website. It's pretty out of date of course, what with it being 2005'n all. But still good reading!!
Hot at Present! September 2005
Recent Interests
For books, I'm reading "saodakeya wa naze tsuburenai no ka?" byY amada Naoki. I'm also reading Iwasato Yuuho's essay book "ii kagen ni katazukete utsukushiku kurasu". For DVDs, I'm watching Gekidan Hitori. In CDs, I'm listening to things like The Shins. For movies, March of the Penguins. Life is wonderful.
Recent Flavors
When I'm recording, it's always take-out or delivery. Maybe it's because it's summer, but lately beer has gotten more delicious... Ah, I want a beer. Also, if I've got free time, I drink tomato juice.
Recent Shopping
Last time, I wrote that even though it was July, I bought a down jacket. Well, I did it again. Even though it's August, I bout a winter leather coat... I told myself I wouldn't buy any more winter outerwear...
Recent Recording
The recording is over. All that's left is mastering, and it's done! I'm so happy. Happy, but a little lonely. The time during reacording was really fun. I'm heartfully thankful to the artists and staff who participated on this album. It won't be too long before I can share it will everyone. Until then, please hang on.
Hot at Present! September 2005
Recent Interests
For books, I'm reading "saodakeya wa naze tsuburenai no ka?" byY amada Naoki. I'm also reading Iwasato Yuuho's essay book "ii kagen ni katazukete utsukushiku kurasu". For DVDs, I'm watching Gekidan Hitori. In CDs, I'm listening to things like The Shins. For movies, March of the Penguins. Life is wonderful.
Recent Flavors
When I'm recording, it's always take-out or delivery. Maybe it's because it's summer, but lately beer has gotten more delicious... Ah, I want a beer. Also, if I've got free time, I drink tomato juice.
Recent Shopping
Last time, I wrote that even though it was July, I bought a down jacket. Well, I did it again. Even though it's August, I bout a winter leather coat... I told myself I wouldn't buy any more winter outerwear...
Recent Recording
The recording is over. All that's left is mastering, and it's done! I'm so happy. Happy, but a little lonely. The time during reacording was really fun. I'm heartfully thankful to the artists and staff who participated on this album. It won't be too long before I can share it will everyone. Until then, please hang on.
IDS Bulletin 002 - Maaya's Wine Survey
A nice little tidbit translated by Philosranter back in the day about Maaya's likes in the wine world.
* * * *
Q: What sort of times do you enjoy wine?
A: When there's something happy or something to celebrate, I feel like opening some wine.
Q: What cuisine do you think goes best with wine?
A: I think not just wine, but any kind of alcohol goes best with olives and anchovies.
Q: Do you have a special way to drink wine?
A: I like vin chaud (mulled wine, heated wine with spice added) and drink it often. Especially in cold seasons or when I have a cold, I drink it.
Q: When you cook, what wine do you use?
A: See, as I've said many times, I don't cook, so...
Q: Do you want to go to Australia?
A: I definitely want to go.
* * * *
Q: What sort of times do you enjoy wine?
A: When there's something happy or something to celebrate, I feel like opening some wine.
Q: What cuisine do you think goes best with wine?
A: I think not just wine, but any kind of alcohol goes best with olives and anchovies.
Q: Do you have a special way to drink wine?
A: I like vin chaud (mulled wine, heated wine with spice added) and drink it often. Especially in cold seasons or when I have a cold, I drink it.
Q: When you cook, what wine do you use?
A: See, as I've said many times, I don't cook, so...
Q: Do you want to go to Australia?
A: I definitely want to go.
Shounen Alice Album Concept
Continuing the archives from my old site, here is the album concept from Maaya's album 'Shounen Alice' which was kindly translated back in the day by Miyuki.
Shounen Alice Album Concept
'What does one have to do to describe the self well? Gender, age, nationality, race, name, "title". Symbols to fulfill these criteria, we have many of them. But these symbols, how much can they tell of the whole? For example, just within me, a lone human being: masculine and feminine, child-like and adult-like, strength and weakness, tenderness and coldness, such directly-opposed elements exist together.
But if I must mark this disk with one symbol, I think "Boy Alice" will do the job well. Just as all people do, I carry many contradictions and infinities. If I am to express such emotions, then I think these words will do the job well.'
Shounen Alice Album Concept
'What does one have to do to describe the self well? Gender, age, nationality, race, name, "title". Symbols to fulfill these criteria, we have many of them. But these symbols, how much can they tell of the whole? For example, just within me, a lone human being: masculine and feminine, child-like and adult-like, strength and weakness, tenderness and coldness, such directly-opposed elements exist together.
But if I must mark this disk with one symbol, I think "Boy Alice" will do the job well. Just as all people do, I carry many contradictions and infinities. If I am to express such emotions, then I think these words will do the job well.'
Shounen Alice Track Notes
Shounen Alice Track Notes
Translation by Miyuki
01. uchuuhikoushi no uta : I've come very far but I am still feeling you so close to me.
02. sora wo miro: No one will help you even if you plant yourself on one spot and cry. So get up! On your own!
03. sukurappu ~wakare no uta: We were young.
04. makiba arisu!: All right! Today, the world starts to shine! With the aura of you and me!
05. mahiru ga yuki: When all I want to do is assimilate it all quickly.
06. KINGFISHER GIRL: She continued to sing. Standing on the banks of the river of life, just for the sake of that person.
07. hiiroo: Go ahead and fawn on me.
08. yoru: A night when I am effortlessly dragged into some disorderly place which I never wished for.
9. CALL TO ME: Hallo, moshi moshi*, you're there, aren't you. *as if saying "Hello" on the phone
10. hikare are: A hope that makes you want to still try to believe.
11. chibikko fooku: Just you wait, so I want to tell them. Although someone may say that I will never make it there in time, I will head there. * as in "folk music"
12. park amsterdam (the whole story): The size of their bodies, species or words, the story of a little bird that fell in love with a human, overcoming all things.
13. 03: Very soon, you will open your eyes and return to the real morning. Even if you are unable to recall anything at that time, please don't be sad. While you dozed, I once again held your hand.
14. okitegami (Letter left on a table): And so the story ends. And again, it has started.
Translation by Miyuki
01. uchuuhikoushi no uta : I've come very far but I am still feeling you so close to me.
02. sora wo miro: No one will help you even if you plant yourself on one spot and cry. So get up! On your own!
03. sukurappu ~wakare no uta: We were young.
04. makiba arisu!: All right! Today, the world starts to shine! With the aura of you and me!
05. mahiru ga yuki: When all I want to do is assimilate it all quickly.
06. KINGFISHER GIRL: She continued to sing. Standing on the banks of the river of life, just for the sake of that person.
07. hiiroo: Go ahead and fawn on me.
08. yoru: A night when I am effortlessly dragged into some disorderly place which I never wished for.
9. CALL TO ME: Hallo, moshi moshi*, you're there, aren't you. *as if saying "Hello" on the phone
10. hikare are: A hope that makes you want to still try to believe.
11. chibikko fooku: Just you wait, so I want to tell them. Although someone may say that I will never make it there in time, I will head there. * as in "folk music"
12. park amsterdam (the whole story): The size of their bodies, species or words, the story of a little bird that fell in love with a human, overcoming all things.
13. 03: Very soon, you will open your eyes and return to the real morning. Even if you are unable to recall anything at that time, please don't be sad. While you dozed, I once again held your hand.
14. okitegami (Letter left on a table): And so the story ends. And again, it has started.
Lucy Track Notes
Lucy Album Track Notes
Translation: Roxfan
Lucy
I am me, you are you.
We're totally different, separate persons.
But even so, what if we have just one thing in common?
Mameshiba
If someone is calling my name,
if I can keep calling someone's name,
I feel like I can go to the ends of the earth.
Sutorobo no SOra
Light, an instant of continuity. Sound, a collection of vibrations.
Soon, it covers everything, resounding everywhere.
One day, I will help the Earth move.
[this one was kinda vague, so I took some liberties]
Alkaloid
I am falling for him.
A cup of tea
Back then, I thought tenderly of you.
Since then, I've known tenderness once more.
[not too sure about this one]
Kinobori to Akai Skirt
We are like carrot and beans, always together. When we grow up, let's still be carrot and beans.
Life is good
Baseless self-confidence. That alone is a weapon.
Honey bunny
There is love.
All that's left is money, time and power!
T-shirt
Am I able to love someone that much just because I am weak?
Kuuki to Hoshi
The place you go to, what is it like?
Can't we go together?
Rule~ iro Asenai Hibi
Looking back and looking up are similar things.
Watashi wa Okano Uekara Kabin wo Nageru
I want to feel this wind to the full, since I'll start walking very soon.
Translation: Roxfan
Lucy
I am me, you are you.
We're totally different, separate persons.
But even so, what if we have just one thing in common?
Mameshiba
If someone is calling my name,
if I can keep calling someone's name,
I feel like I can go to the ends of the earth.
Sutorobo no SOra
Light, an instant of continuity. Sound, a collection of vibrations.
Soon, it covers everything, resounding everywhere.
One day, I will help the Earth move.
[this one was kinda vague, so I took some liberties]
Alkaloid
I am falling for him.
A cup of tea
Back then, I thought tenderly of you.
Since then, I've known tenderness once more.
[not too sure about this one]
Kinobori to Akai Skirt
We are like carrot and beans, always together. When we grow up, let's still be carrot and beans.
Life is good
Baseless self-confidence. That alone is a weapon.
Honey bunny
There is love.
All that's left is money, time and power!
T-shirt
Am I able to love someone that much just because I am weak?
Kuuki to Hoshi
The place you go to, what is it like?
Can't we go together?
Rule~ iro Asenai Hibi
Looking back and looking up are similar things.
Watashi wa Okano Uekara Kabin wo Nageru
I want to feel this wind to the full, since I'll start walking very soon.
Nikopachi Track Notes
I figured since I was archiving translations here anyway, I'd upload the one's I had on my old Maaya Sakamoto website, the now defunct Guitar Chords & Grapefruits. I had a few interesting bits up so I'll start uploading them.
Nikopachi Track Notes
Translated by Boobear and Neoangel-1
Track 1: Yoake no Octave - I'll never forget the concert of that day in Osaka.
Track 2: Hemishpere - You too can burn off the fat (implying it's upper tempo).
Track 3: Daniel - No matter how much it hurts, it's better than not knowing love at all.
Track 4: Bike - Recorded at a London studio
Track 5: Shippo no Uta - A ha ha ha!
Track 6: Yubiwa ~23 carats - I just sang it again. I sing this song a lot during concerts. I really love it. But it's very painful.
Track 7: Ongaku - It's a tough song.
Track 8: Midori no hane - It's a mysterious feeling, like something big and warm mixed with something dark and cold.
Track 9: Shimashima - This one is pretty tricky to follow.
Track 10: Kimidori - To us, ten years from now.
Track 11: tune the rainbow - The need to protect someone has to do with the feeling you need to protect something big.
Track 12: Toto - Recorded on my 22nd Birthday
Track 13: Here - I too, often take a look at myself from far away.
Track 14: vector - Even when I know the answer, there's something I want to ask.
Track 15: The Garden of Everything - Steve emails me, like, all the time (I never reply, because I don't understand english!).
Track 16: gravity - Is there really anything ahead waiting for me, on the path I keep down? The only way to know is to keep moving.
Nikopachi Track Notes
Translated by Boobear and Neoangel-1
Track 1: Yoake no Octave - I'll never forget the concert of that day in Osaka.
Track 2: Hemishpere - You too can burn off the fat (implying it's upper tempo).
Track 3: Daniel - No matter how much it hurts, it's better than not knowing love at all.
Track 4: Bike - Recorded at a London studio
Track 5: Shippo no Uta - A ha ha ha!
Track 6: Yubiwa ~23 carats - I just sang it again. I sing this song a lot during concerts. I really love it. But it's very painful.
Track 7: Ongaku - It's a tough song.
Track 8: Midori no hane - It's a mysterious feeling, like something big and warm mixed with something dark and cold.
Track 9: Shimashima - This one is pretty tricky to follow.
Track 10: Kimidori - To us, ten years from now.
Track 11: tune the rainbow - The need to protect someone has to do with the feeling you need to protect something big.
Track 12: Toto - Recorded on my 22nd Birthday
Track 13: Here - I too, often take a look at myself from far away.
Track 14: vector - Even when I know the answer, there's something I want to ask.
Track 15: The Garden of Everything - Steve emails me, like, all the time (I never reply, because I don't understand english!).
Track 16: gravity - Is there really anything ahead waiting for me, on the path I keep down? The only way to know is to keep moving.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Hi-ho!
Hey all, just a little post. I'm thinking about what to translate. I know, I know, there is a whole load of "Chizu to Tegami to Koi no Uta" to translate. But I was thinking about doing something off this site:
http://www15.plala.or.jp/mrb/
Now, many Maaya fans will know this site, even if they don't understand Japanese, as a place where all the Maaya radio shows which aren't available to everyone get written up in Japanese by a very dedicated Maaya fan! For example, Maaya's weekly radio show Vitamin-M is only available to hear in certain areas of Japan so this fan types up the broadcasts for all those who can't tune in. It has a pretty extensive backlog 0_0 going right back to 1996!!
Obviously it's absolutely MAH-HUUSIVE (massive lol) so don't get excited but I'm wondering whether to go over some of the older ones or something. Certainly the Chizu to Tegami to Koi no Uta Kazeyomi special radio show will get a look over ^^V that wasn't on the podcast. But just wondering generally about translating it as its written and it may take less time to go through that listening to the podcasts as if I can't hear a word it can be very difficult.
Hmm...also, I was wondering about just making this blog a little more active by posting up more general Maaya things like news/thoughts/reviews or whatever to do with Maaya just to keep the place running between translation dry spots.
Not sure!
http://www15.plala.or.jp/mrb/
Now, many Maaya fans will know this site, even if they don't understand Japanese, as a place where all the Maaya radio shows which aren't available to everyone get written up in Japanese by a very dedicated Maaya fan! For example, Maaya's weekly radio show Vitamin-M is only available to hear in certain areas of Japan so this fan types up the broadcasts for all those who can't tune in. It has a pretty extensive backlog 0_0 going right back to 1996!!
Obviously it's absolutely MAH-HUUSIVE (massive lol) so don't get excited but I'm wondering whether to go over some of the older ones or something. Certainly the Chizu to Tegami to Koi no Uta Kazeyomi special radio show will get a look over ^^V that wasn't on the podcast. But just wondering generally about translating it as its written and it may take less time to go through that listening to the podcasts as if I can't hear a word it can be very difficult.
Hmm...also, I was wondering about just making this blog a little more active by posting up more general Maaya things like news/thoughts/reviews or whatever to do with Maaya just to keep the place running between translation dry spots.
Not sure!
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Animage 1999 - Platina Comment
Hey all, another little tidbit I found on Sora's old Maaya site. This time from a 1999 issue of Animage where Maaya was voted number one with 'Platina' out of what I assume are anime songs...? Well, anyway, Platina seems to have been voted number one of something! Looks like the anime song division of the magazine was moved by it! Anyway, it was short so I just rolled this translation out, enjoy!!
Animage 1999 - Maaya's Platina Comment
translation by Pippa
I’m really happy! Thank you very much. This song “Platina” is a very powerful number, but it also has a very straightforward message. I think it spoke to me and I myself got a lot of power from it. I’m also really glad that this time a lot of people will be listening to my song through the animation of “Card Captor Sakura”. I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart that the music staff and Yoko Kanno-san let me encounter such wonderful songs like this all the time. From now on as well I want to be singing. I’m hoping that I will be able to reach your ears once again!
Animage 1999 - Maaya's Platina Comment
translation by Pippa
I’m really happy! Thank you very much. This song “Platina” is a very powerful number, but it also has a very straightforward message. I think it spoke to me and I myself got a lot of power from it. I’m also really glad that this time a lot of people will be listening to my song through the animation of “Card Captor Sakura”. I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart that the music staff and Yoko Kanno-san let me encounter such wonderful songs like this all the time. From now on as well I want to be singing. I’m hoping that I will be able to reach your ears once again!
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Newtype Magazine March 2001 - Tell us about 'Lucy'!
Hey all, long time no see. Sorry about the lack of updates, being a final year student is not fun. Very, very busy and very difficult work-wise. I'm in the middle of writing my dissertation at the moment. Anyway, I took a look at Sora's old Maaya site today and found that the old magazine scans there were readable (they weren't too blurred) so I translated a blurb on Lucy from back in 2001 that Maaya wrote. It's quite nice. Enjoy!
Newtype Magazine March 2001 - Tell us about your new album 'Lucy'!
translated by Pippa (me!)
The title 'Lucy' was quite an unexpected name (laugh). When I thought of "Lucy" there was no one among the staff who objected; there was a strange feeling of being convinced that “Aa, this album is ‘Lucy’, isn’t it.”….If you were to find Lucy in Japanese I think it would be an orthodox name like ‘Hanako’. Something that just about anyone could be, a shell that anyone could fill. I’d like to think a listener could think “I'm Lucy too”.
My image of her is that Lucy is an inhabitant of a grand old American age. Without a city as such but going to school in a state like New Jersey. In my head I have a perfect Lucy World. Her friends and the people in her town are modeled on the people around me and I’ve given them names like Ken, Mike etc. For my next live concert I want to make Lucy’s World the theme.
By the way “Lucy” is my third album, but basically it’s from the same stance as my first and second albums, in that this is the me that I want to present at that exact moment in time. It’s been just over two years since my second album and even if I’m set free during that time, that I’m changing more and more and that is reflected in the songs and lyrics I create.
With that in mind, “Lucy” contains the songs, things, lyrics that only the me who is here now could pull together. They are only things I think are important, concentrating on what I want to say, but in that respect nothing has changed since my first album. The point of view that these eyes have and the scenery around are changing bit by bit in order for me to transmit these things. That is the ‘smell’ of “Lucy”.
Until now there has been a trend inside me to search for the perfect me, “I have to be like this”, “I don’t want to fail” these sorts of feelings were very strong. But they disappeared with last year’s summer live. I felt “I can tell it all with just simple, straight things”. Even if I got lyrics wrong during the convert, even if I wasn’t cool, I was happy to have it all on show. I trusted the fans and the staff, I guess I had piece of mind.
The other 7 songs on the album, I wrote the lyrics myself. For example, on “Stroboscope Sky” I wrote straight after a concert and it’s the song that is the closest to how I felt at that time. When I was freed from the labour of “I have to be like this” instead of feeling comfortable, I felt like I was I was on some sort of road and there was a decision of “Instead of just standing here I have to satisfy myself and go forward”. I think the huge tension that I felt at that time came out.
“Alkaloid” is a love song. Like being on caffeine from coffee, even though it’s bad for your body, a feeling that becomes painful…it’s that sort of love song. I think it’s a song that really is Lucy-like, I guess you can say it’s really cute!
The vibration of “Lucy” enters the ear and soul with a gasp, I think it’s an existence I like. Please try listening to this album.
Newtype Magazine March 2001 - Tell us about your new album 'Lucy'!
translated by Pippa (me!)
The title 'Lucy' was quite an unexpected name (laugh). When I thought of "Lucy" there was no one among the staff who objected; there was a strange feeling of being convinced that “Aa, this album is ‘Lucy’, isn’t it.”….If you were to find Lucy in Japanese I think it would be an orthodox name like ‘Hanako’. Something that just about anyone could be, a shell that anyone could fill. I’d like to think a listener could think “I'm Lucy too”.
My image of her is that Lucy is an inhabitant of a grand old American age. Without a city as such but going to school in a state like New Jersey. In my head I have a perfect Lucy World. Her friends and the people in her town are modeled on the people around me and I’ve given them names like Ken, Mike etc. For my next live concert I want to make Lucy’s World the theme.
By the way “Lucy” is my third album, but basically it’s from the same stance as my first and second albums, in that this is the me that I want to present at that exact moment in time. It’s been just over two years since my second album and even if I’m set free during that time, that I’m changing more and more and that is reflected in the songs and lyrics I create.
With that in mind, “Lucy” contains the songs, things, lyrics that only the me who is here now could pull together. They are only things I think are important, concentrating on what I want to say, but in that respect nothing has changed since my first album. The point of view that these eyes have and the scenery around are changing bit by bit in order for me to transmit these things. That is the ‘smell’ of “Lucy”.
Until now there has been a trend inside me to search for the perfect me, “I have to be like this”, “I don’t want to fail” these sorts of feelings were very strong. But they disappeared with last year’s summer live. I felt “I can tell it all with just simple, straight things”. Even if I got lyrics wrong during the convert, even if I wasn’t cool, I was happy to have it all on show. I trusted the fans and the staff, I guess I had piece of mind.
The other 7 songs on the album, I wrote the lyrics myself. For example, on “Stroboscope Sky” I wrote straight after a concert and it’s the song that is the closest to how I felt at that time. When I was freed from the labour of “I have to be like this” instead of feeling comfortable, I felt like I was I was on some sort of road and there was a decision of “Instead of just standing here I have to satisfy myself and go forward”. I think the huge tension that I felt at that time came out.
“Alkaloid” is a love song. Like being on caffeine from coffee, even though it’s bad for your body, a feeling that becomes painful…it’s that sort of love song. I think it’s a song that really is Lucy-like, I guess you can say it’s really cute!
The vibration of “Lucy” enters the ear and soul with a gasp, I think it’s an existence I like. Please try listening to this album.
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