Bonjour.
SCALA翌日のロンドンのルミエールでライブを拝見させていただいた者です。ライブ直前のアオキさんに話し掛けさせて貰ったりもしたのですが、、｢indigo rose｣の頃からのアオキさんの音に虜だったので(！)普通に受け答えしてくれたことに驚きでした。　ヨーロッパで単身頑張る身としては　こうしてパリから日本人アーティストとして活躍しているアオキさんはこちらの励みに勝手にさせてもらっています。　私は絵や画像、写真、、に関わって生きていくことを目指しているのですが　そこに加えたい理想の音・第一号はやっぱりindigo roseかもしれません＾＾
　これからの作品もすごく楽しみにしています！
　

Posted by: Kinu at February 28, 2006 5:44 PM

先ほどのコメント、ブログの内容を全く反映していないものでした・・・。すみません

Posted by: Kinu at February 28, 2006 5:45 PM

Kinuさん
コメントありがとうございました。
ロンドンでのライヴにも来てくださってありがとうございます。
僕もこうして皆さんからサポートをいただけて凄く励みになります。
これからも良い音楽を作れるように頑張ります。宜しくお願いします。

Posted by: AOKI at March 1, 2006 11:56 PM

WHat is this keyboard behind the book? You're making your music with use of it?

Posted by: Aes at March 4, 2006 10:43 AM

Aes. thanks for your comment.
It's a KORG Z1. and I use it reallu often when i compose.
I really like it.

Posted by: AOKI at March 6, 2006 5:00 AM

hey AOKI
i haven't commented in a while... I was just curious, when you sit down to write a song do you plan it or have an idea of what you want to create before you start, or do you just make it up as you go along and see what comes naturally?
i was wondering because i always have problems with finnishing songs, and it always takes me a very long time :-(

best,
Murray.

P.S- is there any more news on your new album or its release date? i cant wait :-)

Posted by: Murray. at March 7, 2006 8:36 AM

Murray
thanks for your comment.

Usually I'm always trying to make what i hear in my heard.
So basically I have some ideas of what i want to create before i start making. and sometimes i find something else during editing songs.

and we need a bit more time for my new album.
Please wait a bit. thanks

Posted by: AOKI at March 7, 2006 9:34 PM

Thanks for the info about KORG Z1. It was very interessting. Could you write what kind of hardware and software you're using when you're doing your music? I'll be very pleased. Thanks in advance. One love.

PS: It's wery cool that we, the listeners of your music, can talk with you, Aoki. It's usually hard to talk with music artists. Thanks for that too! It means a lot.

Posted by: Szewczky at March 8, 2006 10:12 AM

Hello Szewczky
thanks for your comment.
I use any kinds of hard wares and softwares if they can produce my
favorite sound. Even if it's not a musical instrument.

I'm glad that if people feels something when they visit this blog.
thanks again.

Posted by: AOKI at March 8, 2006 4:30 PM

Maybe you could name one or two hardwares which you are producing your "favourite sound"? Thanks in advance. One love.

PS: Your name is Takamasa, not Aoki right? In Europe there's everything reversed, heh.

Posted by: Szewczky at March 8, 2006 9:21 PM

Szewczky, thanks for your comment.
For me the process of making sound and music is not that important. I understand that you want to know about what I'm using, but I don't really wanna talk about those kind of skills or process at here on my blog. But, I don't wanna make you disappointed this time.. I use video cameras, digital cameras, TV, microphones a lot, and also some normal synthesizers and softwares which you can find in any musical instrument store in any major cities, nothing special. and I use some selfmade effectors too.

For me, the most important thing is music itself, and I'm always trying hard to make better music. I hope you understand.

>Your name is Takamasa, not Aoki right?

yes, exactly.
We Japanese name ourselves family name first and first name comes second. It's quite normal to call each other with family name in Japan. and I always name myself this way, because I'm a Japanese.

thanks.

Posted by: AOKI at March 9, 2006 12:45 AM

Thanks for this answer. It was... hmm... iteresting :) BTW: I was asking about your name because in Europe talking to other people by using his surname is not polite. Now I know what's going on. Thanks :)

Posted by: Szewczky at March 9, 2006 4:35 AM

hi AOKI
I'm actually glad Szewczky brought up the question about Japanese names. I was slightly curious as I have seen people call you takamasa AOKI too. I have always called you AOKI because that is what I am used to seeing and hearing first, but now i understand why the names of Japanese people are like this ;-)
so do you get called AOKI or takamasa by your friends in person?
Another thing about Japanese names...
Why is it that certain names are in capital letters, like AOKI takamasa, Yoshihiro HANNO, Taeji SAWAI etc, but others are not, like Ryoichi Kurokawa or Nao Tokui?
Also, what does -san mean? On this blog I have saw people write Aoki-san and Hanno-san before. I'm just curious.

I think it is interesting that you mention the use of cameras and TVs and things. I completely understand why you don't really like to list all your hardwares and softwares that you use in your music (although I have asked you before!) I know some of the equipment you use, but I feel that music is about the end result not how you make it. Therefore, you need to find your own methods of makiing music. I have learned this now, but before I used to look to people like you and think that I'd never be able to make music as good as yours because I don't use the same programmes...and so when I did create a song that I was really pleased with, part of me would still feel that, because I didn't do it how you or any of my other favourite artists do it, then it isn't done properly.
Now I have learned that if you just try to copy your favourite artist's sounds and buy equipment just because they use it, then there isn't much point in making your own music, because it will never be fresh or original and you will never have the satisfaction of creating something that is "your own".
I hope your english is good enough to understand everything I have said.
sorry for such a long comment...

best,
Murray.

P.S- If i could speak or write Japanese I would try, but unfortunatly I can't. Sorry ;-)

Posted by: Murray at March 9, 2006 6:16 AM

Murray,
I think you fully understood what AOKI wanted you to understand about the process of making music.

Some years ago, AOKI was often introduced as a kind of Max/MSP musician because he had created his own programs using this. I believe he tried to go away from this label because music is much more important than technic,and he doesn't really care about which tool will help him to make the sound he wants. He's a musician not a technician. However for some people (musicians I would say), the original way he makes his sound adds some more value to his work.
In the past AOKI did present the way he was making music in live, in Apple stores for instance, I think he wouldn't do it anymore.

About "san" suffix, you can read this: http://japanese.about.com/blqow38.htm
it's quite well explained.

Sumimasen AOKI, I don't want to talk in your name but Murray's asking too much ;-)

Posted by: jim at March 9, 2006 6:34 PM

Szewczky, Murray and Jim.
thank you for your comments.

>>Szewczky

>I was asking about your name because in
>Europe talking to other people by using
>his surname is not polite

Yes, I know it.
But you can call me AOKI. It's kind of rude to call Japanese people with their family name when it's first time to see each other. You just need to put "san" after their family name, and it's polite even if when you meet him or her first time.

>>Murray.

>so do you get called AOKI or takamasa by your friends in person?

Yes. even close friends call me like this. and it's normal.
But when we call somebody who's not close enough, we put "san" after thier family name.
and "san" means Mr. Ms, or Mrs.
You can also check the link above which Jim mentioneded in his comment.

>Why is it that certain names are in capital letters,
> like AOKI takamasa, Yoshihiro HANNO, Taeji SAWAI
> etc, but others are not, like Ryoichi Kurokawa or Nao Tokui?

I don't know why other people use capital letters, but I used them for my family name because it looks nice.
and I thought it much easier to recognize for people who don't know about Japanese name very much.
By the way "Taeji" is his first name and "Nao" and "Ryoichi" are also their first name. Most of the Japanese people put their first name first when they write their name with alphabet letters. I just don't.

I also felt the same like you when i started making music, I wanted to know what kind of things those great artists are using. But i realized at that time that the most important thing to creat my own way was "guessing" or "to imagine" how they do it and I thought that i just should try the way I "guessed".
I think "mistake" and "misunderstanding" help you to find your own ways in this situation.
My own ways might be different from the way those great artists did, but still i found my own ways and also my own sounds. "To imagine", that's the point. and It's kind of easy to do.

>If i could speak or write Japanese I would try,
>but unfortunatly I can't. Sorry ;-)

Then why do't you start learning Japanese? ;-)
Maybe now it's your turn to study other language, just like i studied English when i was younger. Now I'm learning French.
I hope i can speak French soon. and I know it's long way to go, but it's necessary to make my life more exciting.

>>Jim
thank you for your comment.
and also thanks for telling us the link.

>I think he wouldn't do it anymore.

I sometimes have interview with some sound techinic magazines such as Japanese "Sound & Recording" magazine or "XL8R" from USA, and I always answer their questions, and I tell them what i did and what i used, that's because they're techinical magazines. But now basically as you wrote(thank you) i don't really care about what people use or did, I only care about their music. So I don't really wanna talk about those stories on my blog. For me it's different thing.
I hope people understand what i think.

>Sumimasen AOKI, I don't want to talk in your name
>but Murray's asking too much ;-)

no problem Jim, and Murray, you can keep asking if you have any questions, I'd love to answer.

I just want people to know more about Japanese culture and also what Japanese people think(I'm kind of strange Japanese though..) to get rid of those cultual misunderstandings between Japan and other countries.
I remember i was kind of shocked when i first knew how European and American people don't know about other cultures especially about Asian cultures. Of course I also still don't know a lot about European cultures and I know there're a lot of European or American people who know about Asian culture a lot like Jim does, but I thought most of the people don't really know. maybe they don't need to know ;-) However I'd love to answer those questions about Japanese culture as far as i know.

I just would like people to know that We Japanese also have something else, not only like Manga or cartoons or Samurai stuff ;-)

thank you.

Posted by: AOKI at March 10, 2006 3:27 AM

...and PlayStation ;) Yup, Japan is a very odd country for poeple from other countries but also very fascinating, especially music. I'm recently watching Japanes TV channels. I don't understant a word, haha, but I'm fascinated with images I can see. I'm sure, that someday I'll go to Japan! But for now I'm promoting this country in my country :) I have forum where I'm talking about japanese music with other people. Unfortunatelly it's only in my foreign language (Polsih) so the link is not necessary ;)

I'm waiting for new album!
Best regards!

Posted by: Szewczky at March 10, 2006 9:15 AM

Szewczky
thanks for your comment.

>I have forum where I'm talking about japanese music
>with other people.

Wow, I'm so glad to hear that. Please say hello to them :-)

Posted by: AOKI at March 11, 2006 12:38 AM

omaesan Aoki-san (is this correct?)
I love Japan. It is the first place in the world that I want to visit when i can (although I hear it is very expensive to live there and to fly there from the UK?). As much as I love Japan, I realise I dont know as much about it as I would like to, but I hope i can learn more somehow.
It's true, there are alot of cultural misunderstandings between Asian and Western countries...
Where I live (near Edinburgh in Scotland) there arent many Japanese people. We have alot of Chinese people in the UK, but not so many other Asian backgrounds. I live in a small town near Edinburgh and there are practically no Asian families around this area. I think its a shame because I would really love to make friends with different Asian people and learn about their different cultures and languages, especially Japanese.
Because I have never been to Asia and I have never met any Asian people, I think my opinions and thoughts towards Asian people are formed because of the little things that I experience.
For example, I love Chinese food and there are alot of Chinese restuarants in Edinburgh, and when I go to my favourite restuarant the staff are always very happy and polite and friendly to you. It is little things like this that make me think of Asian people as good people and why I have so much respect for them. Although it might sound a bit stupid to call all Asian people "good people" just because of the excellent service in a restuarant (although this is obviously a good thing) it is the many little things like this that form my personal opinions of Asian people. I hope you understand?
As for Japan itself and Japanese culture, I think the people here really like Japan and are interested in the country, but we never seem to really know alot. This is just from my experience, but I think people love the whole stereotypical "cute cartoon" image of Japan (as you say) but as for the "real" Japan I think we are pretty clueless to be honost.
I think this is because we never really have a chance to learn about Japan unless we make the effort, you know?
We are never really taught about Asia in schools when we are growing up, and because there isn't really a large Japanese community around here we have to find out about these different cultures ourselves. I think this is why people here have their misunderstandings about Japan because we only seem to form our ideas from what we see in films or on TV (like Manga, cartoons and Samurai stuff ;-)
I guess we are very lazy :-(

When I think of Japan and the Japanese I always think of technology and the Japanese being very intelligent (I guess this is just because of all the products and things developed by the Japanese) I also think of Japan as being very clean, is it?
I think the Japanese take honour and respect very seriously, am I right?
...and I think this is why I have my opinions of Japan as being very clean and safe and the Japanese people as being very thoughtful towards each other and respecting each other.
I find that Europe and America dont have that respect that the Japanese have and this is why I think Japan is much cleaner and safer than other places.
I have no idea if I am right?, but these are just my thoughts. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I try to talk to Japanese people over the internet to make friends and learn about the country and one girl said to me...

"theres culture and modern and fashion at the sametime"

This is why I think so highly of Japan. It seems it has everything. It has interesting history and scenery aswell as the whole busy commercial stereotype like Tokyo is suposed to be like. I love it all ;-)

...And ofcourse, now I think of amazing electronic music when I think of Japan thanks to you ;-)
Being a huge fan and looking up to people like you and Hanno-san has really made me love Japan even more. Music is a very important part of me so having alot of Japanese artists to look up to has been a very important thing in forming my feelings towards the Japanese. So thank you very much ;-)

Another thing is that people here seem to label all Asian people as "Chinese". I think this is just because of the similar physical features between different Asian races and also the fact that there are many Chinese in the UK. I think some people find it hard to tell the difference between different Asian people.
For example, my friend is like this and he would always ask me if a person was Chinese or Japanese etc. He can't seem to distinguish Asian people from each other. I was wondering, would this offend you in any way? or offend Japanese people?

merushi-Aoki-san

Murray.

Posted by: Murray at March 11, 2006 10:33 AM

I would love to learn Japanese and I think I will. It may take me a while, but I'll try. I dont know if you noticed but I tried to use a few Japanese words in the last comment ;-) but I don't think I used them correctly, did I?
I actually learned French at school a few years ago, but I have forgotten alot of it. It's a bit of a shame.
How is your French doing?

You live in Paris so you would obviously benefit from learning French, but for me I always stay in the UK so I dont really feel the need to learn a different language (which is why I have forgotten alot of French) It makes me feel quite lazy when you have already learned English and now learning your 3rd language....it kind of changes the attitude I have...that is why I am going to learn Japanese ;-)
Hopefully I can go there one day...

best,
Murray.

P.S- sorry for a very long comment, I hope you don't mind. I just have alot to talk about Japan and I enjoyed it :-)

Posted by: Murray at March 11, 2006 10:45 AM

Murray.
Wow, you gave a long one this time ;-)

>omaesan Aoki-san (is this correct?)

Actually no.. "omaesan" is kind of old fashion way of calling someone, it means like "hey you" " or "you". And I think mainly women use this word when they call men. Nice mistake :-)

However, it seems that you need to visit Japan one day and need to check if your views for Japanese are correct or not by yourself. Every countries are the same but, there are a lot of nice people there, but unfortunately not so many people speak English very much. I think There are still many people who speak English there, maybe better than France ;-)

I hope you'll find a chance to visite there someday.
good luck.

Posted by: AOKI at March 12, 2006 7:48 PM

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