[Interview] Sakura Shimeji

 

Sakura Shimeji

The first outdoor solo concert will be "as hot as the temperature"

 

Sakura Shimeji, a folk duo formed in 2014 by Masatoshi Tanaka and Hyoga Takada, is a member of EBiDAN, the same group that also includes Bullet Train and DISH//. They toured all 47 prefectures during their junior high school days, and are well known for the fun and homey atmosphere of their live shows, which naturally bring smiles to the faces of the audience.

Takada HyogoLast year's single "Ayama Rhythm" became the ending theme song for the anime "Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Mobile Emergency Police" (TBS), and the number of customers who come with their families has increased. Recently, I've also started seeing male customers, and I'm happy that a variety of people are listening to my songs.

Their first full album "Harushimeji", to be released on (Wed) April 4th, features a variety of sounds, starting with the fast-paced lead track "Start Dash".

TakadaAt first glance, the songs are upbeat and not typical of Sakura Shimeji, but the lyrics are a little timid, like they can't say "This is who we are!" (laughs). All of that is included in this album, which is very much like us.

The two also wrote the lyrics for "Shoe Sole Memory," which was provided by Every Little Thing's Ichiro Ito, and there are many songs in which they have tried their hand at writing lyrics and composing music themselves, showing a glimpse of their growth.

Masatoshi TanakaThe theme of "Distortion," for which I wrote the lyrics, is rebelliousness, and I wrote it based on my own experiences as well as my friends' and other research. I think that this album, including the other songs, is something that can only be expressed by us now.

The two are currently on a nationwide live house tour called "Kiniku in the Iehausu," with the final show being at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on (Sat), July 28th.

TakadaWe're thinking of making it a fun space like having a picnic at Noh-on, titled "Midsummer Starry Sky Picnic." We hope to create a stage where we can become one with the audience and nature.

TanakaWe want to make this a concert that will pack in everything we've experienced in the past four years since we formed. We want to perform with as much energy as the temperature so that we can convey what we've cultivated up until now!

 

Sakura Shimeji

 

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Sakura Shimeji

Formed in 2014. A folk duo unit consisting of Masatoshi Tanaka and Hyoga Takada, both high school students. Their first full album, "Harushimeji," is currently on sale.

 

Performance information

 

Bacteria cultivation in the Iehausu final! "Midsummer Starry Sky Picnic" in Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall

 

July 28th (Sat) 17:30 Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall, Tokyo

 

 

Interview/Text/Jun Kochiya

Photo/Rinko Yamamoto

Composition/Reprinted from the April 15th issue of Monthly Law Ticket Editorial Department

*The photo is different from the one in this magazine.