Why is it that I don't feel satisfied even though it's so much bigger?
Regarding "The Guessing Child," both of you read the original story quite thoroughly, didn't you? What kind of music did you decide to write for the work?
Salt Mound: There are various characters, and they all have their own problems . I found the charm of the work in the way it carefully depicts the causes of these complex emotions as a story. The main character, Aqua, has her parents murdered, and the story unfolds as a revenge drama, but I found Aqua's emotional movements as a human being very interesting. I wrote "Burning" while imagining the feelings of the various characters in the work, and not only Aqua.
What was the hardest part of writing a song?
Salt Mound: There are so many different characters and so many different emotions, I didn't know where to focus. Some characters want me to see them too, but I can't, and they are all suffering in their own way. I thought it would be easier to understand if I wrote a song about losing love in relation to the story, and I felt it would fit the story, but I couldn't relate to that part of the song. Then I wondered what I could relate to. It was hard to find that.
You and Kawanishi have both been on stage as members of Hitsujibungaku, and although you started out as indies, you have gradually become a major player on a larger stage. I am sure there is a lot of anxiety, suffering, and conflict in that situation. I imagine that the real world surrounding the two of you has something in common with the original story.
Kawanishi: When I first heard the song, I realized that you wrote the lyrics while thinking about the story of "Guess Who" . . but I also felt that I could relate to it in my own real world.
Salt Mound: The stage has gotten a little bigger every year since we were an indie band, and although it may be harder to see now that we have become a major player, I believe that we are still changing even now. But I wonder why I cannot feel satisfied even though we have become so big, and that is what "Burning" is about.
Salt Mound: . I think that in the end, it is a problem with oneself. I feel that the main character in "Mysterious Child" does not realize this, or does not face it, and so his desire for self-expression only grows stronger, and he is hurting himself more and more by doing so. I wrote a song about this feeling.
Do you feel any conflicts that arise as the band's presence grows?
Salt Mound: The number of people I am involved with is increasing, and since I am not a good speaker, I wonder how I can express my thoughts in words. I am not a good speaker, so I am not sure how to express my thoughts in words. I take on everything, and I feel like I'm making it harder for the members because I'm so busy. I became a musician because I am not good at working in an organization, but I wonder if this is really the environment we want to be in. I have to take care of myself, but it's not like I have a boss or co-workers. Of course, there are members, but in the end, I have to think for myself. . That's the hard part.
What kind of state are you aiming for as a band?
Salt Mound: In about 3 years, we will be a band that is allowed to do whatever we want. That is our goal (laughs).
Kawanishi: That's right (laughs). (Laughter). I decided to do what I have to do while I still can.
Do you mean to say that you will be more convincing as a band over the next three years?
Salt Mound: Yes, that's right. I think that Hitsujibungaku is still in the "newcomer" category, so I want to make sure that our band's position is strong. I want to create a situation where our name is known even when we go overseas. We would like to tour longer in Asia, and we would like to go to Europe and the U.S. as well.
Kawanishi: It's really true.
