[TRANS] Potato (Dec 2021): Voice
VOICE
Do you like your own voice? Are you conscious of the voices around you?
This will be about those various “voices”.
We also asked them about “the voice in their heart” for the theme of their current thoughts.
Jesse
■ About your own voice
I don’t like my own voice, but is it something that everyone else likes? I especially hate my voice when I’m talking. I’d think “what a weird voice!” when I watch myself on variety shows (laughs). I don’t love or hate my singing voice, but friends and people around me praise that “you have a nice voice” so I don’t hate it as much as before. Besides, I think that “I need to fall in love with my singing voice”. I need to approach it face on, discovering its own distinctions and improving on it even more.
■ About voices around you
I like responses and feedback. Being able to directly feel the audience’s response when I was doing my stage play was huge, and I think that’s what the charm of stage plays and concerts are. Voices that made me happy were the ‘as expected’ and ‘again’ in “your singing was the real deal as expected” and “again, you’re amazing”. It seems like my singing is new to people who’d only seen me on variety shows, and it makes me happy when they find that amazing. I hope more people can listen to my singing.
■ How are you lately?
Yesterday, I used the bath salts I received from IKKO-san when I guested with them, and it was really bubbly. It was like those baths that celebrities take (laughs). I’ll always use bath salts when I have a soak. I still have around 3 or 4 packs from IKKO-san. Apparently the one that Kouchi received was rose scented and had rose petals too. I look forward to using it (laughs).
THEME
『Someone I want to meet no matter what』Being told I can talk about anything, the first thing that came to mind is “I want to meet Tamaki Kouji-san”. Reason being that I love him (laughs). It’s the same feeling as everyone wanting to meet the person they love. If I could meet him, I have to tell him about my feelings: that I listen to his music when I’m sleeping, and when I’m awake too. I think I’d get nervous if I do meet him, but I believe it’ll come true one day if I keep talking about it, and it doesn’t feel half bad to live life thinking “I hope I can meet him one day” (laughs). Usually, when I have a meal with my favourite senpais or geinin-san [comedians], I’m the one who starts the conversation. Moments of silence are wasted time and I have loads to ask them in the first place. It’d also be fun to talk about grand things like “what do you think about the future of Japan?!” so we’ll never run out of things to talk about.
Taiga Kyomoto
■ About your own voice
I think through my profession, I’ve learnt about the keys and pitch ranges that highlight my voice the best, but that’s something separate to the voice I like or want to sound like. I don’t really like my own voice. But I do love to sing and it’s not that I want to copy the voice I like either. I know that I’ll lose my individuality if I copy another’s voice so I’m fine with this voice. And, although my voice is called high-pitched by many, it still pales in comparison in comparison to other high-pitched singers in the field and I feel blue over that often.
■ About voices around you
Matsuura Koudai-san did an impersonation of my voice. I don’t really know about my own voice, but it must be alike since everyone says it’s similar (laughs). I’d always been the one who studied my senpais to copy their singing, but I’m happy that I’m in the position now to be impersonated instead. Frankly, I am wary of the “voices” of the public’s opinion, but it won’t be good if I let that affect my singing or acting on stage, so I don’t look at it during shows. What’s important is to do my best and push my limits of that day.
■ How are you lately?
“Newsies” has begun. Being able to put the show is something that I’ve waited for more than anyone. I thought I’d be overcome with emotion on the first day, but instead of getting teary, I was pumping with joy, thinking “the first day isn’t the goal but the beginning”. It’s incredibly tough, but I want to perfect it even more and bring happiness to all the viewers.
THEME
『A sudden bodily change』Maybe it was the slow work life due to the pandemic, but I think my body was shocked from the hard workload once I began rehearsals for “Newsies” in the summer. I heard [my body saying]
why are you moving so much all of a sudden?!” (laughs). Just the other day even, I got a nosebleed the moment I started to wind down after getting home after the show. I almost soiled the sofa. And there’s the lack of sleep too. That’s always the case when I’m in a stage play and I think it’s because I’m too keyed up. It’s harder to sleep and even when I do sleep, I’d wake up multiple times in the middle of the night. The show has only just begun so I can’t possibly get beat down at this point, so other than my meals, I’m taking vitamins and things that are good for my body lately. I’ll take a break when all the shows are finished - I plan to have days where I sleep on and on without setting an alarm and days where I’m doing nothing and zoning out… (laughs).
Juri Tanaka■ About your own voice
In regards to my voice, I’ve never thought about it in ‘like’ or ‘dislike’. Well, it’s not dislike. My voice is really strong and doesn’t get hoarse no matter how much I shout or rap at concerts. But I don’t use the “sing from your diaphragm” method that’s typically taught; I’ve always sung from my throat since I was a Junior. I don’t have any special training or care methods so I think it’s just strengthened over time (laughs). The voice I like out of my members is Jesse’s. It’s not about his vocal technique, but simply that he has a sexy and nice voice.
■ About voices around you
I’m not bothered about them and I don’t ask “what did you think?” to the people who come to watch my stage plays and concerts either. Of course, it’ll make me happy to hear praises. But one’s personal opinion isn’t something that I can force and I’ve already done the best I could at that point in time. I was pretty curious about others’ opinions in the past. But at some point in time, I thought that I didn’t need to be that conscious of them. I rarely check out the shows and magazines I’m on. Though I do have fun watching our concert footage.
■ How are you lately?
The stage play “DREAM BOYS” finished and I had about a day where I could relax. But I just stayed at home and did nothing. Also, I haven’t been able to wake up lately. My phone alarm isn’t enough and what works best at the moment is my intercom bell (laughs). My manager-san will ring the bell 5 minutes before I need to leave and I’ll jump out of bed, brush my teeth and change my clothes before heading out.
THEME
『Utilising “individuality” and “skill”』The difference between “individuality” and “skill” is difficult. We’re often told “you have members with their own individualities”, but isn’t “being strong at ____” or “being able to do ____” a skill that’s gained after hard work? In my opinion, individuality is what someone’s born with; their height, looks, voice and such. So [to me], rapping is both an extension of my hobby, and a skill I’ve gained through hard work. I don’t want to introduce it as my individuality. I’ve actually had this sense of incongruity right after we debuted. Especially now when there are so many groups debuted, the term “individuality” is brought up more frequently to differentiate between them. I write about these “that’s not right” feelings in my lyrics a fair bit. It’s not limited to just this problem too. Being able to include these ironic themes in the lyrics is what’s great about rap isn’t it.
Hokuto Matsumura
■ About your own voice
I don’t utilise my voice well and I regret that often. It’s hard to put it into words, but I have a shut-in’s unconfident voice. I’m afraid it’s how I voice and how I use my voice, but I don’t think that I produce “a nice voice”. The same applies to when I sing, but it feels even more apparent after I’ve received so many chances to act. And although I experiment with voicing and articulation every day, I feel like my voice has become weaker than before. That’s why my humidifier is my best friend throughout the year.
■ About voices around you
Voices in terms of opinions is something that I’m highly conscious of. Not just limited to fans, but voices of the staff around me starting with the Director. It akin to the appraisal of my work after all. Of course, I understand that it won’t be all positive and that I shouldn’t be too affected by it, but I can’t help myself. It simply makes me happy when I’m praised. Actually, “comforting” might be more fitting than happy. Whether it’s acting, singing or dancing, I generally do all of them whilst worrying.
■ How are you lately?
Is it autumn now? The end of summer? I got a mosquito bite in this period. As expected of one that survived till now, it was pretty intense. Usually you’d only notice the bite after the fact right? And yet I felt the sting when I got bit and the area also swelled up like I had an injection or something; it shocked me that “I got bitten by such a strong fella?!”. It was only yesterday but it’s still properly itchy right now.
THEME
『Irregular appetite』My appetite fluctuates extremely depending on the day, and that bothers me (laughs). Because it’s autumn? There will be days where I’m fine with having a single cup of salad, or days where I gorge so much that it scares even myself, and I can be hungry again a few hours later. Honestly, “what is up with my stomach?”. I wondered if it had anything to do with my body temperature or how busy I was with work, but it doesn’t look like there’s any particular trend. By the way, today is an eating-lots day (noms on bread). On top of that, I get told that I’ve gotten skinnier even though I have such an irregular appetite, and in reality, I have lost weight. I don’t think it’s right to lose too much weight if it’s not for character prep, so whenever I see foods that look nutritious, a sense of duty that “I must eat that!” wells up (laughs). Well, my health is in good order though. Talking about appetite reminds me. I always eat sanma [pacific saury] and matsutake mushroom without fail during autumn [T/N: both are in season in autumn], but I haven’t been able to eat it yet this year. Crap it’s almost winter!
Shintaro Morimoto
■ About your own voice
To be honest, I don’t like it. Rather than about the quality of my voice it’s… I simply can’t listen to the voice that I produce. I’ve been in this profession for many years, and I think the fun is what’s masked that. In elementary school, during the lunch broadcasts, I was seriously panicking when Snow Prince’s song was played. It seemed like someone played the CD by chance and I hated it so much that I dashed to the broadcasting room and stopped it (laughs). The tons of home videos at home too, I basically don’t watch them.
■ About voices around you
I used to check the fan’s responses in the past, but I’m not worried by them now. The older I get, the more I have realised that there’ll be 100 different responses if there’re 100 people. There are 6 responses within SixTONES alone, so it’s impossible to receive a good response from all 100 people. Say that there are malicious comments on social platforms, I’d ignore them if I have to lose my own essence or hide my individuality to fix those things. Living happily every day is what’s most important to me.
■ How are you lately?
I found money in different parts of my room. 10,000 yen between 2 of my hats I have displayed, another 10,000 yen in my drawer, 5000 yen where I keep my keys, and 3000 yen in my helmet… I stash money in my pocket when I’m on my bike, and throw any change back in there too, so maybe that’s why there’s money everywhere (laughs). It’s all my money in the first place but it made me happy!
THEME
『Effort and misunderstandings about recent episodes』About the ‘recent episodes’ that magazines always ask about. This is especially the case during these times, but there’s a limit to what I can do in private at home. When I’m really out of things to talk about, I’ll split up one story into parts (laughs). For example, say that I cooked at home; if I made a few dishes then I’d talk about a different dish on each magazine. I think everyone does that actually (laughs). And my mom also checks out my recent episodes. If there’s something fun like “I went on a drive with my friend” published on a magazine, she’ll worry and say “are you that free that you’re going out all the time?” or “it feels like you’re going out to play every day but is that okay?”. To me, I’m being asked about stories in my private life, so I’m just answering that. So I hope my mom can be a bit more relaxed about it. If there are fans who feel the same as my mom, I want to tell them to not misunderstand (laughs).
Yugo Kochi
■ About your own voice
I’ve been told since the past that I have a distinct and husky voice. I know that it’s ear-catching too. When I was young, when I shouted during soccer games or cheering for my team, apparently it was routine for the parents and guardians to talk about “Kouchi-kun’s voice really comes through” (laughs). Even now, the shop assistant will notice me immediately even when the shop’s crowded. On the other hand, my friends would point out “you don’t need to say it that loudly…” when I’m chatting with them, and there’s the demerit that I can’t chat in secret. I used to hated my voice, but I’ve accepted it now.
■ About voices around you
I’ve started this job from when I wasn’t able to do anything, so the fans are like my guardians who’ve watched over my growth. Hearing things like “that Kouchi-kun has learnt to do this now!” makes me happy. The staff of “School Kakumei” had also told me “we were troubled over how to show Kouchi’s character”. It must be the same feeling (laughs). It’s embarrassing nowadays, but I’m grateful.
■ How are you lately?
Going to the shops is a pain and I’ve been buying clothes online a lot too. I get notifications like “10% off if you buy 2 items”, “1000 yen off coupon expiring the day after tomorrow” or “there are 2 pieces left in stock of your saved item”. Yes, I know that this is marketing from the shops. I know that, but I still find myself buying it. I feel a bit miffed at myself for that (laughs).
THEME
『The weather and lifestyle habits』I’ve started to notice the importance of the weather as I grow older… I think. Every day, it’s my routine to make my bed after I wake up and open the windows to ventilate the room. It’s a little depressing when the weather’s cloudy like today. It’d give me heaps of energy when it’s sunny - the weather alone can affect my mood so much. That’s why the so called “night owl” life that gamers and such live is something unthinkable to me. The other day, when I finished work in the dead of the night, I could tell that I was in low spirits. I ended up sleeping at 4am that day, but I opened my eyes at 7, 8am out of habit. In addition to the headache from lack of sleep, my body wasn’t in the best condition. I’ve realised that maintaining an orderly lifestyle of waking up in the morning and sleeping at night is important as expected (laughs). Season-wise, spring that’s not too hot or cold, and not dry is the best!