(Please Note: The following interview was completed by EMail with Shonen Knife's Naoko Yamano, on July 16, 1999. We sincerely appreciate Naoko's friendly participation, and the time she took to provide us with her comments via the Internet. Naoko is interviewed by George Ojisan, of the Knife Collectors, N. America Fan Club.
George: Naoko ~ Konnichi-wa, good afternoon! This is George Ojisan from Knife Collectors N. America Fan Club. It's good to hear from you and learn more of what Shonen Knife are doing this summer. 1999 has been a year of change and some "new finds" for Shonen Knife. You have been very busy, yes?
Naoko: Yes. I'm very busy for writing songs for our coming album. It will be released in this winter in Japan.
George: Shonen Knife have made some very recent television guest appearances in Japan. You appeared as guest on the TV Show, "Rocket Punch" on June 28, Naoko. What type of show is, "Rocket Punch?"
Naoko: The show is a kind of music program. I played two songs. One is 'Yamucharou de mecha umakaro (Chinese tea's song)' ~ another is 'Hamigaki (means Brush Your Teeth)'. And I talked with the hosts.
George: Was this appearance on "Rocket Punch" related to the release of your new single CD, "Yamucharou" c/w "Hamigaki"? There seems to be a good "Public health message" in the "Hamigaki" song.... I believe this song was chosen for a national program?
Naoko: Yes. My song 'Hamigaki' (Brush Your Teeth) was chosen for a program called 'Minna no uta' (Everyone's song) on the NHK (Japanese National TV's station). The program is watched by various age people. So, I picked up the theme (for a song) that everyone will have sympathy.
George: A Shonen Knife fan on the Usenet Newsgroup, "Alt.music.shonen-knife" ~ recently commented that "Kids in Japan are singing the new "rotten tooth song" - I think the video is very cute, and school kids would like and benefit from the message!
Naoko: I hope everybody will have healthy teeth!
George: Well, if they had "Brush your teeth" teaching videos like that when I was a kid... my dentist would not see me as often now! The "Yamucharou" song is very catchy.... good funky cutting edge guitar, too. I enjoyed the video commercial and costuming, very much. Were you approached by the Tea company to do a commercial song for them? Or did you create the idea for this song - and interest them in the project? While TV Commercials are often very popular in the U.S. - it is unusual for them to become pop song releases here.
Naoko: The Tea company approached to Shonen Knife to sing the commercial song. I like the tea so we accepted! And, I hope every dentist will use the 'Brush Your Teeth' song for to educate people! I wish there will be any good record company in U.S. to release our single CD. (Note: Media contact information follows...)
George: You and Atsuko also appeared as guests on the "PAPAPAPA Puffy" program! I think the theme of the show is this: "Puffy" play a Babysitter team as their character roles. And, between babysitting jobs, they interview guest stars on TV. Interesting day! Did you and Atsuko enjoy your appearance there?
Naoko: Yes. It was fun to meet Puffy.
George: Many Shonen Knife Fans in Japan "tuned in" to see you on the program. It was from your appearance on that show, that Japanese Shonen Knife fans first learned that Michie Nakatani had retired from Shonen Knife. Is this something that you and Atsuko talked about with Ami and Yumi (Puffy) during the program?
Naoko: Ami from "Puffy" is a big fan of Shonen Knife. Of course, she knows Shonen Knife was a three piece band, but there was not Michie. So, Ami asked me where is she. I answered that Michie wanted to think her life over again now and she wanted to do other things than a rock band. So, she offered to us that she wanted to leave Shonen Knife. We talked a lot about it, but her wish was very strong. We agreed that she left the band. I hope she will be happy in her new life.
George: I understand... we talked in previous email, and it is clear that Michie's decision to retire from the band was not a "sudden event" - it was something discussed by all the band members over a period of time, and finally agreed to by all... in the spring of 1999. Is this a fair view of the way this change took place, Naoko?
Naoko: We talked and talked and decided.
George: Shonen Knife Fans have expressed their feelings about the announcement of Michie's retirement on the Internet, changes for Shonen Knife and their love for all of you in the band is very strong! It is natural that there are concerns that Michie is happy in her new future direction. It is good news for all Shonen Knife Fans, I believe... to know that Naoko and Atsuko are continuing Shonen Knife! Can you give us a first idea what the new "Live band" Shonen Knife membership might be... in terms of a new member, instruments, or songs? The new album may have some surprises?
Naoko: Of course. We continue Shonen Knife and it will be up-graded! I play the bass for the recordings, for the present. I like to play the bass very much. Side by side with Atsuko & Naoko's Knife, we are looking for a competent new bass player. We want to play live show as soon as possible!
George: Everyone is interested in the new songs for a new album. I think you already have us more careful about brushing our teeth... and enjoying better quality Tea! What's up!?
Naoko: I wrote various kind of rock songs. It's just like a history of the GREAT ROCK 'N' ROLL MUSIC! For example, I have written Indian taste song, Hard Rock song, techno song, Punk pop song and so on!
George: We talked a little in L.A. in 1997, about the "Super Mix" album, and the use of studio remix technology - with Shonen Knife songs. I liked that album concept - major artists doing great remixes of SK songs. I felt Shonen Knife would just naturally move into more of that in time... even making it part of the Live Show, perhaps. You have learned a lot about studio techniques, Naoko. Can you talk about your studio work in doing remixes for other artists?
Naoko: Recently I remixed a song called 'Alligator' of the Japanese alternative rock band called 'the Blood Thirsty Butchers'. The original version is alternative rock but I remixed like the sound track for a Horror Movies using keyboards very much. It was so fun!
George: Your songs are being recorded by new young artists. Tomoe Shinohara has recorded two of your songs. Both you and Atsuko played on those sessions, yes?
Naoko: One song is written by Tomoe by herself, and Atsuko and I played all the instruments. Another song is written by myself and the title is 'Alligator' (this is different from Blood Thirsty's 'Alligator'). Atsuko and I played instruments part (here, also).
George: Tomoe Shinohara is very popular, I think - many commercial ads in Japan. She is now featured in a weekly TV Drama shown on an International channel here in Los Angeles. She plays a kind of modern-teen "Mission Impossible Social Worker", I think! Was she fun to work with on these sessions?
Naoko: Yes. She was very cute and clever girl! She even covered Shonen Knife songs when she was a high school student, with her friends!
*SECOND SET*
George: We've seen online, info on a new "Shonen Knife presents Wonder World Vol. 1" album that is planned. Can you tell Knife Collectors something about this project? Many interesting bands are named...
Naoko: My management 'TOMATO HEAD' and I started an independent record label called 'BURNING FARM'. The first CD is 'Wonder World VOL.1' which is a compilation CD of 10 Japanese local independent bands. All bands opened up for Shonen Knife when we presented a rock event called "Wonder World". All bands are verrrrry coooool! You should listen to it if you have the chance.
George: One band listed that I already like is the Kokesshies. They had two songs on the SXSW '98 Sampler in the U.S., "Red Sky" and "Take A Walk On The Earth". Very natural, good sound... I liked them right away!
Naoko: "Kokeshi" means Japanese traditional wooden doll. They are from Osaka, too. They broke up recently. 'Wonder World Vol.1' includes the Kokesshies' song. It is their last take. I like their cute voices and pure guitars, percussions and lovely flute.
George: Will Shonen Knife have a song on the "Wonder World Vol. I" album? I know that Atsushi Shibata is Producing the album, with Shonen Knife.
Naoko: I named 'Wonder World'. Atsushi is our manager, too. The name of our record label is 'Burning Farm'. 'Tomato Head' is the name of our management company. Atsushi named these from Shonen Knife. 'Wonder World Vol.1' doesn't have Shonen Knife songs. All bands are Shonen Knife's recommended.
George: Atsushi seems pretty cool and established, with the name "Tomato Head"! I think he is famous in Japanese music circles with that name now. It appears in album credits, etc. I know that "Comfort Records" is interested in carrying it online... so that's a good source for U.S. fans to order the album. "CDJapan" online - also is a good company for western fans to order Shonen Knife CDs. Indie Label project, right?
Naoko: Yes. Our record label 'Burning Farm' is an Indie Label in Japan. Is Comfort Records a CD shop in U.S.? I'm very happy if they can sell CDs (from the) 'Burning Farm' label, like 'Wonder World Vol.1'. And also, we want to license this album to U.S. and other countries' record label. I invite such record companies to contact us - we need such information.
George: Naoko, since we are speaking on the "business side" of Shonen Knife: It was announced on the Net in early 1999, that your previous label in the U.S., "Big Deal" is undergoing a reorganization. Shonen Knife fans online, realize that the situation with Big Deal is only the internal workings of that company itself: It has nothing to do with Shonen Knife's new direction or changes in the band. The important thing is: Shonen Knife are now available to contract with a new U.S. Label... for future album releases. Has this process started formally?
Naoko: We intend to look for our new record label for the U.S. and other countries' labels, by ourselves. If there are record labels which are interested in Shonen Knife, we are pleased to make contact with them. (Note: A&R contact information is available at the end of this interview, arigato).
George: Well, the music says it all, Naoko: Shonen Knife have given us a "17 Year Wonder Tour" of the world, already - so many beautiful moments.... and we are looking forward to the new album, and future live Shonen Knife shows. This planet NEEDS you guys! Again, many fans in the U.S. and other countries, have expressed their best wishes for a happy future to Michie, whom we all love... and much anticipation that Shonen Knife continue to rock!
Thank you for providing this opportunity for music fans world-wide to share your views on new directions for Shonen Knife, Naoko. Only a few bands today have maintained consistent devotion from long-time music fans, but that has always been part of the "Shonen Knife" experience. I think... we honor your musical past, because it *is* so honorable... and look to the future with your music because we know, it will be in that same Shonen Knife spirit.
Naoko: Thank you very much. Arigato. Atsuko and I continue Shonen Knife with more powerful energy than before. We will make super rock music for you guys. As soon as we find a new bassist (female bassist is fine for us), we will start live shows again. Please keep watch Shonen Knife!
Lots lots of love,
Naoko Yamano ~ Shonen Knife
George: Goshinsetsu ni arigato gozaimashita. Have a fun and creative summer!
1999-Knife Collectors, N. America. All Rights Reserved.
Media Note: U.S. Labels, Entertainment Media interested in interviews, licensing song rights for media projects, future album promotion, or other related business with Shonen Knife and/or Burning Farm Label: Please contact Shonen Knife Management in Japan, using the following address information:
Shonen Knife
Tomato Head/Burning Farm Mgt.
c/o Zero Communications
1-4-2 Gently Bldg., 4F
Yariyamachi,
Chuo-Ku, Osaka 540, Japan
Telephone: (06) 944-2393
Fax: (06) 944-2364
Email: ir4a-sbt@asahi-net.or.jp
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