#rina suzuki
SCANDAL’s RINA; “It’s me RINA” Style Book Translations Part 1 of 5 - MUSIC
“Everyone who has gotten this book, thank you so much. I am SCANDAL’s drummer, RINA. The theme of this book is vintage. From music to movies to fashion etc., things that are important to RINA have all been packed within it. It’s a book that’s made from the heart, so I’ll be happy if you all could enjoy it. - Rina”
About SCANDAL
‘Youth’ might be a word that’s mostly used when you’re a teenager, but I think that as long I am in this band, my youth will always been continuing. The fact that I can feel this way is probably largely due to the members. For 4 girls to come gathered together, and to always spend our time on such good terms is amazing, and I unintentionally think about it from an audience point of view at times.
About Member
The eldest, HARUNA always takes in everyone’s opinions calmly, and is a leader that judges only at the very end. To have HARUNA in the way that she is rely on me at certain times makes me extremely happy, and I think it’s nice if I could bring some relief to HARUNA. TOMOMI is a person that brings about relaxation and creates breathing space. In midst of a generally straightforward bunch of people, she also tends to throw out the odd curveball once in a while. MAMI is the band’s melody maker. She’s the most important support in terms of our music, and is the person whom widens our possibilities. The members aren’t family or friends, but they are definitely partners for whatever happens. I will support these members for who they are.
About Indies
There are probably endless memories of Osaka, I reckon. When I was a middle school student, and the other members were high school students, the 4 of us gathered together for a camp at a mansion in Osaka during our Summer holidays. We’ll practice in the studio every single day, everyone doing their own thing, then head to baths once practice is finished. We really didn’t have money, so in order to save, we’ll buy from the supermarket, and sometimes wash our clothes all at a go at the coin laundromat. It’s a Summer where be it doing the laundry, eating and living together, we were together. At that time, it was hard but we also enjoyed it. And during our indies period, we then performed street lives at Osaka-jo Park’s Ten-jo street, in front of an empty crowd that we really can’t possibly smile at (laughs). We made hand-written flyers ourselves, and tried performing and singing while dancing. We cracked our brains, wondering what we can do to make people pause in their footsteps, to be able to stand out. I think I’ll never be able to forget those times for as long as I live.
About Major Debut
I was in my 2nd year of high school when we had our major debut, “DOLL”. I was really happy to see that the dream I’d aimed for had come true. It moved me, going to the CD shop and seeing our CDs lined up there. I was so happy I nearly wanted to cry when I saw a plate that said 'SCANDAL’ hung up on the pillar. And right after our debut, we got to appear on music programmes and had many chances to widen our name, which I felt happy about, despite being busy. I can still recall clearly, the days that followed after our debut.
About Girl’s Band
I think that girl bands are the absolute best, and I’m so in love with being a part of it. 'Girls rock’ stands right next to the genre that is 'Rock’, and I think that the time that it can be naturally recognised for itself alone is coming; When it does, it’ll definitely be fun.
About Live
Lives are places where you’re able to see the band’s spirit and true abilities. I think that bands are the coolest when they’re giving lives, and if one doesn’t perform lives, there will surely be parts about them that you can’t understand. From the choice of the venue, to the components that make the live, to being able to convey themselves through MCs, all those make up the band’s spirit. It is lastly also a place where you can display your powers, when you use words and convey what you wish to say to your audience. From now on, I suppose my stance about making lives central of our activities will never change.
About Listeners
They seem different from the members or family, but they also hold a special spot. A relationship between the listener and a band can’t be placed specifically. Whenever I’m writing songs or answering at interviews, the listeners would pop up in my head often. That’s why, I’m always thinking of everyone. From honestly having zero in the audience during our street lives, to tens of thousands of people today, everyone’s presence brings us confidence and praise. For myself, I think I’m probably the type that won’t continue on with the band if we had no listeners. All of our fans are our power.
About Drums
As I thought of 'Wanting to continue on in the band as this member’, it’s been 10 years by the time I realised. I don’t think just by drumming is all of it, and I did it in my own way to a satisfactory point, coupled with fashion and hair and make-up. In response to that, I bet there are those who come for our lives and got to know me (because of everything). I’m glad that I became a drummer on my own terms. The drums aren’t just an instrument that is cool. Not only is it a instrument that girls can play, but there are also all kinds of drummers, and I’ll be glad to be able to know more.
About 10 Years
When the band was made, we were so hell-bent on making it work every single day, that we never had the time to imagine what it’ll be like 10 years later. After our debut, we’d been touring every year, and I always thought how much I’ll like for this to keep continuing on for a long time. In the band’s 10th year since formation, it felt like we’ve hit our very first point. Not only are we feeling the weight of the number “10”, but it also seems that we’ll be doing this for a long time to come.
About Composition
When I am making songs, it’s often that I start from writing the lyrics. When both the lyrics and melody come up in my head at the same time, I’ll make the demo using my synthesizer and electric drums. I’ll connect my electric drums to the synthesizer, and the synthesizer will add on to what I play on the drums, producing data. Afterwards, I’ll add in chords via the keyboard for the guitar and bass, then send my complete song demo to the members. When the melody doesn’t come, I’ll send my lyrics to MAMI. We’ll talk about it, and I’ll then leave the melody in her hands. Often, when it hits, I’ll make a memo of it to go back to later, and when I think 'Seems like it’ll come to me tonight’, I’ll write a song. When it feels like I can do it, I’ll gradually be able to. How many times that has happened…is a secret (laughs).
About Overseas
Whenever we go overseas to all sorts of countries, I am both shocked and happy, to know that we have this many people asking for us. In the 10 years that the band was formed, I’m able to feel the huge possibilities of every generation and will come to think, we can still do this, there are still things we want to accomplish, and things we can do. That’s because there are people who want to see us live. That’s why, it’s not so much about something special, such as 'Let’s advance into the world!“ No matter which country they’re from, our fans are all our friends. To be able to go to where there are people waiting for us, to do lives, that’s all there is to it.
About Now
Music has became the core to my being after all. Even when I’m having fun, and even when it looks like it’s unrelated to music at first look, it’s always connected. Even when I’m watching variety programme, for example, I’ll think about thing like how great that talk atmosphere was, or I’ll like to create such an atmosphere for our lives. After watching movies, it also evokes me to write music. Everything is related to music. Of course, I also enjoy listening to music in my private time. I often check out new songs on the radio, and recently, I think the Spanish girl band, HiNDS is pretty cool! From now onwards, I’ll simply like us 4 to use good songs to create good lives, and it’ll be nice if we can always keep going on like this. Also, as a band, I’ll like for us to be more exposed, and to take in all kinds of interesting things. We also have our own original shop called 'Feedback!’ in Shibuya, and we’ll also like to continue thinking of new ways where we can bring enjoyment to everyone.
Translations & photos by fyscandalband. To purchase, click HERE. For my "It’s me RINA” tag, click HERE. As I’ll only translate what piques my interest, this is only most of the interview and not a full translation. More to come.
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SCANDAL; “Happy New Year” blogpost by RINA☆
“CDJ was super hot! Thank you! To be able do the countdown with everyone, there’s no better start possible. Kindly look over us in year 2017 too✌”
“We’ll also be surrounded by lives this year. We’re going to be a even better band than before! Fighting spirit!”
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SCANDAL; “A Greedy Countdown That’s Both「Cute」and「Cool」!” - COUNTDOWN JAPAN 16/17 Quick Report
SCANDAL, who has happily gone past their 10th year anniversary since formation, appear as COUNTDOWN artists! They opened up with the powerful tones of “Shunkan Sentimental” right off the bat. With MAMI (Guitar & Vocal) on her guitar solo, and HARUNA (Vocal & Guitar), guiding with her crazy intonations, she went,「Everyone, sing to your heart’s contentーー!!」, before connecting (the last song) with “Taiyou Scandalous”.
With RINA (Drum & Vocal) bringing out the goodness from her snares, MAMI threw in a distorted guitar rift, before continuing onto “DOLL”. TOMOMI (Bass & Vocal) came out with a bass play that feels completely driven, before diving into “LOVE SURVIVE” with her vocals. Here, HARUNA then looked back on the last 3 times they performed on the GALAXY STAGE, and once again, RINA conveyed her thanks to all of the audience gathered. They then dove straight into the emotional yet wildly exciting numbers, “Awanai Tsumori no, Genki Dene” and “FREEDOM FIGHTERS”.
And then, after “SCANDAL BABY”, HARUNA spilled their thoughts on heading into year 2017 over 1 chorus of “Image”. It was finally the deciding moment. They not only announced about the release of their best album,『SCANDAL』for 15th February 2017 (Wed), they also conveyed their New Year resolutions in laughter. TOMOMI wants to「Do a room makeover」, MAMI wishes to「Live healthily」, RINA hopes to「Travel frequently」, and HARUNA aims to「Make many friends」. As they spoke of these wonderful things, the countdown begun, in a 3, 2, 1, 0 (!!) fashion. Confetti burst and floated down amongst the cheers, as everyone welcomed the most exciting moment. The band then rolled forward with the glamourous, “Take Me Out”, which everyone danced to, and lastly, they finished with the rockish-yet-cute “EVERYBODY SAY YEAH!”, with MAMI doing its call-and-response. It was a countdown live that could only be pulled off by SCANDAL, its atmosphere equivalent to a year’s worth of energy. The absolute best.
This will also be a part of the special supplement, of the March 2017 issue of magazine,「ROCKIN'ON JAPAN」(30th Jan 2017 release). The supplement will contain the full setlist for all of this year’s CDJ acts, as well as live photos.
Original article by rockin'on Japan HERE, translated by fyscandalband.
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