SCANDAL the biggest girl band in japan! | 18 years with SCANDAL!

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i changed the title! while the album isn't out yet it's going to be in the next hours

trailers for the album and the MVs

SCANDAL - 10th Album『MIRROR』 - Trailer​




SCANDAL 「愛にならなかったのさ」/ Ai Ni Naranakattanosa - Teaser​




SCANDAL「MIRROR」- Teaser​




-

a surprise from the SCANDAL staff, they secretly bought an ad in the Shibuya station, the members were pretty happy specially with the 2nd wall that includes lyrics from all the songs in the album

src: Scandal Heaven

MIRROR
散らばってる甘い祈りは冷たい雨に打たれ
変わる世界を跳ね返してく
The scattered, half-hearted prayers are struck by cold rain
And reject the changing world


eternal
怖くてもまた鍵を開けてく
わたしの姿をみててよ
Even if I'm scared, I'll unlock this door again
Watch me do it


Ai ni Naranakatta no sa
なんてことはない
人生のたった何分の一かだけど
ちゃんと幸せだったから
Even though this was just
A small fraction of my life
I really was happy


Kanojo wa Wave
掴めそうで閉じ込められない儚い願い
果てしなく青い
A fleeting wish that can't be locked away, yet I can almost grab
An endless blue


Ai no Shoutai
いつかミサイルが飛ぶ日が来たって
あなたを守るわ
海より深い想いを知って
When the day comes when missiles will launch
I'll protect you
Knowing feelings deeper than the ocean


Ivory
たぶんクローンでさえ不一致はあるだろう
だから好きにしたらいいんだ
Probably even clones have discrepancies
So do whatever you want


Yuugure, Tokeru
記憶じゃない 透明な場所で
確かに覚えてる
I'm sure I remember a transparent place
That I don't have any memories of


Ao no Naru Yoru no Sukima de
最低な夜も笑った
愛に少し触った
正解なんてなかった
さよならも言えなかった
We laughed on the worst nights
Getting a little closer to love
There were no correct answers
I never got to say goodbye


Prism
それでも浮かぶ曖昧を
言葉にならない感情を
無くさないでいよう
忘れないでいよう
複雑に絡んだ美しい
The ambiguity that comes to mind
The emotions that can't be put into words
Don't lose them
Don't forget them
Intricately entwined and beautiful


one more time
いつかまたあの頃のように
違う もっと楽しい場所へ
Let's head to a place
Even more fun than before

hpYl95i.jpeg

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lyrics for "Ai Ni Naranakattanosa"


src: Scandal Heaven

Ai ni Naranakatta no sa ~ 愛にならなかったのさ; It Didn't Turn Out to Be True Love
Lyrics & Music: MAMI ~ Arrangement: Kouhei Munemoto, SCANDAL


Anata no kaeri wo matsu
Kore ga saigo no yoru kamo ne
Okaeri tte umaku
Itsumo no kao de

Ieru kana ienai na
Iwanakattara nante omou kana
Doushitano tte
Yasashiku kiite kureru kana

Nanimo warukunai samete mo inai
Tada naresugita mitai
Shinrai ya anshin to wa chigau
Nukumori ga hoshikatta no

Sono egao mo sono koe mo
Ooki na senaka ya shigusa mo
Zutto suki da yo tte
Furi shitete gomen ne
Chigau no sa wakaru desho
Betsu ni kono mama issho ni irareru kedo
Koi wa mou owatta no sa
Ai ni naranakatta no sa

Anata wa kitto asu no asa mo
Nanigoto mo nakatta mitai ni
Shigoto ni yuku darou

Watashi ga inakutatte
Nantoka naru darou shi
Sugu ni tsugi no koibito mo
Mitsukaru no deshou

Nante koto wa nai
Jinsei no tatta nanbun no ichi ka dakedo
Chanto shiawase datta kara

Mata itsuka ne genki de ne
Tamani wa muri sezu yasunde ne
Gohan mo shikkari
Baransu yoku tabete ne
Kokoro kara arigatou
Kore kara wa shiranai anata ni naru kedo
Waratteite hoshii yo

Sono egao mo sono koe mo
Ooki na senaka ya shigusa mo
Zutto suki datta
Hontou ni suki datta
Chigau no sa wakaru desho
Betsu ni kono mama issho ni irareru kedo
Koi wa mou owatta no sa
Ai ni naranakatta no sa

I'm waiting for you to get back home
This might be our last night together
Will I be able to say
"Welcome back" as always?

I can't say it
If I don't say it, what will you think?
Maybe you'll ask me gently
What the matter is

You did nothing wrong, and I still care for you
It seems I just got too used to it all
I wanted a warmth that was different
From trust and peace of mind

That smile, that voice
That broad back, those mannerisms
I'm sorry for pretending
To have always loved them
You know that we're different
We could stay together like this, but
Our love's over now
It didn't turn out to be true love

Tomorrow morning
I'm sure you'll head out to work
Like nothing happened

Although I'll be gone
You'll probably figure things out
And find your next partner
Right away

Even though this was just
A small fraction of my life
I really was happy

I'll see you again someday - Take care
Take it easy once in a while and go slow
Make sure you balance your meals
And eat plenty
I thank you from the bottom of my heart
Although I won't know who you'll be going forward
I want you to keep smiling

That smile, that voice
That broad back, those mannerisms
I had always loved them all
I truly did love you
You know that we're different
We could stay together like this, but
Our love's over now
It didn't turn out to be true love
 

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Vlog #52: "A blissful time wrapped in fluffy bubbles"




with subtitles


Vlog #53: "Year-end Q&A"




with subtitles


Vlog #54: "Happy New Year!"




with subtitles


Vlog #55: "Q&A - My mindset towards music"




with subtitles


Vlog #56: "Special Edition: 10th Album "MIRROR" Diary"




with subtitles

 

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Music Natalie - My Best Tracks 2021 with HARUNA

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At the start of 2022, Music Natalie conducted a questionaire project in which various musical artists were asked what their "3 most listened-to songs in 2021" were.

OH MY GIRL - "Dun Dun DANCE"



BTS - "Permission to Dance"



TOMORROW X TOGETHER - "0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You) feat. Seori"



2021 was a year I was immersed in K-Pop.

The pandemic hit and our planned concerts had to be postponed/canceled. There was a period of time when I felt a bit worn out from not being able to write music like I wanted to because things had come to a pause. However, "Permission to Dance" and "Dun Dun DANCE" made me feel once more that music is at its best when it's awesome and fun, with no need to think about difficult things. They really helped me out as a musician as well as a human being.

The fact that "DANCE" is in the titles of two of the three songs I chose shows what my mood is for this year.

I listened quite a bit to "0X1=LOVESONG," which emphasizes a band-like sound and feels like a nice hybrid of rock and K-Pop. I like Taehyun's voice in this song.



-

SCANDAL's "MIRROR" Lyrics Essays

#1 - MAMI's "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa" Lyrics Essay

The things I personally consider to be important when it comes to love are...


On Jan. 26, 2022, SCANDAL will release their new album MIRROR! It will contain a total of 10 songs: 7 new songs plus the three singles (eternal, Ivory, one more time) released last year. Also included are songs with lyrics and music written by each of the band members. Please look forward to the many songs that are unique to this album!

There will be a total of 4 essays from SCANDAL about this latest release. This is the first one, written by guitarist MAMI. She talks about the song "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa" which features lyrics and music written by her. What do you consider to be important when it comes to love? Please enjoy this lyrics essay while thinking of what love means to you.

~Lyrics Essay: "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa"~
The melody for this song came to mind at the same time as the one for "Ivory." As I was considering which one to pen the lyrics for first, I happened to be able to write the lyrics for "Ivory." This song was then shelved for a bit as a voice memo (New Recording #58).

At that time I still didn't know what lyrics to write, nor what arrangement it should have, and so it took the shape of it being warehoused inside of myself without showing it to the world (even the other band members didn't listen to it).

During the time we were making the three songs we released as singles in 2021, the subject of an album came up. We were like, "Oh no! We have no songs stocked up! Now we need to hurry up and work on making some!" That was when I suddenly remembered that voice memo. I thought, "Huh, could we use this?" I listened to the memo again and decided to make a demo of me singing to my own accompaniment (to be honest, it only had a decent melody, haha).

Recalling the time when I made this melody, I just wanted it to have a different theme from "Ivory," so I thought it would be better to limit what it was about. I also remember that I had a lot of friends who were having relationship problems at that time. But their problems were complicated, I didn't know what I would do if I were in their shoes, and come to think of it, what were my own past relationships like, again? Etc., etc. I finally arrived at these lyrics after thinking back on a lot of things.

What love is... Even if it's not love, you can have different sets of values. It can be important for some people to be together at all times, and it can also be important for some people to express love even if they can't be together. There are also people who believe their hearts are connected even if there's nothing there (and I think there are even more kinds, like those who think reporting / communicating / discussing is important).

There are 3 things I personally consider to be important when it comes to love: Don't ask for anything in return, don't get your hopes up, and don't forget to be considerate. I think that would be unconditional love, which I can't do, haha. If you care for your partner, there shouldn't be any reason to break up with each other. Even if don't have someone that you love. But if you're expecting something in return and have your hopes up, you'll think that it's not enough.

To you who's reading this, what do you think is important?
The day I'll get closer to unconditional love is still far away~...

<SCANDAL・MAMI>

translation Scandal Heaven

SCANDAL DOCUMENTARY "her" Diary 2021 SPECIAL EDITION - Teaser (10th Album『MIRROR』初回限定盤A DVD収録)​




with subtitles

 

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SCANDAL|What shape does love take for this quartet that's been together since they were students?

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SCANDAL celebrated their 15th anniversary last year, and will be releasing their landmark 10th album MIRROR on Jan. 26th. We asked MAMI and HARUNA, who continue to be active on the front lines as an all-girl band, about their thoughts on this album completed during the pandemic, their excitement for their tour, and their messages to their high school selves!




MIRROR reflects who they are right now without hiding anything


ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
Your 15th anniversary and the release of your 10th album are overlapping milestones. How do you feel now that you've completed the album?

HARUNA:
I'm glad we were able to complete it. We couldn't play concerts during the pandemic, and we felt an unease and confusion in stopping something that we've been doing over 10 years. However, having properly reflected on music and completing an album has given us confidence that we can continue to work together as SCANDAL.

ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
How did you decide on the album's title and theme?

MAMI:
We didn't decide from the get-go that we wanted to give it the title MIRROR, nor make the album a certain way. Up until now we had been thinking of making songs that we can enjoy together with our audiences at concerts, but during the pandemic we weren't sure for what purpose we should write songs. We then finally created "eternal." We didn't have any vision for the album and struggled to churn out songs one by one. By reflecting on ourselves during production, there were things that we accepted and things that we rejected. That's why we decided at the very last minute, "What about going with the title MIRROR?"

HARUNA: I'm glad we didn't give up.

MAMI: We of course have also written songs that are fun and have hope, but this time we made an album that reflects our hardships without hiding anything, just like a mirror.

ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
I'm also curious about what led up to the creation of the title track "MIRROR."

MAMI:
It isn't that we decided to line up 10 completed songs side by side and chose "MIRROR" as the title track; it was actually written after deciding on the title of the album. With the other 9 songs we felt that this is album that the current SCANDAL can proudly release. "MIRROR" was made because we thought it might be better to shift into another gear and have a song that inspires us. This song was born at the very end.


ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
What are your favorite songs on the album?

MAMI:
Mine is "Prism." The music is by our bassist TOMOMI, and I made new discoveries such as melodies that I didn't come up with. So far we've had a lot of songs where HARUNA's voice gives off a powerful and cool impression, but this time it's nice to have her voice sound soft and true-to-life throughout the album. Among those is "Prism," and HARUNA's voice suits it really well! I think this can make "time" move for those who have had the same impression of SCANDAL being a school uniform-wearing band from 15 years prior. That's what I like most about it.

HARUNA: Maybe "one more time" for me? We had released three singles (eternal, Ivory, one more time) ahead of the album. When we were working on "eternal" and "Ivory," we as musicians didn't know if sending something with a fun vibe out to the world was the right thing to do, and how people would feel during these times about things that had been commonplace in the past. Those were things we really took into consideration. But starting from springtime of last year, we slowly started being able to play concerts with audiences in attendance and had more chances to again experience how much fun concerts are, and that they make us happy. It's because I had moments where I was saved by music that I myself wanted to save people with music as a musician. That feeling grew stronger after making "one more time." We made progress on it after we released "Ivory," and was able to perform comfortably.

ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
"Ai ni Naranakatta no sa" made my heart ache...!

MAMI:
The melody for "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa" was finished at the same time as "Ivory." Since "Ivory" is a song written from a broad point of view and not limited to only love, "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa" focuses on love and expresses vague feelings like, "Are we breaking up? Or are we not?" It was suーper easy to write after listening to my friends' experiences and remembering when I broke up with someone I was dating (laughs).

ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
MAMI, what happens when you actually feel that love "didn't turn out to be true love"?

MAMI:
Huhー, I wonder. When I thought about what the most painful thing is when you're in love, I realized that it's "indifference." Like in the lyrics of "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa," there's a couple that lives together. If one contacts another, they get a reply right away. They're very diligent. When they go to work, they make sure to come back home. That trust and peace of mind of course makes you happy. However, if you start feeling indifferent to your partner that holds you tightly when they get back home, pats your head, and will stay with you forever, it might not be love.

ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
How did "Yuugure, Tokeru" come to be?

HARUNA:
When I was taking a walk outside while looking at a really beautiful sunset, the words "Dusk is melting" suddenly popped into my head. You don't normally refer to dusk as melting, right? But I thought it kind of sounded nice. I think it's surprisingly common to think to yourself that something you came up with sounds kind of nice, even if you can't explain it properly. It's often said that it's better to explain things and feelings using words, but sometimes it is better to trust your intuition and go in a direction that suits things more nicely. It's a song that I made with the intention of affirming myself when I come up with odd phrases.



As musicians, concerts make them feel that they're their reason for existing

ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
You'll also finally be starting your domestic tour and world tour. What are the differences between playing in Japan and abroad?

HARUNA:
For our world tours, we often say simple greetings in the local language during MCs. Also, the difference in audience reactions is super interesting! In Japan, the raising and waving hands is perfectly timed, and the audience tries to match each other while being aware of one another—it's very Japanese mindset-like. Overseas crowds, however, don't do that and just move however they feel like (laughs). The directions they raise their hands in differ, like up/down or even sideways, but that inverse feel looks amusing and energetic.

MAMI: There can be an explosive surge during songs where we'll just be a band performing a typical concert as always, but then it feels more like a club and makes us think, "Was the vibe of this song always like this!? Are we going at a slower tempo!?" (laughs). When we see realistic reactions, we feel at ease and are like, "This is what music's all about!"


ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
Please tell us how excited you are for the tour!

HARUNA:
Having many wonderful times once more is one of life's pleasures. By being in a band you have a space where you can communicate face-to-face with your fans, and where we need each other—you feel the significance of your existence. That's when it makes us think that it's okay to be musicians, so I'm very happy that we're playing a lot of concerts this year.



It's been 15 years since the band formed. What has made both MAMI and HARUNA feel that the other has "grown up"?


ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
SCANDAL's style in which all the members write and compose songs feels fresh.

MAMI:
If we didn't help each other out, we wouldn't be able to be a band (laughs). We're all originally from a dance and vocal training school, with singing being a big reason for that, but because we each have our own likes, it's not possible to merge our idiosyncrasies into one. When one of us really wants to make a song, they do so. An album is completed as those songs stack up. We don't decide that all of us need to write both lyrics and music, nor do we think of making songs on our own—we go with the flow, and that's what our style currently is. Although I've been writing songs often as of recently, I do think that I can't do it alone. And of course there are times when I'm like, "There's nothing that I want to say!" When that happens the other members are there, and it makes me glad that we're not able to merge into one.

HARUNA: The songs written by each of us are completely different from each other, and it gives us each a ton of ideas that we personally haven't thought of. By encountering new emotions that I wouldn't come up with on my own, I feel like I can grow even more. I'm happy that they give me so much inspiration.


ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
The band formed when you were middle/high schoolers. If you could meet your past selves, what would you want to say to them?

HARUNA:
Maybe to study English properly. As a grown up I always try to make remembering things fun and think about how to remember something, so I think it might have been more useful if I remembered exactly what my teachers said. Since we play concerts overseas, I wish I had learned more English when I was still a teenager.

MAMI: Because I lived freely on my own terms, I might say to keep things as they are. My memories of doing band activities and having fun with friends were fulfilling. If you asked me about balancing that with my studies, it's a little harder to say for that (laughs). As for my youth, I think I was able to keep a balance with being in a band and being a student.


ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
During these 15 years, what has made each of you feel that the other has "grown up"?

MAMI:
HARUNA has become insanely motherly.

HARUNA: Really (laughs)?

MAMI: Although we attended the same training school at the time of our formation, we hadn't really talked to each other. Back then she gave off a really cool, candid vibe. But after 15 years' worth of conversations, we've gotten so close that I can call her my very best friend in the band right now. I've come to feel that HARUNA is a kind, thoughtful, and supercute person.

HARUNA: (MAMI) is now able to participate in group activities (laughs).

MAMI: Really!? Thank you very much.

HARUNA: She loves being alone, and she's very impulsive. A long time ago she'd say something like, "I'm going to ___ tomorrow" the day before, but the next day she'd change her mind. There'd also be times when we'd be like, "You said you wanted to eat that a few minutes ago, but now you're eating something different?" Earlier, MAMI said that she wanted to eat donuts and looked for a donut shop. We got in the mood to eat donuts, but when we actually went to the donut shop she ordered just a coffee.

MAMI: I wonder what happened (laughs).

HARUNA: We're used to it happening so often that we don't think anything of it, but recently I've started to think that living with another person isn't that hard to do.

MAMI: Maybe all of our likes are finally in sync.

HARUNA: That may be the case.

MAMI: Eating wasn't that important to me, but I think it's a big deal that I've now come to enjoy food. Let's go eat some samgyeopsal (Korean grilled pork belly).

HARUNA: Yeah, let's go eat some samgyeopsal (laughs).





This month's special feature is to share what form love takes for you. Please complete this sentence: Love is about...?

ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI 0dyrpFY
MAMI:
Love is about interest!

I think it's important to have an interest in not only romantic interests but also family; friends; members; and colleagues, and have a want to get closer to them and be interested in what they're interested in. It's thanks to HARUNA that I got into K-Pop, and I talk to her every day about it (laughs). I think that having feelings for another person, such as interests and concerns, is love.


ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI B4apMjj
HARUNA:
Love is about turning a blind eye to the things you don't like!

There are many people who feel differently from yourself, but I think that love is to have as many quirks as there are people, and to not deny those. Even if you want to say "Isn't that incorrect?", each person feels things differently, and I think it's important for that person to think that it is the correct answer.





ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
What are you aware of when it comes to protecting the shape that love takes for the group?

MAMI:
Perhaps giving each other some space. We don't really say things like, "I don't want to hear about this anymore," or "You should like this more." When we're headed to the same place and contact each other about it, we won't poke our nose into each others' business. It's not something we decided in advance; we've just established the perfect balance. It's not quite an unspoken rule, but it's involuntarily established because we take things easy when the four of us are together.

HARUNA: We don't want to quarrel. That's why I think we accept each other. You'll never be on the same wavelength if you start off with saying "This is what I think," which is why all of us have open minds and will be like, "I see - so that's your opinion on this." Even if you think someone's opinion different from yours, you don't state that in a strong way—that might be the shape that love takes for the group.


ch FILES - Interview with HARUNA and MAMI OPF0fwr
Lastly, please leave a message for high schoolers!

MAMI:
Those finding out about SCANDAL for the first time via this interview, it would make me very happy if you'd get to know us via MIRROR. If your interest is piqued even a little and listen to it, I'd love for you to tell us your frank thoughts. I wonder what students who like current popular music think when they listen to SCANDAL? We're from the generation who listened to music by putting CDs into stereos or portable players. Now, everyone can listen to music immediately via their smartphones, and the genres and devices have changed. I'm curious as to how SCANDAL's music is being listened to, so I'd love for you guys to listen to us.

HARUNA: When you're in high school, there are those who have decided what they want to do, as well as those who haven't yet decided. Those who truly have something that they want to do, keep going for it. You know what you want to do, but even if you're worried about what your parents or those around you may think, you should definitely be honest with yourself—after all, you can take responsibility for your own decisions. However, if someone tells you to give it up, you will absolutely regret it. I want those who know what they want to do to push ahead, and those who haven't yet decided to take up an interest in something.

FGzp-IDhag-AQg-Ma-V.jpg
 

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SCANDAL - Ai Ni Naranakattanosa​





SCANDAL's 10th album "MIRROR" is out on sale!



the video is currently unavailable in these territories

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they fixed the issue with the MV and for some reason changed the name of the song to the English title

SCANDAL - It was Never Love for Me (Music Video)​




they added more dates to the world tour



-

they did an interview with BILLBOARD America so no need for translation this time, really cool to see them being feature in international media, we probably are going to see more interviews in English during their world tour

SCANDAL-Photo-Shintaro-Oki-billboard-japan-2022-billboard-1548.jpg


 

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SCANDAL -「MIRROR」​





Lyrics for "MIRROR"

Wandering around
In the faint smoke
The refracting white light
Reflects the present

Quietly locking eyes
And refusing to accept it all
My heart and voice
Are hopelessly in disarray

I try to keep my faint heartbeat going
Wanting things to stay the same
I reached my hand out gently

After breaking free from
The repeating darkness and light
I'll be on the borderline
Of where the two intersect somewhere - Let me believe in
What's reflected in the mirror
My reflection in the mirror

Scattered, half-hearted prayers
Are struck by cold rain
And reject the changing world

Beautiful and ugly things
Plague the depths of my heart
The fluttering flower petals
Are about to brim over

I don't want to forget this indelible afterimage
Hoping things still stay the same
I'll wait for a gentle wind
And face it head-on right now

After breaking free from
The repeating darkness and light
I'll be on the borderline
Of where the two intersect somewhere - Let me believe in
What's reflected in the mirror
My reflection in the mirror

Kasuka ni tadayou
Awai kemuri no naka wo samayotteru no
Ranhansha shiteru
Shiroi hikari ga ima wo utsushidashiteru

Me to me wo sotto awasete
Ukeirete wa kobanda
Chiguhagu na kokoro to koe
Doushimonai kurai

Hakanai kodou nariyamanai you
Ari no mama itai no
Shizuka ni te wo nobashita

Kitto kurikaeshite yuku
Kurayami to hikari wo nukedashitara
Dokoka de kousa shiteru
Kyoukaisen no ue sou shinjisasete
Kagami ni utsutta
Kagami ni utsutta sugata de

Chirabatteru
Amai inori wa tsumetai ame ni utare
Kawaru sekai wo hanekaeshiteku

Mune no oku ni kakaeteru
Utsukushiku minikui mono
Chirachira to mau hanabira
Mou afuresou na kurai

Kienai zanzou wasuretakunai no
Mada koushite iyou
Yawarakai kaze wo matte
Mukaiaou yo, ima

Kitto kurikaeshite yuku
Kurayami to hikari wo nukedashitara
Dokoka de kousa shiteru
Kyoukaisen no ue sou shinjisasete
Kagami ni utsutta
Kagami ni utsutta sugata de

source: thoseguiltyeyes
 

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My favourite song from their album is wave
i also like "Kanojo wa Wave", i think my favorite still is "eternal" but is always nice getting more songs with Rina's vocals

if you want a little more of backstory on kww, from their group interview in "her" magazine vol 3
──This album has strong aspects like that. Among those, what's the reason why you decided to sing "Kanojo wa Wave"? It's been quite a while [since you were last on lead vocals], right?

RINA:
We go to the studio for rehearsals every week, and after one of them, MAMI listened to the demo. She said, "RINA, why don't you sing this one?" I was like, "Oh, makes sense," and gave it a shot. This is the first full song I've sung since "I want you," so it's been five years, I think?


──It really goes well with this computer music dance tune. Did you make it from a pre-programmed track?

RINA:
Yes, I made a lousy demo of it using GarageBand without understanding how to use it (laughs). I'm not good with machines and can't use them well, but I had no choice but to do it. Like, I didn't even know how to save it (laughs). I decided to do it. But I've always wanted to make a song called "Wave." For a very long time I had been thinking of making a song that used that word. When you think of waves, you think of freedom. You can touch them but can't grab them. They can't be caught by anyone. I think that's wonderful. Though it's abstract, I wanted to make a song using something that people could imagine, and I decided to write a song about a girl who has that unfettered kind of mindset.​
 

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SCANDAL for NYLON Japan

0baa6c0f366edd39cdfe080e415bb22c.jpg

3d1038f7b2d2f7dd8e53ed526763bc2e.jpg



-

A.YAMI did an illustration for a lyric video of Ai ni Naranakattanosa




FLJlY5mVkAMmrU4


looks like Rina!

and speaking of Rina
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hhtd3xO.jpg


Today is Valentine's Day, isn't it〜
The band members did our customary
Valentine's jan-ken (rock-paper-scissors) this year too...
(The person who wins gives presents to the other three)
This year, I gave out the presents♡
Every year it's basically either me or HARU giving them out (haha)
A mystery of being good at jan-ken or bad at it
:)

src: Scandal heaven

the stuff with rock paper scissors is true, they have been doing that for years, there are videos of it but i'm having trouble finding them, for example one was in Mezamashi Janken

i did find this interview of them playing rock paper scissors and beating the crap out each other with a stick, good times

(game starts at min 6:00)


 

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Rina posted 2 new updates!

Rina blog

source


#InternationalWomensDay2022
Theme:RINA


front-page - #InternationalWomensDay2022 - 2022-03-08 (RINA) OmHc2ck


Today, 3/8, is International Women's Day.
It's a day to give thanks and respect
To women who work hard every day,
And a day to give mimosa flowers and put your thoughts into words.

For this day,
DAISY PROJECT and
Japanese confectionary store Takeno to Ohagi
Let us set us a special shop
For the ohagi and drawstring tote that we made in collaboration,
And we got to help out
By handing over the items to the customers.
It was excitingー!

front-page - #InternationalWomensDay2022 - 2022-03-08 (RINA) Im62yZM


It made me very happy
To see the facial expressions of the customers brightening
The moment they saw the ohagi.
I had such a good experience〜

front-page - #InternationalWomensDay2022 - 2022-03-08 (RINA) TRRS4Sn


Those who picked them up,
And those interested in it,
Thank you so much〜!

No matter how old you are, be the person you want to be.
May this world be one
Where you can freely choose how to live your life.

Please tell
The important people close to you
"Thank you, always."

https://daisyproject.official.ec/

※Notice※
The funds collected in half a year
From 2021.6.1〜2021.12.31,
Totaled 414,353 yen (~$3,600 USD)
And were successfully donated on 2022.2.18
☺

front-page - #InternationalWomensDay2022 - 2022-03-08 (RINA) Hl4NjPj



DAISY's second donation
Is to children will be starting new lives this spring
And those who are working hard to raise their children on their own.
It will be used for school bags, textbooks,
Home food expenses, etc.
I wish you a warm spring...!


RINA​

Rina blog #2
source
An ohagi collaboration
Theme:RINA


front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) SFzAIsM


Unique in appearance and taste.
DAISY PROJECT is collaborating with
Takeno to Ohagi,
A Japanese sweets shop
That makes special ohagi !

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) Hpftmji


They communed with DAISY's activities
And talked about a collab with us...
We put in a lot of thought
As to what form ohagi could take to fit DAISY's concept
And make it fun and beautiful.

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) UAvFp6G


And so,
We said it'd be great if they could follow our story
And make a design for it...

First was the rose, which is the flower that we both like the most.
This was one of our "flowers of encounters."


front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) 3SBnE1A


By the way,
The first time we traveled together was when we went to LA

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) AIcaH6j


It was such an awesome trip, going around every day
To vintage stores until we were exhausted.
On this trip we talked about our family situations and about ourselves.
We really did talk about all kinds of things
☺


front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) NNWbqZU


Then, Nov. 15, 2020.
We started MAKE A WISH DAISY PROJECT.

I decided on the project name
With this in mind.

And so, one ohagi has a daisy design,
Which is part of our project name.

And on March 8th is International Women's Day.
We decided to make this day the release day,
When mimosa flowers will be presented with gratitude
To women doing their best.

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) OvS0ati


With the hope that
We will have a better environment and society
For everyone in the future.
One ohagi with a mimosa design.

These three types of original ohagi
Will come together in one box.
It's finished so beautifully and has such great craftsmanship
That it's almost sacrilegious to eat it.

Also, we made an original drawstring tote bag
So that this collaboration
Can forever remain as something tangible〜!

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) Cx4TljH


A Japanese + retro design
Made with this collaboration in mind.

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) 0TC34i8


The length of the string is perfect enough
To hold your items and hang on your shoulder.

The actual item is even more adorable〜
☺


front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) F3Op7sQ


No matter how much time passes,
I really do like things with a retro vibe to them

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) VDf7HJF


Now then, this time as well
We were able to make something that we put all of our hearts into.
We're so satisfied with the quality
That we're able to proudly present it to you guys.
A portion of sales for the ohagi and drawstring tote
Will be given to three groups that support women / child-rearing︎

And lastly...
Preorders for the ohagi and drawstring tote
Will start from 12 pm JST tomorrow!

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) Z7Be2Hb


Please order it only if you're able to pick it up
At the Takeno to Ohagi store
In Sakurashinmachi, Tokyo
On March 8th, the release date.

Since the number ohagi that can be made per day is limited,
You may choose either to order
Just the ohagi,
Or the ohagi and drawstring tote set.
Orders will be closed
As soon as the preorder limit is reached.

Tomorrow at 12 pm JST,
On DAISY PROJECT and Takeno to Ohagi's Instagram
We will be posting the URL on our profiles
Which will link to the preorder form.

Please reserve yours through there

front-page - An ohagi collaboration - 2022-02-25 (RINA) 9Vl1ENV


I'm so looking forward to itー!


RINA​
 

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Rina VLOG #57: "Make exciting plans for yourself"




with subtitles


Rina VLOG #58: "If I wasn't in a band"




with subtitles


Rina VLOG #59: "A day off before some important days"




with subtitles


-

SCANDAL's world tour kicked out this past week!



new merchandise!

(MAMI and TOMOMI changed their hairstyle!)


0htsqGijDqK1xMPj8QC9RUCwdjLTM1XTFUJkY8ZjloIXI5UjxcJEQmaDlhIDw8XTFUJjZhJgl2fQ4edRpjFhkFOClEMGg6Wj9_ND4kZGBnBhIyUjlubFhjP28_dGljC2UKeApsOW03dilgWWsMdlg0bw

0hPb5h9eFxD00IERsBT4ZwGkNMCSJxchVFYmkYd31HBWN9fRhNYGsCeX1OBC14chVFYhlFNywRJHV6ehxgYHEGVkRCKBpcZE1iVQcjLiphBj5ZZzMcKHdHLisQUHgnJUgbPCJAKy8XWDgkdk8dMncTKg

0heKuFVCh_OmRIPy4oC5ZFMwNiPAsxXCBsIkctXj1pMEo9Uy1kIEU3UD1gMQQ4XCBsIjdwHj9nOislbn1JJzJ8SQ9iJy0dfSNQDA0gVAU8OjYnXC5waFlyB2s-ZVBgDXQyfAsiBWk5ZhFkWHo0cl0hVg

0hqTudJF7pLntIHTo3D_dRLANAKBQxfjRzImU5QT1LJFU9cTl7IGcjTz1CJRs4fjRzIhVkAS9EKS04VBN_cC48fDtVAg0nV2teMw89SCl-LhwVdiFraHtmGGsccU5nKGEtfCkyG20ceQ5kem4rcnsxSA

0hpGXLqqKmL2hlNTskIt9QPy5oKQccVjVgD004UhBjJUYQWThoDU8iXBBqJAgVVjVgDz1lEgddOSIefi09WAcWbjw9CAs8Yh5bA1ITbgtpdCxLdRxfRVNnC0Y0cF1KAGA-UQE0CUE1dR1JUm84X1MwWw

0hvuTDCARXKVppPT0WLtVWDSJgLzUQXjNSA0U-YBxrI3QcUT5aAUckbhxiIjoZXjNSAzVjIAdPIRQbVzVWLAlnZzxJJCMMBDxNMgM5fxZfNQgWeBdbSVthOUo8dm9GCW4MXQk2OEw7cy9FWmkKU1s2aw

0hXpWj7jPDB19qExMTLfp4CCFOATATcB1XAGsQZR9FDXEffxBfAmkKax9MDD8acB1XABtNJQppGxUxYD9cUCIebS1hAzZBJRdKJSY8cQprWCcfXkQPSnVPPEkSWGpFJ0EJXicbP08TWSpGdEcPUHUYbQ

0hCdTFHk1yHEtpPwgHLtZjHCJiGiQQXAZDA0cLcRxpFmUcUwtLAUURfxxgFysZXAZDAzdWMRFfFChHahtaLzAObRhWJnoRcQxtIgZWXjpkIAc3DiJfSVlUKEo-Q35GC1odXQxQLk42QT5FWFwbU1kDeQ

FNoQdydaAAM9gDf
 

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Tiny channel update!

VLOG #60 "A real look at opening day of our world tour"




with subtitles



VLOG #61 "Love, dramas, and small talk"




with subtitles



VLOG #62 "What's in my suitcase I have on tour"




with subtitles



VLOG #63 "What I bought recently + chit-chat"




with subtitles



VLOG #64 "Building a female drummer's body"




with subtitles

 
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SCANDAL's MIRROR Lyrics Essays
On Jan. 26, 2022, SCANDAL will release their new album MIRROR! It will contain a total of 10 songs: 7 new songs plus the three singles (eternal, Ivory, one more time) released last year. Also included are songs with lyrics and music written by each of the band members. Please look forward to the many songs that are unique to this album!​

#1 - MAMI's "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa" Lyrics Essay
There will be a total of 4 essays from SCANDAL about this latest release. This is the first one, written by guitarist MAMI. She talks about the song "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa" (It Didn't Turn Out to Be True Love) which features lyrics and music written by her. What do you consider to be important when it comes to love? Please enjoy this lyrics essay while thinking of what love means to you.​

The things I personally consider to be important when it comes to love are...

~Lyrics Essay: "Ai ni Naranakatta no sa"~

The melody for this song came to mind at the same time as the one for "Ivory." As I was considering which one to pen the lyrics for first, I happened to be able to write the lyrics for "Ivory." This song was then shelved for a bit as a voice memo (New Recording #58).

At that time I still didn't know what lyrics to write, nor what arrangement it should have, and so it took the shape of it being warehoused inside of myself without showing it to the world (even the other band members didn't listen to it).

During the time we were making the three songs we released as singles in 2021, the subject of an album came up. We were like, "Oh no! We have no songs stocked up! Now we need to hurry up and work on making some!" That was when I suddenly remembered that voice memo. I thought, "Huh, could we use this?" I listened to the memo again and decided to make a demo of me singing to my own accompaniment (to be honest, it only had a decent melody, haha).

Recalling the time when I made this melody, I just wanted it to have a different theme from "Ivory," so I thought it would be better to limit what it was about. I also remember that I had a lot of friends who were having relationship problems at that time. But their problems were complicated, I didn't know what I would do if I were in their shoes, and come to think of it, what were my own past relationships like, again? Etc., etc. I finally arrived at these lyrics after thinking back on a lot of things.

What love is... Even if it's not love, you can have different sets of values. It can be important for some people to be together at all times, and it can also be important for some people to express love even if they can't be together. There are also people who believe their hearts are connected even if there's nothing there (and I think there are even more kinds, like those who think reporting / communicating / discussing is important).

There are 3 things I personally consider to be important when it comes to love: Don't ask for anything in return, don't get your hopes up, and don't forget to be considerate. I think that would be unconditional love, which I can't do, haha. If you care for your partner, there shouldn't be any reason to break up with each other. Even if don't have someone that you love. But if you're expecting something in return and have your hopes up, you'll think that it's not enough.

To you who's reading this, what do you think is important?
The day I'll get closer to unconditional love is still far away~...

<SCANDAL・MAMI>

#2 - HARUNA's "Yuugure, Tokeru" Lyrics Essay
There will be a total of 4 essays from SCANDAL about this latest release. This is the second one, written by vocalist HARUNA. She talks about the song "Yuugure, Tokeru" (Dusk Is Melting) which features lyrics and music written by her. A piece of this song was born during a certain evening during an autumn in the midst of the pandemic. What feelings propelled the work forward, and what did she feel after completing it? Please enjoy this essay along with the lyrics.​

You can fully convey something just by saying, "I don't really get it, but I really like this."

~Lyrics Essay: "Yuugure, Tokeru"~

The song on our album that I wrote the lyrics and music for began with the words "Dusk is melting" that came to mind while on a walk with my dog on an autumn evening of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic.

The pandemic hit and our planned concerts had to be postponed/canceled. Even everyday life was restricted. My purpose as a musician was stolen away from me, I felt depressed, and I couldn't get started with writing songs.

Although there were times like that, it wasn't always like that. I gradually started accepting the state of things and felt positive feelings surging forth of how I must do what I'm able to right now, in my own way. They oddly fit with the setting sun I saw at that time, and it just completely resonated with me. To say that "dusk is melting" is odd, but I thought it sounded kind of nice. I believed in that feeling and started writing.

The songs with lyrics and music written by me up until now feature things like scenery and situations that you can immediately picture by reading the lyrics, and they explain my feelings. That was good when I was in my twenties, but now that I'm in my thirties, I've sometimes felt that I need to slightly limit my variations for direct expressions.

So, when I made abstract and ambiguous lyrics that were born by giving names to scenery and feelings this time, I felt that I came in contact once more with the freedom of music and expression. I was very happy to discover the possibilities in writing lyrics.

In life you're asked your reasons for liking something, and there are many times when you need to verbalize it. When you can't explain something well, you feel down that your point's not getting across. However, I want to believe that you can fully convey something just by saying, "I don't really get it, but I really like this." I want to affirm many things that seem like that and expand my world even further.

Live true to yourself, and express yourself the way you want to. What I strongly feel right now is that I want to cherish this song, which reminds me of what it means to be a musician, and continue to help out the lives of many people with music.

<SCANDAL・HARUNA>
 
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SCANDAL's MIRROR Lyrics Essays

#3 - TOMOMI's "Ai no Shoutai" Lyrics Essay

There will be a total of 4 essays from SCANDAL about this latest release. This is the third one, written by bassist TOMOMI. She talks about the song "Ai no Shoutai" (Love's True Colors) which features lyrics and music written by her. What are the "precious things" that you realize after growing up? Please enjoy this essay along with the lyrics while thinking of someone important to you.​

Every time I'd hear about things like that, I'd feel something bubbling deep down.

~Lyrics Essay: "Ai no Shoutai"~

The moment I went from my twenties to my thirties, I was alone at home. The first state of emergency had just been lifted a few days prior, but I couldn't get around to feeling like going out and was bewildered by the first wave of things as I watched the news on TV every day. That was about two years ago. This May, I'll be turning 32.

As usual, I stay up until dawn, I drop eggs I've just bought, I drop my iPhone into water—every day I laugh at and am amazed at myself, being as far away as ever from the image of myself at around 30 that I pictured before. However, there have been more moments recently when I feel that I'm getting older.

The environment around me has changed a lot.

When you grow up, a lot of things can occur. People get married, have kids, fall in love with the same sex, get sick, lose family and friends.

Every time I'd hear about things like that, I'd feel something bubbling deep down.

I take pride in the fact that I've always been blessed by the people around me. I was surrounded by kind and warm people, and given so much love. I had worries, but I always had someone there for me. I spent my time feeling that those days I was just given, were a given.

But now I feel that there is something just as precious as that happiness, or maybe even more precious.

That is to be the giver of that happiness.

One friend said, "I want to make this person laugh for the rest of my life." Another said, "When my daughter suffered a life-threatening illness, I wondered over and over why I couldn't take her place."

The reason why I felt a bubbling deep down was because those words pierced through me so intensely.

I also have people whom I cherish from the bottom of my heart. What I've realized as I've gotten older is that I want to be a giver to those people.

Yes, that's something you realize when you grow up.
I'm sure many people have realized that.

Even in 2022 the world is still full of problems and constant conflicts. But there are people who cherish from the bottom of their hearts both sides that are fighting, and people who want them to always have a smile on their faces.

The world on a smaller scale is full of love, but the world on a larger scale has missiles flying around.

Why do adults who know the joy of giving love purposely try hurting each other?

That's something you won't understand even after giving it much thought, but I want us to face each other despite not understanding. I want to fix the frayed threads.

And, I want to hold tight the spirit of love that all humankind should have all had from the start so as not to not let it be overwhelmed by the waves of society. I want us to acknowledge and forgive each other.

With that in mind, I'm still awake at dawn today as well.
I'm living in my thirties now.

<SCANDAL・TOMOMI>

#4 - RINA's "MIRROR" Lyrics Essay
There will be a total of 4 essays from SCANDAL about this latest release. This is the fourth and final one, written by drummer RINA. She talks about their thoughts on building the album MIRROR to completion during the pandemic, as well as the title track "MIRROR" that opens the album. Please enjoy this essay along with the lyrics.​

A sturdy, fragile mirror.

~Lyrics Essay: "MIRROR"~

Thrown into a pure white world with no landmarks, it was like we were searching for something the entire time. The state of the world changed completely. The music stopped. Different from working hard or giving up, we just came to a halt right then and there. We stopped running and were forcibly stopped while having to face what was going on at the time as well as ourselves. That's what the production period was like.

Light, delicate, calm, soft. I like songs that can we can play for a long time, and that have a femininity to them that we feel. More and more I wanted to write things that were abstract and soft. I didn't know what I wanted to do, and I didn't need the right answer.

It's interesting how the three singles we released during the pandemic have elicited all sorts of reactions like, "It's new and I like it!" or "Their musicality has changed and they've matured." Above all, I accepted all of those opinions and nodded in affirmation.

Carefully, little by little, we finished our 10th album with unusually high attention to detail. Even though it's our own band, I felt that if we cut something even a little, we'd be slapped by the hand of God...haha. We worked methodically while developing different mentalities. I think the four of us have each done everything we can do right now to make a very distinctive, mysterious, nice album that's unique to us.

It was hard to decide on the album title. Even on the day we were told that we can't keep putting it off, we still talked about it using vague words. At the very end, we suddenly were like, "What about 'mirror'?" We were like, "Wow...that's it!" and things went fast after that. Our conversations and feelings moved forward.

After that, we decided to make the lead song "MIRROR" for the album and its opening track. I thought to turn the feelings we've talked about so many times until arriving at this point, and that I can't explain well, exactly as they are into lyrics. I wasted no time and hit on a perfectly-suited title and song that seemed as if they were already foreshadowed.

A sturdy, fragile mirror. It reflects your appearance for what it is, including things you like and things you don't, while accepting it and sometimes striking back as if throwing a counterpunch. This song was written by taking a step forward from ourselves and facing the band and the world.

May it reach as many ears as possible! And, we hope that it flies to and reaches the depths of the hearts of those it should reach! It's also an egoistic album that we made for ourselves. I'm sure that we couldn't have moved on without making this. So, when it was completed, it felt like we had won with one point in the lead.

My hope is that everyone can be exactly as they are, with all of our different personalities, and acknowledge and and interact with each other. I will always and forever think that.

<SCANDAL・RINA>

translation: Thoseguiltyeyes

 
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Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL, Part 1
cover-2022-SCANDAL-a.jpg


"Fender produces a standard tone. That's why it's versatile."

SCANDAL, who released their 10th album MIRROR on 1/26, makes their appearance on FenderNews's Cover Artist feature. In part 1 of their interview, the ladies, who celebrated their milestone 15th anniversary last August, look back on SCANDAL's journey so far, including the reason why they started playing instruments. It seems that they have become more familiar with their signature guitars and bass made four years ago, along with a change in musicality.

"Perhaps the secret to keeping things going for 15 years is to think that we can keep going further"

──It's well known that you started playing instruments at the recommendation of teachers at the dance and vocal training school that you attended before the band formed, but what did you think when you were first recommended to play instruments?

TOMOMI:
We didn't really put up a fight. Since whatever the teachers said was absolute, you had to answer yes when asked if you wanted to try something out (laughs). We were attending the school because we liked music to begin with, so we didn't think that playing instruments was so out of the question.

──I see. You weren't unsure.

HARUNA:
Rather, we were really excited that they sensed potential in us.

RINA: I had only been part of the school for about a week. So when they asked me if I'd like to try out the drums, I was like, "What!?" But because my dream was to become someone who performs on stage, I was super greedy and was like, "If given a chance, I'll do whatever it is!" Although I didn't know anything about the drums, I did become able to play them.

──Were you guys familiar back then with music played by bands?

MAMI:
We listened more to dance music than bands because we studied dance.

TOMOMI: We were taking lessons where we'd use so-called divas like Beyonce and Christina Aguilera as examples. However, we were high school students at the time when bands like BUMP OF CHICKEN and RADWIMPS were popular, and those in the light music club were copying songs from bands like them. So, it's not like it was completely foreign to us; it was something that we had heard before. We just thought it was cool music instead of thinking about it in terms of sound.

MAMI: I started listening to it in a "This is what bands sound like" way after starting our own band.

──Did you play relatively well from the beginning?

All:
No, not at all (laughs).

TOMOMI: This was a dance and vocal training school after all, so we didn't have a teacher to teach us about instruments.

──What!?

TOMOMI:
That's why we had no choice but to learn on our own. And what's more, because none of us knew anything about bands, first we rented live DVDs and watched them while starting to practice for performances (laughs). It felt like we started from the "outside," like jumping with an instrument or doing a certain kind of pose during a live performance. There was a sort of school recital scheduled one week after the band formed, and they told us, "You can be the opening act if you learn how to play one song." That's why we practiced Sadistic Mika Band's "Time Machine ni Onegai" as hard as we could.

──I'm sure there are many people who started playing an instrument but then felt frustrated. Why do you think you guys were able to keep going?

TOMOMI:
I think we just thought too little about it.

──Thought too little about it?

TOMOMI:
Since we were only surrounded by people who danced, at first we didn't think that we couldn't do it (laughs). We didn't get frustrated because we thought about how we were "put together." Maybe we would have felt down if there had been skilled people our age around us [who played instruments]. But when we think about it now, we just feel that we had fun because we all had incredibly strong hearts.

HARUNA: I think it was good that we always had a small goal to work towards. That was also the case when being told that we could perform on stage one week after forming if we were able to learn one song. That kind of goal has always been in front of us, and I think it's because we've accumulated the ability to accomplish the task at hand somehow.

──You've cleared your goals one by one, then.

HARUNA:
Yes, it really has been one by one. Also, I think it's a big thing that the four of us started off together.

──One might have given up if they were doing this on their own, but because the other three members are doing their best, you need to do your best as well.

MAMI:
In that sense, our environment may have been one where you wouldn't be able to be frustrated. As long as you answered "Yes" to the question of "Why don't you try it?", you had to follow it through. We're all responsible types.

──I'm sure you all worked hard enough to bleed. I mean, when you first play an instrument, doesn't blood seep out of your fingers when you press down on the strings (laughs)?

MAMI:
Did anyone bleed (laughs)?

TOMOMI: I did back then (laughs).

HARUNA: We laughed at the fact that our fingertips hardened and the skin turned white. We were like, "It's like rice" (laughs).

TOMOMI: We did say that (laughs).

HARUNA: We were very optimistic and had guts. I think that we learned at that school was the importance of continuing to do something and having the guts to accomplish that. I think the fact that we formed at a school like that is one of the reasons why we've lasted so long.

──SCANDAL has stayed active with the same original members for the past 15-and-a-half years since then, but have you made efforts to keep going?

HARUNA:
We've had a lot of fun, we've had a lot of troubles—I think we've lived turbulent lives.

TOMOMI: We haven't done anything special in order to keep going. I think the teachers who chose the four of us are amazing (laughs). People often say we have a "miraculous balance," and that's something we think as well.

MAMI: I think a big reason for that is that we didn't start from being high school classmates, childhood friends, or even just friends. From the beginning I think we unknowingly cared for each other. We don't think things like we need to care; it's such a natural thing that we've kept effortlessly going these past 15 years. From the beginning it's like we've been considerate, or can read the situation, or perhaps have good intuition. We're like a collection of people with high capabilities.

HARUNA: Each of us can simply enjoy the opinions and ideas of the others. We of course have our own opinions, but even when someone comes out with a completely different opinion, we just go, "I see." Maybe adopting that as a part of yourself has been the secret for us to keeping things going.

RINA: We celebrated our milestone 15th anniversary last year, and lately we've been talking about right now is the best time for us—we can do what we want do, the band is how the four of us want it to be. We like ourselves like this. But every time that happens, I think, "We can keep going." We feel that things are going to get even better from here on out. We've never thought that we can't go further. Perhaps the secret to keeping things going for 15 years is to think that we can keep going further while always sensing the potential in ourselves.

"I had a longing for my first guitar to be a Fender"

──During those 15-and-a-half years you also came across Fender.

MAMI:
We did. When I started playing the guitar, what I pictured a guitar to be was in the shape of a Stratocaster. So, when I was told to try out the guitar and went to an instrument store, I looked for a guitar that was shaped like a Stratocaster. The first thing I bought was a so-called beginner's set, not a Fender guitar. After that, when I decided to buy a proper guitar and went to an instrument store, I told them I wanted a guitar in the shape of a Strat. Fender was recommended to me.

HARUNA: The first guitar I bought was also not a Fender, but after we started our activities as an indie band, the teacher who recommended me to try an instrument lent me a Fender Stratocaster. What I pictured a guitar to be was also a Strat, so I used that Strat for a while. It was around the time of our major debut that I thought about buying a proper guitar. I saw a Telecaster then and thought, "Oh, that's shaped differently" (laughs). Strats make me think of lead guitarists, and because I thought of how I'm both a guitarist and a vocalist, I decided to go with a different model from a Strat, which was a Tele. After that, I've been using nothing but Teles.

TOMOMI: The first thing I bought was also a beginner's set. I used it even after starting our street performances. It was then that one of the teachers told me I could borrow a Fender Jazz Bass. I went to return it when we were moving to Tokyo, and they told me, "That's yours already." That's how I got my first Fender.

──RINA, you previously purchased a white Telecaster. Why did you choose that one?

RINA:
I had a longing for my first guitar to be a Fender. I got to pick one out here (the Fender showroom). Among the several that had been prepared, the design that I liked was the white Telecaster with a little bit of wood grain visible. It was love at first sight.

──Since then you've been using Fender guitars/basses most of the time. What makes Fender so appealing to you?

MAMI:
Fender produces a standard tone. That's why it's versatile—or rather, I of course like their original sounds, but because we have a lot of unique songs with which we use effects, Fender guitars can handle anything during such times. They can handle any song, they're great for playing live, and they're always on the list of guitars I want to use when recording.

HARUNA: That's right. I think they're very versatile. They can handle any song. We've had changes in sound over the last 15 years, but we've continued to use Fender all this time. That's because they've responded well to those changes, and it's really easy to make sounds. It's so great that it's able to produce any tone. Also, they're easy to match with our stage outfits.

TOMOMI: In that sense, there's a sense of security. It's the main pillar of SCANDAL's sound. We've been walking alongside Fender all this time.

──It seems that the signature models of HARUNA, MAMI, and TOMOMI that were released in December 2017 were made with the idea that they could be used for a long time. How has it been using them for the past four years?

MAMI:
My signature model (MAMI STRATOCASTER) has basically been my main guitar these days, and I used it quite often when we were recording our album MIRROR. I'll probably use it on our upcoming tour the most. That's how it's become my standard now. Our musicality has changed little by little over these past four years, but about 4-5 years ago I didn't have many opportunities to use the so-called Stratocaster single-coil sound. However, as I got older and became more fussy about tempo and timbre, the number of songs where I play single notes, including arpeggios, has grown, and I started to play a more active role at that time. Now, I'm basically the lead [when it comes to writing music]. I say I'm more "mature" (laughs), but as a woman in her thirties, the songs and timbres have changed and fit just right.

──TOMOMI, did you make any new discoveries while continuing to use your signature instrument?

TOMOMI:
I think it can be used for a lifetime, but it perfectly fits my mood right now. I used it a lot during the recording of MIRROR. I feel that the number of songs on which I use signature bass will grow in the future, and I feel that I've gotten closer to my instrument (laughs).

──HARUNA, your HARUNA TELECASTER always sounds so powerful live.

HARUNA:
That's right. I really like how it's powerful and properly produces a rich sound. I can go without changing out guitars at all. Our songs are very varied, but I think this truly is a guitar that I can use for a lifetime because it can produce all sorts of sounds by using effects pedals. Reasons why I switch out guitars might be because it'll look better visually, or because we're playing an old song and I want to remember what I felt when we had made it. However, in terms in timbre, even if we have a setlist that's 20 songs long, I'll go almost the entire set without changing out my guitar.

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Stan BiSH

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i haven't been updating this or other threads lately because my computer died a while ago, i don't have to access to my hard drives, many of my accounts and bookmarks, hopefully i can get it fixed soon

anyway, Rina posted some updates

VLOG #71 "Q&A with TOMOMI"



with subtitles


pretty cool! i believe Tomomi is now the person with the most guest appearances on Rina's channel, hopefully she can convince Haruna and Mami to do a Q&A too!


VLOG #65: "Doing solo practice in the rehearsal studio"



with subtitles


VLOG #66: "Eating delicious food and relaxing in Fukuoka"



with subtitles


VLOG #67: Eating our most favorite bento in Japan"



with subtitles


VLOG #68:【VLOG】A summary of three beauty-related days"



with subtitles


VLOG #69: "Eating takeout sushi in my hotel room"



with subtitles


VLOG #70: "Talking about friends made after growing up, etc."



with subtitles


Scandal-Heaven's thread

 
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