INDEX
Haruomi Hosono’s Influence on the Duo: “Before You Know It, You’re Dancing on the Palm of His Hand”
It seems like Haruomi Hosono’s advice played a significant role in you both starting Chappo. Can you share how that happened?
Fukuhara: He didn’t explicitly tell us to do it, but before we knew it, we were dancing on the palm of his hand, in a way [laughs]. It wasn’t like he was saying, ‘You absolutely have to do this,’ but somehow he ended up naming the band for us and was always nearby, guiding us without us realizing it.
Hosono: Before we knew it, we were even playing as his backing band.
What does Haruomi Hosono represent to each of you today?
Fukuhara: For me… he’s like ‘a friend’s grandpa.’ Or maybe ‘my own grandpa.’ Since I never had a grandfather growing up, I can imagine him being like that. I still find myself amazed by him at work sometimes. But back then, he felt like a much more monumental figure, someone who could talk about 1940s music. I almost felt like a student at times. But now… he feels like my friend’s grandpa.
Hosono: I have the opposite feeling. I’d only ever seen him in a family setting, so I used to think of him as just a mellow, old man [laughs]. Even though I used to go to his live shows, I’d sometimes fall asleep. But recently, after hearing stories from Oto and playing music together, I’ve realized just how incredible he is. He’s done so much, and yet he doesn’t boast about any of it. I’m starting to respect him more now, even though it’s a bit late to feel this way.
Even before meeting Oto, you were into techno, which, if you trace it back, leads to YMO, right?
Hosono： Yes, exactly. Actually, no matter what genre of music you trace back, YMO is always there in some way.
Fukuhara: Whether you’re doing rock or ambient music.
Hosono: There might be some unavoidable influence [laughs].
