INDEX
Celebrating the Protagonists Embracing Youth in the Song
In the music videos directed by the members for each song, AI is used. AI also connects to the surrealistic elements in the work. How do you all perceive AI?
Kimura: For example, in image generation AI, elements like a hand turning into a foot feel surreal, as AI combines things that humans typically wouldn’t merge.
Ishida: AI can bring to life a world that’s close to what we want to create. Recently, at the De Chirico Exhibition, I overheard a couple saying, “This looks like something from Google Pixel.” Lately, it feels like surreal elements are commonly seen even in advertisements, so I think AI can serve as a gateway to the surreal.
When I listen to Karakoram no Yamayama, it reminds me of the world of Doraemon. Even though it depicts a reality similar to our own, the existence of Doraemon makes it feel otherworldly in a way.
Ishida: Doraemon is just a cat-shaped robot placed in the real world, right? It’s like the example with the comedy routine earlier—there’s something fascinating about making a change with just a small addition, and that aligns closely with my ideals.
Gura: “Shukan Kibatsu“ cover—it’s Doraemon, right?
Ishida: Yes, it’s inspired by Doraemon.
Gura: Who’s supposed to be Gian?
Kimura: Gian’s too violent—he’s not here.
Ishida: It’s Doraemon, Suneo, Nobita, and Shizuka-chan. We actually replicated the composition of an image from the show.
Ogawa: I think the world of Karakoram no Yamayama is kind of similar to Shinichi Hoshi’s novels. In his essays, Hoshi talks about the interesting combinations of old and new things, and his stories always start with something grounded in reality, then gradually shift, like the lens going out of focus. It’s ironic but also funny, and you end up feeling connected to the protagonist. I feel like Karakoram no Yamayama also has this element of wanting to celebrate the protagonists, and I think that aspect is similar to Hoshi’s world.
Ishida: Recently, NHK aired a live-action drama called The Strange, Strange Short Stories of Shinichi Hoshi, and it was really fascinating. There are many scenes where you wonder, “How can they have a normal conversation in such a bizarre situation?” Even though they’re in an unfamiliar world, on a different star, they still use everyday language to talk about ordinary things. That’s the kind of thing I want to do too.
Earlier, Ogawa mentioned “blessing,” and in the self-liner notes for Ippai Hito, you also wrote, “Even though I’m someone who tends to look at everything from an angle, I still wish to bless everyone from behind.” Where does this feeling come from?
Ishida: I went to a Christian school, so I had daily chapel services from elementary school. In the Bible, “blessing” means “promise.” For example, when it says, “God will bless you,” it means “I am watching over you.”
So, when I talk about “blessing,” it means that, as creators, we’re acknowledging the characters we’ve created in our songs, telling them that they are allowed to exist within their world, to stay in their youth as they are. And not just the characters in our stories—anyone who loves something and is working hard at it, anyone who, in the midst of youth, continues to love something and work at it despite being judged for it, should be blessed.
You seem to place great importance on the sincerity and purity of loving something.
Ishida: I think it’s really difficult to genuinely like something of your own will in today’s world. It’s an era where having something you love is like a treasure, and simply chasing after something you love with all your heart, even if it makes your eyes seem strange, is a rare and precious thing. I realized this when I became a university student, and because I understand that difficulty, I think that might be why I feel such attachment to those who live in that surreal world.
Karakoram no Yamayama “Shukan Kibatsu”
Release Date: August 14, 2024
Streaming Link: orcd.co/wapvb0j
Karakoram no Yamayama Official Website: https://lit.link/karakoramJP
X: https://x.com/karakoram_jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karakoram_jp/
exPoP!!!!! vol.167
Date: Friday, November 29, 2024
Venue: Spotify O-nest
Time: OPEN 18:30 / START 19:00
Admission: Free (must buy 2 drinks)
Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/@NiEWJP
Performers: Roman Kakumei, Karakoram no Yamayama, Hashiricomies, Ashikoshi Genki Kyoshitsu × Higan, liquid people
■ Ticket Reservation Form
*Please note that entry may not be allowed without a reservation
https://expop.jp/tickets/167
