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SKY-HI: “I’m interested in the atmosphere of the scene where SIRUP ‘enjoys and shares’ his music.”
The idea of “going to different places and discovering a new version of yourself through meeting people” came up, and I think that’s exactly the theme of ‘Grooving Night.’ Also, with Hidaka-kun talking about having “various priorities,” I’m really excited that he’ll be part of “Grooving Night.”
SKY-HI: I simply wanted to talk with SIRUP. Like with my own radio show, being able to have serious conversations with people I want to meet, without idle talk, is extremely enriching. Sure, it can be a drain on resources, but being able to have deep conversations and light ones with SIRUP, plus even have a session, sounds fun. If I had to rank people I want to talk to right now, he’s definitely in the top three!
SIRUP: I’m so happy to hear that.
What interests you about “Grooving Night”?
SKY-HI: As I mentioned earlier, I really respect SIRUP’s approach of “having fun while sharing” and I’m curious about the atmosphere of a real scene where that’s happening. Of course, I know it’s an action involving a lot of friends, but I definitely want to see SIRUP, who stands at the forefront, leading it. What I love about SIRUP, including his music, is that his message never comes across as preachy, and there’s no artificiality in it. Honestly, the lack of that artificial feeling is huge.
SIRUP: Especially since the pandemic started, I’ve been thinking about how to share my thoughts with others without sounding preachy—how to encourage everyone to think together. When planning ‘Grooving Night’ (the first one was in March 2023), I had this idea of “let’s just talk about things like we would before bed.” The guests who have come so far have been people who actively share their thoughts on social issues, but SKY-HI is someone who is deeply involved in those efforts, while also succeeding in the mainstream. And on top of that, he’s a CEO. So, I’m really looking forward to seeing what we talk about, with him and me side by side.
SKY-HI: I really appreciate that vibe. It’s not extreme, you know? You can strongly hold on to what’s important while still being open to the “but still” moments in life. I believe to make a real impact, we can’t be too rigid. It’s like the saying from the Edo period: “Even in the clear waters of Shirakawa, fish can’t live—yet I still long for the murky waters of the Tanuma era.” When it comes to expressing ideas, it’s not about black or white but rather embracing the gray areas closer to white. And when having serious conversations, I prefer not to make it too tense, so I want to keep things casual. That’s why doing ‘Grooving Night’ in pajamas works so well.
Editor’s note: After the era of Tanuma Okitsugu, which was marred by corruption, the harsh reforms of Matsudaira Sadanobu during the Kansei Reforms caused the common people to grow weary, leading them to nostalgically long for the glamour of the Tanuma era.
