INDEX
The Motivation Behind Collaborating as a Pair Despite Solo Capabilities
In interviews with musicians, it’s common to hear about how they stopped playing piano or other instruments they had learned. For you, Ao, it seems that the experience of “changing your perception through persistence” was significant. Since you started composing music in middle school, have you had any songs that strongly resonated with you and felt like they were moving your life forward?
Aoi: I don’t have a standout memory of one particular song, but I do have favorites among the songs I’ve created. If I had to choose from what we’ve released as Summer Whales, it would be “Burden.” This song strikes a balance; it’s neither too high-energy nor too mellow, and it’s something you can listen to calmly without strain. Another favorite is the first track of our recent EP, “Are People Flowers.” This song was created without a specific goal in mind, like making the intro shorter for streaming platforms. Instead, it was about exploring what sound I wanted to create next. The entire EP reflects this approach, but I think “Are People Flowers” exemplifies it most clearly, so I’m really pleased with it.
You handle not only songwriting and composing but also mixing, which means you can complete much of the creative process on your own. However, your music career began with a fascination for “bands,” and Summer Whales is very much a duo that can be called a “band.” Do you think there is an aspect of your creativity where you feel the need for others?
Aoi: Yes, I do. I believe I can handle anything within the scope of my imagination on my own, but I am waiting for and seeking things that go beyond that. So, I might not be as drawn to the idea of completing everything by myself.
Do you find value in working as a duo?
Aoi: Yes, I do. I think it’s interesting to see what emerges when people with different lives come together.
Aoi’s songs and lyrics might seem to have a different taste compared to something like THE BLUE HEARTS on the surface. How do you, Kubo, find the appeal in Ao’s work as you engage with it?
Kubo： You’re right, the music I’ve listened to is quite different from Ao’s, but from the very first song Ao played for me when asking if I’d support, I didn’t feel any discomfort at all. Ao’s songs are generally based on very simple chords, and I find it impressive how such good melodies can come from that.
Is simplicity something Ao is consciously focusing on?
Aoi: It’s more about the melody than the simplicity of the chords. I like songs with easy-to-remember melodies, so I think that’s why my songs end up being simple.
