FRISK collaborates with the project “#WordsIWantToSendToMyselfFromBackThen” to support working professionals and students embarking on new challenges, alongside the radio program “GRAND MARQUEE” in the collaboration segment “FRISK DEAR ME.”
The first guest to appear was TENDRE, a solo project by Taro Kawahara, a multi-instrumentalist who plays bass, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, and more. Based on a letter addressed to his 19-year-old self, when he decided to transfer from a technical school to a music college, Kawahara shared how he dealt with his uncertainties and navigated through them.
※NiEW has also compiled an article including content not broadcasted during the program.
INDEX
Turning Anxiety into an Adventure of Discovery
Takano (MC): “To me back then, when I was 19 years old and decided to transfer from a technical school to a music college. The title is wonderful, isn’t it?
Celeina (MC): I felt that the word sense you used was linked to the lyrics you spun into the song, and I felt as if I was listening to a song.
TENDRE: As an adult, I felt it would be presumptuous of me to say something to my old self, but I thought that if I were to dare to say something, it would be with these words, so I wrote this letter.
Takano: Once again, when was your first encounter with music?
TENDRE: I have been surrounded by music since I was born. My parents have been active jazz musicians for a long time, so from the time I was born, I had lessons at home or was taken to live performances, and when I was in elementary school, I started performing in front of people.
Takano: From that early age. And this letter is addressed to yourself at the time when you made a very big decision to transfer from a vocational school to a music college.
TENDRE: I originally attended a technical school where my father was an instructor. My father is a bassist, so I went to school with him in his car at the technical school where he taught bass, and took lessons from him, but he never said anything to me. But on the way home, we would ride home together in the same car.
At that time, I had a strong desire to be a bassist, but as I studied, I became more interested in learning about a wider range of music, so I decided to study for a year and go to a music college at that time. That was probably a big turning point for me.
Takano: Let me read the beginning of your letter on your behalf.
To My 19-Year-Old Self
I know deciding to switch from vocational school to a music university probably made you feel anxious about the depth of music, the vastness of the world, and the countless unknown encounters ahead.
But maybe it’s that stubborn confidence you’ve had since childhood that guided your heart to embrace this new path.
Preface to the letter. The handwritten letter in its entirety by TENDRE will be exhibited at the FRISK “Words I Want to Send to Myself from Back Then” exhibition at BONUS TRACK in Shimokitazawa starting April 11th (Thursday) (see here for details).
TENDRE: It’s embarrassing [laughs].
TAKANO: It’s a very big decision, and there is definitely a lot of anxiety.
Celeina: Did you have any hesitation or confusion?
TENDRE: Maybe not so much. It was a time when I was thinking of myself as a small person, so of course I was anxious and confused, but in the end, if you trace back to where I came from, I didn’t have much choice but to continue with music. Really, all I could think about was making a living doing music. In the end, I was 19 years old when I decided that it was no use being anxious and that this was the only time I could study.
TAKANO: Is there anything you do to switch your mentality when you feel anxious?
TENDRE: I am sure that anxiety will be with me for the rest of my life, so I guess it depends on how I deal with it. So I think it is a moderate conversion. In the end, anxiety can also be a chance to learn things you don’t know yet, and I think it is similar to the process of finding a way to open yourself up to new things.
INDEX
Navigating Mid-Twenties: Embracing Life’s Uncertainties
Celeina： Are there any words you would like to say to your 19-year-old self?
TENDRE： I don’t want to sound too arrogant, but in the end, the answers are all inside of you, and it is a process of searching for them. But in the end, I already know the direction I want to go, so clarifying those answers is probably the meaning of life.
Takano: After reading the book, various words stuck with me as well. For example, “Regret is not a setback, but a way forward and a taste.
TENDRE: I was trying to be cool [laughs].
As I look at my parents’ journey and how they’ve paved their own paths, I’m reminded of the importance of forging my own way rather than just following along. Even when the road ahead looks uncertain and the destination is hazy, maybe it’s worth trusting in the feeling of moving forward, the spark of curiosity, and the bonds with others.
Regret isn’t about going backward; it’s like seasoning progress. Just as music and art have no perfect or final forms, you have to trust your instincts and keep moving forward. I have a feeling that’s why I’ve made this choice—it’s bound to be enjoyable.
Excerpt from TENDRE’s letter (“#WordsIWantToSendToMyselfFromBackThen” presented by FRISK).
Takano: I thought that taste is quite important. Especially for those who are involved in music or art, “taste” is something that is difficult to explain in words, isn’t it?
TENDRE: Yes, it is. The theme of my first album “NOT IN ALMIGHTY” was “affirmation of imperfection. Music is not something that can only be left at a certain point in time. I am sure that the listeners will be able to sense that as well, so in that sense, everything is just a taste, so I feel that there is no need to be so anxious.
Takano: Your message was to your younger self to take it as it is, including the taste, but could you tell us about a song produced by TENDRE that you would like to give to TENDRE-san at this time?
Addressing my younger self, at the moment, I don’t have any regrets that resemble a stern lecture. Well, even if they do arise in the future, I guess it’s just part of the journey. So, please, just keep being yourself.
Excerpt from TENDRE’s letter (“#WordsIWantToSendToMyselfFromBackThen” presented by FRISK).
TENDRE: I would like to present a song called “DRAMA”. I was trying to write this song when I was the bass vocalist in a band called ampel, but I was always worried that there was no way I could give an answer to my life in my mid-20s. However, when I started the name TENDRE, I realized that I didn’t have to think too hard about it. I think that life is not about thinking too hard, and as I said before, searching for the right answer is what life is all about.
Takano: It’s a memorial.
Celeina： Finally, could you give a message to those who are at a crossroads in their career and life, just like you were at 19 years old?
TENDRE: This is really presumptuous of me [laughs]. I think it is very important to be able to imagine what the other person is thinking, regardless of age or gender, and if you can create things with people with whom you can communicate like that, you are sure to have fun. If you make things with people you can communicate with, you will have a lot of fun. I think you will find what you really want to say in the process, so anyway, I would like you to continue making lots of friends, no matter how old you are.
#WordsIWantToSendToMyself
FRISK is championing positive strides and ventures with its “#WordsIWantToSendToMyselfFromBackThen” campaign. Here, 11 artists, talents, and creators have penned letters to their former selves, encouraging them to embark on new paths and embrace challenges. Expect interviews and discussions on the letter contents across platforms like CINRA, J-WAVE, me and you, Natalie, NiEW, and QJWeb. The handwritten letters in full will be showcased at the FRISK exhibition titled “Words I Want to Send to Myself from Back Then,” commencing April 11th (Thursday) at BONUS TRACK in Shimokitazawa. (Details here).
#WordsIWantToSendToMyself
Eleven groups of leading artists will present “Words I Wish I Could Deliver to Myself Back Then”. The exhibition features handwritten letters written to their former selves who were once troubled by problems. This exhibition is a gift to all those who will start a new life this spring.
Venue: BONUS TRACK GALLERY, Shimokitazawa (2-36-12 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)
Dates: April 11 (Thu) – 17 (Wed), 2024, 11:00 – 20:00 (common for all days) *Opening hours are subject to change.
Participating artists: Sekai Kan Ozaki (Creep Hype), Ayuni D, Boru Juku (Tomoka Tanabe, Hope Sakayori, Anri, Haruka Kiriya), SIRUP, imase, Megane, Ameko Kodama, TENDRE, Kento Nagatsuka (WONK), Aile The Shota, Masaya Mifune (ROTH BART BARON)
Organized by NiEW Supported by FRISK
A special talk show featuring Ayuni D. and Ameiko Kodama x Megane will also be held!
In addition to the exhibition, we will hold a special talk show featuring Ms. Ayuni D., Ms. Ameko Kodama, and Mr. Megane, who have contributed messages to this project, on the stage. Talk show will be held.
Location: BONUS TRACK LOUNGE (2F BONUS TRACK central building tenant 2-36-15 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)
Date & Time:
Talk show by Ameiko Kodama and Megane-san” April 11 (Thu) 19:30-20:30 (doors open at 19:00)
Talk show by Ayuni D.” April 14 (Sun.) 14:00-15:00 (doors open at 13:30)
Seating at the venue is limited, so if you wish to attend, please register via the link below. Only winners will be notified after a drawing will be held. (Please set “@niew.jp” as a designated domain to receive emails.)
→Please check the NiEW special page for details.
TENDRE
TENDRE is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Taro Kawahara, who plays bass, guitar, keys, and saxophone, and released his debut EP “Red Focus” with 6 songs under the name TENDRE in December 2017. The final show was held at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo). And in December, they released AL “TENDRE / 5th Anniversary Album ~ IN WONDER & BEGINNING ~”.
https://tendre-jpn.com/
