INDEX
From the Comfort of “Introvert” to the Vibrant Energy of the Club: Shikata’s Thoughts
How do you feel about the response to your live performances since shifting to a dance music style?
Shikata： The solo live we had in Tokyo in November 2024 was, for me, a moment where we were able to solidify something we had been working toward over the past year. Personally, it felt very rewarding.
I understand that you’ve always preferred making music over performing live. Do you experience any internal conflict when it comes to live shows?
Shikata： I’m not the type to organize events or take charge at the center of a crowd to shape the atmosphere. That’s just not my personality. But I do see it as an area where I need to push myself, so it’s not so much inner conflict. That said, when I’m on stage, there is a tension between what I want to express as an artist and as an individual, versus what might work best for the show in terms of performance. That’s the part I wrestle with.
Is there a difficulty in aligning your ego as an artist with the entertainment aspect, and how to balance those two?
Shikata： That’s always been a conflict for me, but recently, in a good way, I feel like my ego has gradually diminished, and I’m making choices that allow everyone to enjoy the experience. It may be a bit of a skewed structure, but I believe pop culture has this aura that comes from being oppressed or born out of desperation. The works of those in pain are often sad, but still fascinating.
You’ve never been the type to go clubbing, right?
Shikata： I even call myself “Indoor Newtown Collective,” so yeah, that’s right [laughs]. But with that said, I do understand the importance of the hands-on, live scene. At the same time, I wish dance music could be enjoyed in a more casual way, and I think club spaces could be more open. As a music fan, I feel that way. I’d like to be a bridge in that regard. There are a lot of people who say, “I go to live houses, but I don’t really understand clubs.” If our band could help them experience “this kind of pleasure” in club culture, that would make me happy.
There are a lot of people who don’t quite fit into the rock festival vibe, yet also don’t know how to enjoy themselves when told to “just dance however you like.” It seems like there’s a unique niche that only YAJICO GIRL can fill, combining both the appeal of a rock band and the pleasure of dance music. I feel like there’s real potential in that.
Shikata： That’s definitely something we’re betting on. At our core, we are a “band,” so I don’t see us ever fully transitioning into just standing behind a DJ booth and playing only club music [laughs].
Instead, I want to blend more of a live, rock-band feel into our sound. If we can mix that with the digital-rock vibes of artists like The Chemical Brothers or Fatboy Slim, then I think our take on house music will become even more distinctive and exciting as a band.
