You’re thinking 20, 30 years ahead!?

Aiji: I think LM.C’s worldview is complete with “STRONG POP”.

Well, I felt like LM.C’s worldview completed a level.

Aiji: Right. It’s like Maya awaking to singing.

Yes. One more thing, at the Zepp tour during the New Years, you announced your future plans. The next tour is in July and there is also a Fan Club exclusive live in March. I think the people who came to your last live were like “We have to wait another 6 months.” I imagine that LM.C’s activities move at their own pace. Do you ever feel like you have to hurry?

Aiji: There was a time when I was hurrying, but I’m not concerned about it now. I think tweeted this, but now these days, especially in Japan the cycle is too early. If I want to deliver something really good, I have to make it without rushing; I have to do tours without rushing, and take in the meaning of the work. Otherwise, I’ll get worn out.  During the first 3 years we rereleased the music a lot. Those days are different from now, the value is different for everyone. It doesn’t mean we don’t release music, but we’re not in the mode of “we have to release music or we’ll be forgotten.”

I’m sure. I have this image that LM.C won’t be hurried. Your single was “88” number 3 on the weekly chart, which was a big hit, it broke a record. After that, you didn’t press on and release anything new. That’s why I think you’re not in a rush.

Aiji: Well, in our team, there was a rumor that we made a mistake by not releasing more songs after the hit (laughs); they were asking why we didn’t release the album during that time. If we didn’t want to be sell outs, then there was no need for a recording contract, right? I had to have a certain level of results otherwise, this unit wouldn’t be interesting. In LM.C’s case we’d already made certain songs, so there was time to think. We weren’t in a situation where we had to rush. Maybe we looked like we weren’t in a rush. For example, 88 was made a long time ago.

But the release was in 2008.

Aiji: It was made it 2002.

You must’ve been busy with your previous band and didn’t have time to sleep. But now, do you want to take time create music for the future?

Aiji: Yes. And I think right now I’m able to make music for the future. Even if you listen to the music years from now, it won’t sound dated, you can sing the tune. I’m confident it’ll be an easy to like song. However, I think I can do more.

But, if you go standard way (doing what the industry wants), what will happen to your vision? Will you go to a shiny pop style.

Aiji: That shiny style will come out naturally when we’re feeling fulfilled. Each time if we think “This is cool, right?” Then the shininess comes out. Some time ago we said Maya was Peter Pan. Even so, society doesn’t see Maya as an eternal child. At one time, I was talking to him and told him it’s better to be a man, like wearing silver instead of plastic accessories. “You can’t be authentic while you’re an idol. To be authentic  you have to be mature. You have to be a musician who is admired.” Then, before I knew it, he shaped up, wearing silver accessories. I’m not sure if that talk had any real effect.

We have this imagine that he’ll listen to anyone, but he’s been listening to his Senpai’s advice for a long time. That too is cute (laughs).

Aiji: “Just like you admired someone when you were a band kid, there’s someone who admires you, so you have to be a man.” He has to be admired (as a musician) by men as well (not just girls).

I see. Going back to what we were talking about, are you not going to remove your make-up and go plain?

Aiji: Yeah…we’re not doing that. If I go plain, then I’d have to quit. Besides, a lack of freshness isn’t good. Well…I suppose there would be merits to going without those things as well. That time will come after we’ve prepared for Folk the LM.C (laughs).

(laughs) But, aren’t costumes getting showier?

Aiji: About costumes…it would be interesting if I could pursue cool comfortable costumes. As of right now, we’re still making out a style. Even though it’s rough, I want to dig deep so people will say, these guys don’t disappoint. Ideally, we’d like to be like Kiyoshirou Imawano, who did rock until the end of his life.

Kiyoshirou had the voice, lyrics, and presence.

Aiji: He was an icon. Even when he was just standing there you could hear the music. Tamio Okuda like that too.

But, Maya has a talent for writing lyrics and conveying the message clearly, it’s not an impossible dream.

Aiji: Having been born and raised on this island nation, it’s hard to create an original identity, and then someone like Kiyoshirou comes along. The Japanese rock scene was following the west but, I want Maya to pursue a “made in Japan” style at some point.

So you have a lot of expectations for him.

Aiji: I hope soon society will see that LM.C is interesting (laughs). We’re not a band that is hard to understand. Because we’re a two-person group, we’re able to a lot. That’s what we’re betting on. Then, if we can’t do anything by ourselves anymore, it will be interesting to have a band. If a person appeared who could keep the relationship we have now, then we’d be a band.

So, eventually do want to be a band instead of a unit?

Aiji: I still yearn for a band because that’s where I started, I didn’t do music first. It doesn’t have to be now, but it would be nice if we found another member. “That guy’s good. We should be in a band together.” Someday, I hope to meet that person.

I see. Today, we heard a good story. You said LM.C is your life’s work, so your fans don’t need to worry about you breaking up.

Aiji: We don’t have a reason to break up (laughs). So there’s no need to worry. If we want to rest, we just rest. We wouldn’t use the word “hiatus” for that time (when we’re on break). When we’re not working we might go to Guam or Los Angeles.

So you even on vacation you two are together (laughs).

Aiji: No, we don’t have to be together (laughs). Well, if Maya died LM.C would end (laughs). That being only exception, we won’t stop.

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Part 1: http://smbeech.tumblr.com/post/108891220928/aiji-solo-interview-rock-read-46-part-i

Translated by Shannon Beech and Mari Miyamoto

We will be taking a little break but…

NEXT UP IS: Shoxx vol. 243 Aiji x Ryuutaro (plastic tree)