Interview with Noël

Interview with Noel from HEAVY/EDGE

Shibukawa:
"Shibukawa Eiji, hailing from HEAVY/EDGE, always ready to bring you the most niche and edgiest news through the web! Please to meet ya!
But man, VaniStar’s the thing. For reals.
It feels like the almighty thunder god bringin’ his hammer down on me. It reaaaally sets me on fire.
Smokin’ hot.
Anyways, so you give us these awesome rock tunes,
But how did your first meeting with the mysterious producer Revo go?”

The shittiest thing happened...and made me hate every damn thing...
And when I came to...I was just watching the stars all alone...

The winter’s moon...was frozen pale...
And within the darkness...a man in black...was looking at me...

HEAVY EDGE

Shibukawa:
“Man, that must’ve been one crazy meeting.
But for reals, is Revo-cchi from another world or something?
Or I guess another ‘horizon’, since that’s how he puts it. Geez, a strange man if I’ve ever seen one.
He’s got them black outfits, those cool shades, and those rings on his hands, or so I’ve heard. (laughs)
-oops, sorry man. That’s a bad habit of mine. Let’s get back on track.
So, what did you guys first talk about?”

"I listened to your music," the man said
"That frustration of yours - it’s grown too much to be denied, yet you’re much too young to come to terms with it"
"Won’t you try putting it to song?" The man continued
"That loneliness you’re feeling has the same color as the one I’m feeling."

"<The souls of musicians>[We] are free, we can turn any sadness into <stories>[roman]
Let us deliver those songs, to touch someone else’s world through the connected horizons.”

-And the man offered me one book in silence
Whose author I’ve never heard of...

Interview with Noel from SOUND AROUND

Yamaguchi:
“This is Yamaguchi from the music magazine “SOUND AROUND”, priding ourselves on our coverage of all musical genres with interviews delivered as they are, with no bias and no embroidery. It will be our first interview with you, so I’m looking forward to it. You don’t need to go into the details, but let’s start off with how you got into music in the first place, shall we?”

The first musical instrument I’ve played....was the piano...though my memories are blurry...
I remember that at least...but...

I didn’t continue my lessons...
Because I wasn’t a kid....
Who could sit still in front of a piano...

SOUND AROUND

Yamaguchi:
“I see. I suppose you have temporarily closed off your path to music, then. However, if that’s all there is to it, you wouldn’t be where you are right now, correct?”

Music has always been by my side...for as long as I could remember...it was simply natural...
And not something meant to be learnt...

Though my family was poor, my grandmother...
Tried her hardest and begged her relatives...
And managed to get me an organ on its last legs...

SOUND AROUND

Yamaguchi:
“I see. Pardon me for my rudeness in saying this, but that was a surprisingly heartwarming story.
So your grandmother’s love for you lit up your path to music once again.
However, for something that was supposedly based on the sort of love you experienced at a very young age, your songs leave quite a different impression...
Excuse me, I shouldn’t allow my bias to color my perceptions. Could you please tell us a little bit more concerning that topic?”

Interview with Noel from HEAVY/EDGE

Shibukawa:
“But man, you’re right.
The essence of VaniStar’s songs are like...a blood-curling scream from the depths of your soul,
accentuated by aggressive guitar riffs.
So how did you end up coming across a guitar, Noe-cchi?”

When I went to <an academic institution filled with stupid kids who had more brawns than brains>[middle school]
I didn’t believe in <self-serving kindness> at all, not even a bit

My troubled <guardian, looking after me for convenience’s sake>[old hag], laid down some conditions
I sold <my attitude and thoughts, exactly how adults would want it>[my soul], and got a cheap electric guitar in exchange

I can destroy this worthless world with this
Armed with the heart of a lone wolf, my one guitar, and the true <soul of music>[rock]

I took on everyone around me as my enemy and roared
Touch me and I’ll bare my fangs, since it hurts if you lick me where I’m most vulnerable...

HEAVY/EDGE

Shibukawa:
“Wow! I had that phase when I was a kid as well.
I guess it’s what they call the 8th grader syndrome, yeah? Awesome.
Still, I didn’t have as much pent up rage as you seemed to have back then. (laughs)
...by the way, Noel.

Do you still believe that you can destroy the world with rock?”

Interview with Noel from V-ROCK HEAVEN

marie*marie:
“It is my utmost pleasure to meet you on this fine day.
I am marie*marie, from the tanbi-kei monthly music magazine “V-ROCK HEAVEN”.
I have my eyes on the band “Vanishing Starlight” right now
And Noel-sama as well. Could I perhaps ask you a few questions, such as how you became involved with a band in the first place?”

The first band I made was a bratty metal band
We had all the spunk and none of the skills to back it up
We got into fistfights with people that pissed us off, all day long

The others spewed some rubbish about the ‘difference in musical tastes’, and I just found it ridiculous
We went around in circles for no good reason, and in the end I turned everyone against me...

-And so...none remained in my band...
It was <fated> to disappear...Vanishing Starlight...it burnt to a crisp...with only a momentary shine...

V-ROCK HEAVEN

marie*marie:
“Oh my, that’s quite impressive for an untold tale.
Scars from youthful days. A sorrowful glimmer.
I suppose that is why you went on the path of a solo musician for a while, using synthesized instruments?”

Interview with Noel from SOUND AROUND

Yamaguchi:
“I see, that is quite fascinating.
By the way, Noel-san, you have quite the splendid name.
My name is as plain as they come, so I’ll be honest here when I say I’m somewhat jealous.
It’s written as “ichi” and read as “Hajime”. 7 strokes in total even if you combine it with “Yamaguchi”, my last name. (laughs)”

No...it’s not as nice as you think it is...it sounds kinda cool, but...
My nickname was “Chris Mass-o” (laughs)

-Geez...
I cornered those shitheads who’d laugh at me...
I didn’t let them off the hook with a mere apology...and beat them until I saw blood...

All you got was an approximate date of birth? So you just went with the most obvious name?

My dad was the shithead who came up with it, apparently...
But...he died before I was born...so I didn’t get to punch him in the face...

SOUND AROUND

Yamaguchi:
“....
Perhaps that was much too inconsiderate of me.
I offer my sincerest apologies if my remark caused any sort of discomfort to you. Please forgive me.
So your mother had to raise you all by herself?
....I apologize in advance if I’m mistaken, but if memories serves,
You said that you were living alone with your grandmother...?”

-It’s alright...don’t sweat it...
I know...that you meant no harm...
But well...it’s...quite the complicated story...
So I’ll try…to summarize it for you-

Two youngsters fall in love, oh my, it must be written by the stars above!
(Do your best, you two!)
So they eloped at great danger, disowned by their own families as mere strangers!
(Do your best, you two!)
The Frenchman[francais] went out to dig for money, but died without making a penny!
(Do your best, daddy!)
Yamato Nadeshiko's pregnant, and it ain't funny, but she's got no money!
(Do your best, mommy!)

The widow’s left on her own, so she dropped off her kid before going whereabouts unknown!
(Do your best, mommy!)
The lonely old woman got the package instead, and worked her old bones till she dropped dead!
(Do your best, granny!)
The kid got shoved from relative to relative, they all call it a tragedy, but just sit back in apathy!
(Do your best, Noel!)
They’ve got the faces of saints, but that didn’t stop the abuse, no restraint!
(Do your best, Noel!)

-I turned the whole thing into a joke, but please bear with me here, Yama-san
It’s not a story I can tell without throwing in a few laughs!

And actually...what I have in this plastic bottle...is vodka and not water! (laughs)

SOUND AROUND

Yamaguchi:
“Vodka!? Not water?
What a funny person you are. (laughs)
But you do have my deepest condolences for what happened in your past, as untimely as it may be.
I would like to express my goodwill by supporting your musical activities and your future. That’s how I felt.
But really, vodka? Are you sure you don’t have some Russian blood mixed in there? (everyone laughs)”

Interview with Noel from V-ROCK HEAVEN

marie*marie:
“-I’m sure that aspect of yours is reflected in your music as well.
I can feel my interest in you growing steadily.
How would you like another cup of tea?
We only brew it for the most special guests.
I would like to hear in greater detail the emotional tales of your past seasons, Noe-sama.”

The color of my hair was different...the color of my eyes were different...
Even my name sounded different....everything about me was different...

I didn’t have enough money for freedom...nor parents that would love me...
I always had a messy attire...and there was no place I could call my own...

Ah...am I really that <different>[disgusting]?
Everyone who <judges> a book by its <cover> is shit...

The weaker ones tend to band together, but the lone wolf will run through the battering rain of malicious gossip
I don’t care who you are - if you’re getting in my way, I’ll tear you apart!

Powerful words...are much like a mirror...reflecting...a weak heart...

V-ROCK HEAVEN

marie*marie:
“....Noe-sama. Words are weapons.
When dealt with improperly, they’ll not only kill others, but deliver a swift death to you as well.
It is a blade beautiful when unsheathed, but its beauty does not diminish its danger.
If you’re so willing, perhaps I could be your sheath...
Oh my, what am I saying...p-please, I was just joking. ///”

Interview with Noel from HEAVY/EDGE

Shibukawa:
“-I just googled it, but totally came up blank, man!
That manufacturer you really like - ESP, was it? Does it even exist somewhere on this planet? (laughs)
...oh yeah, speaking of which.
Noe-cchi, it sounded like you got to lay your hands on quite a lot of western instruments in the past.
Does that mean you actually came from a pretty wealthy family?”

I lived my life...lying as one would breathe....
I couldn’t tell you what really happened...it was too miserable...
The organ...I looted from a pile of trash...when nobody was looking...
The guitar...I <xxxx>[bought out] using money I made from a shady <xxx>[part-time job]...even had to fake my age...

-Eiji
Are you going to look down on me now? It’s miserable, isn’t it?
That’s exactly the sort of world I wanted to destroy-

Even if the paint comes off...even if the strings rust...
I thought that this was the only thing...
That could destroy this shitty world of mine!

HEAVY/EDGE

Shibukawa:
“...I see. You’re free to tell me anytime if you want to,
And if you don’t, that’s fine too.
But Noel, let me just say this.
Even if everything you said was one big lie, your music and your efforts are as real as it gets.
I’ll gladly let myself be deceived - anytime, anywhere!”

Interview with Noel from SOUND AROUND

Yamaguchi:
“-Please excuse me for never having heard of Miyazawa Kenji...
But I think the discovery of a wonderful piece of work is something that not even precious gems can compare to.
Perhaps those are the stars that shine light upon the darkness that we all carry in our subconsciousness.
Noel, even if that shine of yours is a distorted one,
There’s something extremely powerful in your music that simply draws my heart to it.”

Yama-san...you really are...a kind person...that’s what I feel...from the bottom of my heart...

Ah...if my dad...was still alive...
I wish...that he could’ve been...just like you...

An ancient dresser left behind by my grandmother → in the lowest drawer
Was piece of memory locked in darkness → and by coincidence → it was unleashed

That is

A battered and stained letter, barely readable
"I’m sorry...mother...forgive me...I shouldn’t have....given birth...to this child..."*

SOUND AROUND

Yamaguchi:
“....”
(I was at a loss of words, and couldn’t do anything but place a hand on his shoulders.
All of his songs about love carried within them an indescribable sense of strangeness.
But I felt like I saw a glimpse of the true reason behind that strangeness.
It was a yearning for something that was never given to him, no matter how much he sought for it
As a child crying in darkness, all alone.
No, perhaps, as cruel as it sounds, it is something closer to revenge...)

Interview with Noel from V-ROCK HEAVEN

marie*marie:
“-I suppose that is why you left your job as a teacher.
Well, it is drastically different from a rock musician, after all.
To be honest, I find it quite hard to believe. But at the same time, I am rather fond of children myself, so
I can understand where you’re coming from.
You might not believe me, but I really do love children.
How many children would you want in the future? Boys are nice, but girls are cute too.
....oh my, I should first ask you about your preferences in women!”

I hate flippant women
But...
I hate loose-tongued women even more! (laughs)

Sorry...marie*marie
I’m not too good at those kinds of topics
Let’s talk about music instead!

-this is an interview for a musical magazine, right?
The one I’d really want to kiss and hold in my embrace should be none other than <the Goddess of Music>[Muse], right?(laughs)

V-ROCK HEAVEN

marie*marie:
“Oh my. Women can be quite the jealous creatures. Even if the object of their jealousy is a goddess.
But I suppose you have a point. You’re a sly one, Noe-noe (laughs).
Well then, can I hear about your future activities and any message that you’d like to leave for the readers?”

October 26, 27 Sound Horizon 10th Anniversary Fan Club Event
I was invited to a stage I’ve never heard of, the [Shibuya Public Hall]

"Won’t you come and perform the opening act?"
-said <the producer that I respect, even though I badmouth him every now and then>[Sunglasses]...

Our <music>[rock] is what will destroy this worthless world, right?
Ah...if [you] are crying several horizons across
Just call for <my music>[me] any time!!!

marie*marie:
“-Oh my!? Shibuya Voyage Hall**? It’s certainly a place I’ve never heard of...
But that is certainly good news. I would love to participate!”

Shibukawa:
“-Shibuya Regret Hall**? Wow, are you for reals!?
Where’s that? Like, can I go and stuff?”

Yamaguchi:
“-Shibuya Renewal Hall**? I do apologize once again...
But that is wonderful!
I’m looking forward to an exciting concert-“

All three: -The message of 11 words***?

"Since you are living, you gotta burn till the very end!"
That’s it! That’s gonna be it! Yes!