![17歳とベルリンの壁 [17 years old and Berlin Wall]: Noise Pop extraordinaire from Japan](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bdc5f8893fc04255b7b042/1605545423453-J5DKUVRB333AUBF2UW55/17+THUMB+2.jpg)
17歳とベルリンの壁 [17 years old and Berlin Wall]: Noise Pop extraordinaire from Japan
17歳とベルリンの壁 [17 years old and Berlin] is a Noise Pop / Shoegaze band from Tokyo, Japan. They released a first superb LP in 2015, and 3 since, the latest one last August (2020). They plan to do many more as you will read in their interview.
Each LP is full of little Noise Pop Gems, my favourite being ‘Prism’. Where Slowdive bring you in a vast, beautiful and cold universe, and MBV in a sound and texture amazing blender, this song is like being on a space scooter at a full throttle with the solar wind in your hair. Exhilarating.
Their last EP is calmer and wiser, though more astute in its music. A lovely album again, more mature and refined.
Overall the band has produced quality music, with attention to both sound and melodies that will seduce all lovers of good reverb music.
The group members are:
Yusei Tsuruta( vocal, guitar,synth),
Eriko Takano (vocal, bass),
Takuji Yoshida (guitar),
Junichirou Miyazawa (drums).
The music work to date is:
2020: Abstract, LP
2018: Object, LP
2017: Reflect, LP
2015: Aspect, LP
17歳とベルリンの壁, THE INTERVIEW
How did you meet?
We met at different live music venues. We are not as childhood friends or otherwise.
How did you come up with your name?
It's a combination of "17 years old", which often appears in the lyrics of Japanese rock bands and is experienced by most humans, and "Berlin Wall", which everybody knows by name but very few people have actually seen in real life.
What are your goals as an artist artistically/commercially?
Artistic goal: To make every release a masterpiece.
Commercial goal: to perform live on bigger stages that we are now playing on.
What are you trying to avoid as a band?
A situation where the top priority is no longer our music.
Tell us what you are looking when trying to achieve your sounds. Do you experiment a lot or have a clear idea of what you want?
It's a matter of separating what you can do intuitively and what will get better with time and persistence. We have a clear vision from the beginning, but we also remember to experiment.
Explain your songwriting process.
First, 90% complete demo is created by Tsuruta in DTM and share to the members.
Who would you want as a dream producer, and why?
Dave Fridmann: Tame Impala, The Flaming Lips, MGMT: Because I have an admiration for sound design.
If you could guest on someone else’s album, who would it be and why? What would you play?
Washed Out, Tycho, Bibio (remix): Their remixes are very interesting because they have their own colors.
What musical skills would you like to acquire or get better at?
All skills involved in composing and performing.
Which other musician/artist would you date?
Kashiyuka(Perfume)
Is there a band that if they didn’t exist you wouldn’t be making the music you make?
none
You are from Japan what are the advantages and inconvenient?
Advantage: The live venue is beautiful and well equipped.
Disadvantage: The lyrics are in Japanese. The housing environment can not play for loud music.
What are some places around the world that you hope to play with your band?
There are many countries we want to go to play a live in.
When is the next album/EP due?
We just released our last one in August 5, 2020. Not sure when the next one will be released.
Anything else you want your fans to know?
We're going to make music that can be listening the long time. Even after days, months, years, I'd appreciate it if you could listen our music.
WHERE TO FIND THE BAND
OUTRO
Thank you so much to the band for their hard work on the interview and of course for their confidence in Noise Artists. Hope you like this piece and the 17歳とベルリンの壁.
Please support them in buying their music and spreading this article and any mention to the band on the social media.
