entertainment

Special Interview

JAY’ED

Well known for the highly praised CM song of electro urban tone on-air <EveryBody>, JAY’ED finally released his long waited album <MUSICATION>. A mix blood of New Zealander and Japanese, he speaks Japanese and English very fluently and communicate with the world with the music of R&B corned new era. JAY’ED’s time finally arrived.

JAY’ED’s color, represented himself with brand-new face

------So your 1^st album is going to release soon. How do you feel now?

[JAY'ED] I just feel “wow, finally it’s done” It really cost a long time, but I think it also means that I was very caution on this. It’s my first album, so I tried to keep in my mind that how do I want to be in fans’ eyes. JAY'ED’s style and taste has been perfectly presented, and I think I’ve represented a brand-new part of myself.

------It’s just a good timing for this album that the single <Everybody> was set as a CM song and JAY'ED’s music spreads to a wide range of people. I think it became very popular these days, have you ever expected such echo?

[JAY'ED] No, I haven’t. About one and a half years ago, I didn’t even know how it would be, but after the singles were released one after another, I could see the echo gradually. I think getting in touch with the fans inspired me a lot. With the chance of cooperating with JUJU (for the single <Ashitaga Kurunara>) I realized what I myself am supposed to be like. I’m still working hard on this.

-----<Everybody> is incorporated with sound of the time without being pinned down by the tone, it’s the main stream of American R&B, however the completion of Japanese music is not sacrificed at all. During composing, what was the difficult thing to you?

[JAY'ED] Well, actually it was the first time the composition went on so smoothly so far. It was an unprecedented style, so surprisingly I enjoyed a lot instead of suffering (laughing). Actually I was trying to record for only one time without listening to the track. So during the recording I was thinking the melody should be like this, and it was true, so just for melody making, it only took me about 10 minutes. Then I thought this way may work anyhow, but it turned out it was totally impossible for other songs (laughing).

Realize the power of music that passing to people

------So what does the album title <MUSICATION> mean?

[JAY'ED] It means communicating through music. I wanted to make “music” and “connection” into the title. After the major debut, I experienced a lot, for example I came to know that my music was used in the wedding, and it’s supporting people, which makes me realized the music has very big power. I had no confidence at the moment when I became a singer, then more and more people came to support me and I felt confident at the same time, I think music makes me happy. I hope I can share my experience and thoughts with those who’re looking for their dreams, and be their anchor.

------It really looks great that the album contains all the singles released so far. When you look back, comparing the one in <Superwoman> with the one who’re standing right here now, do you find anything different inside of yourself?

[JAY'ED] I think my point of view for music has been changed. I feel great to sing for those fans who’re listening to me and I also hope more people can listen to my voice. Probably for <Superwoman>, most of the time I wanted to makes the music that I like. Of course I’m still doing what I like, but not only that, more or less want to contribute to Japanese singing, and from now on I hope I could give the strength to those people who’re going to be musicians to let them believe this is really going to happen.

Actually…I used to be a shouter

------The single <Luv Is…> that created with the cooperation of EMI MARIA is really the excellent duet that makes you fascinated.

[JAY'ED] Both of us used to sing in the club of Kansai, at that time we did sing some covering songs together, and we had a chance to go for a conversation program of a magazine and then we thought we could make song together. I wrote this song for myself without thinking about something else. I got this idea, then she made the basic tracks, after that we asked the track maker UTA to brush-up for us to add some melodies. I hope I can make such kind of album in the future.

------What’s your secret to have such a beautiful voice that is highly praised by the listeners and even many of the artists?

[JAY'ED] Well, to be frank there’s nothing special. Instead I want to have different kind of voices. This is the subject from now on. Actually at first I was kind of shouter. When started in R&B, I used to be like K-Ci & JoJo. I was keeping shouting at home (laughing).

------2009 is ending very soon, so do you have any schedule for the future?

[JAY'ED] After the album I will start my tour concert immediately, so when all of these are finished I think I will go back to my homeland New Zealand for some time. I have been in Osaka for a long time, which feels like my hometown is Osaka, but if I go back to New Zealand there do have friends and families who’re thinking of me, it will make me realize I have another hometown. Then if I’m back to Japan, I will have some different feeling about this special place.

(By Osamu Sho)

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