Translation of Club Volvic Music Interview, Part 2~~

Translation of the Club Volvic Music Interview, Part 2, found here

This is Part 2 of 4 parts.  The translation of Part 1 can be found here

There's also a new interview clip on the last page (click on the 2 in the Special Movie box).  The translation of this short clip is at the end of the interview translation.

Please do not copy, take, redistribute, retranslate or repost this translation without my permission.  Thank you.

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Club Volvic Music Interview, Part 2 (Oct-12-2005)

Part 2 of 4.

"There is 'darkness in the heart' of everyone. I believe that part is also the real me."

Q: The title of the latest album, "DIABOLOS", means 'devil'. What is the most important part of this work?

A: What I wanted to express was not the literal meaning of 'devil', but the 'darkness in the heart' that everyone possesses. Why that darkness is born. I think that is part of the theme conveyed by the main characters in this work. It is the basis/foundation of the story, and the preceding single was made with that (theme) in mind. Of course, each song is like a piece to the puzzle, so each song should be enjoyed freely as an individual piece. On the album cover, I'm holding a mask that has my face on it, but under the mask there is 'another me'. I believe that both of those faces are the real me.

"I want this long story, carried within myself, to be expressed in many different forms."

Q: In addition to music, you've released a movie and books/publications. What is it that you want to convey through those things?

A: I am trying to express this story, not just through music, but also through images/video[1], novels and artwork. Sound is something that can be freely interpreted through one's imagination, right? But interpreting sound alone leaves parts (of the story) that can't be seen clearly. So I think that images/video[1] can reveal those parts. This work is one link in the long story called "MOON". "MOON" is made up of four parts, but the previous two albums[2] are part of the fourth chapter, while "DIABOLOS" is part of the second chapter, continuing on from that point. I think it would be good if I can ultimately complete all of the chapters.

"Images suddenly descend in front of my eyes when I'm zoning out[3]."

Q: How does the story underlying the songs (first) come about[4]?

A: It 'descends' unconsciously. It often happens when I'm zoning out[3] or when I'm riding in the car and looking at the scenery. I record (the images that come to mind) into the IC recorder. Like a play-by-play broadcast (laughs). That has been happening to me since I was a kid. It's like a blank screen is put in front of my eyes, and images are reflected onto it. I was always puzzled as to why that kind of thing happened. Then around age 20, there came a time when I started wondering about my own existence. If there's meaning in my existence, then there must be meaning in those images. That's why I believe I should preserve (those images) in my work.

The next update will be on 10/26. Look forward to it!

Notes:
[1]  "eizou":  picture; image as on television.
[2]  The albums MOON and Crescent.
[3]  "bootto suru":  having nothing on your mind; mentally drift away to an empty, dreamy space; space out; doing nothing out of boredom.  Sorry for using the term "zoning out" which I think is American slang, but it was the closest I could get to the meaning.
[4]  "umaretakuru":  literally, come to be born.

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Translation of movie clip

Q: Please tell us one of your secrets.

A: "I am extremely strong when it comes to (tolerating) pain. 
The soles of my feet are my predominant weakness.
I guess?
I really can't take foot massages.
...
Volvic!!"

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Translator comments:

Of course, each song is like a piece to the puzzle, so each song should be enjoyed freely as an individual piece.

The fun is in putting the pieces together, isn't it?  For now, the pieces are still a jumble for me, and I haven't put much effort into piecing them together to form the whole story.  I think I'll continue enjoying them as individual pieces for now. ^^  Ooh, and very cool how he talks about the album cover...

I want this long story, carried within myself, to be expressed in many different forms.

I love how he always wants to expand outside of music and express his works through visual media.  Listening to his music paints a picture in my mind of the story conveyed by the song, but having his own vision presented to us in movies, artwork, anime, etc., would truly allow his story to reach us.  And the way he presents such things visually, there is still so much room for our own interpretations of the story.

If there's meaning in my existence, then there must be meaning in those images. That's why I believe I should preserve (those images) in my work.

My favorite part of the interview!  He's said before that these images just come to him, but to hear him recognize the importance and weight of those images really blows me away.  He really is putting himself into his work, isn't he.  Leaving a bit of himself for the next generations.  There must be something in myself that I believe has meaning, that I want to preserve as well.  Gackt always reminds me to keep searching for that thing that only I can do.  We all have it.

... Volvic!!! XD :D :D :D :D