Towa's OHP Diary
#
22 : 06 . 14 (Tuesday)
The Nagoya performance just ended. Kanoma is driving us towards Osaka.
Hakata was first [the first live for the last tour]. After the Hachiouji
instore event, we had to get going. Kanoma, Lay, and I had our licenses,
and we had to take our equipment and goods, so we took two cars. Lay
wasn't feeling very good, so I drove from Tokyo to Hakata in 13 hours,
and Kanoma drove till Okayama for about 9 hours, and then Lay drove
the rest of way, and they arrived safely in Hakata.
I had driven myself to Osaka before, but this time it was like driving
there twice, so it was a first. As expected, when we arrived at the
hotel, I collapsed atop the bed. That night, we all went to Yamachan,
a ramen shop close to Be-1. If you ever go to a live by Be-1, you
must visit this place. The tonkotsu ramen is the most delicious. The
menu at Yamachan is mechakucha [Osaka-ben mecha which is similar to
cho, it just adds emphasis and means REALLY!!!] delicious. I recommend
it.
Well, now about the live... When I entered the concert hall, I wonder
why I wasn't deprived of the image projected in front of my eyes.
It was a collection of Chris Cunningham's work[director famous for
the Aphex Twin music video "Come to Daddy"]. During rehearsal and
such, we checked with the SE, and decided that we could do a lot with
the atmosphere, so it would be awesome. Kanoma's sense shined.
Well, now about Sakura Meiro. From the curtain, there was an illuminated
scene, which surely looked light and transient. Behind the curtain,
we were performing with an overwhelming kinchoukan (as 4ge would say)
[kinchoukan seems to describe a tense feeling, a nervousness], and
couldn't wait till the curtain would fall. Love Me and Fortune are
songs that are done only at oneman lives. How was it Hakata-fans?
As for the Noble King Snake canon, I thought it was a much more brilliant
production. We then played the original version of Ajisai last. We
never dared to do it for "from Brilliant colors," but because this
is the "to Exit" tour, we firmly decided on it.
For the second encore, before we began, all of us wanted a lot of
encouragement. And so, we chose to play Persona and Candy Strippers.
In the middle of Candy Strippers, Kanoma suddenly turned around, and
switched off the MD-4. I was immediately surprised, and I think my
face showed such an insufficient expression. Without delay, Candy
Strippers started. The feeling of the live was so extreme. Even after
the second encore ended, Downer-tachi craved for more, so with the
feeling of meeting such a climax together, we performed Sticky flower
(Downer. ver). During the interlude, our voices filled the air --
which was the best. There weren't many people, but that did not take
away from the oneman show. Because with everyone's power, we passed
the intense night together. In the ankeetos, there were some who had
written that this was their last time to see Fatima; I want those
of you to collide that feeling, and firmly feel with your eyes, ears,
hearts, and bodies. Because it is inside your heart that Downer will
continue living. Byebye.
0610 Hakata
1. sakura meiro
2. Love Me
3. katatsumuri
4. shoujo to kuroozetto
5. akai bara no suupu
6. Sticky flower
7. Marvellous
8. Fortune
9. tsumugi ito
10. Blind
11. Humiliate me more, Darlin'
12. aishuu no teihen
13. dorii . maazu
14. Public eyes
15. Noble king snake
16. ajisai
encore 1
kesenai ame
Blue velvet
encore 2
Persona
Candy Strippers
Candy Strippers
encore 3
Sticky flower (Downer ver.)
* * * * *
#
21 : 03 . 17 (Thursday)
This installment isn't ramen (Laughs). Our mini album "EXIT"
is on sale 4.27, so I've taken pictures of the recording scenery.
Recording has been progressing well. By the time I've uploaded this,
recording could be finished.
Next to the recording area is this meeting room, where I took pictures
of 4ge and Mizuha; it was when the closing guitar arrangement was
decided on; we are really excited about it! This is Fatima's first
mini album, and will be finished superbly. I can't help but think
about the attention given to the drums, which are filled with emotion.
There's a live very soon, and I hope everyone who comes enjoys it.
I know that I can't wait. Byebye.
Today's
Words:
"Look forward to the mini album!"
* * * * *
#
20 : 03 . 16 (Wednesday)
This is the same as the last installment, but today all of us went
to eat ramen in Ikebukuro. I can't talk about Fatima without mentioning
ramen (Laughs)
Kanoma has taken me here before. The name of the ramen shop is "Miharu,"
it's close to Sunshine. "Miharu" is also in Takadanobaba,
but because of its new owner, it's called "Wantanabe." (2
years ago, it was ranked # 1 in the nation, it's hidden famous shop.)
The store seems somewhat new as well. The ingredients they use are
delicious, so my expectations were high. Even though I've went to
"Wantanabe" many times, the business hours aren't good for
me, so I haven't been able to eat there. But I've eaten at Miharu,
and it was good. The shop is only a counter, but it's relatively wide,
and beautiful. The flavor of the ramen is fish, and the ingredients
are each delicious.
Kanoma said that the menma* was especially delicious. I want to eat
there again. I really recommend it! Byebye.
*bamboo shoots boiled, sliced, fermented, dried or preserved in salt,
then soaked in hot water and sea salt
Today's
Words:
"Miharu is unreadable! This time I want to eat thick noodles!"
* * * * *
#
19 : 03 . 15 (Tuesday)
This time, we all went to eat ramen together after rehearsal. There's
a ramen shop in Ikebukuro called "Musashi," as well as one
in Shinjuku--they are both a part of a rather famous enterprise. The
one in Shinjuku is rather popular, and I've eaten there before. The
noodles have a firm texture, the soup has yuzu orange in it, that's
the type of stock I get from it. There's a depth to it, that makes
the flavor so Musashi-original. It was so delicious the last time
I went, so I expected the same this time.
Kanoma had the same experience, so when we went into the shop, expectations
swelled. You wait at the counter until they complete your order. The
shop assistants, who cut up the boiled noodles, use such earth-shattering
vigor, so it's an astonishing, and interesting performance. It's almost
an art.
The taste of the ramen is different from the store in Shinjuku. It
was as delicious as I had hoped for. The base of it was much the same,
the taste strong, it was kind of wild. 4ge said he liked the Ikebukuro
shop more than the Shinjuku one. Lay said he preferred the Shinjuku
shop. I love ramen, so it's difficult for me to pick. The next installment
is yet again ramen (Laughs) Byebye.
Today's
Words:
"You can't mistake a famous shop."
