Summary
Interview conducted on the occasion of KOKIA 2024 Shanghai concert “Hoshi-zora Hana-utage”. The contents include the production process of the collaboration songs so far, how the KOKIA language was born, and how the instruments were used in the arrangement. Also, impressions of the performance in Shanghai, China, and other topics.
Source: An article by AHK Event Collection in Weibo
(Door image also taken from this source. More photos in original article.)
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Additionally, the text on this page has been translated from Chinese and may differ from the original nuance.
“With the support of everyone, I’ve been able to set new records.”
— First of all, please say hello to your fans in China.
KOKIA: Hello fans, this is KOKIA.
— KOKIA has created collaboration tracks for many anime and games in the past, can you share what you learned about creating these types of collaboration tracks? If so, please use “Tatta hitotsu no omoi”(「たった1つの想い」) as a starting point for sharing.
KOKIA: Because I have received various kinds of work requests, the actual process can differ depending on the situation. Generally, the clients who make such requests will provide materials like setting collections or storyboards that reflect the worldview of the game or animation work, so that I can fully understand the world of the project. “Ah, this is the feeling of this work!” I think. Those who like this work would probably also like this kind of feeling. Since they asked me to create music, they must be hoping that my music will enhance the original work. I write the music with the hope that it will give rise to an even better work. I aim to fully express my own style and breathe life into the project. So, even though I take on various creative works, when I start, I think, “This part is better suited to this technique, and this part works better this way.” I choose the most fitting techniques from my skill set. To use food as a metaphor for creation again (note: KOKIA previously compared music styles to food), for example, this time I would go with an Asian flavor, while another time I might try adding some European influence, adjusting the music like seasoning as I compose.
— When KOKIA creates songs, it sometimes changes the letter combinations of the romanization and uses its own original language as a lyrical element in order to make the lyrics more suitable for the ear, such as in the song “EXEC_COSMOFLIPS”, “Spirit Dance ～Dance of the Spirit”. When actually composing, how do you use your own original language to make the audience feel the emotions you want to express?
KOKIA: First I will write the lyrics as I usually do, and after writing the lyrics that I want to convey to everyone, then it is like the following scenario: replace the Lego blocks that are built into a building with the words of the lyrics one by one, break the building up, and then break it apart. Build a castle out of the blocks of words and then take it apart. Recombining the pieces to create something different is kind of what it’s all about. So it’s about writing the lyrics first, then breaking up and disrupting and disorganizing and rebuilding one Lego block of text after another, creating them into something different that can become a new work in a different form. That’s the way “KOKIA-go” (the KOKIA language) is created, and I’ve often seen that it will be interpreted as being read backwards, when in fact it’s not read backwards, but it’s been constructed in some more complex ways.
— What types of instruments are favored when arranging music? Can you tell us why?
KOKIA: I don’t have a favorite instrument, but (if I use it often) I usually use the piano when I write songs. I used to play the violin when I was a child, so I often use strings and the piano for the main theme.
— This should be the seventh time that KOKIA has come to mainland China for a concert. Having been to mainland China so many times, are there any impressive Chinese delicacies?
KOKIA: Oops, I can’t pick one~ Every time I eat something delicious, it becomes the best of the day, and then because I get to eat so much food every time I come (to mainland China), for example, I’m thinking about the Peking Duck that I’m going to eat tonight, which is going to be really good, too, right? That makes it impossible to pick a favorite. But I do love spring rolls, so keep that in mind!
— Are there any particular places you would like to visit or cultural activities you would like to experience in Shanghai?
KOKIA: Well… I’ve been here many times for concerts, and on one or two occasions, I had a little bit of free time, so I wandered around a bit. Although I’ve been here so many times, I actually haven’t had much time to enjoy myself. The food I had was just what we ate at the post-concert celebration parties. So, if I had more time, I think there would be many places I’d want to visit. Or rather, because I don’t know much about the area, I imagine there would be many places I’d want to explore.
— How do you feel about the performance and reaction of the Shanghai audience after this concert?
KOKIA: Everyone is very warm. How can I put it, I can strongly feel that everyone is “waiting for me”. I can feel the feeling that everyone is waiting for me. I’m not an Olympic athlete, but I felt like I could keep breaking my own records with the support of everyone, and that’s what I deeply felt at this performance.
— Are there any particularly memorable moments from the concert that you can share?
KOKIA: When it comes to Chinese performances, it’s true that the moment when the audience naturally choruses together, it makes me feel “ah~ so happy”. It made me feel so happy.
— How do you see the difference between a live performance and a studio recording?
KOKIA: The difference between a concert and a studio recording? This can already be said to be something completely different, right? Even if both sides are equally singing…… If I really want to expand on the explanation in detail I guess it would take almost an hour. All in all, I think these two sides are COMPLETELY different things.
— We’re more than halfway through 2024, so if you had to summarize what happened in the first half of the year in one word, which word would KOKIA use?
KOKIA: The first half of the year was “Rising Dragon”!
— Any particular aspirations or goals for the future of music making?
KOKIA: As for the future music, I have a lot of exciting worlds that I want to present to the audience, whether it’s songs that I still want to sing or songs that I want to write as a composer, with the feeling of “I’ll continue to do my best”. I hope you can keep looking forward to it.
— What would you like to say to your fans in China?
KOKIA: Yes, please continue to support me! If you do, I should have more opportunities to meet you all. I look forward to your continued support!”