Listen to RAISE A SUILEN, a band whose true strength was brought out by its distinct personalities, reflect on the challenges they've faced since the days when they were known as THE THIRD.『Beautiful Birthday』is a song of "love" and "gratitude".
ーーWhat's the 6th song, “Beautiful Birthday”, about?
Raychell: This song was used in the 11th and 13th episodes of the anime's 3rd Season, but the version included in the album is the 13th episode version, which includes CHU2. I'm passing it over to PAREO to talk about this song!
Kurachi: So far, CHU2 has been the one making songs for RAS; this time, however, the band members made a song for CHU2 instead, as we see in Episode 11. In Episode 13, CHU2 arranges it into a song written by everyone in RAS. We performed it at every showing of the stage play, and every single time, the memories of the anime came flooding back into me, and I imagined how CHU2 felt.
ーーIt's a song that involves the moment when RAS came together, and that's what makes it so important, right?
Tsumugi: That's right. When CHU2, who I play as, was re-arranging the presented song, she added in some rap lines. If we take the lyrics that she slipped in and turn it into Japanese, she says「私もあなたが好きよ」(I love you too) and 「あなたに会えて幸せよ」(I'm glad I met you)! Due to her personality, she's not very good at saying such things, but I was reminded of how "through music, people can be honest", so I performed while thinking of a "honest CHU2".
Raychell: This song conveys "love" and "gratitude", which is rare in RAS' songs, so I consciously sing in a softer way compared to other songs.
ーーIt may have been impossible for RAS to perform such a song in the early days.
Raychell: That's right. It’s a song that expresses gratitude towards CHU2 for letting the RAS members meet; it feels invigorating every time I sing it. Actually, this song itself has different versions in episode 11 and 13; in episode 13, there's a certain awareness of “the 5 of us are together”. I would be happy if you listened to both and compared them.
ーーAnd what about the 9th song, “!NVADE SHOW!”?
Tsumugi: I think this song is like a “second zoo” for RAS (laughs). I mean it as a compliment, but just like “HELL! Or HELL?”, it’s a song that rampages with everyone exploding in their own way (laughs). In that sense, it’s exactly like a “second zoo” (laughs). It’s very catchy from the start, a song that keeps you hooked all the way through.
Raychell: I was shocked when I received the demo. “What was that...?" (laughs).
ーー(laughs). Moreover, this song is considered to be the first song originating from『Bang Dream! Girls Band Party』, isn’t it? Originally, when RAS was first formed, was there talk of appearances in the anime or game?
Raychell: No, there wasn't. Rather, at that time, the staff explained that "RAS will not appear in "Garupa"". However, thanks to everyone's support and love, we're here now.
ーーAnd as for "REIGNING", the 10th track, it was written for the stage play that you recently performed in July, titled "We are RAISE A SUILEN ~BanG Dream! The Stage~".
Natsume: I really love the phrase “We Are RAISE A SUILEN!!!!!” that’s in the lyrics. I’m really grateful that the 5 of us have been able to work together as RAS, and I think that it's because it's us 5 that we're able to do so many things together. When you put all that together and listen to that phrase (which also became the title of the stage), that's what makes me feel "this is who we are".
Raychell: Originally, the name RAISE A SUILEN meant "to raise the curtain and stand upon the stage", but as it was first revealed during the stage play, each character’s stage name also has its own meaning. In that sense, each one of them is battling their own demons, but you can see their passion even through their struggles. I think this song in particular will be more emotional if you watched the stage.
「The band’s goal is to stand on the world’s stage」
ーーConversely, which of the older songs are particularly memorable for you?
Kohara: I can’t choose. They’re all wonderful songs… But for example,「R･I･O･T」is a song that we’ve been playing since the start. If you know the timeline of our songs, I think it'd be nice to for you to listen to「R･I･O･T」, since it's the song we started with.
Kurachi: I think that 「R･I･O･T」has a different feeling depending on where it’s being played. For example, the「R･I･O･T」that was performed during the stage play and the「R･I･O･T」played during lives have different guitar parts. When we were THE THIRD (beta), Rikopin and Otsuka Sae were both playing the guitar. As such, I think it’s a song that comes in different forms. In that sense, it’s a memorable song.
Raychell: Roselia also sang the song once.
ーーSo far, there have been various forms of「R･I･O･T」and all of them are equally important. What do you like about RAS’ past and present activities?
Raychell: I feel that I was truly saved by this project, and I think that “if I weren’t in RAS, I may have quit singing”. I’m very happy that I’m here and able to work with these 5 people. Of course, there are still many people who don't know us yet, and as we can see in the lyrics of「R･I･O･T」, it’s the band’s goal to stand on the world’s stage. I hope that we can go to more and more places and convey the charm of "BanG Dream!".
Kohara: I think it's quite unusual to be able to play a role by making the most of my special skills (guitar) like I do now. I’m happy being able to perform with my whole body, not just my voice, so I would like to continue doing my best.
Natsume: I've always loved anime and games since the start, so being in this band has helped me fulfill many of my dreams, and I'm so glad it's the five of us. RAS is a band that has 5 very distinct personalities; there's a bit of a delicate balance, but the five of us work together and mesh really well. It's truly miraculous, and I think that's why this band has such explosive power. From here on out, I want to show off our strengths, and convey the charm of RAS. To the world!
Kurachi: My first encounter with "BanG Dream!" was before I became a voice actor. During that time there were a lot of people I'd looked up to and admired, and every time I saw them I'd think 'They're amazing', so I'm really happy to be involved in that kind of content. At first, I felt anxious, wondering if I would be a good fit and feeling the weight of responsibility; but in the end, it's fun to be on the same wavelength with the other members. Meeting RAS hasn't quite been the "water of life" for me, but I think my daily life has been enriched because of RAS.
Tsumugi: I've always wanted to be a voice actor, and even though I'd joined an agency, I couldn't land any auditions. Before I realized it, I was already a third-year in university, so for me, "BanG Dream!" really made my life go "BanG"!!! It totally flipped my life upside down and turned it around. To think I'd be a member in the same band as a bunch of professionals, performing at a huge venue like Nippon Budoukan, and what's more, being a DJ on stage... I call this "Tsumugi Risa's Biography: Who in the Heck Could've Imagined It'd Turn Out Like This?!" (laughs). I'm still catching up with some things, so for now I'm just saying "Thank you so much!" and giving each and every single day my all!
Original Interview: Real SoundTranslated by: xaoya | QC: Will
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ReplyDeleteExcelent translation!
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