The Importance of a Band’s Togetherness
We’ll like to hear more about the band’s activities. As each of you are busy as models, how do you go about practicing?
→ Hinanchu: "We mostly practice 2~3 times a week, deciding which days that will be on the week itself. Because each of our photoshooting days vary, we will practice on our own whenever we get the free time. Before a live, we’ll be in the studio everyday, practicing all the way till late."
Who’s the leader that decides upon the schedule?
→ Hinanchu: "Every members’ schedules are managed by their respective managers, and we check it online. Once we’ve all confirmed our own schedules, we’ll definitely set time aside for practicing in the studio each week. That, plus we’ll go ‘Let’s practice for that in this time’ and ‘I’ll practice on my own in this time’."
As a band, do you have anything that specially identifies yourselves as its own?
→ Hinanchu: "We’ll have varying choreography like any other band, and we have fun with our costumes, and we identify ourselves as a band that has entertainment value during lives. We also made special corners that doesn’t require me sitting behind the drums all the time, such as at the AX live the day before (3rd May, Silent Siren Live Tour 2013 Final). We plan to be that “new all-girl band"."
The keyboard-on-shoulder thing is also your ‘new weapon’ right?
→ Yukarun: "It is. It was first revealed during the AX Live. I definitely practiced on that. But even though I’m still doing that now, I still can’t see the keys when it’s on my shoulder, so it’s hard to avoid making mistakes during performances…but it is still fun when it comes to the real live. I’m able to get close to the audience, something which hasn’t been done for outdoor lives I think!"
According to BEEAST readers, those who first start a band usually do it in their middle school years, and many begin playing instruments from then on. I think you also have some advice for these people in their 10s/20s. Looking back at your activities up till now, was there anything that you’ve worked exceptionally hard on or felt was extremely tough?
→ Suu: "For myself, I couldn’t really play my instrument well at all when the band first started, even though each of us were working so hard practicing. But I wanted to improve and be in tempo with everyone. I couldn’t just focus on myself…to be a real band, I will most definitely also need to practice on my own. I felt this band really need to come together. I think mostly, nothing is impossible so long you just practice."
That’s for sure.
→ Suu: "I think there are some groups (of people) that will naturally happen in your normal lives. I think to find members you will become close with, whom will want to make the same music together, whom will practice together, whom will support you at areas you aren’t good at is an important thing."
When you practice, basically when do you feel the bond of the group is strong?
→ Suu: "We exchange a lot of eye-contact. Also, we’ll reflect and adjust accordingly if for example anyone says ‘I can’t do part A’. I personally think it’s important to know each others’ parts. When I am playing that person’s part…I’ll somehow get it and be able to better encourage that person during practices." / Ainyan: "It is really important to have members you get along with and also share the same taste of music as you. It is not one person that determines a band’s good or bad. For the sake of anyone who is unable to do something, we all have to improve and observe our surroundings. We are conscious of the fact that we all have to improve, which is vital for both performing and communication."
Ainyan, you may think that but there are many people in bands whom have never been in a light-music club, never had seniors near them to consult with when they needed the guidance, and felt uncomfortable. Talking about self-learning, which areas should one particularly take care of?
→ Ainyan: "I was personally taught by brother but after that, I learned on my own. In independent-learning, there are times you go back to correct where you’ve learned before, so first you need to be sure using your eyes. It is important to avoid inculcating strange habits especially when it comes to the basics. It is good to think that after this, you’ll be able to have fun with your band members!" / Hinanchu: "In Sai Sai’s case, we see our goal with each the members inside. We gain confidence from that and it is only with such companions that we can truly be Sai Sai."
The 4 of you even have similar tastes in music normally…
→ Hinanchu: "That is about right! We buy CDs of bands whom we think are pretty good and worth a listen."
→ Ainyan: "When it comes to rhythm, we’ll go like ‘The fill in this song is super cool but~’…’Let’s do it!’ ‘No, we can’t do it!’. We give and take like that (laughs)."
