[2009.09.09] Full Metal Alchemist Ending theme artist, Fukuhara Miho!

[gloomybear]

From Oricon, http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/interview/090909_01.html
(title) Her new song is the ending theme for the super popular anime, “Full Metal Alchemist!”

She went to several festivals this summer…

The 6th single, LET IT OUT is the ending theme on TBS’ anime series called, “Full Metal Alchemist”.

(title) The link between oneself and the anime theme = love between brothers and family ties

(oricon) There is a bit of familiarity between this song and your previous releases, Himawari and HANABI SKY, on the collaboration with ___ san. Could you tell us a bit on how you created this song?

(miho) Actually it’s like what we usually do. The two of us will go to the studio, work out some sounds, sing some parts, and iron out the melodies. When things are going well, it doesn’t take us more than three hours to set a song. This time it really took us one whole day.

(oricon) Since “Full Metal Alchemist” is a commissioned work, did you have any challenges in coming up with lyrics?

(miho) I watched “Full Metal Alchemist” over and over again at the request of the staff, who really love this anime. While I was watching the anime with the kids, I understood how deep the story as the characters learn to become an adult. So even though I took in the story well, it still took some time to write the lyrics.

(oricon) So then were you able to make a connection between you and the story?

(miho) Yeah, I did. I thought the first thing to do was to find some link between the theme and me. What I felt the strongest in this story was the brotherly love and familial bond. From that point, I was able to write the lyrics based on that perspective.

(oricon) Why did you title it, “LET IT OUT”?

(miho) Yamaguchi-san started to play some music while I began to sing random words to match the tone. Kind of like something will be released no matter what. Then the meaning behind the lyrics became, “You don’t need to pretend to be tough. It’s okay to be as you are”. That is why I thought of that as the title. It’s a bit strange, isn’t it? I thought, yeah this is what it should be.

(oricon) Have you ever had a sound request?

(miho) If there’s a request for a specific sound, it is passed on to the guy who does the arrangement. But this time was different. In this rare occasion, there was only one instrument dub. Then when the drums were done, I thought, “Yes! It’s done!”. I really like the drums in this song.

(oricon) Your voice combined with the music has certainly gotten hot!

(miho) Each musician has his or her own performance fever. I felt that I’ve been able to achieve that. I think that music can really save you.

(oricon) Your song, “Yasashiaka –another version-“ was used in last year’s au LISMO promotion as a download, right?

(miho) Yeah. In response to the fan requests, we’re going to make a compilation this time. It’s different from the single. You might hear a difference in the way I sing because this track isn’t as energetic as the others.

(oricon) Michael Jackson’s “Pen” is good too.

(miho) That came to be by change while we were lodging together at Itame (?) studio to finish recording “Hanabi Sky. The mood after we finished work was relaxed and ended up on film, lol. I thought it was a genuine song to sing in the moment. During that time, we never thought tat Michael Jackson would die. It’s sad, but from now on, I feel that someone has to continue singing his music.

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Check out the song!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCyXDS7Ew5s