Aoyama Thelma Interview - March 26, 2008 - New Upcoming Artist!!

[gloomybear]

http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/interview/080326_02.html

[Oricon] “Diary” is certainly a good piece of work.

[Aoyama] I thought it’d be nice to create an album that allows me to introduce myself. The lyrics are mostly about real-life experiences. The lyrics written by other songwriters and myself were put together. In a diary, you continue to write about what happened today, right? Around my teens, I really wanted to become an adult so there were things only teens could do that I passed up. That’s why this time around, I really wanted to capture the moment of the present. The stuff that can be understood later on like what kind of love I had or life experiences I had, can be seen right? And so, I wish for people to watch me grow. That’s why I named the album “Diary”.

[Oricon] The lyrics felt so familiar. When I heard the part, the song “Rizumu” that said “Sorry, I couldn’t stray from yesterday”, I felt really calm. It’s like someone showing a gentle side of themselves.

[Aoyama] Everyone has their ups and downs, including me. Like the strong emotions in my debut song “ONE WAY”, there are times when I become depressed or start hating myself. Those are things I sing openly about so people who also feel the same can think, “Oh, she has those kind of days, too. I’m not the only one”. I want to tell people that even if they’re not having a good day, they are not alone.

[Oricon] I completely understood when you sang “Because I couldn't stand it, I kept calling” in the song about a letter to an ex-boyfriend called, “Last Letter.

[Aoyama] Actually, the first part of the lyrics was clean, but then that wouldn’t have been true. And I didn’t want to create something false. So in the end, I ended up showing an annoying side of myself. (laughs)

[Oricon] I see how it is. Were you expecting to do a cover of Koizumi Kyoko’s “Anata ni aeteyokatta” (I’m glad to have met you) ?

[Aoyama] While we were recording, I had a lot of heartfelt first meetings. The time I met Soulja was the same, whom I made “Koko ni iru yo” (I’m here) with. Then the song “Diary” came to be because of my ex-boyfriends. Finally without the people who continue to support me in becoming a singer and as a college student: my friends, the staff, and lastly, my family, I would not have been able to make this album. I felt this song was perfect as an expression of my gratitude. Since it’s a rather famous song, it was real challenge. But we were able to successfully do a fresh remake of the song.

[Oricon] The way you sing this song is really moving.

[Aoyama] Thank you very much. I wrapped myself within each song, especially the lyrics as I sang it. I felt I was able to sing the way I wanted to. It was a really fun recording.

[Oricon] At last, are there any plans for live shows? What about your goals?

[Aoyama] As much as I would love to do live shows, I want to concentrate on school as well. Without being greedy, I’m going to take on things one at a time in my own pace. As I do this, I wish to pass each day to the fullest.

[gloomybear]

Check out "Soba ni iru ne" here!

and her song with Soulja, "koko ni iru yo" here!