“Life and Death” Spun with the Well-known Tri-member Band Hitsujibungaku in the Anime Theme Song

A three-piece rock band with a simple song structure, but with a floating sound and sad lyrics that capture the hearts of people of all ages, Yoh Bungaku has made great strides in 2021, appearing at festivals such as Fuji Rock Festival and providing the theme song “Mayoiga” for the anime film “Mayoiga of the Cape. In 2021, the band made a big leap forward, appearing at festivals such as Fuji Rock Festival and providing the theme song “Mayoiga” for the anime film “Cape Mayoiga. We asked the three members about the year 2021 and their goals for 2022.

–What kind of year was 2021 for Yobun Literature?

Moeka Shiotsuka (Shiotsuka): I’m sure it’s the same for many people, but I don’t have a clear sense of separation between 2020 and 2021. It seems to have passed so quickly, and even when I think back to the early spring of 2009, I’m not sure what I was doing.

Yurika Kawanishi (Kawanishi): It’s true that my memories of the past 20 years often get mixed up.

Shiotsuka: I wrote the original theme song for the movie “Cape Mayoiga” from the end of 2008 to the beginning of 2009. I arranged it and recorded it. I was also asked to write a tie-up song for the theme song of the anime “The Tale of Heike,” which I wrote in the summer.

–I was also asked to provide the theme song “Wonder” for the drama “Waiting for Shooting Star on a Night” to be shown at the Konica Minolta Planetarium.

Shiotsuka: Yes, I also recorded the music for the planetarium this year. Up until now, I’ve been recording music for the purpose of releasing CDs, but recently I’ve added the feeling of writing and recording songs to offer for a work.

Moreover, the opinions of many different people come into play, whereas in the past it was just friends or musicians of the same age. Now that I’m working on a larger scale, I’m discovering more. I feel like I’ve been able to write songs that I wouldn’t have been able to finish to the very last detail before.

Kawanishi: In the past, sheep literature was about how to share and create the “story in Shiozuka’s head. But in “Mayoiga,” the three of us were given the same image by the (film) director, and that was new. We also had a lot of information to share, such as the “colors” used in the film.

Fukuda: In terms of drumming, in “Mayoiga on the Cape,” the director said to me, “I was influenced by ‘Little Forest’ when I made this film. I was conscious of the motherly gentleness, receptiveness, and strength that “Cape Mayoiga” has, and created the tight phrases in the intro and the slightly expansive soundscape in the chorus.

–Shiozuka, an original member of the band since its formation in 2012, scouted Hiroa Fukuda, who was then a support drummer for Regal Lily, through DMs on Twitter. Kawanishi joined the band after recruiting members on Twitter as well, and I heard that the current three-piece was completed.

Shiozuka: At first, we had never met before, and neither of us knew each other (laughs). (Laughs) Moreover, they (Kawanishi and Fukuda) didn’t say much, so there were times when I wondered what they were thinking.

For almost two years now, we’ve had very few opportunities to meet in person at Corona, and we’ve done a lot of online meetings. We didn’t decide anything, but we were lonely and bored, so we had remote meetings together, sharing the screen of our DAW software and wondering how we could play together remotely without delays (laughs).

(laughs) We were able to see each other a little more often, and the two of us finally got to meet. Through this period, I feel like I’m getting closer to the members every year.

 

 

–In 2021, due to the influence of Corona, various restrictions were placed on live music performances. The “outdoor festival”, with its open air and easy to take social distance, became the focus of the year more than usual. Sheep Literature performed at festivals all over Japan, including the Fuji Rock Festival for the first time since 2016.

Kawanishi: Festivals are often outside, aren’t they? In a dark live house, you can get lost in your own performance, but festivals are outdoors, so it’s bright. But festivals are outdoors, so it’s bright.

Shiozuka: When there are small children in the venue, I always pay attention to them. It’s a festival, isn’t it?

Fukuda: The difference between playing at a festival and a live house is in the sound creation. For drums, I try to make the snare sound like it’s going to come out more at festivals, while at live music venues, I try to mute it to make it sound fuller.

–For example, in another take of the anime theme song “Mayoiga,” I played with Shuta Hasunuma Phil as a guest performer, challenging a style of expression that is not limited to the band sound. What is the reason why the band is still primarily a three-piece?

Shiozuka: When I first went to a live house as a junior high school student, I saw a three-piece band, and it was so cool that I always thought, “If I’m going to do this, I want to do it as a three-piece.

I prefer songs with two chords rather than complicated ones, and it’s easier for me to control the songwriting in my head if it’s as simple as possible. Of course, I want to experiment with various things. Of course, I’d like to keep experimenting with different things.

Kawanishi: Talking about appearance, a three-piece band forms a beautiful triangle, and with four members, the vocals are covered by the drums, so I thought it would be nice to have a clear view of the three members.

Fukuda: Originally, the cabs and other bands that I liked were all 3-piece. I’ve always been attracted to the simplicity of the visuals, and with just the three of us, no one can slack off (laughs).

Shiozuka: Actually, I want to skip work (laughs).

–The song “Hikaru Toki,” written by Yobun Literature, has been chosen as the opening theme for the anime “Heike Monogatari,” which will start in January 2010 (currently airing). Please tell us about the production process.

Shiotsuka: I wrote “Hikarutoki” after receiving the script for “The Tale of the Heike”. I knew roughly the story of the Tale of the Heike, but when I read it again, I found it to be quite a heavy theme. I was shocked by the history of people who wanted to pursue only the beauty and happiness of everyday life, but were caught up in battles.

My usual lyrics are usually about the dull emotions of everyday life, and I felt that I couldn’t draw out lyrics from my own experiences for characters who are witnessing life and death.

At the very least, I hoped that the song would help the souls of those lost in battle to rest in peace. The team behind “The Tale of the Heike” also said that the anime was about requiem, so I tried to follow their advice.

–After the release of “Hikaru Toki”, what are your goals for the 2022 sheep literature?

Shiotsuka: I have a national tour starting on May 29th, so I’m going to make sure I finish the album in time for that. 21 years ago, I was only able to visit three places in Corona, but this year I’m going to visit six places, so until then, I’m just going to work ……. This is not a goal. Anyway, I’ll finish the album.

–Finally, what is your “personal goal” that you want to achieve in 2022?

Fukuda: There are many foods that I don’t like. There are things I’m not used to eating, like chocolate, green tea, and black tea. …… I want to be able to eat them.

Kawanishi: I want to get rid of stiffness all over my body. (Hair and makeup artist) kika says a lot about my stiffness.

Shiozuka: I’m going to work very hard and save money to buy a house in 2011. Oh, you have a pop-up goal at ……? Then I’ll learn to speak Chinese! I’ll pass the Chinese language exam!

(This article is a re-edited version of an interview in the January 21 issue of FRIDAY.)

(This article is a re-edited version of the interview in the January issue of “FRIDAY”) The second album “our hope” by Yoh Bungaku, which includes “Mayoiga”, “Hikaru Toki” and 12 other songs, will be released on April 20. You can purchase it from here.