On Today, the 30th

2004/12/30

We had a big food party for everyone involved in JAM (an end-of-year party, I guess?).
I'm still in the middle of work, though....
I was graciously invited and went to dinner with everyone. At the very end, we all came together, pumped our fists in the air, and said 'Let's keep doing our best next year, too!!'.
That's how we are.
Tomorrow, I'm back to work.
Maybe I'll go to Nogawa Sakura-chan's Countdown Live or something...

On Today, the 29th

2004/12/29

...was the end-of-the-year party for 'evolution'.
In addition to me, all the people involved, including Monty and some other friends(?), we had about 20 people for the celebrations.
For some reason, the number of women there was very small, only 2....
I feel more at ease around a group of guys than around a group of girls (it's not because I get to feel like a queen or anything like that, but because I myself am more guy-ish...), so it was fun.
One of my motivations to start up 'evolution' was a desire 'To bring out into the world individuals from among the youth', and that doesn't include only singers but also music arrangers and writers. And musician performers, as well.
That's why, for the new album 'Dragonfly', we've employed a considerable amount of young talent, and of course a lot of veteran talent as well, so in many ways this album has become one full of strong convictions.
With this and that, this end-of-year party was visited by many talented young people...
Most of all, I'm very glad that we were able to release a single on 'evolution' without incident. Truly, it is all because of the fans. (Really... I'm serious.)

On Today, the 28th

2004/12/28

...was the end-of-the-year party for my radio program 'O-live'.
We all had some wine and good food at an Italian restaurant!
But, I'm abstaining from alcohol since I don't have the spirit for them. (No pun intended.) [1]
In general, I've finished all of my singing, so perhaps I'm too tired? Oh, but even before, I used to drink alcohol only maybe 5 times a year...
But because of the support of all our listeners and the staff, we finished the year 2004 (and entering a whole new year!).
The deadline for audition entries is almost up, and next year we'll be busily selecting the lucky candidates, won't we? I'll soon be time for me to start writing songs for the people we select!
I have to write songs that will be OK no matter what type of people we choose... (><)/

Notes :
[1] In these parantheses, the diary literally says 'This is not an oyaji-gyagu." An oyaji-gyagu (lit. 'old-man's gag') is a joke based on word-play or punning. The word play here was, 'SAKE wa SAKEte imasu' (lit., 'I'm avoiding alcohol right now.'). Anyway... very samui. T_T

In a Blink of an Eye

2004/12/26

This year, I ended up spending Christmas Day working ONLY....
On the 24th, I did recording for the OP of the TV anime version of 'Kore ga Watashi no Go-shuujin-sama' (This is My Master), to begin airing next spring. This is my first work in an anime series involving maids, so... that is to say, I've worked hard on it.
My goodness... I only recently released 'Olive' and am now in the middle of working on my album, but it never stops! Soon, JAM is going to start up activities again...
It's chalking up to be a busier-than-usual year's end.

In any case, I'd like to be careful of my health as the year comes to a close. Please be careful, too, everyone.

Oh, and a belated Merry Christmas!

Olive Event, JAM Japan-Fest, etc.

2004/12/22

...including those, I did quite a few things last week.
At the 'Olive' event, I was struck by the thoughtfulness of the questions that everyone asked, and I was happy to be able to hear all of your thoughts during the handshake party. There were some people who were a bit nervous, but it impressed me how composed all of you were when forming your thoughts and expressing them to us.
'When I heard one of Makkun's songs, I found the ability to deal with ------', was something I heard quite a lot of, and it made me ever more convicted to continue to write songs that might be of help to all of you, if only just a little, and to sing them for you!

The JAM Japan-Fest
I had fun seeing so many guys and girls doing cosplay here. I saw many people collected in one corner of the festival grounds, very spiritedly putting on make-up and changing into their costumes.
For some reason, I thought to myself, 'It's wonderful to be have such passion about something.' On stage, we did two songs, and although En-chan wasn't there I somehow got really fired up.
Especially since I think there were quite a few people who had come to see JAM for the first time.
And especially since I noticed people who had come to both the 'Olive' event and then Japan-Fest, too! Thank you!

Today Is... the Olive Event

2004/12/18

An event promoting the single 'Olive'. 'In TOKIO'.
I haven't felt like this for a long time.
I'm a little nervous...
Before this I was under King Records, so I would always be accompanied by a King representative to these events; but since I've started 'evolution' through Geneon Entertainment, a company to which I'm deeply indebted, this time I'll be accompanied onto the stage for the first time by a Geneon Entertainment representative!?
It feels similar to doing a comedy sketch with a new partner. (Sorry if that sounds rude.)
It might be the first time the representative will meet all of you, even those of you whom I myself have met before. Please, please encourage him with a warm look and smile.
As for me, I hope I talk to you without being too eager, but act like myself, very naturally. So, then, today.......

And tomorrow (the 19th), I'll be appearing at a JAM Project event. 'Jump-Fest 2005'.
JAM will be singing starting at 1PM on the 'Jump-Fest 2005 MMV Stage'.
There will be a no-show from the JAM ranks, though. (*=*) But it's not bad to mix JAM up from time to time, right?
I can't wait. (^-^)/

Oh Yes, a Question About Auditioning...

2004/12/17

I've been receiving a lot of inquiries about auditioning. From among them...

'What about written parental consent for applicants who are minors?'

There is a place for that where you write in your name in the resume, or you can include it in a separate sheet of paper.
In any case, it's a good idea to let us know that your parents consent to letting you audition.
If any other important inquiries come up, I'll write them here in the diary.

It's Almost Here!!!

2004/12/16

While making a note of the 'Olive' special event (in Tokyo) on the 18th, I continued album recording today! It'll be finished in just a little bit.
Hm... If I don't hurry, I might not make it. (T=T)
Work on the jacket and booklet design is also progressing. For the photo shoot we went to a place called Sedona, which is one of the world's most noted healing spots.
I hope the booklet, like the rest of the album, will convey a sense of power.

Oh yes!
This month we announced auditions (for the start of radio program 'Olive'), so the news is being published in many magazines.
Be sure to check makusonia's Media section!
It will be something of a milestone(?) for me; my first time producing for someone else! Who's the one who's going to become an artist under my care~? (^-^)

Well....

2004/12/13

In the midst of recording for my album......
I appeared as a guest on Chihii's radio show! We've become good friends, and though I've begun work on 'evolution', I hope we can continue to be good friends.
We'll get her onto my radio show 'O-live', too!!

In any case, this is a cozy picture of us two.
That's a flyer of 'Olive' and... 'Miyabi', isn't it!!

Posters on the Happy Place BBS

2004/12/09

...and everyone else, thank you very much.
Please keep your thoughts on 'Olive' and everything else coming!
Oh, and send them into the radio show 'O-live', too.
So, I suddenly thought of this when I saw everyone's posts...
Participating stores selling this single 'Olive' will include a special poster with your purchase. I've been seeing a lot of instances of people writing, 'It seems the store employees didn't know, so I didn't get one!' For those of you who have purchased the single, please do go see your local store about this issue.
Singles releases usually don't have posters included... I think that might be the reason for the confusion!

A Milestone Premier Release!

2004/12/08

Today, the newly created evolution label's milestone first-ever single was released today. I wonder if anyone made a 'flying get' and has already purchased a copy?
What shall I say... The feeling I have now is very similar to the one I had 11 years ago, when I first received my debut single and had it in my hand.
Is it really being sold in stores?
Will someone really buy it?
These are some of the things I've been thinking about.

In any case, the reason that it's been released without incident is because of all of the fans and because of everyone who has had a hand in its production! I'll keep doing my very best, so thank you for your support. m(_ _)m

Recording Session Today!!

2004/12/05

Today I did studio recording at a certain studio in the city.
The song I did today was... trance-like? An outer space-ish kind of song...
'Dragonfly' is turning out to be very full and rich with substance, in many different ways. But in any case, what a storm we had last night! While I was sleeping, I felt my apartment complex swaying. (T=T) It was scary.... I slept at 3 in the morning and woke up suddenly at 6, then fell asleep again... the next time I awoke, it was light outside.
The weather was very lukewarm today, and it felt much like summer.
But! The air in the studio was so dry, I had to put on a mask.

In Kansai Today, Tomorrow

2004/12/03

This morning, I departed from Haneda Airport and headed for my hometown of Itami.
After I landed, I went to the 'Happy FM' radio station in Itami. From the shining Sunlight Studio, it's just a walk down the steet to my mom's place and to the shop where my father and others do business, and also my grandmother and the kids... and so on and on, I was able to visit many people.
It's great... I feel I could stay here forever!! As always, I received another warm impression during my visit. Tomorrow, it seems I'll be given a chance to perform 'Olive'!!! The radio gets pretty good coverage, so maybe even those of you in Kansai will be able to hear it...?

Now, after this, I headed for my 2nd hometown, Amagasaki.
I guest-appeared on FMaiai in Amasaki.
The elementary school I used to go to and the shopping street that I used to play at were nearby... So without thinking, I accidentally shouted out on air, 'To all of my classmates! Come to my live concert next year (2/18 Osaka)'....
Really, come, y'hear?

Also, also, after that I headed off to Kobe.
I guest-appeared on AM Kobe's 'Seishun Radimania'.
Usually, they do live broadcasts, but only once (or so?) a year, they pre-record a broadcast. The reason is... they're going on a bus tour together with their listeners! That's why they're recording it.
My talk with Ganchan-san and Kaori-san was really content-rich. They spent a lot of airtime with me, which I'm very grateful for. The program will air tomorrow~~!

Also, also, also....
After that, I went to Osaka, to Shinsai Bridge to watch Endou Masa'aki's ('En-chan's') concert. I was only able to watch the last half, but there were a lot of guys there. They all had such beatific looks on their faces, somehow I felt happy seeing them.
It reminded me of why our jobs are so wonderful.
En-chan's performance was very masculine (even more than usual), and I felt a great determination from him.
Next year's concert will certainly be as amazing as this year's, I'm sure!!! I'll keep doing my best, too.

To Kansai for Tomorrow and the Day After

2004/12/02

As part of my campaign to promote my single to be released on December 8, and the concert tour to take place next year, and so on, I'll be guest-appearing on a radio show in Kansai tomorrow and the day after that. I also appeared as a guest several years ago, so this time I'll be showing up again on the 'Radio Show of Okui Masami's birthplace'.
(In Itami City and Amagasaki City in Hyougo prefecture.)

For more details, please go ahead and check in the media section!

Oh! Yes yes.
Since the creation of 'evolution', I've been receiving demo tapes from several people. First, let me use this space to say thank you. In addition, there are auditions being held for 'O-live'. Several bands are also applying, and it's shaping out to be an audition with many different faces. For those of you aiming to develop into professionals in the anime and music industry, please check for more information.