サカナクション山口一郎「20代は、影響受けるものを自分で決めない方がいい」

Summary

The transcript reflects the speaker's journey of exploring music and identity, from their early experiences with music in the 1980s to navigating the music industry in Tokyo. They discuss the challenges of discovering authentic music in a pre-internet era, their struggles with fitting into the mainstream, and how they sought to create music that was both artistic and commercially viable. The speaker reflects on their evolution, from contemplating leaving music to finding their unique voice in a rapidly changing industry. They emphasize the importance of staying true to one's self in the face of societal pressures and the complexity of balancing artistic integrity with mainstream success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The music played on TV often feels fake and doesn't match the deep and complex music the speaker enjoys.
• 😀 The speaker grew up in the 1980s when internet access was not widespread, making it difficult to find and explore music.
• 😀 Music discovery was a struggle; the speaker would sometimes buy albums for a high price and end up disappointed, but continued to listen and appreciate them over time.
• 😀 There was a sense of excitement in trying to understand difficult music, and the process of gradually appreciating it was fulfilling.
• 😀 Modern generations lack the experience of searching for and discovering music through effort, which was central to the speaker's youth.
• 😀 The speaker's life in their early 20s in Hokkaido was focused on finding direction and discovering what they wanted to do in life, which was a time of reflection and exploration.
• 😀 In Tokyo, the speaker found that the city was more about enjoying mainstream culture than the countercultural scene they had anticipated.
• 😀 The challenge of making beautiful and complex music in Tokyo led the speaker to realize that success in the city required creating music that entertained, not just artistic or avant-garde pieces.
• 😀 The speaker came to see music creation as a balance between artistic integrity (the 'art') and commercial appeal (the 'work').
• 😀 The speaker discussed the shift from countercultural music to mainstream success, reflecting on how bands like '6' became mainstream despite starting as countercultural acts.
• 😀 The speaker considered the idea of using the media and political power strategically, but remained committed to maintaining an 'authentic' stance as an artist in the face of the commercial music industry.
• 😀 The speaker had a turning point where they almost quit music, contemplating a career change to become a wedding photographer, but realized they could only be true to themselves by continuing music.
• 😀 Through their journey, the speaker reflects on the idea of selecting the influences and experiences that shape one's identity and resisting the temptation to only consume what is easily available.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial perception of music on television?

The speaker initially thought that the music played on television was fake, contrasting it with the beautiful and complex music they enjoyed.

How did the speaker experience music in the pre-internet era?

In the pre-internet era, the speaker struggled to access music, often purchasing albums based on the album cover ('jacket-buying') and sometimes being disappointed. Despite this, they would continue listening to the albums, gradually appreciating their complexity.

What role did repetition play in the speaker's relationship with music?

Repetition allowed the speaker to understand and appreciate the deeper qualities of the music, eventually leading to a sense of discovery and a connection with the complexity of the music.

How does the speaker view the music scene of the current generation?

The speaker believes that today's generation does not engage in the same kind of exploratory and challenging approach to music, emphasizing that they are more focused on immediate entertainment rather than the deeper engagement that previous generations experienced.

What was the speaker's experience when they moved to Tokyo?

The speaker moved to Tokyo with the expectation that it would be a hub for people who appreciated underground or non-mainstream music. However, upon arrival, they realized that Tokyo was more mainstream and filled with people focused on surface-level entertainment.

What did the speaker learn about creating music in Tokyo?

The speaker realized that in order to survive in Tokyo's music scene, they needed to focus on creating music that entertained and appealed to a broader audience, balancing personal expression with commercial viability.

What was the speaker's approach to balancing artistic integrity and commercial success?

The speaker aimed to create music that was both artistic and commercially viable. They believed in maintaining their integrity while also adapting to the realities of the music industry, recognizing that they needed to appeal to a wider audience to sustain their career.

How did the speaker view their role in the music industry in relation to the majority?

The speaker saw themselves as a minority within the broader music industry and considered how they could stand out within the majority. They wanted to carve out a unique position while still engaging with larger media and political forces.

What was the speaker's perspective on the role of music as a counterculture?

The speaker viewed music as a countercultural force, particularly in relation to mainstream culture. They referenced how rock music in Japan acted as a counterpoint to pop music, and how they aimed to push against industry norms.

What pivotal moment caused the speaker to reconsider their music career?

At one point, the speaker considered quitting music and pursuing a career as a wedding photographer. However, during a job interview, they realized that they couldn't fit into a different kind of team or lifestyle, which led them to reaffirm their commitment to music.