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Interview with Eddie-san (Eddie Ashworth) about Eastern Youth (August, 2005)
Interviewed by Billy from Aubergine and Yuki W. via e-mail.
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1.) How much songwriting goes on in the studio?
Does Eastern Youth come in with the songs already finished, or
do they do a lot of writing there?
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In my experience most of the songs were completed before we started
recording. The only exception was the album Soko kara Nani ga Mieru
ka (What Can You See From Your Place). The band had a very busy schedule
in Japan before coming over to Southern California to record that record,
so most of the lyrics, and some of the arrangements, were being written
as the guys were making the record. Ironically, I feel it is one of
their strongest records...!
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2.) How much difference is there between the equipment that Eastern Youth
uses live and the equipment they use for recording? Can you give examples
of their typical recording setup (i.e. amps, guitars, type of compression used,
etc.?)
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The single recordings made in Tokyo were of course just about identical
to their live set up--they just brought their usual gear. For the album
recordings in LA, we tried lots of different amps--initially different
types of Marshalls, and smaller combos (Vox, Vibro Champ) for specialized
types of sounds. During the later albums we ended up duplicting Yoshino's
live set up as closely as possible (using Fender Twin or Sunn combos and
a Roland JC 120) with a few specialty amps here and there. Ninomiya's bass
set up was usually an Ampeg SVT head and cabinet, or an Eden Amp head,
depending on the sound he was going for. Tamori's drums were usually a
combination of Orange County or Drum Workshop kits, although on the last
album I made with them we used a Tama kit with a variety of snares--my
favorite being a custom Drum Paradise Black Cat.
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3.) When they're not recording, what kind of stuff do the guys in Eastern
Youth like to do while they're here in the States?
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Eating, drinking, occasionally going to hear some live music. One time
we actually went on a camping trip to Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona when we
finished up recording. That was great!!
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4.) If you were to visualize, what kind of images/portraits would you see
when you listen to EY's music? Also, what kind of feelings would you get
through EY's music?
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I find EY's music to be remarkably direct and complex at the same time--it
packs an emotional punch and at the same time has very intricate parts and
complicated arrangements. The melodies are very catchy, almost pop, but
at the same time have sort of an ancient feeling, like Japanese folk music.
I feel Eastern Youth's music really captures what it is like to be alive
at this point in history-- a sonic portrait of the feelings that people
have living in the modern age. Their song Sajin no Kanataye from the album
Kumo Inuke Koe is really amazing in this regard. You can almost feel the
sands of time rushing past you on that one!
The images I get from the music of eastern youth is a combination of natural
forces colliding with the works of the human race--the crashing of waves on a
pier in a harbor, a wind storm whipping through tall skyscrapers, a typhoon
rainstorm beating down on the roofs of houses.... I also feel a sense of
celebration for being alive, about the little things that have great meaning
in life, combined with a sense of the memory of things that we have lost.
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5.) How do you like Eastern Youth's lyrics?
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Well, of course Yoshino's lyrics are brilliant in the way they combine
powerful emotions, ancient and contemporary Japanese words, and incredible
rhyming structure. They sound amazing even if you don't understand Japanese.
I always made sure we had the lyrics translated for the recordings, so I fully
comprehended what each song was about. I found the meaning of the songs to be
very universal--all human beings can relate to the feelings being expressed
in an Eastern Youth song.
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6.) What is Eastern Youth for you?
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I feel Eastern Youth is one of the very best bands on the planet, a great
combination of deep, meaningful words and accessible yet challenging music,
magnificently performed. I hope that I have the opportunity to work with them
again!!
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