I think performing live performances in Asia has become a trend in the Japanese music scene in recent years. (West Village)
——You said that you participated in TAIWAN BEATS because the government approached you, but has the current Taiwan government worked hard to promote culture?
Doris: Taiwan has made a lot of efforts in the IT industry so far. Although it has spent a lot of money, the effect of building a brand is not good. So I turned to where it would be more effective to invest more in culture, especially music. For example, I liked Noriko Sakai’s songs since I was a child, and I invited her to participate in the “Megaport Festival”, and I became interested in Japan under her influence. The power of music is so great. As a result, subsidies for music have increased substantially in recent years.
west village: The subsidy system has also raised concerns in some parts of Japan. LITE’s (Nobuyuki) Jun, who also appeared in “After Hours” we talked about earlier, has the qualifications of an administrative scrivener, and his specialty is how bands get subsidies. As for LITE’s overseas activities, there is a saying that they are “good bands”, but they keep saying that they are supported by subsidies. I think everyone is getting clearer.
doris: Are there not many examples like this in Japan?
west village: In the arts, there is a culture of theater and painting subsidies, but not many people use music subsidies. Also, the so-called “Cool Japan” is biased toward anime and idols, so I don’t care much about bands and singer-songwriters. But that doesn’t mean bands aren’t subsidized, just because they don’t, and slowly, there are examples of making money.
doris: Taiwan has a small population (23.57 million people as of 2018), and the music industry base is not as big as Japan, so I think they have a strong stance on accepting foreign music. But now, the process has become “we have to send it ourselves,” and I think that’s why the subsidy system was created. However, Taiwan is relatively small compared to South Korea. South Korea is using state policies to transfer large sums of money. Anyway, many countries now think that they can promote their country through music.
The singer-songwriter who appeared in “2018 TAIWAN BEATS”. The solo performance held at Mynavi BLITZ Akasaka in November (capacity about 1,400 people) was sold out on the same day.
——Government support is crucial to the prosperity of K-POP, isn’t it?
doris: K-POP is very influential in Japan, isn’t it? As mentioned in the middle, the attitude of the Japanese side towards festival booking has obviously changed. I think the influence of K-POP has a lot to do with the way the Japanese look out.
west village: I think performing live performances in Asia has become a trend in the Japanese music scene in recent years. I think the volume of emails indicates that the event itself will attract Japanese people, as well as local customers. However, trends come and go after all, so I think it’s important now to identify really cool bands and real bands when they’re in high demand.
If you can correctly identify your country’s identity, you can find your place in the global market in any industry. (Doris)
——Finally, please talk about the current issues, and what do you think of the countermeasures for active exchanges between Japan and Taiwan in the future?
Doris: Through “TAIWAN BEATS”, I have been helping Taiwanese bands perform at overseas music festivals for five years, and I know that the final decision of the performance rests with the organizer. After all, the organizers’ favorite band will be decided.
A rock band that also appeared in “2018 TAIWAN BEATS”. Co-sponsored the “Far East Alliance” with MONOEYES led by Takeshi Hosami, and became a bridge for cultural exchanges in Asia. Appeared in “SUMMER SONIC” in 2016 and 2018
Doris: I would like to know more bands, but the number and quality of Taiwanese bands cannot keep up, and the bands selected by the organizers do not change much every year. No matter how hard we try, there is no point without a good band, so I find it difficult.
——What do you think is the most important thing in making a high-quality band?
doris: I think Taiwanese identity affects music creation. Music related to “TAIWAN BEATS” is often classified as “C-POP” (Chinese pop music), but Taiwan is not a single ethnic group, but the blood of multiple ethnic groups. languages (reference article: Reasons for Taiwan’s music scene to be diverse, Taiwan’s independent boss talks about hope). I believe this awareness is the “foundation” of culture.
If you can recognize your national identity in this way, you should be able to find your place in the global market in any industry. And by creating a more unique cultural scene and exporting it, I think we will be able to be more competitive internationally.
west village: Recently, there are more and more small festivals in Japan. Even if it is difficult to appear at “FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL”, if it is a personal scale festival, I think there is a high chance that we will perform based on communication, so it would be nice if there are more opportunities to do so.
That’s what I’m doing, if I use LCC I can reduce the cost and when I go to the field I can get more than the cost, so it would be nice if that connection could be made a little tighter. It gets repeated, but in the end, I think it’s the human connection.
——CHTHONIC also stated that they will use their existing contacts to release a new album. In addition to the movement of countries and major labels, networking is also being made in various situations. Listening to you today, I feel like the future is there.
Doris: Think about it as an industry, it’s a huge and complex issue, so I think political power is also necessary. Cultural efforts alone will inevitably limit your reach. But even so, that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on what I’m supposed to be doing. I believe that if each of us can change the current situation, even a little bit, it will make a big difference in the future.
west village: I have always believed that the best PR is word of mouth. Also, when I travel in Asia, I think I definitely want to go to a country with delicious food (laughs). Of all the Asian countries I’ve been to, Taiwan is by far the best, so I personally want to go there again soon.
——Then, next time in Taiwan, let’s chat while eating delicious food, and let’s get closer (laughs).
Doris: We are waiting for you (laughs).
