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S/mileage's Fukuda Kanon "I definitely feel like we're ready to do a Budokan show," Dwango.jp Interview
S/mileage's 15th single, "Ee ka!?/'Ii yatsu'" will go on sale December 18.
Right now S/mileage has the reputation of being the number one "dazzling" group in all of Hello!Project. They participated as guests at Morning Musume's Budokan performance, they've announced new songs, and now we directly ask member Fukuda Kanon her thoughts on the newest single from these highly regarded girls.
－"Ee ka!?" is fun, S/mileage-esque song, but with a unique rhythm and rap sections, it seems like a very challenging dance track. What are the key points of the song we should be listening for?
Fukuda
With "Ee ka!?" the main part is the rap, as it's rare for H!P to produce music with such heavy use of rap like this, so I really want everyone to listen to it. I'd really like it to become a staple at lives and school festivals and such!
－"'Ii yatsu'" is a complete 180, a song in minor key that's more mature, a completely different tone, right?
Fukuda
Even when we were doing songs like "Suki yo, Junjouhankouki." "Samui ne." we were still being "Sealed with a smile." "'Ii yatsu'" is still basically "Sealed with a smile," but this time we decided to go for "a painful smile from memories of the good times" in terms of the MV. There are lots of different kinds of smiles in the world, which is what we started looking into. When it came time to shoot, we were trying to perform "lonely smiles, as if you don't want to," and it was extremely difficult.
－It's a double-A single with two contrasting songs, but which one do you recommend more?
Fukuda
"'Ii yatsu!'" There are a lot of members in the group and staff who prefer "Ee ka!?" but I like how "'Ii yatsu'" is a little darker feeling, almost like a song that would be popular during the Showa Era!
－When speaking of S/mileage, you're really grown and become one of the foremost in H!P in terms of singing and dancing. As a S/mileage founding member, is there anything in singing or dancing you're aiming to lead the other members in, or something you're aiming for in terms of the other members in general?
Fukuda
I'm really not that good at dancing. I'm still actively seeking help from my juniors in that regard. Right now S/mileage isn't about senpai-kouhai relationships, but about expressing opinions and views with each other. We're developing relationships where we're free to say whatever we like to each other, and I think that has deepened our bonds together. Even lately Tamura Meimi has been watching videos of rehearsals and concerts at home and informing us, "This part is still not quite right!"
－That doesn't turn into fights and arguments?
Fukuda
Absolutely not! I don't think we've ever fought.
－What do you do about songs?
Fukuda
Singing is different from dancing in that there are a lot of things that you can't just fix immediately. We still don't criticize each other in singing, though. We'll all say things like, "Let's sing this part cutely," contribute opinions that have to do with the nuance, instead.
－In "Namba Kazuki's 36th Council of Idols The 36th Council ranks the BEST 5 Hello!Project Songs of 2013!" S/mileage's "Yattaruchan" acquired the number one spot for the best H!P song of 2013.
Fukuda
I was so happy it was chosen! I want it to become a song that not just S/mileage, but everyone in H!P sings. We have a lot of shows where we perform as the entirety of H!P, so I definitely want "Yattaruchan" to be a song for the whole company and to sing it with everyone! I really want it to become a representative piece for H!P!
－S/mileage just finished "S/mileage Live Tour Fall 2013 ~Smile Charge~" held in live houses, but tell us what got the crowds excited at each of the locations.
Fukuda
The first day of the tour was in my hometown of Saitama. I was so happy to say, "I'm home" to the crowd and they responded with, "Welcome back~." During the shows the fans are actually really close to the stage, so during MCs and such we can pretty clearly hear everyone's voices, and it's interesting how it almost becomes like a normal conversation with them. It makes me happy, as it feels like a big, happy family reunion of the "S/mileage Family." Even if we go on to do really big venues, I never want to forget this sort of at home feeling.
－But next year, the tour is spreading across the entire country.
Fukuda
In 2013 we just did the little suburbs of Kanto, so I'm extraordinarily excited about going around the country. I think we'll bring a lot of force to those shows, so I definitely want everyone to come see us!
－Also, when speaking of Fukuda, you're famous as a wota for Berryz Koubou's Kumai Yurina, so tell us what makes her so special.
Fukuda
I went to see Berryz Koubou at Budokan, too, and during the opening when they all stood together on the staircase I seriously almost started crying! I could really see Kumai noticeably sparkling! It's not just that she stands out because she's tall (176 cm!), but it only took a glance to see how strong her aura was!
－If you were to perform together with Kumai Yurina, what sort of job would you like it to be?
Fukuda
If I got to work with her, I'd be so nervous... But lately, I've come to be able to talk to her just a little more. That was because we appeared together in the stage play "Warera Jeanne~Shoujo Seisen Kageki," where Berryz Koubou and S/mileage shared roles in a "reverse cast system," and I got to change big parts with Kumai!! I was super duper nervous, but I got so many chances to talk to her because of it, and we've become quite close! Next, though, I really want to sing a duet with her at a Hello!Con!
－What from Berryz Koubou's Budokan left an impression on you?
Fukuda
When Berryz Koubou sang "Ganbacchae!" with ℃-ute, who always rush to support them, they sang full force and I thought that Tsunku♂ really is incredible.
－What do you mean?
Fukuda
When Berryz Koubou and ℃-ute joined Hello!Project Kids they were in elementary school, and he has such an amazing eye to see how beautiful all of them would turn out to be!
－What are S/mileage's goals to aim for in 2014?
Fukuda
Before, I might have said we wanted to go to Tokyo Dome, but lately I've been thinking that's too big of a dream... Lately, too, I've seen ℃-ute and Morning Musume. and Berryz Koubou at Budokan and that's a stage we could realistically stand on, and, ah, it's started to feel like a very real possibility that we could perform at Budokan as S/mileage! At Morning Musume.'s Budokan show, we stood on that stage as guests, and when I saw all of the glowsticks across the venue, I thought, "I definitely want to fill this place up with S/mileage fans!" I definitely feel like we're ready, I thought. I'd also like to be able to do a hall tour! I want to carry on activities that show our fans how much we've developed! I want to show everyone right in front of them that S/mileage has stepped up.
－What about personally?
Fukuda
Next year is my last as a teenager, so I want to do all the things I can only do as a teenager! I'm interested in several different things, and I want to make the most of my time at work by expanding my expressiveness. They really do say "A blossoming 17," so I thought that when I turned 17 everything would change, but in reality nothing changed at all (laughs). When I turn 20 I want everything to change! I want to become an adult. Even though right now I don't feel like anything will change (laughs).
－Speaking of becoming an adult, in the fall of 2012 you were ordered by Tsunku♂ to graduate from using your catchphrase of "Self-proclaimed reincarnation of Cinderella" and "become a good woman."
Fukuda
I'm not doing anything outwardly sexy, but I have some flirtatiousness and I have some sensuality, so I think I want to find a way to have more natural sex appeal.
－Were there any repercussions from fans after you graduated from Cinderella?
Fukuda
Even though when I was doing people would say, "You're still doing that?" when I stopped I would hear people saying, "It's so sad, why won't you do it anymore?" so it was a complicated feeling.
－So it wasn't sad when you graduated from being the "Reincarnation of Cinderella?"
Fukuda
It was a little sad... but there were no other chances to stop... so now I think it was a good opportunity to stop doing it. But, I do have just one dream... at the Berryz Koubou Budokan Natsuyaki Miyabi did her "Miya Beam." If S/mileage can someday get to a Budokan performance, I'd like to do one more "Cinderella Revolution." For that reason, too, I really do think we have to make it Budokan!
http://news.dwango.j...php?itemid=4483
Right now S/mileage has the reputation of being the number one "dazzling" group in all of Hello!Project. They participated as guests at Morning Musume's Budokan performance, they've announced new songs, and now we directly ask member Fukuda Kanon her thoughts on the newest single from these highly regarded girls.
－"Ee ka!?" is fun, S/mileage-esque song, but with a unique rhythm and rap sections, it seems like a very challenging dance track. What are the key points of the song we should be listening for?
Fukuda
With "Ee ka!?" the main part is the rap, as it's rare for H!P to produce music with such heavy use of rap like this, so I really want everyone to listen to it. I'd really like it to become a staple at lives and school festivals and such!
－"'Ii yatsu'" is a complete 180, a song in minor key that's more mature, a completely different tone, right?
Fukuda
Even when we were doing songs like "Suki yo, Junjouhankouki." "Samui ne." we were still being "Sealed with a smile." "'Ii yatsu'" is still basically "Sealed with a smile," but this time we decided to go for "a painful smile from memories of the good times" in terms of the MV. There are lots of different kinds of smiles in the world, which is what we started looking into. When it came time to shoot, we were trying to perform "lonely smiles, as if you don't want to," and it was extremely difficult.
－It's a double-A single with two contrasting songs, but which one do you recommend more?
Fukuda
"'Ii yatsu!'" There are a lot of members in the group and staff who prefer "Ee ka!?" but I like how "'Ii yatsu'" is a little darker feeling, almost like a song that would be popular during the Showa Era!
－When speaking of S/mileage, you're really grown and become one of the foremost in H!P in terms of singing and dancing. As a S/mileage founding member, is there anything in singing or dancing you're aiming to lead the other members in, or something you're aiming for in terms of the other members in general?
Fukuda
I'm really not that good at dancing. I'm still actively seeking help from my juniors in that regard. Right now S/mileage isn't about senpai-kouhai relationships, but about expressing opinions and views with each other. We're developing relationships where we're free to say whatever we like to each other, and I think that has deepened our bonds together. Even lately Tamura Meimi has been watching videos of rehearsals and concerts at home and informing us, "This part is still not quite right!"
－That doesn't turn into fights and arguments?
Fukuda
Absolutely not! I don't think we've ever fought.
－What do you do about songs?
Fukuda
Singing is different from dancing in that there are a lot of things that you can't just fix immediately. We still don't criticize each other in singing, though. We'll all say things like, "Let's sing this part cutely," contribute opinions that have to do with the nuance, instead.
－In "Namba Kazuki's 36th Council of Idols The 36th Council ranks the BEST 5 Hello!Project Songs of 2013!" S/mileage's "Yattaruchan" acquired the number one spot for the best H!P song of 2013.
Fukuda
I was so happy it was chosen! I want it to become a song that not just S/mileage, but everyone in H!P sings. We have a lot of shows where we perform as the entirety of H!P, so I definitely want "Yattaruchan" to be a song for the whole company and to sing it with everyone! I really want it to become a representative piece for H!P!
－S/mileage just finished "S/mileage Live Tour Fall 2013 ~Smile Charge~" held in live houses, but tell us what got the crowds excited at each of the locations.
Fukuda
The first day of the tour was in my hometown of Saitama. I was so happy to say, "I'm home" to the crowd and they responded with, "Welcome back~." During the shows the fans are actually really close to the stage, so during MCs and such we can pretty clearly hear everyone's voices, and it's interesting how it almost becomes like a normal conversation with them. It makes me happy, as it feels like a big, happy family reunion of the "S/mileage Family." Even if we go on to do really big venues, I never want to forget this sort of at home feeling.
－But next year, the tour is spreading across the entire country.
Fukuda
In 2013 we just did the little suburbs of Kanto, so I'm extraordinarily excited about going around the country. I think we'll bring a lot of force to those shows, so I definitely want everyone to come see us!
－Also, when speaking of Fukuda, you're famous as a wota for Berryz Koubou's Kumai Yurina, so tell us what makes her so special.
Fukuda
I went to see Berryz Koubou at Budokan, too, and during the opening when they all stood together on the staircase I seriously almost started crying! I could really see Kumai noticeably sparkling! It's not just that she stands out because she's tall (176 cm!), but it only took a glance to see how strong her aura was!
－If you were to perform together with Kumai Yurina, what sort of job would you like it to be?
Fukuda
If I got to work with her, I'd be so nervous... But lately, I've come to be able to talk to her just a little more. That was because we appeared together in the stage play "Warera Jeanne~Shoujo Seisen Kageki," where Berryz Koubou and S/mileage shared roles in a "reverse cast system," and I got to change big parts with Kumai!! I was super duper nervous, but I got so many chances to talk to her because of it, and we've become quite close! Next, though, I really want to sing a duet with her at a Hello!Con!
－What from Berryz Koubou's Budokan left an impression on you?
Fukuda
When Berryz Koubou sang "Ganbacchae!" with ℃-ute, who always rush to support them, they sang full force and I thought that Tsunku♂ really is incredible.
－What do you mean?
Fukuda
When Berryz Koubou and ℃-ute joined Hello!Project Kids they were in elementary school, and he has such an amazing eye to see how beautiful all of them would turn out to be!
－What are S/mileage's goals to aim for in 2014?
Fukuda
Before, I might have said we wanted to go to Tokyo Dome, but lately I've been thinking that's too big of a dream... Lately, too, I've seen ℃-ute and Morning Musume. and Berryz Koubou at Budokan and that's a stage we could realistically stand on, and, ah, it's started to feel like a very real possibility that we could perform at Budokan as S/mileage! At Morning Musume.'s Budokan show, we stood on that stage as guests, and when I saw all of the glowsticks across the venue, I thought, "I definitely want to fill this place up with S/mileage fans!" I definitely feel like we're ready, I thought. I'd also like to be able to do a hall tour! I want to carry on activities that show our fans how much we've developed! I want to show everyone right in front of them that S/mileage has stepped up.
－What about personally?
Fukuda
Next year is my last as a teenager, so I want to do all the things I can only do as a teenager! I'm interested in several different things, and I want to make the most of my time at work by expanding my expressiveness. They really do say "A blossoming 17," so I thought that when I turned 17 everything would change, but in reality nothing changed at all (laughs). When I turn 20 I want everything to change! I want to become an adult. Even though right now I don't feel like anything will change (laughs).
－Speaking of becoming an adult, in the fall of 2012 you were ordered by Tsunku♂ to graduate from using your catchphrase of "Self-proclaimed reincarnation of Cinderella" and "become a good woman."
Fukuda
I'm not doing anything outwardly sexy, but I have some flirtatiousness and I have some sensuality, so I think I want to find a way to have more natural sex appeal.
－Were there any repercussions from fans after you graduated from Cinderella?
Fukuda
Even though when I was doing people would say, "You're still doing that?" when I stopped I would hear people saying, "It's so sad, why won't you do it anymore?" so it was a complicated feeling.
－So it wasn't sad when you graduated from being the "Reincarnation of Cinderella?"
Fukuda
It was a little sad... but there were no other chances to stop... so now I think it was a good opportunity to stop doing it. But, I do have just one dream... at the Berryz Koubou Budokan Natsuyaki Miyabi did her "Miya Beam." If S/mileage can someday get to a Budokan performance, I'd like to do one more "Cinderella Revolution." For that reason, too, I really do think we have to make it Budokan!
http://news.dwango.j...php?itemid=4483
Thanks!