Big Bang Interview: Flying Postman Press, Japan, November 5, 2008
Auther Note: Please note that the original interview was in Japanese and this is a translation of a translation:
Q. You are already very popular in Japan – around 3,000 fans turned out to see you perform at your Ikibukero event to introduce your new album. But since this is the first time you meet the Flying Postman Press readers, please introduce yourselves and tell us about your roles in the group.
SR: My name is VI. I do vocals and dance in the group. Also I am the youngest in the group.
DS (in Japanese): I am D-Lite. I do vocals.
YB (in Japanese): (To DS) That was simple (laugh). I am Sol. I do vocals and dance.
GD: I am G-Dragon. I am a producer and the leader of the group.
TOP: I am TOP. I am a rapper and do beat-boxing. I also write songs.
Q: In the Flying Postman Press December issue (Tokyo edition), we asked you about your “unique” qualities as a group. Today, tell us what each of you think is “unique” about the other members.
YB I think each member is unique. I’ll tell you what I think is unique about D-Lite, who's sitting next to me, then. He said that our “unique image” as a group was “yellow” (see FPP December issue Tokyo edition). I think he has a bright and sunny personality that resembles the color yellow. (Smiling broadly, DS shakes hands with YB)
Q: I see. I guess D-Lite is everyone’s favorite mood-maker. Now why don’t you take turns to tell us what’s unique about the person sitting next to you? D-Lite, what do you think is unique about VI?
DS: Well, I think what’s unique about him is his confidence. (Laugh)
Q: I see. Now Mr. Confidence, VI, what’s unique about TOP?
SR: His voice when he raps! I think he’s unique because he has stage presence and charisma.
Q: Now TOP, what’s unique about G-Dragon, the leader of the group?
TOP: GD is a good leader and has a distinct character. Also he is very ambitious and devoted about everything he does.
Q: Now, what’s unique about Sol, G-Dragon?
GD: Sol has a sensibility that is a bit different from that of others. The fact that he has "feelings" that others don't have is what's unique about him.
I'm not sure what he mean by this o.o
Q: I understand that not only G-Dragon the producer but also the rest of the members take part in producing your songs. Please describe the typical process you go through to produce a song.
GD:Through discussions among all members. I am the producer but I just lay the framework and the individual members then fill out the framework. That’s why you can see the unique colors of individual members in their respective parts.
Q: I see. Then all of you gathered in one place, having lively discussions to make or record songs?
GD:That’s right.
Q: I guess that's how you stimulate synergism among members while keeping the uniqueness of individual members intact.
…
Q: “Number 1” is not simply the Japanese version of one of your Korean albums – it has six new songs that were not previously released in Korea. So this was intended specifically for the Japanese market. What were the things to which you paid particular attention because it is your regular album in Japan?
YB:Yes, we paid particular attention because this is our first regular album in Japan. For example, we chose the color of Big Bang (?) for the album jacket, tried to make the songs more slick and edgy, and made sure that they have the feel of pop to make them more suitable for the Japanese music scene. It has elements of western-style music, club sounds and R&B numbers that are perfect for autumn. It’s very rich and diverse and I think you will find the songs rather refreshing.
Q: I see your songs reflect influence by R&B/hip-hop/soul music, and in your song "This Love" from your previous EP "With U", you sampled a song by the American band Maroon 5. You've also mentioned your collaboration with Daishi Dance, which shows how diverse and genre-free your music is. I am curious, what do you guys listen to these days?
...
YB:The weather's getting chilly so I listen to Eric Benet and Robin Thicke a lot these days.
GD:I usually listen to pretty much all kinds of music regardless of the genre but I listen to a lot of old Korean songs these days.
TOP: I like “warm” music and listen to a European artist named Tete a lot these days. I also listen to our album Number 1 a lot in preparation for our live performances. (Laugh)
Q: So you’re listening and practicing (laugh). I guess you all listen to different artists. How about Japanese artists?
YB:Yes, we listen to Japanese artists too! I listen to Amuro Namie, Nakashima Mika and m-flo often.
Q: If you include the EPs released in Korea, your first regular album in Japan Number 1 is your 4th album this year alone. This is indeed an amazing pace of working. Where do you get this level of creative energy?
YB:Our mood (?) changes with time and our music changes accordingly. I think the desire to show you how we have changed musically is the main source of our energy.
Q: Last question. You must have given the title “Number 1” a great deal of significance (?). Tell me, what messages do you want to convey to the fans through the title and where should we focus when we listen to this album?
YB: These are fun songs you can dance to. Rather than trying to interpret the lyrics, we just want you to listen and enjoy the music. The title reflects our wish to be the number one for all of our fans. We always want to try our best and make our fans proud.
Q: I see. Thank you for your time today.
source: Flying Postman Press, Japantranslated by: pgeorgieshared by: cassiELForever
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