2023

Q: One of the bands you list as being a favourite is XTC. Are you excited about the upcoming shows with EXTC?

OS: Working with my favorite band in the world, Terry Chambers, is a dream come true. I also played with guitarist Dave Gregory, and I was impressed to hear the guitar tone that I had heard on the CD. In the age of Youtube and subscriptions, I want everyone to feel the charm of live performances. Seeing is believing. I am grateful to the organizer VINYL JAPAN and 

I would love to work with Andy Partridge and Colin Molding someday. I am excited and delusional.

Q: Aside from the EXTC shows, next year, 2023, will be your 20th Anniversary. Are you planning any celebration?

OS: Co-starring with EXTC is truly a live show suitable for the beginning of the 20th anniversary. We are planning to release our 10th album on our 20th anniversary and are recording it now. We are also planning a special live event.

Nagasaki

Q: How was the music scene in Nagasaki when you were young?

OS: When I lived in Nagasaki, there was no live houses or music scene. Nagasaki musicians with dreams often went to Fukuoka and Tokyo. I started playing in an original band after I came to Kyoto, so I don't know much about the music scene in Nagasaki.

Q: What started your love of British Pop?

OS: What made me aware of the term British pop was the influence of an American band called Jellyfish. I was a kid who loved reading liner notes and learning about music history. I searched record stores and books for their roots, XTC, Badfinger, The Move, 10CC and immediately fell in love with them. The Mayflowers were also able to contribute to the Jellyfish tribute album released in the US.

Q: What was the first concert you saw?

OS: It's The Blue Hearts, a Japanese band I saw when I was in junior high school. My impulses are heavily influenced by punk, heavy metal and blues.

Q: You have a Hofner violin bass and other basses. Was Paul McCartney your biggest influence when you were young?

OS: I've loved the Beatles since I was little, but it wasn't until I started The Mayflowers that I became aware of Paul. I converted from a guitarist to a bassist because of him. My style may be influenced by Paul McCartney and Colin Molding.

Q: How is the music scene in Nagasaki now?

OS: Well The Mayflowers  started in Kyoto, so let me talk about the music scene there but I would like to say that I don't really know much about it. One thing I can say is that there are fewer rock bands but Kyoto is one of the most blessed music cities in Japan. I believe that the music culture of Kyoto is nurtured by live houses such as Jujutsu and Jittoku and it's thanks to that scene that we were able to work for a long time. Even if the place and times change, I believe that what I do will not change. As for Nagasaki, although it is not known to the world, there is a great musician there called Mambo Inamatsu.

The Mayflowers

Q: Why did you call the band The Mayflowers?

OS: The birthdays of the members at the time of formation are attributed to May.

May = mod culture = England in the 60s

Flowers=Flower Movement=70s America

I named it Mayflowers aiming for music that mixes 60's England and 70's America.

Q: You are the principal songwriter. Is it easy for you to write music and lyrics in that style?

OS: At first, I was making techno music, so it was difficult to write songs with melodies and chords but I've come to understand a little more recently. Lennon & McCartney, Mick & Keith, Andy & Colin. If I had someone to collaborate with, I think I could have made two or three times as many albums. Also, I'm not good at English, so it's hard to write lyrics. I would like to make it in Japanese as well.

Q: Do you work out all the harmonies yourself?

OS: Yes. I've never had a musical education, so I'm self-taught. I'm doing the multi-tracking recordings by myself.

Q: You are also the producer. What is difficult about being the writer, musician and producer?

OS: Not having enough time, not being able to see music objectively, being dictatorial. Sometimes I hate myself, but I'm a music fan and I love any process that involves music. I also like design, photography and fashion.

Q: Do you record analogue or digital? How do you get the vintage sounds, especially the backing vocals?

OS: All recordings are digital. The Mayflowers aims for a modern vintage sound so we often use vintage plug-ins for recording. The backing vocals are often doubled, the same as the Beatles.

Q: You have said that you like The Small Faces, The Beatles, The Move…do you have a favourite producer from that era?

OS: Of course George Martin along with Glyn Johns, Tony Visconti, John Leckie and Todd Rundgren. I also like Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood as producers.

Q: You recorded That Thing You Do from the film of the same name. Why did chose that and not a more familiar 1960s song?

OS: In memory of the author, Adam Schlesinger, who passed away from the Coronavirus.

I love the British-American flavor of this song and the movie; Adam Schlesinger was a great songwriter.

Osamu

Q: Aside from British Pop, what other music do you listen to?

OS: Power pop, funk, hard rock I like anything as long as the melody and rhythm are great.

Q: Are you a record collector?

OS: I'm a CD collector, not a record collector. Last year, I sold 10 cardboard boxes of CDs, so my collection has decreased.

Streamings are convenient but musicians need to review their earnings to survive.

Q: You have a Time Machine, which three gigs would you see?

OS: That's a hard question...The Beatles, XTC and Jellyfish.