Interview with Lisa: “I Want to Believe in the Power of Music”

The Japanese musician LiSA made her public debut in 2010. She performed as Yui, the second vocalist of the band "Girls Dead Monster" from the anime "Angel Beats!" Since then, she has continued to sing for popular animes, including "Fate/Zero" or "Sword Art Online."

Her fifth single, "Rising Hope," is another theme song for the anime series "The Irregular at Magic High School." In this interview, she discusses her enthusiasm for this specific song and her concerts held in Japan and overseas.

Staying Strong for Those Who Believe in Me

What is the theme behind your fifth single, "Rising Hope," released on May 7, 2014?

In this song, I would like to express believing in yourself. Since my loved ones believed in me, I wanted to express the power of self-belief. I want to become stronger for those I care about.

What does being strong mean to you?

In the anime "The Irregular at Magic High School," Tatsuya Shiba is looked down upon by his peers for his lack of magic skills. However, his younger sister Miyuki Shiba never gives up on him. Tatsuya strives to be strong for his dear sister, even telling Miyuki that he wants to see her doing her best. Miyuki tries to live up to her brother's expectations as well. I have expressed this sentiment of "trying to be strong for others" in this song.

That's tied up with your own experiences, isn't it?

Yes, definitely. I tried looking for elements in this anime to connect with my own experiences. There are times when I get upset with myself before appearing on stage. Sometimes I find it difficult to believe in myself while singing. But I know my loved ones believe in me and have never doubted my success.

Whenever I release my CD as love letters to fans, I also feel this towards me. I don't want to betray them. I'd rather keep myself strong for those who believe in me. I guess that's the part connected between this song and the anime series.

The Anime Series and Song Have Synastry

Where can listeners hear your signature sound in this song?

I had never written lyrics that directly tie into the plot of an anime before. I usually create songs that capture the setting and atmosphere of animated series. However, when I released the single CD "best day, best way" (2013), I worked on the opening theme song called "träumerei" for another show. This was when I first felt free to do my work. I even questioned, "What happens if LiSA sings for animations?" I tried really hard to answer this question.

It hit me that this was the sound I was creating within the anime sphere. I have always desired to express myself through music, as is the case for this opening song. I could write the lyrics as if I had experienced the characters' experiences as my own.

The Japanese musician Tomoya Tabuchi helped me pen the lyrics of "Rising Hope." He has always worked with me on my personal music, as well. I would credit him with creating the artist "LiSA." He is also a fan of the original novel "The Irregular at Magic High School." This might be the reason why this song fits perfectly with this animation.

I Think I'm Being Greedy This Time

Why do the songs differ visually between the LiSA cover and the anime cover version?

The anime cover version has the main heroine Miyuki in the center and includes songs based on her character. She is usually modest but can become emotional regarding her brother. To show both sides of her, I have arranged the passionate "Rising Hope" and "Poker Face" as the first two songs, followed by the soothing "Ameagari No Sora To Kimi" as the third.

The LiSA visual version features the theme of expressing LiSA myself with a rock and pop image. So, I have chosen the first two songs to show my rocker side. This is followed by "Footprint Compass" as the third song to showcase my bubbly, pop side.

So, you use the anime version to express the series, while the LiSA visual version is for expressing yourself.

That's right! I wanted to make the anime CD version for fans of "The Irregular at Magic High School" fans. Alternatively, the LiSA visual version is for those who prefer LiSA's pop music. I'd be thrilled if people find this CD expresses LiSA successfully.

By having two different versions, you can offer more perspectives for the listeners to understand both the anime and LiSA, the artist.

Yes! Since working with anime series, I've been passionate about contributing to the anime itself. On the other hand, I want to do what I want to do. This might sound like a greedy mindset. But if it weren't for this anime collaboration, it would just be my music. Conversely, the opposite situation would only be an association with anime music. I think this collab has turned out to be a good balance.

Sensing LiSA's Heart in the Music Video

In the rock version's music video, you are dressed in green and white colors, then red and pink hues, while dressed as a waitress. Overall, it seems to be a colorful video expressing many aspects of yourself. Is this somehow related to the animation?

I tried to show what would happen if I turned into a witch in the real world during the waitress scenes. The rock parts are showing "LiSA in the Magic High School." I'm happy to hear that my sense of style inspires many fans, so I tried to wear costumes from the animation.

There are many emotional scenes with you singing passionately, dressed as a waitress, or tucked inside a room. I guess you are trying to show different aspects of yourself.

That might be true. I have many aspects of myself. I'm sometimes dressed in colors, but other times I have to adhere to societal norms. Perhaps these inner feelings are reflected in the music video.

Oh, you have found out something new. There is a scene where you move toward your reflection in a mirror and stand still. Was this mirroring the frustrations inside your mind?

I have wanted to showcase the gap between my heart and my true self by stopping inside the mirror.

Creating "Rising Hope" with Fans

Your next live tour begins at Akasaka BLITZ on June 21. Many of your fans are waiting to see you sing "Rising Hope" live. How are you going to sing it in the show?

The song has a strong message and can also be used as a climax during the live show. I think this tune can be used in many ways. The effect would depend on when I sing it, so I'd better start thinking about how I want the live version to be first.

At least, I can say that the live version is entirely different from the anime or CD version. Live performances are complete with many people's effort, so I'd like to adopt and complete the song there. I'm really looking forward to that.

Were you thinking of that after the anime collaboration was completed or when you started writing the lyrics?

Yeah. In particular, the second verse is not featured in the animation. Therefore, I created a song with two beats so the audience could shout "come on" at the live house. Many of my wishes are written in the second verse.

The second verse surely makes us shout or swing our arms.

I can't agree more! "Rising Hope" is a pretty tricky song. However, I'm proud of myself when I sing it perfectly. If I got to shout "come on" at the right time, that would make me feel great. I hope the audience equally enjoys it, too.

People become silent upon coming home after roaring at a lively performance.

Oh, really? I know anime fans are always passionate about participating until the very end. They imagine themselves as a part of the stage, so that's maybe why. The power inside them is infinite!

Believing in the Power of Music and Taking Challenges Overseas

How were the fans at Anime Festival Asia held in Singapore in 2013?

The power of those fans was just amazing. So were the fans in Taiwan as well. My songs often include calls and responses, making me consider the setlist. But above all else, the audience needs to enjoy themselves. It doesn't matter if they don't understand Japanese or haven't heard the song before.

If they can enjoy the live performance, there's no language barrier between Japan and other countries. The audiences are completely the same in trying to understand the story musicians are trying to tell.

Do you want to have more opportunities to perform outside of Japan?

Yes, I personally like going overseas. I find joy in creating stages where words aren't needed. That's simultaneously a challenge for me. I believe in the power of music. Even if there weren't any stage sets or pretty costumes, I want to believe that there is something I could convey through my music. To see if I can really do this, I would not hesitate to perform beyond Japan.

There are many fans commenting, "I want LiSA to come to our country!"

I'm thrilled to hear that. It's one example where the culture we are proud of is accepted in foreign countries. It makes us fulfilled to have fans overseas recreating our works in their languages or learning Japanese. So, I'll keep on believing in the power of music and continue crafting my own songs.

Could you please give a word to your fans both in Japan and overseas?

I can say that this song, "Rising Hope," is really passionate. You'll like it more if you listen to the full version. Come and complete this song with me at the live shows. And yes, to my fans overseas. I'm not sure if I can go to your country very soon, but please keep your enthusiasm because I'm looking forward to visiting places my fans are awaiting me. Thanks!

LiSA

LiSA Official Site: http://www.lxixsxa.com/