Interview with Rin, an artist who loves and lives for songs, on her first full-length album "Rin-ism," the culmination of 10 years of work!

Since her solo debut in 2007, Rin has sung the ED theme "Jounetsu-ism" for the anime "Cardfight! Vanguard Asia Circuit Arc" ED theme "Jounetsu-ism", "Cross Fight Bidaman" OP theme "TRUTH", and other anime and game songs, artist Rin will release her first full album "Rin-ism" on January 31 (Wednesday), celebrating her 10th anniversary. Rin will release her first full-length album "Rin-ism" on January 31 (Wed.).

She has been called "Japan's No. 1 tentative singer" for her work as a tentative singer and chorus singer for the AKB group, many artists, and voice actors, and she also works as a lyricist, Mami Suenaga, and has developed her musical activities in many other ways.

However, it has not been smooth sailing for her to reach this point, as she has suffered from aphonia on two occasions and has battled a number of chronic illnesses while gradually recording. This album is a record of her struggles.

In this interview, Rin and producer Takamitsu Shimazaki talk about the production episodes of this work and their passion for "singing.

Losing my voice allowed me to finally listen to my own songs again

─ "Rin-ism" is an album commemorating the 10th anniversary of your activities.

Rin: Yes, that's right. I had originally said that I would release the album right after the single "Jounetsu-ism" was released in 2012, but my health has not been good due to illness and other reasons, so I finally completed the album.

───Well, first of all, I would like to ask you about the ups and downs until the completion of the album.

Rin As I mentioned, I had the idea for the album around the time after "Passionism" (2012) was released, and we were talking about putting together an album that would include songs from my indie days, but then I fell ill. ...... Specifically, I suffered from aphonia, and after repeated rehabilitation, I decided to make another album, but then I got sick again, and it was like I couldn't move ....... I was in no condition to sing, even though we were planning to release the album properly. （I was planning to make an album, but the timing of my health condition was always right when I wanted to make it, and it was like a scam to get it out (laugh).

(laugh) ─ So you were not able to do as much as you would have liked.

Rin: I have a tendency to make do with my guts, but it was a big deal for me to lose my voice, to be in a situation where I physically could not sing. I could not do anything about losing my voice through hard work and perseverance, and my identity (meaning of existence) was cut off. However, I was still in touch with music as a lyricist, so I don't feel that I completely lost my connection to it, but the fact that I could no longer sing was a big part of it.

After that, when I thought I could finally resume album production, the number of songs I had sung so far was too large to put them all on a CD. So I decided to narrow down the songs, but it was difficult because all the songs were very emotional.

─ ─ Some of the songs you sang in the past are labeled "Version. 2017," but will these be newly recorded songs?

Rin: This time, only "ULTIMATE SOUL - Thousands of Crossroads" was re-sung, while the other songs were taken from the old vocals. I could have re-sung all of the songs, but I wanted to present the songs as they were before I lost my voice, with the feelings, momentum, and atmosphere of that time, so the producer Mr. Shimazaki changed only the sound, leaving the songs as they were, and we ended up with 16 songs with a unified, modern feel. So, I feel like I've finally managed to do it, and I'm at a loss for words. ......

There were people who were waiting for the release of the album, and I felt sorry that I couldn't release it. But I think I can finally repay those people who have been waiting for this album. I was also very particular about the artwork, as I felt that the album would be a cohesive album that would make people happy. I feel that today's music is being distributed and enjoyed in an age where music can be enjoyed in a tangible form, but the entrance to music that has excited and inspired me was something that I could feel with all five senses. I have always enjoyed picking up an album, smelling the printing, looking at the jacket, and looking at the CD, so I wanted the album to have that kind of feel and feel.

─ ─ You were also particular about the costumes and accessories.

Rin: Yes. I already had an image in my mind, so I did all the stylistic work. The accessories were made by fans, but I styled the costumes according to my own world view. In the end, I arrived at the visual image of standing on a broken CD. I think we are in a transitional period, but I grew up with CDs, and I wanted the visual to symbolize an era in which distribution is becoming mainstream.

Producer Shimazaki: I think we were able to do this because of the times we live in, and if we had released a cracked CD during the heyday of CDs, people might have said it was inappropriate.

─ In the past few years, you have also been active as a tentative singer. What is the difference between being involved in the background of such works and singing your own songs?

Rin: Both are completely different. When I am involved in other people's works as a tentative singer or chorus singer, of course I am not the best singer. I sing the tentative songs and chorus to enhance the idols' and artists' songs, and to make their works and sounds shine the brightest. I am objectively conscious of this and put my heart into making the song sound as good as possible. I am not that conscious when it comes to Rin's activities, but Rin as an artist can be quite down to earth, singing rather cool songs and lyrics like this. Furthermore, Mr. Shimazaki told me that I could sing as I pleased, so I think of it as an artist activity where I can let loose and give 100% of what I feel in the songs.

───How did you feel when you listened to your own songs again?

Rin: Before I lost my voice, I rarely listened to my songs. Part of me wants the songs to take on a life of their own once they are completed, and part of me can't be objective about them. I try to sing my best 100% of the time, but afterwards, when I listen to the finished product, I don't like to think that I could have sung it better or done it better. I don't want to see the rough edges, and I don't want that to become a regret. I can't admit to myself that I was giving it my 100% at the time.

That's why I hardly listened to the songs again, but when I lost my voice, I could listen to the songs as just one listener. Because I was no longer the one singing.

Until now, I had always listened to songs from the perspective and sensibilities of the person who sang them, so I was unable to listen to my own songs in a pure way. This objectivity may have led to the jacket.

I felt like I had overcome a lot of things and was ready to sing a new powerful song, and to sing it even more coolly.