Artist Of The Week – Love Psychedelico

When I first put on Love Psychedelico’s latest album, This Is Love Psychedelico, I was impressed that there was still a group that made rock music in the most traditional definition of the genre. After listening closely, however, I realized something much bigger was going on, the lyrics were a mixture of both English and Japanese. I checked the CD booklet, which had the lyrics written out, and yup, it was a melding of two languages I hadn’t heard melded before (except for some awkward moments in Japanese classes back in high school and college). Wanting to know more I sat down with the Love Psychedelico duo of Kumi and Naoki Sato to find out what Love Psychedelico is all about.

Adam Bernard: Let’s start with the basics, how did you two get together and when did you decide you were going to make music as a team?
Naoki Sato: We met in the Music Club of the University. It’s already more than ten years ago…
Kumi: We were inspired by each other’s playing and we made a band together right after that. I especially liked his passion for the music.

Adam Bernard: How did you come up with Love Psychedelico as a name? What’s the meaning behind it?
Kumi: At first our band name was Love Psychedelic Orchestra, but it was too long…
Naoki Sato: So we just kept the “O” from “Orchestra” and become Psychedelico. Isn’t it cute?

Adam Bernard: I dig it. What kind of advantages / disadvantages does the Japanese music scene have versus the American scene?
Kumi: The Japanese music scene is smaller than America, so the chance for recognition is higher, but perhaps because of that there isn’t so much variety musically. However, in America it may take more time to be recognized, but they seem to respect your music more once you are accepted.
Naoki Sato: I don't feel the high wall between the stage and the audience (in America). I feel like they all know how to have fun, so we have fun, too. I realize that this country is where rock n roll was born and developed.

Adam Bernard: Your music mixes the languages of English and Japanese. Most people don’t feel those languages are alike in any way, but what similarities have you found in them that make you able to go so seamlessly from one to the other?
Kumi: We compose with the sound of the lyrics in mind. First we create the melody, then we put the lyrics in. Whether it is in Japanese or English we choose words for how they sound, so when the sounds fall in place together the meaning is born on its own accord.
Naoki Sato: And it’s great that our songs are heard without a sense of incompatibility. We think it is a great chance to introduce Japanese to people in America. The phonetic spelling in the alphabet for the Japanese part is provided in the lyric booklet, so you guys can sing along.

Adam Bernard: Thank you for that. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve studied the language. Keeping with the music, you’re a rock band in the classic sense of the genre. In what ways does this form of music speak to you that others don’t?
Kumi: I think that human existence of man has both the spiritual and the physical sides. We always sway between the two sides, at times with contradictions. I think that rock n roll expresses the fine balance between them. Rock n roll is awakened to the fact that we are spiritual beings with corporeal existence. I feel that is what releases us to the infinite universe.

Adam Bernard: What do you feel you can say through rock that you might not be able to say through another form of music?
Kumi: I think rock is a magic to make love understood without rationalization through the pleasure of music.
Naoki Sato: I think rock is an art that expresses the invisible spiritual energy physically.

Adam Bernard: In the end, what do you want people to feel when they put on a Love Psychedelico album?
Kumi: It will make me happy if some warmth and brightness can be felt by our music.
Naoki Sato: “That’s love!”

Related Links

Website: thisislovepsychedelico.com
MySpace: myspace.com/lovepsychedelicous