The dream of Japanese singers to achieve success in America will not be extinguished just because there are countless Japanese singers who have failed to achieve success in the United States, nor will they be deterred by seeing the tragic situation of Japanese singers who failed to achieve success in the United States and returned home and were ridiculed by the crowd.
However, if used well, "going to the United States" can also play other roles.
If you abandon the Japanese market to enter the United States and then come back disappointed, you will be laughed at by the crowd. It doesn't matter if you occasionally set your sights on the United States and release one or two records for fun.
In addition, there is another way to realize the American dream, which is to go to a local LIVEHOSUE to perform, and then prepare a headline of "World Tour".
If you want to make the "world tour" more realistic, you might as well add another venue in Hong Kong.
Of course, no matter which one it is, it can only be used by famous singers in China. For unknown people, no one even cares about it at home, let alone abroad.
But this time regarding THE BLUE HEARTS, Shinichi Iwahashi set his sights on "Crossing Beauty".
…
"However, we don't want the band to really go to America. If that is the case, there will be no point." Shinichi Iwahashi explained his plan to Watanabe Manyumi.
Last time, the domineering president asked him for a plan, so he took some time out of his busy schedule to write it down. Recently, Shinichi Iwahashi was busier than Watanabe Manyumi, so when he heard the plan, Watanabe Manyumi came to see him.
"First of all, it is to terminate the band's contract."
Iwahashi Shinichi reported to her, "Next, I plan to release an underground single for the band first. By releasing an underground single, I will arouse the emotions of the fans and make things worse among the fans."
If a record company takes over as soon as the contract is terminated and starts releasing records in a flashy way, it will have no effect. Before officially transferring the band over, use this incident to make a big fuss and increase the band's reputation.
, is the biggest publicity.
"Koumoto-san of the music magazine MUSICA will write a special feature on 'creative freedom' about this incident." Shinichi Iwahashi said, "Then, we will contact TV Asahi to jointly produce reports about the band."
As long as this matter becomes a topic among the people, it will definitely attract the attention of various TV stations, and TV Asahi will be no exception.
And reporting and reporting are not the same thing.
What Shinichi Iwahashi wants to broadcast through TV Asahi is that they participate in the production. He provides relevant video materials, and then mixes in interviews with the band, relevant people, and critics, and finally presents a TV documentary-like quality.
thing.
From the first time the band sang "I'm Standing Here", Iwahashi Shinichi asked to set up a camera in order to capture their first time of resistance, their somewhat raw, uneasy, real and simple expressions.
When they were able to skillfully curse on the stage, "Even if you hold a knife at me, I still have to say 'fuck you!'", the audience saw a barking dog-like band, the kind of "resistance"
"The feeling is gone.
"As I said before, we need to make the matter as big as possible to let the public focus on the band and creative freedom." Shinichi Iwahashi told her, "However, the image of the band in this matter is also very important, both
It cannot be a pitiful creature waiting to be rescued by public opinion, nor can it be a dog that just barks in place."
"So, just arrange for the band to go to the United States?"
What Watanabe Manyumi said was not a question, she was just giving him an appropriate response so that he could continue talking. She looked at the plan she just got in her hand, and Iwahashi Shinichi wrote on it, "Introduce the band."
Performance in America".
Going to "perform" and "going for beauty" are not the same thing.
"Didn't Wan Yumi-san ask me how to make it 'enough'?" Shinichi Iwahashi said, "The way I came up with was to end the play with 'performing in the United States.'"
"It's as much about the band as it is about us."
Iwahashi Shinichi told her, "After you make things so exciting and attract attention, there will always be an end. By then, the fame will have already been there, and to ensure the band's future sales, there must be a beautiful person."
Bright, an ending that leaves hope and room for success.”
"Moreover, when the heat is the highest and the torch is the brightest, holding up this torch and running out is the best way to avoid burning irrelevant things and avoid setting ourselves on fire," he said.
For singers who want to go to the United States, going to the United States is the "beginning", but in this case THE BLUE HEARTS, arranging for them to perform in the United States is the "ending".
A punk band, because of its insistence on creative freedom, terminated its contract with the record company and released underground singles, shouting "I'm standing here, insisting on what I believe in and never compromise!"
After being supported, questioned, and experiencing all kinds of things, I took this energy with me to perform in the United States, a country that Japanese singers long for.
This is like the "running to the stars and sea" ending in comics and novels.
There is hope, motivation and strength.
Although playing this card well requires the goodwill and sympathy of the public. However, we must also understand that whether it is "creative freedom" or "celebrity cheating", they are all part of popular entertainment.
Therefore, don’t put too much burden on the public. Only in this way can you get long-term support from the public in the future.
By the time this is over and the popularity is there, it will be a matter of course to release a new album - of course the new album will be released from the record company.
"It shouldn't be difficult for Wanyumi-san to arrange for the band to perform in New York, right?" Shinichi Iwahashi said his idea and began to bargain with Wanyumi Watanabe.
Watanabe Wan Yumi looked at him, "Of course it's easy to just perform. But..."
"But in what name?" Shinichi Iwahashi took over.
The two of them thought about it together. To be precise, Watanabe Wan Yumi guessed his unspoken plan again. She took her time and brought it up: "If I do what you said, and finish this, what will happen in the United States?"
It's most 'enough' if someone invites you."
"As expected of you."
Iwahashi Shinichi pretended not to hear the slight sarcasm in Watanabe Wanyumi's tone.
"So, what else do you have planned?"
"Wanyumi-san, do you remember Joan Jett?" He suddenly mentioned a name.
Watanabe Manyumi nodded, "Of course."
"To be honest, when I invited Joan Jett to the music festival, I once gave her a record from the underground era of THE BLUE HEARTS."
Shinichi Iwahashi saw the change in Watanabe Manyumi's expression and explained: "I didn't know this band at that time, but I accidentally watched their performance at LIVEHOUESE and thought it was pretty good, so I bought their self-made record to support them.
"
"Besides, isn't Joan Jett's band called 'THE BLACK HEARTS'?" Shinichi Iwahashi said, "Just after watching the show, she came to Tokyo to perform at the music festival, so I gave her the record.
"
"Just because of the color of the heart?" So you gave the record away?
Watanabe Mayumi's expression is subtle.
Iwahashi Shin nodded, "Yes, because they all have colored hearts, so I made a little joke."
"..." Watanabe Wan Yumi was speechless.
This man can actually make such silly jokes. It’s really hard for Joan Jett.
I have been worshiping the mountain for several years, and now I don’t know if it will be useful to worship again. However, before I know whether it is effective or not, Iwahashi Shinichi still wants to worship again and give it a try.
"Anyway, I'll try my best."
Shinichi Iwahashi and Manyumi Watanabe said, "As long as we can create a buzz about this event, gain fame from it, and gain recognition from the underground music circle, with these things, we won't be considered a loser."
"After all, for a record company that needs creative power, 'people' are the most important thing." This is why, even if Watanabe Manyumi objects, Iwahashi Shinichi will run for the band and then introduce them to another record company.
Reason to go.
As long as he can get fame and recognition from this matter, it will be a huge advertisement in the underground music circle and among the people who care about music. In the future, there will be no shortage of singers who can help him make money.
"Besides, I have another idea."
Iwahashi Shinichi felt it was necessary to make it clear to Watanabe Manyumi in advance to avoid any unpleasantness caused by his decision when things came to a close.
"After the incident is over, I am not going to make an appointment with the band's manager."
Watanabe Wan Yumi blinked, waiting to hear his next words.
"If you have both agency and recording contracts on your side, you will definitely make more money... However, money alone is not enough. There are many things that money cannot buy. They are just as important as making money, such as connections and resources."
Iwahashi Shinichi expressed his idea, "I think it would be better to sign the band's management contract with an agency that focuses on cultivating actors. It would be best if there are no singers under its umbrella, or there are no singers who make money."
"Of course, doing this is almost equivalent to giving a money tree to such a firm for free. However, there is no reason to give away benefits to others, is there?"
Watanabe Manyumi smiled and understood, "That's what happened."
Watanabe Manyumi has made up her mind to specialize in the acting business. In this case, it is better to use this method to connect with the actors' agency to get support from them in exchange for drama resources.
Iwahashi Shinichi did this because he was thinking about Watanabe Manyumi. She knew it in her heart.
This is what happens in the industry. Through exchange and communication, you can eat more cake.
"There's one more thing." Watanabe Wan Yumi suddenly mentioned.
"What?"
"Have you ever considered what to say to Meldac Records and Mitsubishi?"
"Yes." Iwahashi Shinichi was not stopped by the question, "I have a way."
He looked at Watanabe Wanyumi and said half-jokingly, "Wanyumi-san knows that I never fight an unprepared battle."
"Who knows." Watanabe Wan Yumi looked at him. Although her words were powerful, her expression was gentle.
Of course Iwahashi Shinichi prepared his last move.
…
In addition, he was still thinking about Minano Yoko's matter, and wanted to take this opportunity to solve it together. But the premise was that he had to resolve the debt dispute first and let her leave cleanly.
During this period, Minamino Yoko took the initiative to call him once and mentioned that she had gone to see Asako - and also expressed her surprise that Iwahashi Shinichi had a lawyer sister.
Minamino Yoko told him that her family decided to support her no matter what, "even if she can no longer stay in the entertainment industry, she must leave cleanly."
"If I really retire, how about I follow Yukiko's example and work part-time in Iwahashi-san's recording studio?" She even had time to joke with Iwahashi Shinichi.
It seems that he has relaxed and is ready to clarify the matter with Jun Mizukura.
During this period, first they worked together, and then they talked on the phone about the contract. Minamino Yoko and Iwahashi Shinichi also got to know each other a lot, and they became more relaxed when talking.
"I don't object." Shinichi Iwahashi smiled, "However, the two popular idols worked part-time in my recording studio after they retired. It scares the people who want to go there to record."
There was only Yukiko Okada there, which often made people in the past wonder if it was some kind of prank. If Yoko Minamino was added to the picture, the picture would be really beautiful.
In a sense, if he really takes in the retired Minamino Yoko, Iwahashi Shinichi will become famous in the industry again.
As for whether it has a good reputation, it's hard to say.
"but,"
All joking aside, Shinichi Iwahashi asked her, "Yozi, do you want to retire and no longer work in the entertainment industry?"
As soon as he asked, Minano Yoko was stunned.
Before being discovered by Shunichi Mizukura, Minamino Yoko was a child actor in a theater troupe. Later, she became an idol, all the way to where she is today. She is not like Yui Asaka, a rebellious girl who went against her family in adolescence and became an idol.
I loved this line from the beginning.
Even in the face of pressure, her long-term thought has been to fight against this pressure and stay in the industry.
After thinking for a while, Minamino Yoko told Iwahashi Shinichi honestly, "Actually, I still want to stay."
"I like to be on TV and express myself." Speaking of this on the phone, Minamino Yoko's voice sounded a little shy.
However, Iwahashi Shinichi remembered that when they met face to face, no matter what she said, she did not show any embarrassment. It seemed that Minamino Yoko was the kind of person who couldn't see the other person's face when she expressed her feelings, which made her even more uncomfortable.
people.
"I see."
Iwahashi Shinichi listened and praised her, "However, Yoko, you are indeed very suitable for being on camera, both on stage and as an actor."
"Really?"
"It's true." Shinichi Iwahashi encouraged her.
Minano Yoko smiled on the other end of the phone, "Thank you, Iwahashi-san."
"This is not something that requires a solemn thank you." Shinichi Iwahashi was referring to complimenting her for being on camera.
He may not have deliberately misinterpreted the true meaning of Minamino Yoko's words, but in the current situation, Minamino Yoko thanked him for his trivial gesture, and Iwahashi Shinichi couldn't bear to hear such words.
Minamino Yoko seemed to have guessed Iwahashi Shinichi's thoughts, and also changed her mind, "However, you said that I am suitable for being on camera, so I want to continue to be on TV."
"Isn't that very willful?" She couldn't help but laugh.
From Minano Yoko's words, Iwahashi Shinichi realized her ice and snow wisdom.
