I had 7 people sing the same song, each with their own lyrics.

Around the time subscription services were becoming mainstream, a certain songwriter said this:
“I can only provide songs to artists I think will sell.”
In an era where subscription services have drastically reduced songwriters' incomes and music is chosen by “numbers,” I whispered to myself somewhere in my heart upon hearing those words, “Is it this tough for the creators, too?”

Around that time, I was involved in a women-only newcomer audition held by a major label. It was open to ages 11 to 25, and the audition consisted of only 15 seconds of a cappella.
It was held in major cities across the country, and it was an attempt to listen to the “voice itself” rather than singing ability.

However, when I asked the producer, they replied, “There aren't really any good candidates.”
The words “It’s difficult for those over 20” came back.
At that moment, I shouted quietly in my heart,
“If that’s the case, you should have just written ‘up to 20 years old’ from the start.”

Perhaps it was a reaction to that.
I decided to go against the grain and “choose those in their 20s.”

Once they pass their 20s, the individuals themselves have a not-insignificant awareness of being “late bloomers.” That might be why they are coming to the audition as a final challenge. I assumed this on my own, and at the very least, I wanted to give “form” to those thoughts.

And so, I selected about 10 singers over the age of 20 from over 6,000 applicants. I decided to have them come to the studio once more and sing. I conducted what you might call a “secret second audition.”

After listening to the 10 singers, I finally selected 7.
I was also somewhat conscious of “lucky seven” with those 7 people (laughs).
After that, I explained the purpose of this project to the 7 of them.

I want you to sing one song, each with your own lyrics.
The trigger was that songwriter's words.
“I can only provide songs to artists I think will sell.”
Taking those words and turning them around, what would happen if we challenged this as a group rather than as individuals?

Usually, a song is sung by one singer. But then, the reach of the song is left to the power of one person. If so, what would happen if 7 people sang the same song with their own outlooks on life and emotions?

The only thing they have in common is the chorus. It’s like a cover song, yet a completely new attempt. The duration is one year. 7 voices and 7 sets of words will resonate within one song. I decided to start such a project.

So, what about the lyrics?
I could have asked a lyricist to write 7 versions, or perhaps I could have had them write them themselves. However, I stopped that.
I thought that even if I had those with little musical experience write lyrics, the level of completion would inevitably be tough.

On the other hand, I also had anxiety about whether they could truly sing lyrics written by an outside writer as their own, so I decided to choose a different method.

Instead of simply having them write lyrics, I decided to put their own thoughts into words. I had a writer interview them directly about their “thoughts on not being able to give up on music” and “what music means to them,” as well as their experiences and feelings up to now, and shaped them into lyrics.

In other words, the lyrics for this project are “their own stories,” reflecting the lives and emotions of each of the 7 people.

And I had already decided on the title of the song.
“Unfading Cherry Blossoms”
Cherry blossom leaves fall, but if there are roots, they can bloom proudly in the same place again. With that meaning in mind, I decided on this title for the thoughts of the 7 singers.

The song was decided, the 7 sets of lyrics were completed,
and next was the production of the PV. Since we couldn't spend much budget, I thought about what we could do,
and we produced 3 PVs.

1. A version edited from photos of their memories collected from them
2. A making-of video following them from the audition to the recording scene
3. An original video produced in a house studio
Every video was made with the thought that you could feel the individuality and growth of the 7 people.

And the next challenge was 100 street live performances.
The goal was for all 7 of them to achieve a total of 100 street live performances.
If one person went, it counted as 1, if two people teamed up, it counted as 2, and I had them challenge it while working together.

As a result, they brilliantly cleared the goal. And then came the live performance. The 7 of them were able to sing in front of 250 spectators.

Next, I challenged them to a pattern where all 7 people sing with the same song and lyrics.
The PV used the same material and was produced without the individuals appearing.
As summer approached, the song became an upbeat, high-energy track.

Furthermore, by making it a refrain structure that repeats phrases that stick in the ear, I devised it so that it would naturally remain in the listener's heart.
The title is “Tropical Cheap Trick”.
I tried giving each of the 7 people a different subtitle.

And the 100 street live performances resumed.
In the end, I decided to hold a live concert with only the top 4 in terms of the number of performances.
Thus, the one-year project came to an end.

Everyone has different circumstances, and through what they experienced this year, their approach to music also changes. I think they also gained a sense of whether they can continue in the future through this experience.

What I thought again through this project is that music is not something you are “made to do,” but that it is most important that you truly want to do it yourself.

Music activities are tough, and not only technique but also strength of mind is required.
And above all, continuing with patience is the most important thing.

Results do not come immediately.
However, it is precisely because you continue that opportunities arrive.

Of course, if that project had been carried out in today's environment,
it might have produced a different result,
but that is something no one can know. That is precisely why
we have no choice but to pour our full effort into the activities right in front of us,

and furthermore, it is necessary to clear our goals systematically toward our objectives, rather than blindly.

Thank you very much for reading this far.
I would be happy if you could leave a comment, even if it is just a small thing.
I would like to continue sharing my thoughts and feelings little by little in the future.
I look forward to your continued support.

Watch the song & video
Click here for HEARTSAVER MUSIC

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