Your long-cherished wish came true with the national tour. What are your thoughts on your first solo show in Sapporo?

Pinocchioppi 2024 TOUR Monstro

--This is your first national tour in five years and your biggest tour to date. How did you come to this point?

I started performing live when I was a member of a music agency, but after I became independent in 2020, I was not able to do so due to the Corona disaster. However, Mr. Miyajima, a staff member at my former office (now at HIKE Co., Ltd.), asked me, "Why don't you do some live performances? I was asked if I would like to do a live concert. Mr. Miyajima is present at this interview, and without him, the live concert would not have been possible. I am truly grateful.

--Please tell us why you approached Pinocchioopy.

Ms. Miyajima: I changed jobs from my office at the time and have been working with Mr. Pino (Pinocchio Pie) for a long time, and we were scheduled to do a live concert at "Asakusa Hana Gekijo" in 2020, but due to Corona, it became a no-show. After that, Mr. Pino became independent from his office and I changed jobs, but when Corona was getting settled, I happened to learn about the Asakusa Hana Gekijo's vacancy. I thought to myself, "We can do the attended live shows that we couldn't do back then!" I asked Mr. Pino if I could do a live concert, which was cancelled due to the Corona disaster, and I wanted to take revenge. That's how the one-man live "Parallel Egg" (to be held in 2022) came to fruition.

Scene from "Parallel Eggs

--This is your first solo show in Sapporo.

I feel nervous because I want the show to be good and I want to finish it safely, but I am more happy than nervous! Finally, I will be able to meet people from all over Japan.

The title of this tour, "Monstro," comes from the name of the giant whale in Pinocchio, and was chosen to mark the 15th anniversary of the band by returning to the roots of my name, "Pinocchio," and also to make the tour bigger than I have ever done before, in a big box (live house). I named the tour "Pinocchio" to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the band and to return to my roots.

--What kind of live show is it going to be like for many people coming for the first time?

Since it is the 15th anniversary of the band, the stage will be a mixture of old and recent songs. Both newcomers and old-time listeners are sure to enjoy the show. There will be people who come alone as well as with their families, so it will be a peaceful and safe concert.

The songs that were hammered with the band sound in the early days are re-hammered with a more live feel in mind, or remixed to be able to be ridden at a live show. We believe that there are songs that can be enjoyed freshly even by those who have known the band for a long time.

--I think the songs are fresh and enjoyable for those who know them from the past.

I feel that many people like the songs because they heard their children listening to them. The lyrics often depict feelings that do not change with the times, and perhaps it is because the songs contain such universal scenes and messages that they can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

--I heard a rumor that you throw stag beetles at your live performances. ......?

We have a song called "Matsuri da Heykamon," and we make it a standard practice to throw plastic balloon stag beetles in the song. At first I was throwing a small paper mikoshi (portable shrine), but I thought that was kind of punishing ...... (laughs). I thought of something else that was summery and ended up with a stag beetle. What will it be this time? So, please look forward to it.

Live video of "Matsuri da Heykamon

--You mentioned in the live broadcast on April 23rd that you were working on a new song for the live performance.

The song has already been written and we are currently working on the video. It will be released before the live concert, so please take a look. It's a pretty weird song that I made on a whim.

The song we were talking about at the time will be released on July 19 as "You Tuber feat. Hatsune Miku".

--What, a weird song before a live performance? (LOL)

I get restless and soppy when there is an interval of four months between song submissions. The idea for the song itself has been around since January, and its announcement happened to coincide with the timing of the live concert. In a sense, writing songs may be a routine of my life, or a physiological phenomenon (laughs).

--By the way, is there anything else you are looking forward to in Sapporo besides the live performances?

I guess it is "food. Seafood, soup curry, and ....... I want to eat a variety of foods, but I was surprised to try the zangi at Hotei. It was deep-fried, but not heavy, and I could eat as much as I wanted.

--I personally recommend the "Marbo-Men" at Nunobukuro. I highly recommend it with the zangi!

I'd love to try it when I'm hungry (laughs). Also, I've recently become addicted to sauna, so I would like to find a good sauna in Sapporo.

--Lastly, how do you feel about your first solo live performance in Sapporo?

This is the first tour and my first solo live performance in Sapporo. Moreover, it will be my first solo live performance in Sapporo, where Crypton, the creator of Hatsune Miku, is located! I am deeply moved and will give it my all! It's going to be a festival-like live performance, so I'd be very happy if you could come. And above all, please stay in good health!

Pinocchio P

In 2009, Pinocchio-P released a song using Vocaloid on a video sharing website and started his activities as Pinocchio-P. Since then, he has been actively releasing his original songs, creating illustrations and music videos, and providing songs to other artists. Since then, they have been energetically releasing original music, creating illustrations and music videos, and providing music to other artists in a variety of fields. In his live performances, he performs with a band set that includes drums and a scratch & sampler as supporting members, based on a fusion of electronic and physical performance.

Pinocchioppi 2024 TOUR Monstro

Date & Time: July 28 (Sun.) Doors open 17:00, Concert begins 18:00
Venue: Zepp Sapporo (4-4 Minami 9-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
Price: Standing 5,500 yen, Seated reserved seat 6,600 yen
Ticket purchase: https://eplus.jp/pinocchiop/ ( e+)
Visitor benefit: Monstro sticker
Inquiries: 050-3504-8700 (Mount Alive)

(Interview and text by Kyohei Yamashita)