June 15, 2010
BUDDHISTSON
Formed in Kashiwa City, Japan, in the summer of 1999, BUDDHISTSON consists of Shima Takuya (Vocal, Guitar), Marcy (Drums), Yumi (Keyboard), Yas Uenuma (Bass), and Hiroshi Yoshii (Guitar). Soft and lilting while being intense and focused at the same time BUDDHISTSON’s alternative rock sound is otherworldly and primal. While, the band’s melodies are emotionally charged and sweeping in scope.
I recently talked with Shima Takuya lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for BUDDHISTSON about the band’s history, overseas tour possibilities and his DIY (Do It Yourself) spirit!
Please introduce yourself. What instruments and brands of instruments do you play?
Hi, my name is SHIMA. I am the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for BUDDHISTSON. I design the album covers and merchandise and make BUDDHISTSON’S music videos as well. As you can see – Yes! I still have a DIY (Do It Yourself) spirit!!
Instruments:
My BABY is a blue Rickenbacker 330 + VOX amp. It’s my favorite combination. I also play an acoustic TAKAMINE guitar on stage at times as well.
Could you tell me a little history of how BUDDHISTSON was formed?
SHIMA TAKUYA: Me and MARCY (drummer) started the band with YASU (bass) in 1999. We all used to go to the same high school and were just like punk /alternative / indie rock dorky guys. We spent about a year writing and practicing original songs.
YOHII (lead guitarist) we added just a couple of weeks before recording our first album in June, 2000. Yoshii used to attend the same university with Marcy at that time. Later, we were looking for a keyboard player, and we found YUMI just before our 2nd album recording in 2002.
Where did the name “BUDDHISTSON” come from?
SHIMA TAKUYA: I had a bit of a habit at that time –I carried a notebook everywhere with me and would write down random things without any reason. And one day, I went to a Buddha statue exhibition with YASU, because we loved Buddha’s story and teachings. For us, we felt like Buddha’s teachings were just like a DIY soul. Do you know what I mean?? haha…super dorks right??
Anyway I was on the subway, got bored, and started writing down 2 random words and would put them together. I put the words “BUDDHIST” and “SON” together, and I thought it was beautiful and had a strong spirit about it at the same time. Just like the teachings of Buddha!! So, that’s where BUDDHISTSON came from.
Let’s hear a little about your tastes not related to music — Could you name some of your favorite books or movies?
SHIMA TAKUYA: My favorite movie is called “LILY CHOU CHOU nosubete.” English title is “ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU CHOU.”
I don’t think you can find it in the united states, but there are a lot of fans in Japan, around Asia, and I think some European countries as well. It’s very beautiful and dark at the same time. You can find some clips on youtube, but please everyone watch it on DVD!
I love Tim Burton’s movies, and Michel Gondry’s movies especially. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “The Science of Sleep” are my favorites. Oh, and I love Michel Moore’s movies and books too!
About books, I have some favorites but mostly Japanese so maybe not so many people know these books.
I love YUKIO MISHIMA. but its really hard to understand his writing sometimes because he uses a very old style of writing and it’s full of big words.
Oh, I recently read a famous American book called “Into the Wild.” I LOVE that one too!! 
Who would be your dream band to perform with, either from Japan or from overseas?
SHIMA TAKUYA: Beatles, Bjork, King Crimson, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, Death Cab For Cutie, Foo Fighters, Zookeepers, Jimmy Eat World, Jen Wood, Joan of Arc, Lisa Loab, the Mars Volta, Metallica, Michael Jackson, Nikka Coasta, Pixies, Queen, SALYU(Japanese), sigor ros, Smashing Pumpkins, Stars, Sunnyday Real Estate etc…
Tell me a little bit about the songwriting process… Who is the songwriter and what inspires you to write music?
SHIMA TAKUYA: Pretty much I write the songs by acoustic guitar first, and I make rhythm tracks on my Mac. Later I share that with BUDDHISTSON members and explain my image and how I want the atmosphere to be. Sometimes, I get inspired by books or movies but mostly, I am inspired by my life and imagination and travels.
Out of all the songs you’ve written, are there melodies or lyrics of which you are particularly proud?
SHIMA TAKUYA: urrrr…..I guess I’m always wanting it to be better. So, for me its a little strange to think about what I’m most proud of in my music. Of course I love our music…. but I like to focus on what we can create next and how to make our music more beautiful. Basically, I’m never satisfied!
Remembering back to your first time in front of a live audience, what comes to mind?
SHIMA TAKUYA: I was playing an orange colored fender Japan Stratocaster, and I thought “this guitar is so gay on stage!” and after that show I sold it to friend.
What has been your biggest triumph as BUDDHISTSON? And BUDDHISTSON’s greatest challenge?
SHIMA TAKUYA: We recently just had our 10 year anniversary show…we played a 3 1/2 hour live show (like Metallica!) in our home town here in Japan. Thinking about that now… all of us still making music together after 10 years and some of us even growing up together… I guess it’s quite special.
I wish we could do a tour in the US, it’s been one of my dreams since I grew up with a lot of American music. But yes, I know its difficult to do.
If the whole world were listening, what would you play? And why?
SHIMA TAKUYA: Are you asking if I had to chose just one song? That’s a tough question. I would want to play a full show! There are too many songs I would want to share with everyone.
Are we going to see an overseas tour in the future?
SHIMA TAKUYA: I REALLY HOPE SO! WE have been fortunate to play in many great places all over Asia. We have toured all of Japan of course, as well as Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Macau. Also, I was lucky to get to travel to Utrecht, Holland and work with the amazing engineer, Martijn Groeneveld, to mix our latest album “SLOWDANCE – wisely and slow they stumble that dance fast.” So of course being in that part of the world made me dream of touring Europe someday as well. We are currently in the beginning stages of putting something together with the help of “Possible World Music” here in Japan. They are enthusiastic about sharing a lot of Japanese music with the west. A new EP is in the works for BUDDHISTSON with LA producer Jim Wirt along with Possible World Music. So we shall see where things go from there – hopefully a US tour will be coming soon!
This is your chance to promote your CDs, bands, tours, websites & gear?
SHIMA TAKUYA: BUDDHISTSON has 4 albums:
First album – “Where are you going to bury the contents of your mind?”
Second album – “Yes, but I’m alive”
Third album – “BUDDHISTSON”
Fourth album – “SLOWDANCE – wisely and slow they stumble that dance fast”
Our music is available on iTunes. We also have our merchandise and show updates on our website here:
And here are our myspace and facebook pages:
www.facebook.com/pages/BUDDHISTSON/44820806169
Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans all over the world?
SHIMA TAKUYA: Thank you for listening to our music and supporting us! I’ve been getting nice emails and messages on myspace and facebook. I really appreciate that someone took the time to write a message to us. HOWEVER… I’m sorry if sometimes I don’t always reply (I forget to do so even with my own friends… I know its my bad habit. Right??). But, I want you to know those messages bring us so much happiness and give us the power and inspiration to keep going. I really appreciate you. Thank you! Arigato!!
SHIMA TAKUYA
I would like to thank BUDDHISTSON and Shima Takuya for his participation in this interview.
~Denise Smith (interview 2010.06.15)
