TAM and Akai Ryuusei Panel
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Started with Fans Q&A
Q: How did you like your American Live Concert yesterday?
A:
Akai Ryuusei - I was surprised on how many people were there
TAM - It was very tiring, but it was very fun
Q: How do you like America so far?
TAM - So hot, much passion, lot of love!
Akai Ryuusei - Unlike Japanese, people are very outgoing here. Thanks for such friendly audience!
Q: Do you have anyone you look up to, or an inspiration that you follow?
Akai Ryuusei - I am quite confident about myself, so I don't have any
TAM - I am GOD, and the divine spirits channel me with great artistic talent and beauty
Akai Ryuusei - Well, I guess I am very much influenced by game music. Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy for example. Nobuo Uematsu would be one. I also like Japanese Jazz musicians, like Hiromi and Blue Note.
Q: How did you get to know Touhou?
TAM - When I was living as a NEET, I was a PC game mania. I got to know Touhou then. Then my friends wanted to orchestrate some game music performing group, and then started out with Touhou. This was 12 years ago. I was really dazzled by the melody of Shanghai Teahouse ~ Chinese Tea. I wasn't too good at Touhou, so I heard Septette for the Dead Princess a bit later of my life.
Ryuusei - This is a long story. I got into my circle Tokyo Active NEETs 8 years ago. We weren't doing Touhou back then. The leader put me in charge of composing various kinds of music. When we got a bit successful and made some money, the leader apparently took the money and ran away. After he was gone, I had to take charge of the group, and didn't know what to do. Then I discovered Touhou and found that our group can go with this by arranging the songs for this game. Ever since then, Tokyo Active NEETs and I grew up together with Touhou, enjoying great successes even now.
Q: What is your advice on how to get into a doujin market, or create a doujin circle?
TAM - What I think most important is the love and passion for the genre. I didn't have any professional training, and I was a NEET, but with passion, I trained and honed my skill and made myself of who I am today.
Ryuusei - With help of internet, there's a lot of different ways available. You can upload on Youtube or Nico Nico Douga. Find what your originality is, practice upon it and make it your identity & strength. If you got some confidence, then start your doujin circle.
Q: What is the difference between amateur and professional?
TAM - That professional has a manager, and amateur does not. For many doujin artists, you are considered amateur, which means you have to manage everything yourself. Being able to perform your music is only a part of what it means to be a doujin artist.
Ryuusei - If you are professional, you absolutely must become number one in that field. I was the first place in music starting from Elementary School to High School. All that effort and confidence I have built made me a professional musician.
Q: Do you tend to arrange the music to the essence of the characters?
Ryuusei - It's important to know the difference between composition and arrangement. If you are composing, you interpret the characters the way you wish and play around with the tune in order to bring a certain theme to the field. But if you are arranging, you are pretty much stuck with the original tune, and stick to it as close as possible to appeal the fans who want their tunes to be respected.
Q: How would you like to be remembered by the world?
TAM - That's a very American Question. If anything, I would like to be known as the GOD.
Ryuusei - I just hope people will be able to remember me and the circle. Someone who can be relied upon to bring new materials next year, so I can keep getting the Like button on Youtube or Nico Nico Douga.
Q: Is there a special meaning in your nickname, Akai Ryuusei?
Ryuusei - It's based on Gundam. It's a homage to Akai Suisei, Char Aznable's nickname. Also, the color red (Akai) coincidentally had a lot of things related to me, like my clothes or the color of my keyboards.
Q: Who is your favorite Touhou character?
TAM - Yuyuko
Ryuusei - Sakuya
Q: If you were to collaborate with ZUN, what would you do?
TAM - Well, ZUN is already a GOD...
Ryuusei - I would really like to go drink beer with him.
Q: What is your favorite American food?
TAM - Hamburger. Hamburger. Hamburger.
Ryuusei - Hamburger, but I like steak as well.
Q: How do you keep the flame of love towards music and Touhou? What keeps you so passionate over all these years?
TAM - Well, music is a part of humanity. We have always lived with it, like we breathe air. It is essential to our survival, and we use music to express ourselves. So, just having that thought, "I really want to do this!" is important to keep yourself going.
Ryuusei - I really like cute girls, games, and music, and they continuously give me motivation to follow through.
Q: What is your last message to the fans and audiences?
TAM - I am very happy that we were able to be connected. Thanks for your great support on yesterday's live performance!
Ryuusei - In Japan, the chance to be connected and talking with fans is very rare. There's only enough rooms for concerts. I am very grateful for this time in the panel where I can get to know my fans and to be able to answer your questions. Thanks a lot!
