interview with yuya matsushita - nt2099€™s pop star: yuya matsushita ... yuya matsushita: it was...

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JAPAN’S POP STAR: YUYA MATSUSHITAYUYA MATSUSHITA is Japan’s hot young pop star and rising up-and-coming actor. Having released a string of hits,

Yuya Matsushita makes his first major performance in San Jose at FanimeCon 2011.

By Dennis A. Amith

he female fans out in the audience scream his name. The young pop star from Japan, Yuya Matushita swivels his hips and belts out a smooth flow of vocals. But this pop star from Japan is not performing in front of his coun-trymen. This time, he is performing for an American audience at Fa-

nimeCon 2011 in San Jose, California. Produced by Jin Nakamura, the producer known for creat-ing smash-hits for EXILE and TOHOSHINKI, Yuya Mat-sushita made his debut back in Nov. 2008 with his single “foolish foolish” on Epic Records Japan Inc.

While having released a string of hits, American fans known his music from the anime series “Durarara!!” and the main actor of the musical of the smash hit anime series “Ku-roshitsuji” (a.k.a. “Black Butler” as the character of Sebastian Michaelis. Multi-talented as a singer and now popular actor in Ja-pan, starring in films and dramas, Yuya Matsushita is riding sky high with his soaring popularity and with a new album (his second) titled “Naturally”, J!-ENT’s Dennis A. Amith recently had the opportunity to interview Yuya Matsushita about his performance in San Jose but also his music and act-ing career. Also, J!-ENT photographer Nergene Arquelada showcases his photos of Yuya in action on stage at Fanime-Con 2011.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

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Yuya Matsushita. Image courtesy of Sony Music Japan.

Before we get into discussions about music, let’s get to know a little about you. When you were younger, was it always your dream to become a singer?YUYA MATSUSHITA: When I was small I remember myself wanting to be an athlete or a soccer player.

Who did you listen to a lot when growing up (Japanese or Interna-tional artists?) and was there an artist that inspired you?YUYA MATSUSHITA: I really liked watching movies, and I became a fan of “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (Armageddon) by Aerosmith. Then my parents bought me the album and I eventually started listening to RUN D.M.C.

If we were to look in your CD or MP3 player right now, which artist or songs would I catch you listening to right now? YUYA MATSUSHITA: I try to listen to music from past to present, but I’ve been listening to Chris Brown lately.

I have read that in the sixth grade you were enrolled in the Caless Vo-cal & Dance School? How was that experience for you and what fond memories do you have of being part of a vocal and dance school?YUYA MATSUSHITA: As soon as the school finished I took the train and went to the Caless Vocal & Dance School everyday. I didn’t’ have any friends who were into dancing or singing at school, so I was practicing everyday at this music school since it was filled with kids with the same interest.

What was that one moment in your life where you decided that you knew you wanted to pursue music as a career?YUYA MATSUSHITA: I started to go to music school when I was 12 as I vaguely wanted to become a singer at the time, but I decided to really become a singer when I went to NY on my own when I was 15.

Were you aware that you have so many fans of your music worldwide and how do you feel about so many International fans listening to Japa-nese music?YUYA MATSUSHITA: I knew that there were overseas fans through Facebook, but I wasn’t really sure. When I saw everyone at FanimeCon I lost my words. I’m happy to see that people are listening to Japanese mu-sic. I was surprised that many people understood Japanese!

You performed at FANIME in San Jose, CA. How did you feel about performing in front of an American audience?YUYA MATSUSHITA: It was so excit-ing!! I actually felt a lot of pressure performing at FanimeCon, question-ing myself whether my music will be accepted in the U.S., and whether people will actually come out to see my show. But in the end there were way more people than I imagined. It’s such a precious memory that every-body sang with me. I really want to

Yuya Matsushita performing at Fanime 2011. Photo by J!-ENT’s Nergene Arquelada


come back again!

A question that your fans have wanted me to ask you since you guys have created music for anime is “Do you watch any anime series or read any manga and if so, what are your favorites?”YUYA MATSUSHITA: Of course “Ku-roshitsuji (Black Butler)”，and I also like the manga “Uchuu Kyoudai”. Also “ONE PIECE”. I don’t think any guys can’t hate on this one.

First, I want to congratulate you on the success of your music career. You have released 8 singles and an album and I have to say that it’s well-performed and well-produced! Looking back at that moment time, what is the best memory that you have releasing your first CD single “Foolish Foolish”?YUYA MATSUSHITA: It was the first song produced by Jin Nakamura

when I was 15 years old. It was such an honor to release this song as the debut single.

Your career has taken off and you are well-known. But musically, what is the biggest difference as an artist from Yuya Matsushita of 2008 and Yuya Matsushita of 2011? Has life changed a lot for you?YUYA MATSUSHITA: Looking back in 2008 I was still immature (laughs). At that time I was inexperienced, and I couldn’t imagine performing lots of shows and even get into acting in-cluding the “Kuroshitsuji (Black But-ler)” musical in the next 3 years!

You have had a solid relationship with producer Jin Nakamura. How is like to work with Nakamura-san?YUYA MATSUSHITA: While we have a good sense of tension we are able to make music in a relaxed mood. He’s a producer and sometimes like a music

teacher, and he always leads me to the right way.

I know for many people around the world, the first time they heard of your music on the anime series “Du-rarara!!!” with “Trust Me”. How was the experience for you to hear your music used on an anime series?YUYA MATSUSHITA: “Trust Me” was the first song to have a tie-in to an anime series, and it made me hap-py to see my song being used as the ending theme. It’s really nice to have people who are not really just music fans to get to know my song.

In the music video for “Trust Me”, you do a lot of choreography. In fact, for many of your songs, you showcase your dance moves. I know with music artists like Justin Bieber, he has said that he has been working a lot on his choreography and it’s what he wants to improve


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on. How do you approach your choreography when it comes to your music? YUYA MATSUSHITA: For me danc-ing is as natural as singing. With the dancing, it adds more depth to the song.

In 2010, you released “I Am Me” which was a fantastic, upbeat first album! How was the experience of working on this album? YUYA MATSUSHITA: Thank you! The songs in the album were all made to be released as singles. So it didn’t re-ally feel like making an album. Half of the songs in the album were already made before debut.

You have released a few singles since “Bird/4 Seasons” can you tell us about your upcoming single?YUYA MATSUSHITA: The upcoming single “SUPER DRIVE” will definitely mark a turning point in my music ca-reer. I have incorporated lots of danc-

es ever before. I believe this song could reach to the people all over the world.

Along with your music, you have also found success as an actor. First, let’s talk about “Black Butler”. In addition to your song “Bird” be-ing used for the anime series, you also played Sebastian Michaelis in the musical stage version of “Black Butler”. How was that experience?YUYA MATSUSHITA: It was my first time to play in a musical, and the fact that “Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler)” was already a smash-hit comic book and also hearing that more than 10,000 audiences would be coming to the show, it was certain a huge pressure. Playing Sebastian, who is so perfect in everything, was definitely challeng-ing. You then starred in the film “Kanashii Boyfriend” and it was followed up by a role in “Toki o Kakeru Shoujo”

and this year you have done two dramas. These are not small roles, you are playing main character roles! How are you enjoying act-ing and is this something you want to do full-time and balance with the music career?YUYA MATSUSHITA: In the begin-ning I was just basically doing things that came across without having the time to think too much, but through acting in the musical “Kuroshitsuji 2”, the director Sakurako taught me the fun aspect and the depth of acting. From there on, I started to go deep into acting. But it hasn’t changed that music is still always at my funda-mental base.

Earlier in the year, you starred in the TBS drama “Quartet”. You played the role of Takeru. The dra-ma is quite bleak and very dark and dangerous. What was it like to play that role (which was different than any other of the character roles you


have done thus far)?YUYA MATSUSHITA: Until then I’ve played roles like junior-high-school student, or a devil (laughs). So I was happy to get Takeru’s role. Action scene was fun, and I would want to continue doing this kind of role if I have a chance.

You starred in the drama “明日の光をつかめ2”. Can you tell us about your role?YUYA MATSUSHITA: Completely dif-ferent from my actual life, I’m acting as a senior student at high-school who’s also the captain of the soccer club, and I’m wearing soccer and stu-dent uniforms.

What was it like to work with your co-stars Ikkei Watanabe and Fujiko Kojima?YUYA MATSUSHITA: Most of the co-stars are younger than me, so it’s nice that we are like a big family! This show gets aired everyday from Mon-day through Friday, so it’s tough to go through many scenes to shoot, but I’m trying my best to create a great drama, together with Fujiko and Ikkei.

Let’s get to know more about you with a few fun questions. Have you ever sung your own songs at kara-oke and did you ever get a perfect score?YUYA MATSUSHITA: I don’t sing my songs at Karaoke!

Here in the U.S. are there any type of western foods that you like to eat? If so, what is your favorite?YUYA MATSUSHITA: Hamburgers were great. Especially cheeseburger!!

Outside of music and acting, what kind of hobbies do you enjoy?YUYA MATSUSHITA: I love movies. My dream as an actor is to play a roll in a Hollywood movie!

For every interview, we have a sec-tion called word play which I give you five words and you give me your definition for those words:

LoveYUYA MATSUSHITA: A necessary thing to live.

SuccessYUYA MATSUSHITA: I want to be No.1.

PainYUYA MATSUSHITA: You can be nice to other people because you know the pain.

FansYUYA MATSUSHITA: Family

R&BYUYA MATSUSHITA: The best music of all

If there is one phrase to describe yourself, what phrase would that be and why?YUYA MATSUSHITA: I AM ME. I am just who I am.

What final words would you like to say to your fans?YUYA MATSUSHITA: Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity to come to the US. I am so thankful to see and meet all my fans in the US. I definitely want to come back and perform again. Thank you all for the support!

Yuya Matsushita performing at Fanimecon 2011. Photo by J!-ENT’s Nergene Arquelada

For more on Yuya Matsushita, please visit his official website at:

http://www.matsushitayuya.com/

Fans await the BOOM BOOM SATELLITES performance at the Fuji Rock Festival. Photo by Masanori NaruseYuya Matsushita performing at Fanime 2011. Photo by J!-ENT’s Nergene Arquelada

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J!-ENTDENNIS A. AMITH is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of entertainment and pop culture website J!-ENT. He is also the owner of the multi-disciplinary communications and design business, nt2099 media and entertainment. Graduating from California State University, Fresno with an educational background in mass communications and journalism, Dennis A. Amith has interviewed and featured many talents and industry professionals in the United States, Europe and Asia and is recognized for promoting

the entertainment and pop culture of different countries to an International audience. Currently residing in California.

NERGENE ARQUELADA joined J!-ENT as a photographer in 2004. He is known to many as the anime convention and cosplay photographer “Super No. 1”. Nergene has photographed bands, talents and industry professionals for J!-ENT. He is an avid fan of Japanese and Korean music and dramas. Nergene graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising at the gym and attending local cultural festivals. He

currently lives in the Los Angeles area.

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interview with yuya matsushita - nt2099€™s pop star: yuya matsushita ... yuya matsushita: it was...

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