" If a lot of people help, it becomes a big power. "
After resting from a hiatus due to Binaural Eustachian tube, Nakashima-san returned to her activities at the very beginning of this month with TV appearances. Right after the disastrous earthquake hit Japan. "I also want to do anything I can"
" If a lot of people help the reconstruction, it becomes a big power. ". She gained experience in helping with the revival of the stricken areas when the Hurricane Katrina hit the United States a few years back.
- When the earthquake occurred, where were you ?
Nakashima : I was with a friend in a caf� in Tokyo. I came back home with my friend quickly after the earthquake hit. I thought like I could feel the power coming out from my body by watching the news on TV.
- When Hurricane Katrina hit the United States in 2005, you contributed with a charity song called "ALL HANDS TOGETHER" in order to donate to the disaster area, right ?
Nakashima : In the past, I visited West Tennessee City when I shot a music video in Memphis, and I saw the town was submerged on the television, there was nothing left. I thought I maybe could be able to repay the kindness I had been shown to Memphis.
- It was a victim of the Hurricane, from Louisiana New Orleans, M. Allen Toussaint who was in charge of the piano parts of the song, isn't it ?
Nakashima : Allen was a person who did not show any kind of sadness or painful feeling when he was interviewed about the situation, regarding the victims. Being able to meet Allen was a miracle. I think that being able to meet him at that time was good for me. I could be able to ask if we could work together, and he accepted to listen to my song.
- What do you respect the most in him ?
Nakashima : Allen is such a gentle person who has a big heart. I've never seen him get irritated, even after a struck and somehow I had never felt nervous around him. Such a geniality appeared in the music as well. I felt his strength and I felt strong.
- The lyrics were handled with good care in this charity song.
Nakashima : I wrote what I thought when I saw the footage of the disastered area. Anyway, I wanted to make it sound energetic. A lot of clapping was included, coming from an idea of the staff.
- We felt a strong desire of reviving the situation with all those clapping.
Nakashima : A lot of people helped with the reconstruction, it was definitely a very big help, I couldn't have done it all alone by myself.
- After recording such a charity song, when you visit the affected areas of New Orleans, what do you feel ?
Nakashima : Locals were positives, though recovery efforts did not really improve. I was shoked to see a lot of T-shirts with the name of Katrina and accessories related to the disaster were being sold.
- Did you buy any ?
Nakashima : I bought as much as possible because I heard that buying from those shops would help the reconstruction of the devasted areas.
- We can assume that you played a role in this revival, and from this you were awarded with the title of honorary citizen of Memphis.
Nakashima : When the charity song was made, I was somehow puzzled if it was necessary to do it, but in the meantime, I was glad because I could realize my desire and took the risk to be criticized. I think music is delivered to the ear, so even if the situation might be difficult after a disaster, music becomes and encouragement if you decide to relax and settle down for a moment. If it is possible to redo it after the Great Earthquake in Japan occurred, I would like to do anything I can. I think it made me realize I have to look at the reality of things more closely.
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Last October, the official website announced the discomfort of the ear that Nakashima-san had been facing for years. She wrote to her fans "From now on, I'll keep away from activities as a singer as my condition has worsened during the years, I would like to concentrate on treatment." and announced a hiatus. More informations about Nakashima-san's condition leaked afterwards "My body feels fine. It's only ear disorder, it's really frustrating as a singer" she explained.
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- Once the announcement of activity stop was done, your homepage remained pretty calm.
Nakashima : It is difficult to explain what symptom I have, I had to explain it many times in many different ways, so I wrote it and my manager checked it. Because the concerts had to go on, I reported myself on making good music without announcing my sickness if possible, I only had to be able to keep acting like everything was fine. But as I didn't want to alarm the fans, I wrote down a detailed description of my symptoms and feelings as much as possible.
- Didn't you already encounter this problem while making music before your hiatus, as it was said that you were diagnosed with this disease several years earlier ?
Nakashima : I feel like my ears are closed. It is not hard to hear your own voice. But I did not really worry thought I felt that the volume of my voice kept growing in my head while speaking for a long time.
- How was the hiatus decided?
Nakashima : I came to a point where my staff could notice when I was off singing. they told me "You are in bad form today" and they came to understand my ear problem, it was really unpalatable.
- On the day that you were supposed to be on stage, you came to apology to your fans and they sang back to you " A MIRACLE FOR YOU ".
Nakashima : I felt such warm feelings and I felt grateful like for the very first time. Also during the hiatus, I was encouraged just by remembering this moment. I could endure anything if I only thought that it would be possible to return to my fans using this treatment, but I really felt depressed sometimes because the injections made to the eustachian tube were made via the back of the nostrils, it was really painful.
- Do you feel that your view on the song changed?
Nakashima : I made the song for my fans, but now, somehow, I could feel that it was also directed to me. Everyone is encouraged by the lyrics "You may cry in peace".
Translated by Utena
