Last summer, singer-songwriter Yutaro Ogida was in Europe for a tour, it was not the first time he performed there and most probably not the last. Even though an in-person interview didn’t work out when he was in the Netherlands, it was eventually done via the digital route after the rock musician returned to Japan. This interview will highlight the backstory of the singer-songwriter, composer and guitarist, this will be done by looking at the past, present and future.
The beginnings
AVO Magazine: Can you tell us about your musical journey? How did you get started in music and what inspired you to become a rock musician?
Yutaro Ogida: My mother is a Christian, so my first musical experiences were the music I sang and listened to in church every Sunday. Perhaps it was then that I acquired the sense that music is sacred. In junior high school, I played trumpet in the brass band for three years. At the age of 15, I went to London and at the age of 17, a friend gave me an electric guitar and I was captivated by the sound of rock guitar. 18, I listened to psychedelic rock and experienced a release from various restrictions. And that changed my life. After years of activity, I decided to make this departure from restrictions my lifework, and committed myself to becoming a rock musician.
AVO Magazine: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up, and how have they shaped your style and sound as an artist?
Yutaro Ogida: I was influenced by a wide variety of rock from the 70s and 60s, but ultimately it was The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin that resonated most deeply with me. What they all had in common was a wealth of creativity. Rock broke what we took for granted and what we thought was common sense. It gave me a lot of inspiration. Now I want to be able to do the same to the others and give back to rock.
AVO Magazine: What does music mean to you personally? What impact do you hope to have on listeners through your music?
Yutaro Ogida: For me, music is something that shows me a new world. Or something that helps me to realise my inner awareness. When I play music, I want to do for them what they did for me.
Being active and performances
AVO Magazine: While researching, I noticed that you are a very active person. If you are not on stage, then you are streaming on your YouTube channel or recording new music. You are currently active in, at least four other music projects (WTARO, NANKER’s BEST, Genshi-Shinbo, performing as part of Takashi O’Hashi & The Sound Torus), and you are active solo. Where do you get this energy from and how do you stay in shape to be able to do all of this on a daily basis and how do you balance these roles?
Yutaro Ogida: I’m not successful at all at a good age, so I work hard every day as if it’s my last chance. So my energy comes from my guts. I love rock music, so that doesn’t bother me. I do physical workouts and I do things like mental meditation to be in a state where I can do those things. But above all, I try not to think of musical ideas and practice as work, because it’s enjoyable. I want to spend the rest of my life doing only what I feel joy in. It’s how I end my life.
AVO Magazine: How do you approach your live performances, solo or in band format? Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into the right mindset before hitting the stage?
Yutaro Ogida: In order to achieve my most primary creation, I erase my secondary creations. Once I have erased all secondary creations – nervous, unprepared, sleepy, no one is interested in me, etc. – I can then commit to my primary creation.
AVO Magazine: You were recently in Europe for a solo tour, how do you prepare for international shows? Are there any unique challenges or opportunities that come with playing in different countries?
Yutaro Ogida: I’ve been listening to British and American music all my life, so performing in a foreign country doesn’t really change what I do. However, I’m not a native English speaker, so I try to have some idea of what I’m going to talk about. Also, singing English songs to native English speakers and Japanese songs to people who don’t understand Japanese is the opposite of performing in Japan, so I have to be careful with my setlist. Cindy Agterberg (tour manager based in the Netherlands) is working with me on the setlist for Europe.
AVO Magazine: As a performer, what do you enjoy most about playing live shows? Is there a particular show or tour that stands out as a highlight in your career?
Yutaro Ogida: When the audience is happy, when I feel that we are resonating with each other in a deep place of consciousness, I feel really happy to be doing music. I also get really excited when excited audience members shout and express themselves physically, which ignites my playing, and the interaction makes the live show more exciting.
Solo work
AVO Magazine: After releasing two mini-albums, titled I AM and I SING, it got followed up by a full- length album, titled I FEEL. How do you feel you have evolved as an artist from the first release to your most recent one?
Yutaro Ogida: I AM was the start of my career, I SING was the album of my decision to quit other jobs (like interpreting) and live solely as a singer-songwriter, and I FEEL is the bonding album I created with my friends and fans who survived the Corona disaster. I’m proud that my first full-length album is an album that we created together. As for my own personal evolution, I’ve come to feel the depth, importance and appreciation of the friendship and connections.
AVO Magazine: Can you talk about the overarching concept that seems to tie your solo releases together? Is there a progression or story being told through these releases?
Yutaro Ogida: The general framework is as answered in the previous question. I AM was intended to be a concept album from the start. The theme was the creation stage. I SING and I FEEL were not created with a story or concept in mind, but they ended up having a theme. I think it came naturally because I like Pink Floyd and David Bowie and I’m familiar with a lot of music that has a message in the album itself. Especially with I FEEL, it has a lot of messages that I think are important in my life at the moment. In other words, this album is full of words and melodies that are necessary for me. I feel that anyone who says this album is good is my mutual friend.
AVO Magazine: As you reflect on your discography so far, solo and collaborative work, is there a particular album or song that you feel encapsulates your artistic identity or represents you the best as a rock musician?
Yutaro Ogida: In terms of lyrics, I think that Different World and Feel Until You Are Gone are two important songs. I feel that they are necessary in today’s world, but the supply is low in relation to the demand. There are two things: a flexible point of view and a feeling heart. I also think that the song Uchusen~Spaceship~ is very important in terms of demonstrating my identity as a rock guitarist in live performances. It can be said that the main theme of my life is to be aware that I was born on this planet to play the guitar with all my passion. There is also a definitive song called Eien~Eternity~. It is a song about the length of time, and I think it is a very unique, unusual and profound song in the sense that the way it is felt can vary greatly depending on who is listening to it.
Recent collaboration
AVO Magazine: The most recent collaboration was with rock singer and bass player Showtaro Mitsuzono, WTARO, you two have released a 10-song rock album titled WTARO I, meaning that we can expect more from you two. How did the collaboration between you and Showtaro Mitsuzono start?
Yutaro Ogida: I first met Showtaro Mitsuzono on Facebook when we were all struggling to survive during the COVID disaster, when all the musicians had lost their jobs and were struggling to find a way to make living. He was a very positive force and we soon became friends as we had a lot in common. We started collaborating when I invented a way of playing remotely at the same time and distributing it on YouTube Live Stream.
AVO Magazine: What could you tell about this project’s inspiration and creative process and what you want to convey with the first album?
Yutaro Ogida: I tend to be rather introverted when I work alone, so I thought it would be good to collaborate with a very bright and outgoing musician such as Showtaro Mitsuzono. The world needs more energy, so I thought this unit would be a good project that could give more energy. We had a lot of songs, because we had done a lot of projects where we listened to each other’s new songs for the first time at remote-delivered live streaming shows. Then in November 2022, we went to a song writing camp in Mount Fuji to co-write couple more new songs and create a full album.
I took the initiative in the recording of the album as producer, and with the great help of ZENTA of ZENTA STUDIO, we created the album in a short period of time. What I want to convey with this album is the dream and hope of rock music. The intention is that now is the time to respond once more to the feelings we had when we started loving rock music. The album is full of positive messages that only the two of us can deliver.
Experiences, advice and future plans
AVO Magazine: You have been active in the music business for many years. How do you look back at the start of your music career and do you feel you have achieved the goals you set out for yourself when you first started?
Yutaro Ogida: I started my music career as a guitarist in a rock band and then as a guitar teacher at a music school. I really wanted to be like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd or U2, but for various reasons I kind of created a position where I was victim minded and in the end nothing progressed. It took me a long time to decide that I would take responsibility and not blame others, but now I think I am finally able to do something that is uniquely me. I can’t say I achieved my goals yet, because sometimes my goals are to become an artist who performs live on big stages, or to win awards, like a Grammy. But I have experienced that my rock music reaches the people right in front of me and they can feel the value of it. That feeling is priceless. I think it’s the best life I could ever have.
AVO Magazine: What were the most important insights you learnt during these years and still carry with you?
Yutaro Ogida: As I answered in the previous question, it is about committing to the primary creation. And to value what we feel from a neutral point of view, away from desire and resistance. I think the sound that sounds there could be useful for peace in the world. So I want to be neutral and primary.
AVO Magazine: Are there any advice or words of wisdom you would give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their own musical journey?
Yutaro Ogida: I think it’s about not giving up. If you keep trying and don’t give up, you might be rewarded at age of 53!
AVO Magazine: Can you give us insight into your plans and upcoming projects for 2024? Are there any exciting new collaborations, music, or tours on the horizon that fans can look forward to?
Yutaro Ogida: The primary goal is to release a second album this year. Then I will tour all over Japan. I would also like to tour European countries like last year, and if possible, tour Asia. I want to expand the circle of international friendship through music.
Video comment
A video message was also made by Yutaro Ogida, watch it below!
Yutaro Ogida
Official website: https://ogidayutaro.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ogidayutaro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/yutaro69
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yutaro.ogida
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yutaro69/
Link page: https://instabio.cc/4041503Jc09p0
Many thanks to Yutaro Ogida who answered the questions in between the packed schedule, thanks to Cindy Agterberg for helping make the interview possible and the translation team (specifically Natsu, Hageshi) for helping out with the translation to Dutch. Do check out Yutaro’s Thursday streams on his YouTube channel and keep an eye on his future plans.
