[A Look-back] interview: Bear//Face
On A Look-Back section we revisit some of our past interviews on Lights and Music, which were lost during the shutdown in 2019. This interview with Bear//Face (aka Bearface) was originally published in November 2012 as a part of our “Focus” section, in which we’d share up-and-coming artists through introductory questions.
What was your initial aspirations to start making music? How long have you been making music?
Started playing guitar when I was about 11 or 12 and been playing music ever since. Started producing in bands and stuff when I was about 15/16 but only started making electronic music properly last year.
音楽を始めた最初のきっかけはなんでしたか？
11〜12才からギターを始めて、それからはずっと音楽を続けています。15~16才の頃バンドで音楽を作って、エレクトロニックミュージックにちゃんと真剣に取り組んだのは去年くらいからですね。
What kind of music did you grow up listening to?
Strangely my mum was always into 90's hip hop like Dre and Snoop but I never really paid attention till I was about 15 haha, but in general pretty much all bases were covered, my parents have strange music tastes so I just clung onto that really.
どんな音楽を聴いて育ちましたか？
おかしなことにお母さんがDr.ドレやスヌープドッグなんかの90年代のヒップホップに夢中で、15才くらいまではあまり気にかけていませんでした。大抵のジャンルは聴いてましたね。とにかく親がかけてる変な音楽たちを吸収していました。
Tell us the reason behind the unit name, Bear//Face.
There is no reason at all haha. I hate naming things and it always makes me laugh when you read about the reasoning behind someones name and they come up with a really ostentatious explanation. I just wanted a dumb name which wouldn't be taken seriously.
アーティスト名の由来を教えてください。
特に理由はないです（笑）。名前を決めるのが嫌いで、名前の由来とか、無理やりなこじつけを聞いてると笑っちゃいます。誰も真面目にとらえないようなバカな名前にしたかっただけなんです。
What do you do besides creating music?
Cry and masturbate a lot.
音楽を作る以外は何をしますか？
泣いてオナニーをいっぱいする。
What did you try to accomplish through the latest EP, "Beat_Tape"? You seem to have a knack for disintegrating R&B songs and bringing different meanings to your own tracks.
To be honest I just wanted to put out a few old beats I'd been making over the past year so it was really only to see if the internet approved of my stuff haha. I'm a huge r&b fan and that style of singing is super fun to manipulate, plus it's always fun to sample a happy song and make it sound depressing.
あなたはR&Bトラックを解剖して、新しい意味を吹き込むことができます。最新EP『Beat_Tape』で達成したいゴールはなんでしたか？
正直言うと、去年作ったビートをいくつかリリースしてみて、誰かインターネットでいいと思ってくれる人がいるか確かめたかっただけなんです。僕はR&Bの大ファンで、このスタイルの歌は加工するのがとても楽しいし、幸せな曲をサンプリングして悲しくするのもいつも楽しい。
Would you ever think of putting your own vocals?
Maybe in the distant future.
自分の声を取り入れる予定はありますか？
もしかしたら。
What does it feel like seeing your name mentioned on lots of music sites?
It's weird as hell, the response has been crazy. It's awesome though, had a few great opportunities as result.
音楽サイトで自分の名前を見かけるのはどんな気分ですか？
とっても変な気分。ありえない数のフィードバックが届いてます。いろんな素晴らしい機会に繋がって、いい気分ではありますけどね。
What lies ahead? Are there any plans for 2013?
New EP hopefully out next summer, also working with some great people at the moment and plan on playing as many shows as possible. That being if people actually turn up.
次の予定は？2013年は何が起こりますか？
次の夏に新しいEPを出せたらなと思っています。今すごい人たちとコラボレーションをしていて、ライブも計画中。もしうまくいけばの話ですけどね。
