By APA Staff
Japanese teenage phenom Nami Tamaki talks about music, stardom, blood types, and more in an exclusive interview with APA.
(http: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/040723/namitamaki.ram)
It's not everyday that you meet a 9th grader with as much zip and zing as Nami Tamaki. Then again, you probably don't meet many bona fide pop stars at that age either. The 15 year-old Tamaki boasts a remarkable singing voice, a winning smile, and an elegance that belies her young age. She instantly captivated residents of the Kansai area, catapulting her into the ranks of the Japanese pop scene. Her first major splash in the industry occurred in March of 2003, where she was selected from a pool of over 5,000 applicants to sing the opening theme song for the wildly popular anime series, Gundam Seed. Of course, it is merely the start of what should be a long and prosperous career. Tamaki is currently fielding various offers from the TV commercial industry, and is preparing to tour in support of her United States debut, Greeting. -- Chi Tung
Interviewed by Carl Wakamoto
May 27, 2004
Transcribed by Jennifer Chong
Click here (http: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/040723/apa-nami-japanese.pdf) for a Japanese translation by Fumie Nakamura.
Click here (http: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/040723/apa-nami.pdf) for a Korean translation by Bongha Shin
APA: Your first full length album release is called Greeting. Could you tell us your name?
Nami: My name is Nami Tamaki.
APA: Please give a greeting in English.
Nami: Hello everyone. It's nice to meet you. My name is Nami Tamaki. I'm from Japan.
APA: Nami, two of your songs, "Believe" and "Realize" were chosen as theme songs for an anime hit series called "Mobilesuit Gundam Seed." These title singles have given you overnight recognition. How has this affected your life as a recording artist?
Nami: Because of "Gundam" and the tie up and everything, people began to know who I was. They had heard of my name and it was a great chance for me to get my name out in the open. On the other hand, because of the popular "Gundam Seed," its made me realize that so many people that don't usually listen to my music listen to it. Now it's made me work even harder because I have to portray myself and my music to people that don't usually listen to my music to make them interested. I felt that I had to work harder.
APA: This is a question that Americans don't normally ask but what is your blood type?
Nami: Blood Type O.
APA: Can you tell us if your character and personality match up with what Japanese believe to be what Blood Type O is?
Nami: In Japan, Blood Type O is usually said to be very free-willed, free-minded, and open-minded. [People with blood type O] can get along with anybody. I am exactly that kind of person.
APA: How does it feel to be making your debut U.S. appearance performing at the Pacific Media Expo?
Nami: This is the first time I'm going to be doing a performance where there is a language barrier. People won't understand what I am saying so I'm going to put extra power into what I perform--like the actual visuals and everything. And because I am short, I will make my movements really big. I want to make this a live [performance] that will be imprinted in everybody's minds.
APA: I heard that you are often referred to as the Hilary Duff of J-Pop. How do you feel about that? Do you see any similarities?
Nami: I am very honored to be compared to her and of course I am very satisfied. But, sometime in the future, I'll want to be known as Nami Tamaki - not somebody else. I want to be my own person.
APA: You'll be performing at several locations in the United States. May 28, on Friday, you'll be performing in Anaheim, California; May 30, San Jose, California; May 31, San Francisco, California. And On June 5th, Dallas, Texas. By any chance, will you be celebrating your 16th birthday here in the United States?
Nami: Monday will actually be a day where we're only traveling so I'm hoping that we can all go for dinner or have a little party with the dancers and staff that are traveling along. So, I'll be celebrating my sweet sixteen here. [U.S.]
APA: Is this the first time you have been here in the United States?
Nami: I've been to Hawaii but not the mainland, so it's my first time here.
APA: From the standpoint of the recording artist for Sony Music, and here you're known by Tofu Records, what is your vision for success here in America?
Nami: I will always like to be able to improve and keep working harder and make my singing talent even better. What I have right now isn't comparable to what American singers and musicians level up to. And I want to also be able to find my individuality so that people hear my kind of music and say, "That's Nami Tamaki." So I want to fresh up my talent, singing, and dancing and make it the best. I want to be able to rank up to all the American artists and singers.
APA: Are you familiar with the success of a Japanese artist many years ago and the song "Sukiyaki?"
Nami: Of course.
APA: There have been many cover versions made of that particular song. Are you hoping that your songs will gain that same type of popularity where they may be covered by American artists?
Nami: I only debuted a year ago so obviously that's not going to happen yet, but if that does happen I will be very happy. I want people to listen to my songs and feel that they want to sing it. I'd like people to cover it also.
APA: Have you heard of a university called UCLA?
Nami: I haven't heard of it. [giggles].
APA: We're a famous university here on the West Coast and our name is almost trademarked. But at any rate, are you familiar with the fact that there is a large possible fan base on the UCLA campus among people who enjoy anime and things that are Japanese?
Nami: I'm very happy that you're saying that I'm well known amongst those kinds of people.
APA: In fact, because of the theme songs on "Gundam Seed," UCLA's anime club has shown your music video.
Nami: I never even thought about that. I can't imagine people actually watching it.
APA: Do you have an idea about the venue that you will be performing at on June 5th in Dallas, Texas. What type of fanbase or audience will be there? Will it be cowboys and cowgirls?
Nami: I'm expecting people that are really hyper and outgoing - American style people.
APA: Out of curiosity, what type of freedom do you have to choose your clothing or fashion. Do you have complete freedom or are you restricted to what the stylists chooses?
Nami: Today I'm actually wearing my own clothes; I chose it myself. Even for live performances or magazine shoots, I will say I want to wear certain types of clothes and then I'd discuss it with the stylist. I have a big part in what I wear.
APA: What is your personal preference in terms of music? Do you like American music?
Nami: 90 percent of what I listen to is American. I especially like dance music, mostly American type of dance music.
APA: Speaking of dancing, you started dancing at an early age. How old were you when you began dancing?
Nami: Since the age of 11, but it's been 2 years actually taking lessons.
APA: I also heard that you are learning English.
Nami: Yes, I am learning English. I would like to do an interview like this without a translator. I learn English in school, but outside of school I would try to read Snoopy and try to learn everyday English.
APA: Do you have hopes to continue your career outside of Japan? Do you have your sights on popularity in Asia as well as in Japan.
Nami: Even in Japan I'm not very famous yet so I want to get used to my own country first and be prepared there and build up my talents there. Once I'm confident in who I am and what I do, then I want to be able to bring myself abroad. But, I definitely want to go to other countries.
APA: Since your arrival to the United States, have you had a chance to visit Disneyland?
Nami: I just arrived today so I haven't had time to go yet but out of the seventeen days that I will be in the United States, I have two days free so I plan to go to Universal Studios and Disneyland.
APA: These are popular site seeing spots - Universal Studios and Disneyland - but did you know that a lot of Japanese tourists also stop at UCLA?
Nami: Now that I hear this, I want to go visit UCLA, too.
APA: Nami Tamaki, it was a pleasure interviewing you. Thank you very much. We hope that you'll be able to increase your fan base here in the United States. We wish you the best of luck. In closing, would you like to say something in English to the American public?
Nami: Keep smiling and be happy.
APA: Thank you very much Nami Tamaki.
Nami: Thank you.
Published: Friday, July 23, 2004
