PISTOL JAZZ interview by Wildwood for PULL THE TRIGGER（UK）
Q1. Please tell us about Pistol Jazz, How long have you been going? Who's in the band? Where are you from?
A.1 We formed a band called Pistol Jazz in 2008, and started our live performances in 2009. Takao Seto(guitar), Masafumi Morimoto(bass) and Atsuo Higashino(drums) are the Pistol Jazz. All members are born in Muroto city in Kochi prefecture JAPAN and we still live in there today.
Q2. How would you describe the Pistol Jazz sound to readers who are not familiar with you?
A2. I cannot describe by words. That’s Pistol Jazz if you feel something special by listening. Please try to listen to Pistol Jazz anyhow.
Q3. How does Pistol Jazz fit into the music scene in Japan? Do you tend to play with punk bands, rock bands, experimental improv bands for example?
A3. It’s difficult to fit into the music scene in Japan for our music. The reason why is that my purpose is to make the music I want to listen and buy. Not for money and status. I certainly want to play with any brilliant band of any genre. And we are receptive to magnificence of all genre music.
Q4. Your live sound is often improvised, how does that translate to recordings?
A4. Our recorded tracks are almost one chance recordings. I think our works are documents of our lives, so we usually use mistaken recording parts. As alternated you will feel our energy vividly,
Q5. Who or what are your influences? Who has had the biggest impact on you personally and on PIstol Jazz?
A5. Maybe I was influenced a great deal by 60’s European music (just like film scores of France or Italy, Latin jazz, French pops) and Jimi Hendrix. The biggest impact on me personally are Serge Gainsbourg(France), Michel Legrand(France) and Prince(America).
Q7. What label is the album coming out on and how can people find it online?
A7. Our new album is going to be release from “OCTAVE” label of Japanese record company ULTRA VIVE. In Japan, we can buy it in CD stores or by shopping on the Internet like Amazon.
Q8. Vinyl records have really taken off in the UK. Is there much interest in vinyl in Japan? Did you consider releasing the album on vinyl?
A8. I think vinyl records take off bit by bit. As a matter of course, Pistol Jazz wants to release vinyl records and also hope the foreign sales.
Q9. What is the live music scene like in Japan at the moment for 'underground' bands? How easy is it for you to get gigs in Japan? Do you have a big live following?
A9. In Japan, the underground music scene is becoming stereotyped because of many gig event by same members in every area I think. It’s the best way to tour many areas not only doing gigs at same place but I think very few bands can do that in underground scene. It is not difficult to do g gig for any band because there are many live space in Japan. Pistol Jazz do gigs in a small space like clubs or bars more than big spaces in recent years, and I think Pistol Jazz is lucky to have not a few fans.
Q10. Are you planning to tour outside of Japan at all? Any chance of a UK tour in the future?
A10. Of course we do want to tour in UK, France, Germany, Italy and Mexico if it’s possible. But I think it’s so difficult because it may cost too much money.
Q11. There seems to be a retro (vintage) look to Pistol Jazz, is that deliberate? What can you tell us about Pistol Jazz Motorcycle Club?
A11. We decided everything about Pistol Jazz (including our vintage looks) after deep deliberation. All of Pistol Jazz members love motorcycles. The Pistol Jazz Motorcycle Club is also part of something big as our supporters group.
Q12. What else would you like readers to know?
A12. First, thanks for your having read our interview. UK is surely the very big part of me having affected from European music. We are happy if you know the band Pistol Jazz exists in Japan and feel our energy from our sounds. I think music has no genre and no national border. The jazz of Pistol Jazz is excitement & vigor, I think. Kindly please listen to the music of Pistol Jazz.
Q13. And finally if you could pick one track that sums up Pistol Jazz what would it be?
A13. The track “Pistol Jazz”, same as the name of band is the one. This is our first Piece.