Episode 40: The Very Famous Composer

Playing other people's songs is nothing like playing the ones you write yourself. I struggled with it quite a bit.

I managed to get by, but looking back now, I think I'm just not cut out to be in a backing band.

I couldn't find it fun at all.

I was also allowed to take part in recording that band's songs. The man who wrote them was a very famous composer.

The recording was a huge learning experience.
The AVALON compressor left me in awe.

The sound was fantastic, with none of that harsh squashing, just a tone you could fall in love with.

I think it cost about 400,000 yen back then.
I wanted one for myself so badly.

But back to the story.
I studied under that very famous composer for a while.

After some time, I was introduced to a female vocalist and a female keyboardist, and the three of us suddenly started a band, produced by that very famous composer.

I barely understood what was going on as this band took off running.

I realized that if I didn't write songs myself, I would end up as just another guitarist.

So I decided I had to write a song that would make that very famous composer sit up and take notice. For two weeks I slept only three hours a day, half delirious, and finished several songs.

I remember the composer saying, "You've got backbone. These are good songs."

To be continued.