How did the band go from learning an instrument after forming the band to making a song for the anime giant ONE PIECE in just 4 years?

Hi, it’s Naomi here from Kaibutsu Music. I had the honour to talk to these beautiful ladies from the band Chilli Beans., with whom we also had the great time working together releasing two albums "Chilli Beans." and "Welcome to My Castle" on vinyl & CD in Europe and North America. Please enjoy our conversation and uncover with us the behind the scenes of Chilli Beans.!

 

Naomi: Please introduce yourself. Who is Chilli Beans. and what kind of music do you play?

 

Moto (Vo): Well, it’s actually quite difficult to define our genre. Instead of categorizing our music, we usually like to play songs and create sounds that we love. We like to create something new and fun, fun for us, as well as for those who listen to our music. That’s something we desire and we just keep doing.

Naomi: That’s an interesting take. Can you go more into depth?

 

Moto: Instead of defining how Chilli Beans. sounds, we simply play music the way we like with sounds that touches our hearts.

 

 

Lily (Vo&Gt): We carry various emotions in us that we want to show in different ways, regardless of genres, but we present ourselves as a band on stage and showcase our art with the instruments we play. All three of us write songs, so we are able to present different sceneries and styles.

 

Naomi: Take me back to the very beginning of Chilli Beans. Do you remember the first time you ever played together? How long ago is it and since then how has making music changed for you?

 

Maika (Vo&Ba): It was around 2019. It was July, wasn’t it? The first time we played together, we played a cover in a tiny studio. That was 5 years ago already, damn. In terms of making music together, I only started playing bass after we formed the band. And Lily, too, with the e-guitar. Up until then, we were all singer-songwriters so the process of songwriting and arranging songs has changed a lot since then. We think more in a context of a band now.

Naomi: So you’re saying, in these 5 years you formed a band and also learned a new instrument at the same time?

 

Maika: Well, before 2019 we all already played the acoustic guitar. But once we formed the band, we did learn a new instrument, took on a new position, and just learned a lot about performing in a band, about DTM and exchanged songwriting skills.

Naomi: That’s a lot of growth right there. When I first heard the band name I instantly thought about food and maybe I’m the only one but what does Chilli Beans. actually mean?

 

Lily: "Chilli" originally comes from Red Hot Chili Peppers. They remind us of being free and all three of us like to be "free" on a stage, too, so we thought it would sound cool. "Beans" is because we have much growing ahead of us, just like beans.

 

 

 

Naomi: I see, what a cute name! Have you ever thought about collaborating with another artist? Who would you like to work with, either Japanese artists or from overseas?

  

 

Moto: Collabs? Uhm, I’m not sure … haha.

 

 

Naomi: Well if I may suggest, what about Red Hot Chili Peppers?

 

 

Moto: That’s a crazy idea.

 

 

Maika: That would be chaotic, haha. It’s admiration, it’s being a fan but I never really dreamed of working with them.

  

 

Moto: Yes, I agree. We have a lot of artists that we admire and love, but collaboration is indeed something different.

 

 

Naomi: Ok, gotcha. Well, let me rephrase my question. It can also be a featuring or for example working with a certain DJ or a producer for a remix. An artist you would be happy to be working with?

  

 

Moto: Ok, I’d say Chloe Moriondo. I want to make cute songs together. But that’s really just a dream.

 

 

Naomi: Which bands had a big influence on your style of music? Again, either Japanese or overseas artist.

 

Maika: Everyone of us has different influences, we all enjoy different kinds of music, music that we grew up with. I, myself, like DUA LIPA for example, I listen to her music a lot. Bruno Mars, too, I love his funky songs. When I have to come up with a bass line, it often turns out to be quite funky.

 

Lily: I like really The 1975. I like it when a band sounds raw and unfiltered. I also really like the British music label Dirty Hits and their bands beabadoobee or The Japanese House. Phoebe Bridgers is great, too, and her other band boygenius. I like female artists, I think they’re cool. I play a lot of Julian Baker songs on the guitar sometimes.

 

Moto: I’m a huge dark pop fan. I’m in love with the whole sound and the electronic elements.

  

 

 

Naomi: Tell me more about the ONE PIECE song "Raise". What’s the story behind it?

 

Moto: We were 20 back then, when we wrote the song. At that time, we showed it to everyone and we even had the idea to arrange it in a "pirate style". We had this song in our demo folder for a good while.

 

 

Naomi: So you're saying, it was made before you had the deal with ONE PIECE?

 

Moto: Yes. And then we heard about ONE PIECE opportunity. We sent them 2 songs, the one we had in our demos and one we’ve especially made for this project. Surprisingly, the older one got chosen for the ending theme. We didn’t even tweak it afterwards, we just added the "Kakageyou!" (掲げよう) in the chorus which literally means "Raise". We loved and watched ONE PIECE growing up and I just love the world. There’s one scene that I really like, it’s Vivi’s story. I always forget the name of the arc …

  

 

Maika: You mean the Arabasta Arc?

 

 

Moto: Yes, Arabasta Arc! I love it so much, especially where in the end they raise their glasses to symbolize friendship. Being friends, even though there are miles between us. We adapted this part into our song and that’s how this song was made.

 

  

 

Naomi: That's finally how this song became a ONE PIECE song then! Well, how does it feel to make a song for ONE PIECE, one of the biggest animes ever in Japan, as well as overseas? As Moto already said, you watched it when you where kids and then you were making a song for it, as a fairly new band at the time?

 

Moto: It didn’t feel real, still doesn’t, to be honest. As I said, I loved this series, especially the story part of them as a kid. I absolutely adored the ending song back then and it carries a lot of memories. But this project, I don’t think we will ever come to a point where it will feel real. Although we managed to be a part of this anime and participate in this world. It’s a feeling of gratitude and respect rather than excitement that is overweighing because the series had a significant influence on us.

Naomi: How did you hear about the project in the first place?

 

 

Maika: It was like a competition. We sent the 2 songs and they picked us out of all participants. We were so happy!

 

 

Naomi: For a lot of us living outside of Japan, one of the only ways to get in touch with Japanese musicians, is through anime, what do you think about this?

 

Maika: After publishing the music video, we got a lot of comments in foreign languages, not only English but also French and lots of different languages. "As expected of ONE PIECE", we thought.

 

 

 

Lily: We observed that everyone was excited about ONE PIECE. Even the songs. It’s amazing that people listen to the songs.

 

 

 

Maika: It’s like everyone waited for ONE PIECE.

 

 

 

Moto: And all of the ONE PIECE songs are so good!

 

Naomi: What about followers? Did you gain a lot of new fans after the release?

 

 

Lily: I'm not sure.

 

 

 

Maika: What?! I think we did, haha.

 

 

 

Lily: Apparently we did, haha.

 

 

Naomi: Do you have any plans on playing live outside of Japan? And if so, is there a country you would like to go first?

 

 

Moto: Yes, I would really love to go!

  

 

 

Lily: There are so many countries we would love to go to! I would say UK, because I listen to a lot of UK rock bands.

  

Naomi: So no plans for now?

 

 

Moto: No plans but would love to!

 

 

 

Maika: I wanna go to LA!

 

 

 

Moto: Oh yeah, LA would be amazing!

 

 

Naomi: What kind of show do you prefer? A little but intimate concert or a big festival?

 

 

Moto: Both!

 

 

 

Maika: Yeah, both for me, as well!

 

 

 

Lily: If we get the chance to we want to do everything.

(Lily, Naomi [BSR], Moto and Maika in Nagoya)

 

Naomi: I am thrilled for the day you’re in Germany, as well! In Germany but also worldwide we can listen to the Chilli Beans. on vinyl and on CD now. What are you thoughts and feelings about this?

 

Lily: It is a dream come true. Since for ever! Thinking that I made something real like a LP that can now travel to different places is bewildering. Music, even though the languages are different, can communicate to people all over the world through sound. Music encapsulate everything from emotions, to culture, to an entire life of a person. That you can capture of all this on a physical product and send to other people to experience is just amazing. I’m so thankful for that!

Naomi: I’ve heard that you like to collect vinyl. What is your favorite one in your shelf?

 

Lily: I recently bought "Big Sigh" by Marika Hackman because of it’s album cover! When I listened to it at home for the first time, I really fell in love with the sound and was quite surprised. I immediately looked up her bio and found many things that I could identify with. These coincidental encounters is what you can experience with vinyl and currently this album has a big place in my heart.

 

 

Naomi: It truly is a different feeling when you have the album in your hand. In Europe, vinyl is having a major comeback. How about Japan?

 

Lily: It looks like it’s having a comeback in Japan, as well. For example, the Tower Records in Shibuya (Tokyo) has its dedicated vinyl corner now and many foreign customers are checking it out. It looks great. Also the cassette tapes are so pretty. We feel that hype in Japan, as well.

 

 

Naomi: Do you think Japanese people collect them, as well?

 

 

Maika: Yeah, I think so!

 

 

 

 

 

Naomi: Alright, this might be the last question. What is your absolute favorite artist in Japan?

 

Moto: I have 3! And every artist has a different style. YUI is a famous singer that had a pretty big influence on me. Her voice touches my soul very deeply. Second artist is CHANMINA. So sweet and yet cynical at the same time. I also like her electronic elements. And more recently, I listen to an artist called Azari. It’s a bit like a vocaloid and it’s so cool! I also like the lyrics with the synthesized voice, it’s great. I would love to make music in this way at some point, especially because of the dark elements. Right now this is a hot topic for me. So these 3.

 

 

Lily: I would go for SAKANACTION.

 

 

Naomi: Ah yes, they have a good guitar sound!

 

Lily: Yes, the electronic elements and the guitar, so groovy, they’re awesome. I think the lyrics are great, too, and I really like the song "boil". There’s also a band called MONO NO AWARE, I especially like their first album.

 

 

Maika: It's such a difficult question but probably the band that I listened to for the longest time, as in listening hours, is Arashi. It’s youth. My youth. I like them for their idol quality, too, but when I catch myself talking about them after I listened to Arashi again, I realize that their music is a part of my flesh and body.

 

 

Moto: Hahaha, that’s funny!

 

 

 

Maika: It’s true, though!

 

 

 

Moto: "Monster" is pretty good, though!

 

 

Maika: That's what I’m saying! The songs are actually good! Recently, I’ve been listening to Hitsujibungaku, as well. They’re so cool! I love their sound.

 

 

Naomi: Alright, that you everyone for your time! It has been lovely to talk to you!

 

Listen to "Welcome to My Castle" and "Chilli Beans."

 

 

 

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