[2023.05.10] VOCE - Group interview

— VoCE: "Please tell us how do you feel now that Morning Musume. has turned 25 years old. "

— Nonaka Miki: "In the midst of changing times, I think it is really great that the group kept being active for a quarter of century. And I feel so happy that I have been able to take part in Morning Musume., a group I've loved for such a long time. But I don't want to just stop at my happy feelings, I want to give the best that I can in the meantime!"

— VoCE: "Please tell us which tradition you would like to perpetuate on the occasion of Morning Musume.'s 25th anniversary."

– Nonaka Miki: "It's the 16 beats. The music director who works with us has always been very careful about the rythmn of our songs. As Morning Musume. is a group with a lot of members, I was taught that "it is important that the rhythmic drops are well fitting together", so I would like to be able to preserve the rhythmic elements even if the members change." 

– VoCE: "Please tell us about your oshimen throughout the generations, and the seniors that you admire."

– Nonaka Miki: "Tsuji Nozomi-san, Sayashi Riho-san. As Tsuji-san was very cute in "Minimoni.", I admired her with all my might during my childhood. I love Sayashi-san as she delivered sparkling and cool performances while having a nice personality. I have a lot of respect for them!"

Nonaka Miki
Born on October 7, 1999. 12th generation member. Her member color is purple.

■ The song that you love to sing → Jinsei Blues. "I love the melodies that attract you into a world view in the more you listen to them! The lyrics also cheer me up, so I enjoy singing it."

■ The song that you love performing live → Jealousy Jealousy. "When I sing the rap part, I enjoy being able to feel the freedom aspect of the live. The moments when I perform this song live are those during which I feel the most that I'm alive."
【Instagram】miki_nonaka.official
【Blog】Morning Musume. ‘23 12th Generation Official Blog

→ https://i-voce.jp/feed/2557046/

Translation | Solo interview, 2022.10.13 anan

 

    I tend to lack protein, so I do a conscious effort to consume chicken meat. Not all efforts are rewarded, but muscle training and controlling my meals are the only things that cannot betray one, and those efforts never fail to positively impact my body. This is my life lesson! I also believe that food is what builds one's body, and it is not something to consume out of greed. Naturally, this way of thinking makes it harder to reach things that are not good for you, right? This is why muscle training is a detox method when you feel down. When I am not in the mood, going training feels annoying, but once I'm done I am 100% like "I'm so glad I came!". 

    Between our 20th and our 25th anniversary, 5 years passed during which I realized that what I considered as ordinary was not. So when I think we are celebrating our 25th anniversary this way, I don't consider it as a norm anymore, and I feel even more grateful instead. There are so many things that thrill me about Morning Musume., but the most important one is music. I have been inspired by Tsunku-san's music that conveys human feelings, and is also by essence linked to Morning Musume.'s appeal, so I started composing my own songs. Among them, my song "Swing Town" was said by the members to sound like Tsunku-san's works (laughs). Someday, I hope to be involved in Hello! Pro as a music producer as well. I believe that what makes me unique in our long history is English. When we want to communicate with overseas fans on SNS, I post videos and informations in English, but I would like to insist more on it for this 25th anniversary. From now, we cannot guess what kind of songs we will sing in the future, but I would like to build up my skills to adapt to whatever will come up. 

Q1. Which Momusu. song recharges your energy?

Q2. What pieces of culture or entertainment make you tick?

A1. When I listen to "Jinsei Blues" while feeling down, the chorus lyrics charge me with energy and courage. They made me realize that even if I make a mistake, I can still make things right.

A2. The anime "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" is a great stress-reliever for me, especially since its characters convey me a lot of energy.  

Nonaka・Miki. Born on October 7, 1999 in Shizuoka Prefecture. 12th generation. Nicknamed Chel. A girl who returned to Japan after living overseas, having a diverse range of skills including English, piano and song-writing.