僕と君が、前を向くための歌～生きゆく街に海を見る。上北健 HALL LIVE IN TOKYO 2017~ Report

Just realised I havent been updating this blog for so long already. Cant remember how many times I told myself to write one about KK's new mini album Layered, which was released on the 12th April. I'll put the link to his new album and stuffs like that at of this article. But first, let's have a quick report of his live at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall last night!*

                                     

                               "僕と君が、前を向くための歌"
　                                                                  生きゆく街に海を見る。

I have to say, it was totally worth it, spending money, time and effort to fly all the way to Japan, just to see KK's live this year. As I thought, my parents did complain a bit when I told them I'd go to Japan to see KK''s live. But in the end, it was my money and my hobby so they respected it! I guess as I grow older, they start to understand more about my decision in life, although this decision was simply spontaneous~ So yea, I booked a flight in late Feb and came to Japan the day before the live. 

Done with background information, now let's move to the real deal~~~~
My seat was right in the middle in the first row of the fixed seats, so I could see the stage without any obstruction! I think I prefer it than siting in the areana area. 

If I counted the 2016's live that I watched on Nico Nico, this would be the 3rd time I watched KK's live. Amazing? Fantastic? Wonderful? My English vocab doesnt allow me to describe it correctly. The live was, as always, not perfect but perfect! 

Ken-chan's voice was beautiful as ever. I'm glad they didnt make the BGM too loud so we could listen to his voice in such a big hall. He started with the concept song of this live, followed by Yuragi and Cross street, and it was too much for my heart! I have talked about my personal obsession with Yuragi so finding out he included it in this time, I was just filled with happiness. Together with the concept song, he also wrote a concept story especially for yesterday's live (I'll try to translate it later on), and actually read it out loud! Anyone who follows him would know he doesnt talk alot. Even on namahousou, Ken-chan usually sings and only tells important information. However yesterday, he stepped out his comfort zone and told us the story in his beautiful voice. Each phrase was read with emotion and wonderful acting skill, as if he wasnt a singer, but a story-teller. In some sense, Ken-chan is a story-teller, isnt he! Through music, he conveys the story of what he has been encountered in life, the story that portrays his feeling, thought and emotion. It's not always a pretty story, it's not always a happy story, but they are all real, and that's what draw me to his music. 

Talking about comfort zone, it was a rare sight seeing Ken-chan sings without his guitar. In this 1.5 years, I have never saw him without it, regardless using it or not. But yesterday, in front of everyone, he did it! To be honest, it was awk af!!!! But at the same time, seeing him trying his best, I almost bursted into tears. The awk movement and position he placed his hands were just too cute <3. 

What amazed me the most is that the audiences were speechless during the first 3 songs. No one was able to clap or whatsoever, like the hall was frozen by his voice. That feeling when you want to clap hands and show how great the performance was, but couldn't because you dont want to disturb the flow of it. It was simply amazing!

Thank you all the staffs, band members and the two dancers who played an irreplaceable role in creating such beautiful performance last night.
And Ken-chan, thanks so much for being there, for singing with your heart.
スタッフの皆さん、バンドメンバーの皆さん、ダンサーのお二人、本当にありがとうございます。
健さん、いつもいつもありがとうございます。
これからもずっと応援します。
いつまでも健さんの素敵な音楽を続けますように、
いつか世界中に広げますように。

I still havent listened to Layered since I dont have a cd driver atm, but I got to listen to the songs in yesterday's live so all good! 

I'm really really glad I came all the way to watch it. 

Can we just have DVDs of the lives? CDs would be good as well though! Just give us something plsss.

Kamikita Ken's 2nd Mini Album~ Layered
Cross-fade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHWjvxlVYXM

For those who want a hard copy no matter what (like me ^^) CdJapan or AmazonJapan

Those who don't have a cd driver and hate waiting for the physical copy to be shipped, you can now buy it on Itunes
I was able to access it from overseas so shouldn't have any problem on buying outside of Japan.

Visit KK's official site and Youtube channel for more information

*I wrote this on 17th though didnt have time to publish it and cbs fixing the date now lol

心音 by KK~ Translation

I didn't have that much interest in this song at first but as I gradually picked up the lyrics, the song became something I couldn't get out of my head. To me, 心音 is like the next part of 心根, the next chapter in a long journey that young man in 心根 has started. If you haven't listened to 心根, I highly recommend you to do so first~ The translation of 心根's lyrics can be found here

Kokorone

Written and composed by Kamikita Ken (KK)

English translation by Makoto (and jisho)

In this fast changing scenery, things that one wants to leave behind.
Keep moving forwards. Never let go of your hands.
(Keep on moving also means never let go of your hands)

Have you decided where you are heading to?
How about that bad habit of your, have you fixed it yet?

Is that miserable man finally able to shed a real tear?

All of us continuously making mistakes, continue to live on with endless fears.
Even so, the reason we still wish for tomorrow to come
Is because we don’t want to lose in the battle against this world, right?

Even to someone like me, there is a reason for my existence,
I wonder if I’m able to say that the path continues behind my back isn’t that bad.

Just a little bit, I feel like I can try to have faith (in this world) again.
As well as accepting (it).

Like how our regrets fluttered into the sky, one small ephemeral step forwards
May result in the acknowledgement of your efforts.  

As long as this sound remains in your heart,
Everything you have been through will definitely be rewarded.

*the following part isn't in the original song in, but the extended ver he wrote later on

Those things that are left unacknowledged are going to pave your path.
Although who I'm right now can only tell you this much

I hope this song will support both of us in our life journey.

16th track from KK's first album 心音 (Kokorone)
You can listen to the song here
Please support the artist by purchasing original copy on Amazon Japan or CdJapan
Visit KK's official site and Youtube channel for more information

心根 by KK~ translation

It's my bad habit to start something only to leave them there like that. Well, I'm not the type to force myself in doing something. So glad I'm finally feel like translating again!
Here is another song by Kamikita. This song is only 2.33 mins but it took me quite long to translate, not that I didn't understand it, but it was just too hard to put into words and into English as well.
I'm not sure if this made any sense, but anyway, please enjoy!

Kokorone

Written and composed by Kamikita Ken (KK)

English translation by Makoto (with BIG help from jisho ^^)

Was the young boy, who has been granted a direction that day, smiling?
Trying his best not to be hated by anyone.
Those true feelings that have been swallowed deep inside,
It's time to hold them tightly.

The days wishing to be recognized were indeed miserable.
But they are the real past,
The only proof of the life one had been through,
Those that will support one from now on.

The fear when moving on without knowing what is right or wrong,
The attempt to deny the emptiness that can never be fulfilled.
I will make them into a song.

A song in order to save him, to reach him.

From this point onward, the painful days,
Where you feel like you can't keep on going, will continue for sure.

There will be time you feel like the world is moving around only to betray you,
And you just want to end everything as soon as possible.

Even so, that is the path you have trusted and chosen.
Can't you see how it's shinning with pride.

I have decided to continue searching for the meaning of the path that led you here.

Even if the surroundings had changed,
The beginning will always exist in your heart.

Kokorone is a song from KK's first album 心音 (Kokorone)

You can listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IVVGl8oIzA
Original lyric: http://j-lyric.net/artist/a05075b/l032a3d.html
Please support the artist by purchasing original copy: Amazon Japan

By this time tomorrow, my heart and ears would have been filled with by KK's voice! Got to go to his one-man live last minute!