Thanks so much to Osamu Shimada for the interview! The Caraway hail from Tokyo and they have been for quite some time now. They have released in the past a bunch of self-released EPs and an album on the brilliant BlueBadge Records. There has been some silence for the last few years but The Caraway is back with new songs and new plans for the near future. So I thought it was a great chance to learn more about them and also introduce this band to those who haven’t heard them yet!

++ Hi Osamu! Thanks so much for being up for this interview! How are you? How is life in Tokyo?

Hi, Roque! Thank you too. I’m so fine. I live happily with my family everyday.

++ I was surprised to see that you are still making music these days. You have a new single, isn’t that right? the “Apple of My Eyes” EP? What can one expect from it? Which songs will be included?

Yes. And I am planning to release a new album. Each title song of EP is going to enter a new album. (“Apple of my Eyes” & “Starry Eyes”). I have not decided when to release, but I’d like to release it soon.

++ And also you are planning a summer tour this year. Whereabouts will you be playing? How many gigs? What expectations do you have?

I will play at Tokyo and Nagoya in Japan. 4 gigs. I expecting many people to come to my gigs.

++ Let’s start from the beginning. What are your first music memories? Do you remember what was your first instrument? How did you learn to play it? What sort of music did you listen at home while growing up?

I played drums for the first time when I was a high school student. After school, I gathered in a music room with my friend and was doing a band. I learned it by myself. At that time,I was listening to punk rock and heavy metal music. (Ramones, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Metallica…).

++ You were involved in Swinging Popsicle before being in The Caraway, right? Would love to do a Swinging Popsicle interview next time. But do tell me have you been involved in any other bands aside these two?

Yes, that’s right. I have been involved in many bands. I often help my friend’s bands, Snow Ball, My Coffee Moment, Bitter Cherry Jam, Three Berry Icecream.

++ And how would you compare Swinging Popsicle and The Caraway? Are they similar or different between each other?

I think that the musicality is different between the two bands. I think The Caraway is more like indie pop.

++ When did the The Caraway start as a band? Were you based in Tokyo or which city?

The Caraway started in 2003 in Tokyo.

++ How was this city back then? Were there any bands that you liked? What were the good record stores? Or what about the pubs or venues to go check out up and coming bands?

I think that Tokyo is an exciting city. There are lots of shops and it is very convenient. I usually go to see my friend’s band gig.I recommend a band called Re-peat and a band called Linustate. The two bands are very good with a sound like a Teenage Fanclub.
Record shop, especially I love Disk Union and disques blue-very.

++ When and how did the band start? How did you all meet? How was the recruiting process?

We gathered by recruiting members.I choosed member intuitively.

++ What’s the story behind the name The Caraway?

My friend gave my band name. Caraway is a herb. I heard that the meaning of that herb is meaningful as a popular person.

++ How was the creative process for the band?

I make perfect demo song. And I will let the members listen to the demo songs. So then we jam session in the studio.

++ Where did you usually practice?

Alone in my room. Bands in the studio.

++ And who would you say were influences of the band?

I am influenced by many bands. My favorite band is True Love Always or Johnny Dee.

++ What would be your top five Japanese indiepop bands all-time?

Red Go-Cart, Bitter Cherry Jam, Three Berry Icecream, Flipper’s Guitar, Johnny Dee.

++ Are all your songs in English? Or are there Japanese language songs? And why do you prefer English for indiepop?

Basically The Caraway songs are in English. When I covered Kaji Hideki, I sang in Japanese. But I like singing in English better.

++ Before your album you released 5 EPs, is that right? Were they self-released? And who used to do the very cool illustrations for them?

Oh,Good eye.I distributed it at my gig.It was demo songs in the CD-R. I drew illustrations of each EP. I’m so happy to you said so.

++ In what format where they released? Are they rare? Like how many copies were made of them?

We distributed it at the gig venue about ten years ago. It’s very rare. But I can make that copies very easy.Because they are demo songs on my PC.

++ Where were these EPs recorded? Had there been any other recordings by The Caraway prior to these EPs?

These EPs recorded in my room. This was the first recording for us. Most of these EP songs were recorded in the first album as complete version.

++ Your album came out on the superb BlueBadge label in Japan. I’ve always wondered about this label. Who were behind it? And how did you know them?

The owner of BlueBadge label is Higuma. He was introduced to my common friend and got acquainted. He operated a small indie pop label in Tokyo, but now he is paused.

++ What did you remember about the recording sessions for the album? Who produced it? What studio did you use? What sort of food and drinks did you eat and drink while making these wonderful songs? Did it take many days?

I played all instruments except bass and chorus in the first album. Of course, I produced it. Drum recording was on Studio in Tokyo.Other instruments in my room at home. It took about one year in total. While I was making an album, I usually ate my wife’s cooking.

++ I believe that now there has been CDR self-releases of your first album, is that right? Is it that hard to find a copy of the original release? And where can one find it or buy it? And what about these bonus tracks? What are their names and when were they recorded?

Since it has not been manufactured already,I think it is difficult to find the original album. There is no way but to check the auction frequently. As a bonus track of self-released CDR, I added a song called Lost Girl of BMX Bandits.

++ How was your relationship with them and with other bands in the label? Perhaps you were good friends with a few of them? Or played gigs together?

Label mate Spaghetti Vabune often played gigs together. I think they are the best guitar pop band.

++ Last question about this album, who is laying on the grass on the cover photo? Is that you? And where was this taken? A park?

That’s me. The video was filmed at Yoyogi Park in Japan.

++ There’s also the CD single “Starry Eyes”. Who is Chocolate Fountain Records who are releasing it? And what songs are included in it? Is it much different to the first album?

Chocolate Fountain Records is my private label. First releasing is Starry eyes EP. I feel like Starry Eyes song is follow the first album. I think that the coupling song are different from the songs that have been so far.

++ You appeared, in 2007, on the “Headstart Happiness” compilation released by TKO Records. Who are TKO? Were they an indiepop label?

At that time, TKO was just an event organizer. He invited in a compilation album so many bands.

++ Also you had two songs on two different AIRS compilation, on the “AirsPort Terminal 01/Wanderlust” and “AirsPort Terminal 1.5/Deep Wanderlust”. Who were AIRS? First time I hear this label’s name.

“AIRS” is originally a graphic designer. He likes music very much, and seems to be managing the label sometimes, but I do not know in detail.

++ Then there’s a compilation called “Find the Answer” which was a Perfect Pop compilation. And this is not the Norwegian Perfect Pop label, but a Japanese one. And I think they had something to do with UFO Club, right? What can you tell me about it?

Certainly it is a different label. The name of the club event that was once held in Tokyo was the name Perfect Pop. The Caraway often appeared on the event. It was a compilation album that collected the band that appeared at the event, but it was a free CDR.

++ And the -“Bluebadge Night! Special Sampler” compilation, I suppose it was given away at a special Bluebadge night. How was it? Who played at that gig? Where did it happen?

It was a special exclusive CDR limited for the venue. I don’t have that. I played with many bands at Shibuya nest in Tokyo. Cleandistortion, Spaghetti Vabune!, Earlybird, Margarets Hope*, Quarry (opening act).

++ I know you appeared on the “Guitar Pop Crazy!” and “SweetSplash Blue” compilations that were released by Bluebadge also. Did you appear in any other compilations?

8 years ago We joined the i tunes-only compilation album called “TOKYO Auto-Reverse”, but the distribution has been suspended now.

++ And how come there were no more releases by The Caraway during those early, mid 2000s? Was there any interest from other labels?

There was no release. During that time, The Caraway did not go very well. Or I was busy with the activities of Swinging Popsicle.

++ I read that you were working and recording a second album already in 2007. Whatever happened to that record? Did you ever finish it?

That’s fact.Because the member has left the band, I quit creating the album halfway. But I am going to complete it.

++ Are there more unreleased songs by the band?

I have many unreleased song. I want to release it soon.

++ What about gigs? Did you play many? What were the best gigs that you remember?

63 gigs in 15 years.Every time is the best gig.

++ And were there any bad gigs at all? Any anecdotes you could share?

There are a few mistakes every time, but I do not mind. I think that it is important to satisfy the audience rather than that.

++ I found a live gig on your Youtube account, four songs, “Mockingbird Hill”, “Tandem Bicycle”, “Sunday Clothes” and “Snowflakes”. Where was this gig? There’s no info about it!

I think that the video I played at the AMP cafe in Koenji in Japan in 2015.

++ Was there a ever a break, a hiatus? Or did The Caraway have been going steady since day one?

Band activities in the first few years were stable. However, after members left, I took a day off for the band.

++ And what about the other band members? Have they been involved in other bands?

No ,other band members did not involved other bands.

++ There is a top video for the song “The Rainy Day” that I love. Where was the video recorded? And who are all the people in it? Friends? What was the best of recording it and working with director Norihisa Nakama?

That promotion video. It was special gift (exclusive CD) for the first album release. He was a competent video creator that my friends introduced. Anyway, his shooting was so fun.

++ And of course, I really love this song, can I ask what inspired you to write it? What’s the story behind it?

Suddenly I came up with that melody.Prior to that, I was listening to many guitar pop bands. The Smiths, Teenage Fanclub,  Fountains of Wayne, and many many more. I don’t know what it is. however I think that it is a melody given by God.

++ For you what would be your favourite The Caraway song and why?

“Treasure for Me”. Because it’s dreamy.

++ Did you get much attention from the radio or press?

Unfortunately, little attention was given.

++ What about from fanzines?

There have been articles published in Japanese music magazine “Cookie Scene”.

++ And today, aside from music, what other hobbies do you have?

I like playing with my son.

++ Looking back in time, what would you say was the biggest highlight for the band?

This interview 🙂 Cloudberry is my yearning label.

++ Never visited Tokyo. So maybe I can ask for some suggestions? Like what are the sights in your town that I shouldn’t miss? Or the traditional food or drinks that you love that I should try?

I think you should eat sushi. Especially conveyor-belt sushi is recommended. And Harajuku Tokyo is a very fun city.

++ Thanks again Osamu! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I appreciate the fans who listening the Caraway song for a long time. Thank you so much.

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Listen
The Caraway – The Rainy Day