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Matsuo Kiyonori
J-Pop Exchange
Exclusive Radio Interview

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Conversation & Questions:

Hi Mr. Kiyonori, thank you for taking the time to speak with us…

Let us start from the beginning, according to your biography you were born in Fukuoka, Japan and you studied engineering at Kyushu University.

How much of a role did music play in your early life and how did you make the transition from your hometown to your first big break in music?

What musical instrument(s) do you play?

What kind of activities have you done as a song writer?

Who are your musical influences?

What music do you like to listen to?

I noticed some information on your website regarding visiting San Francisco earlier this year. Can you tell us something about your trip to San Francisco and what you were working on?

I also notice that you say your favorite historical figures are Bach, Michelangelo, and Shakespeare. Can you tell us something more about this? What do you like about them? Do they inspire you in some way?

Please tell us more about Cinema and something about its history as well as “Cinema Returns”.

Your song “Sunny Shiny Morning” which was featured in the anime “Maison Ikkoku” has made a particular impression on me. It has become one of my favorites. Can you tell us something about how the song came to be created? And what led to it being used in “Maison Ikkoku”? — how did that come about?

In 2007 you composed the music for the Studio Ghibli Special "Iblard Jikan" (イバラード時間). How did this opportunity come about? What was this experience like? From a creative perspective, did composing music for this special differ from standard songwriting?

Would you ever consider performing live in the USA?

Do you have any current or upcoming projects that you would like to talk about?

Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us. Good luck with everything!