06-27-2017, 02:26 PM
In a shockingly original move, Young Guitar actually live up to their name for once, and publish and interview with someone young. Rather than their usual diet of elderly Brits (and Yanks) - looking at you, cover guy John Sykes! Anyway, 12 year old guitaring moppet releases her first mini-album:
Happy, lucky, fun guitar!!
From her cover songs released on a video posting site she is all at once being much talked about, Japanese girl Li - sa - X is attracting attention from guitar fans worldwide, and is finally making her debut "Serendipity"!
Interview ● Jun Kawai
When she was 8 years old, she posted a cover movie of Racer X's "Scarified" (1987 'SECOND HEAT' compilation) on YouTube, and Li - sa - X became a topic of conversation worldwide, and now finally she’s made her major debut. The album "Serendipity” contains 5 songs, consisting of one original song and four covers, and it’s also noteworthy that Paul Gilbert and Polyphia members who were friends from before participated as guests. Becoming a junior high school student from this spring Li-sa-X hasn’t only technique but expressive power, and in this work you can enjoy her growth as well. I asked Li-sa-X about "Serendipity" which is, of course, full of technical melodious guitar.
If you loved playing guitar you had the good fortune to encounter something wonderful
YG: How did you feel when your album debut was decided?
Li-sa-X: I didn’t think it would be so easy to do a debut album, so I’m very happy.
YG: What sort of album did you want to produce in making "Serendipity"?
L: I wanted to make "fun music".
YG: It became a cover album except for the original title song "Serendipity", how did you choose these songs?
L: Since Sensei Paul (Gilbert) and everyone in Polyphia was going to participate, I chose "Scarified" I thought it would be good if we could play the cover continuously together with Paul. With Polyphia, Tim (Henson / guitar) likes Japanese anime, so the thinking was that an Anisong was good.
YG: For the original song "Serendipity", with what kind of image was it written with?
L: I thought that I wanted to make it a fun song with the feeling that gave listeners a feeling of riding along. Also, as it’s played much faster I don’t think it’s boring... I also thought about the balance of the fun riding part and more serious parts where you listen carefully.
YG: How did you make up the song?
L: I started out various ideas for phrases and assembled it like a puzzle with my dad (laughs).
YG: Sometimes odd phrases emerge….
L: I recorded the ideas steadily, but since the mistaken passages were also interesting, I also left them in it. In an online lesson with Teacher Paul, it was said that it would be better to record the ideas steadily if I’m to put together an original song, so I first tried playing various things to see if I could riff. When I listened to it again later, there were mistakes and strange sounds in it (laughs), there are things that make you smile a bit, and those who listen to it will also laugh I think.
YG: Were there difficult places in performing this song?
L: It’s the part that makes you listen to the melody. I practiced quite a bit because I had difficulty putting in the vibrato, slide and nuance.
YG: What part were you particularly pleased with?
L: I like the rising phrase that you do during the first riff and the fast-paced play that descends afterwards!
YG: "Scarified" is a song synonymous with Li-sa-X, isn’t it? How did you first decide to copy this song?
L: Since I was little dad has been listening to Paul-sensei's songs a lot, and when I listen to them with him I was really amazed. So, it was "Scarified" where my opinion matched Papa’s when I thought about what song I wanted to copy when I uploaded the video.
YG: In this cover, you’re harmonising with Paul, how did you decide to divide the parts?
L: In the movie we uploaded previously, Paul was covering the version of "Scarified" that was shot by himself, but this time I play the Blues part of the original version. So I copied a new copy, but after all it was really difficult (laughs). In the album the right channel is me and the left is Paul-sensei.
YG: You tried playing at the same time as Paul's play, how was it?
L: I thought it was perfect and amazing! I never thought the day would come when I can harmonise with Paul-sensei (laughs). It’s been a dream forever, so I was really happy!!
YG: "Scarified" has become a song of destiny for you.
L: Yes! I got to get acquainted with Paul-sensei and it’s a lucky song for me! The word "serendipity" in the album title means "to find something worthwhile that is different from your aim by chance", but if you play your favourite guitar, you can meet with Paul-sensei, meet with Polyphia and make your debut album... I was so blessed with wonderful encounters and good luck so I decided on this title!
YG: Members of the Polyphia are participating in "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA", but how did you arrange this?
L: First I started with following the song’s melody on the guitar, but for the backing tracks I put some temporary guitar in to send to Polyphia and secondly I played it as I like. Then they played it quite coolly with a feeling that considerably different from the original, but I thought that I felt like following the original melody faithfully.
It makes me feel very happy when I can play difficult songs
YG: Why did you choose "The Dance of Eternity" [‘METROPOLIS PT. 2: SCENES FROM A MEMORY' (1999)] from Dream Theater?
L: I thought that I wanted to put songs in that would challenge me, too. • • • I’ll be very happy when I can practice and start to play difficult songs (laughs).
YG: But, this song is long and the rhythm is complicated, it was hard to memorize and play, wasn’t it?
L: It was very difficult! (Laughs) So this song was recorded step by step for each part.
YG: You tried copying John Petrucci's play, so was there not a lot of discoveries there too?
L: It’s difficult anyway (laughs). Previously, I had copied Jason Richardson's solo in Polyphia's "Aviator" [‘MUSE’ (2014)] but there was a pattern of sweeps similar to John Petrucci, I understood that Jason was greatly influenced by Mr. Petrucci.
YG: The final song, an arrangement of "Yankee Doodle" (10,000ft Alps) is wonderful.
L: Thank you! (Laughs) This was in amongst the songs we thought of doing in the proposal, both "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" and "The Dance Of Eternity" were straight covers, so I thought I'd like to put in an arrangement.... I referred to the comical feeling of Guthrie Govan's country-style "Rhode Island Shred" [‘EROTIC CAKES’ (2006)] and The Simpsons' theme of Danny Elfman (Gotthard’s version). And since it is the last song of the album, I thought that I wanted to make it a dramatic way to finish like the Dream Theater’s "The Best Of Times" [‘BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS’ (2009)).
YG: The dive bomb is a point on the playing side, isn’t it?
L: I copies Jeff Beck's "Where Were You" [‘JEFF BECK 'S GUITAR SHOP’ (1989)], I manipulated the pitch with the dive bomb, but it was done with that feeling.
YG: In addition to technical play, this work seems to place considerable emphasis on expressive power.
L: It takes more time to record such a nuance than to play it quickly. I want to become able to express it even better!
YG: Which guitar did you use for recording?
L: Ibanez's J-Custom "RG 8540" but after that I borrowed a 7-string guitar from Ibanez. For "The Dance Of Eternity" and "Yankee Doodle". I used it a bit in the backing for "Serendipity" too.
YG: Wasn’t it hard to play a 7 string guitar?
L: I tried hard and played it (laughs). But, if I remembered the phrases, I could play it, surprisingly enough.
YG: What kind of activities do you want to do in the future?
L: I'd like to do live shows and have lots of events. The final dream is a World Tour!
YG: Finally, please give your message to the readers.
L: The debut work "Serendipity" contains an original song and I think it seems to be a work that you will enjoy hearing, so please listen to it!
Released 2017.3.8 ♦ Wonderful guests also participate in this debut album!!
[Serendipity」/Li-sa-X
(Sony • Music Japan International (CD) SICX-74)
①Serendipity
②Scarified (feat. Paul Gilbert)
③CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA (feat. POLYPHIA)
④The Dance Of Eternity
⑤Yankee Doodle Dandy
● The debut of Li - sa - X of wholly instrumental music for which she has recorded her first original song ①, racer X ②, a cover of the animation "Dragon Ball Z" OP song ③, Dream Theater ④, American folk song ⑤．
Superb technical play in guitar instrumentals goes without saying, and I take my hat off to that rare kind of taste in melodic phrases and sense of expressive power. The arrangement of 4 songs is also brilliant, inevitably it will make you feel good!
●Before 'Serendipity', Paul Gilbert saw a cover video of Li-sa-X and offered himself as an online “Sensei''. Lessons have been going on for over 3 years already, and in September 2016, in the performance in Japan, co-starring with her teacher was realized. And, as a matter of fact, members of Polyphia joined as guests as the exchange began to interact. All show off splendid playing without making any allowances, also listening listen to this!
Happy, lucky, fun guitar!!
From her cover songs released on a video posting site she is all at once being much talked about, Japanese girl Li - sa - X is attracting attention from guitar fans worldwide, and is finally making her debut "Serendipity"!
Interview ● Jun Kawai
When she was 8 years old, she posted a cover movie of Racer X's "Scarified" (1987 'SECOND HEAT' compilation) on YouTube, and Li - sa - X became a topic of conversation worldwide, and now finally she’s made her major debut. The album "Serendipity” contains 5 songs, consisting of one original song and four covers, and it’s also noteworthy that Paul Gilbert and Polyphia members who were friends from before participated as guests. Becoming a junior high school student from this spring Li-sa-X hasn’t only technique but expressive power, and in this work you can enjoy her growth as well. I asked Li-sa-X about "Serendipity" which is, of course, full of technical melodious guitar.
If you loved playing guitar you had the good fortune to encounter something wonderful
YG: How did you feel when your album debut was decided?
Li-sa-X: I didn’t think it would be so easy to do a debut album, so I’m very happy.
YG: What sort of album did you want to produce in making "Serendipity"?
L: I wanted to make "fun music".
YG: It became a cover album except for the original title song "Serendipity", how did you choose these songs?
L: Since Sensei Paul (Gilbert) and everyone in Polyphia was going to participate, I chose "Scarified" I thought it would be good if we could play the cover continuously together with Paul. With Polyphia, Tim (Henson / guitar) likes Japanese anime, so the thinking was that an Anisong was good.
YG: For the original song "Serendipity", with what kind of image was it written with?
L: I thought that I wanted to make it a fun song with the feeling that gave listeners a feeling of riding along. Also, as it’s played much faster I don’t think it’s boring... I also thought about the balance of the fun riding part and more serious parts where you listen carefully.
YG: How did you make up the song?
L: I started out various ideas for phrases and assembled it like a puzzle with my dad (laughs).
YG: Sometimes odd phrases emerge….
L: I recorded the ideas steadily, but since the mistaken passages were also interesting, I also left them in it. In an online lesson with Teacher Paul, it was said that it would be better to record the ideas steadily if I’m to put together an original song, so I first tried playing various things to see if I could riff. When I listened to it again later, there were mistakes and strange sounds in it (laughs), there are things that make you smile a bit, and those who listen to it will also laugh I think.
YG: Were there difficult places in performing this song?
L: It’s the part that makes you listen to the melody. I practiced quite a bit because I had difficulty putting in the vibrato, slide and nuance.
YG: What part were you particularly pleased with?
L: I like the rising phrase that you do during the first riff and the fast-paced play that descends afterwards!
YG: "Scarified" is a song synonymous with Li-sa-X, isn’t it? How did you first decide to copy this song?
L: Since I was little dad has been listening to Paul-sensei's songs a lot, and when I listen to them with him I was really amazed. So, it was "Scarified" where my opinion matched Papa’s when I thought about what song I wanted to copy when I uploaded the video.
YG: In this cover, you’re harmonising with Paul, how did you decide to divide the parts?
L: In the movie we uploaded previously, Paul was covering the version of "Scarified" that was shot by himself, but this time I play the Blues part of the original version. So I copied a new copy, but after all it was really difficult (laughs). In the album the right channel is me and the left is Paul-sensei.
YG: You tried playing at the same time as Paul's play, how was it?
L: I thought it was perfect and amazing! I never thought the day would come when I can harmonise with Paul-sensei (laughs). It’s been a dream forever, so I was really happy!!
YG: "Scarified" has become a song of destiny for you.
L: Yes! I got to get acquainted with Paul-sensei and it’s a lucky song for me! The word "serendipity" in the album title means "to find something worthwhile that is different from your aim by chance", but if you play your favourite guitar, you can meet with Paul-sensei, meet with Polyphia and make your debut album... I was so blessed with wonderful encounters and good luck so I decided on this title!
YG: Members of the Polyphia are participating in "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA", but how did you arrange this?
L: First I started with following the song’s melody on the guitar, but for the backing tracks I put some temporary guitar in to send to Polyphia and secondly I played it as I like. Then they played it quite coolly with a feeling that considerably different from the original, but I thought that I felt like following the original melody faithfully.
It makes me feel very happy when I can play difficult songs
YG: Why did you choose "The Dance of Eternity" [‘METROPOLIS PT. 2: SCENES FROM A MEMORY' (1999)] from Dream Theater?
L: I thought that I wanted to put songs in that would challenge me, too. • • • I’ll be very happy when I can practice and start to play difficult songs (laughs).
YG: But, this song is long and the rhythm is complicated, it was hard to memorize and play, wasn’t it?
L: It was very difficult! (Laughs) So this song was recorded step by step for each part.
YG: You tried copying John Petrucci's play, so was there not a lot of discoveries there too?
L: It’s difficult anyway (laughs). Previously, I had copied Jason Richardson's solo in Polyphia's "Aviator" [‘MUSE’ (2014)] but there was a pattern of sweeps similar to John Petrucci, I understood that Jason was greatly influenced by Mr. Petrucci.
YG: The final song, an arrangement of "Yankee Doodle" (10,000ft Alps) is wonderful.
L: Thank you! (Laughs) This was in amongst the songs we thought of doing in the proposal, both "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" and "The Dance Of Eternity" were straight covers, so I thought I'd like to put in an arrangement.... I referred to the comical feeling of Guthrie Govan's country-style "Rhode Island Shred" [‘EROTIC CAKES’ (2006)] and The Simpsons' theme of Danny Elfman (Gotthard’s version). And since it is the last song of the album, I thought that I wanted to make it a dramatic way to finish like the Dream Theater’s "The Best Of Times" [‘BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS’ (2009)).
YG: The dive bomb is a point on the playing side, isn’t it?
L: I copies Jeff Beck's "Where Were You" [‘JEFF BECK 'S GUITAR SHOP’ (1989)], I manipulated the pitch with the dive bomb, but it was done with that feeling.
YG: In addition to technical play, this work seems to place considerable emphasis on expressive power.
L: It takes more time to record such a nuance than to play it quickly. I want to become able to express it even better!
YG: Which guitar did you use for recording?
L: Ibanez's J-Custom "RG 8540" but after that I borrowed a 7-string guitar from Ibanez. For "The Dance Of Eternity" and "Yankee Doodle". I used it a bit in the backing for "Serendipity" too.
YG: Wasn’t it hard to play a 7 string guitar?
L: I tried hard and played it (laughs). But, if I remembered the phrases, I could play it, surprisingly enough.
YG: What kind of activities do you want to do in the future?
L: I'd like to do live shows and have lots of events. The final dream is a World Tour!
YG: Finally, please give your message to the readers.
L: The debut work "Serendipity" contains an original song and I think it seems to be a work that you will enjoy hearing, so please listen to it!
Released 2017.3.8 ♦ Wonderful guests also participate in this debut album!!
[Serendipity」/Li-sa-X
(Sony • Music Japan International (CD) SICX-74)
①Serendipity
②Scarified (feat. Paul Gilbert)
③CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA (feat. POLYPHIA)
④The Dance Of Eternity
⑤Yankee Doodle Dandy
● The debut of Li - sa - X of wholly instrumental music for which she has recorded her first original song ①, racer X ②, a cover of the animation "Dragon Ball Z" OP song ③, Dream Theater ④, American folk song ⑤．
Superb technical play in guitar instrumentals goes without saying, and I take my hat off to that rare kind of taste in melodic phrases and sense of expressive power. The arrangement of 4 songs is also brilliant, inevitably it will make you feel good!
●Before 'Serendipity', Paul Gilbert saw a cover video of Li-sa-X and offered himself as an online “Sensei''. Lessons have been going on for over 3 years already, and in September 2016, in the performance in Japan, co-starring with her teacher was realized. And, as a matter of fact, members of Polyphia joined as guests as the exchange began to interact. All show off splendid playing without making any allowances, also listening listen to this!
![[-]](https://japanesemetalforum.com/images/collapse.png "[-]")