We were fortunate enough on Friday to get a chance to sit and chat with Gotoh Masafumi about his appearance with the Route 17 Rock n’ Roll Orchestra, why he selected the songs he did and the social responsibility of the artist.

FR: This is not your first time performing with ROUTE 17 Rock’n’Roll ORCHESTRA, right?
Gotoh: No, It’s the second time. The first time felt a little more like being a cover band. Today, the character was a bit different.

FR: ROUTE 17 Rock’n’Roll ORCHESTRA has a slightly different atmosphere every year, doesn’t it?

Gotoh: Yeah, ROUTE 17 has a theme every year.

FR: What was this year’s theme?

Gotoh: I talked with Ikebata (the drummer) about playing songs that are related to our roots. It was about performing music we loved as students, like becoming a child once again.
I chose to cover John Lennon for this show. But then I really thought about the meaning of a Japanese person playing Western rock at a Japanese festival. So, I thought it was necessary to perform “Imagine” in Japanese so I could convey its message in our words.
It’s very difficult to know what to do these days, but standing with the people of Gaza at a festival in the far east of Asia and sending a message to the world that we see the ongoing violence and think it’s a problem is very meaningful to me. Solidarity across distant places is needed, and having a generational connection really gives power. It’s something that needs to be done, and this terrible violence must be stopped.

FR: Asian Kung-Fu Generation has more of an international focus when compared to other Japanese bands, you have lots of fans overseas. It is hard to explain, but perhaps this helps give you a greater sense of global artistic responsibility.

Gotoh: When I started playing music, I admired artists like John Lennon and Patti Smith, who didn’t separate music from society. Their messages became their music, and their way of life became their music. I think it doesn’t matter if it’s Western or Japanese music. There are many people in Asia who share the same thoughts..

FR: If you could choose the lineup for ROUTE 17 next year or the year after, who would you choose?

Gotoh: I think it would be great if younger bands performed. For example, Vaundy or King Gnu. If those young bands played music that reflects their roots and blended it well with the band’s veteran musicians, it would be amazing to show off Japan’s wonderful rock culture.

FR: The connection between new legends and old legends.

Gotoh: ROUTE 17, like Fuji Rock, includes both Japanese and international bands, creating a more global community. There are cool bands in Asia like South Korea’s HYUKOH or Taiwan’s Sunset Rollercoaster. I think it would be great to interact on stage with these kinds of bands and share our common mindsets and souls.
I feel that music helps us realize that borders are actually fictional. We can easily understand each other through music and we can all move our bodies to the same beat. This potential should be reflected at festivals, and I hope these special events can become places that embody that.