An established anisong singer, TRUE has performed theme songs for a number of popular franchises, including "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" and "Violet Evergarden". In August, she released a new single featuring her special
edition of the “Sound! Euphonium: Ensemble Contest” theme song, Ensemble. The song, a gentle and affirming mid-tempo ballad, was composed by Takuya Watanabe, with lyrics that TRUE penned herself.
Shortly after
the single hit stores, JaME was able to ask
TRUE some questions about the release, her evolution as an artist, and her future plans.
You will be reaching the 10th anniversary of your debut as TRUE in 2024. When you
look back on your debut, how do you feel you’ve grown or changed as an artist?
TRUE: I think I have grown a lot. I think the biggest change has been in the way I approach music. When I first started out, I had a strong yearning for anime songs, and I was stuck in the stereotype that anime songs had to be this way. Now I have
confidence in myself and trust in the work, which allows me to face music more freely.
What message do you want to convey to listeners with the lyrics of Ensemble?
TRUE: The theme of this song is "the joy of accomplishing something with someone else and playing music with someone else". I was reminded of this at an anime live performance but when everyone sings and claps together, we naturally match with
the person next to us. This is true for ensemble compositions and brass band compositions as well, but the first step is to listen carefully to the sounds of the people close to you and match them, listen to their breathing. This should be the starting
point. A sound that cannot be played by one person alone, I think that is the starting point of the joy of music. I believe that we are feeling such joy even more now because we have gone through a pandemic.
Have you had a chance to watch the film “Sound! Euphonium: Ensemble Concert”? If
so, what about it stood out to you?
TRUE: It was wonderful. I cried from the very beginning. I was so excited that "Sound! Euphonium" had returned, and my heart was filled with excitement. I am sure that the process behind it included more hardships than I can imagine. I was told once
again that the power of people and the power of friends is great.
The music video for Ensemble focuses on student life. If you could deliver a
message to yourself as a student, what would you say?
TRUE: Our dream came true, thank you. That's what I'd say. I'm where I am now thanks to the dream I had as a kid.
What can you tell us about the coupling track from the release, Time Machine?
TRUE: The very answer to the previous question is the theme of this song!
The little grains of longing and dreams that were born in my childhood brought me to where I am today. Once again, I wrote this song as a way of saying "thank you"
to my younger self. And I had a very interesting way of making it. I used various sound effects recorded at home. For example, I used the sound of a gas stove being turned on and off, curtains being opened, and other everyday sounds. It was just a lot
of fun, and it made me realize once again that this is the root of the joy of making music.
Can fans look forward to seeing you perform overseas again sometime in the near
future?
TRUE: Yes! Next year, 2024, marks the 10th anniversary of my singing career, and I plan to actively deliver my songs both in Japan and abroad!
Please leave a message for your fans overseas.
TRUE: Thank you for the love you always show towards Japanese animation! Actually, I almost had the opportunity to sing in France before, but it was canceled due to the pandemic. The moment when music shines the brightest is at a live performance,
and I will do my best, believing that one day I will be able to deliver it to you!
JaME would like to thank TRUE and qdopp, Inc. for making this interview possible.
Links to download and stream Ensemble on various music platforms are available here.
