Thank you from a fan in Japan

[kawaguchi]

Dear Team Travis,

I am a 22-year-old guy from Japan. I first heard your music on the radio a year ago, and ever since, you have been my saving grace in daily life as I deal with depression. Honestly, you’re better than any medicine prescribed by my doctor. Travis is the only band in a different language that I have ever fallen this deeply in love with.

It is my ultimate dream now to see you live and hear your songs in person one day. Thank you so much for the wonderful music!

By the way, my absolute favorite Japanese band is Spitz. You should check them out!

I truly hope Travis keeps going forever.

With love,

[sumiresailon]

Spitz’s ロビンソン is also in my favorite range.I usually listen to a lot of Japanese songs too.Haha

[kawaguchi]

Thanks! “Robinson” is amazing, isn’t it? Actually, I first discovered Spitz through “Robinson” when I was in my first year of elementary school. It’s an absolute masterpiece.
If you don’t mind, could you tell me what your favorite songs are? Since you love both Travis and Spitz, I already know you have wonderful taste! Any band’s songs would be great.

[sumiresailon]

@kawaguchi
これらのアーティストのほとんどは、あなたの国ではかなり有名な方々だと思いますよ。私が個人的に好きな音楽家をいくつか挙げますね。

来生たかお、中森明菜、神聖かまってちゃん、薬師丸ひろ子、女王蜂、Mili、さユり、betcover!!、ロス、松任谷由実、ずっと真夜中でいいのに。、amazarashi、King Gnu、横山克、安瀬聖、坂本龍一、星野源、梶浦由記、宇多田ヒカル、Aimer。

日本の音楽、本当に素晴らしいと思います。普段は、こうした日本のアーティストに加えて、イギリスのロックバンドやシューゲイザー系のバンドもよく聴いています。

ちなみに、最近特に好きな曲は、The Cure の “Trust” と、Ride の “Light in a Quiet Room” です。

もしよろしければ、ぜひあなたの素敵な音楽の趣味も教えてください。きっと私の音楽の幅を広げてくれると思います。音楽の話ができて本当に嬉しいです。😊

[kawaguchi]

@sumiresailon
Thank you so much for giving me so many recommendations! They are all wonderful artists, and I’m so happy to find some that I didn’t know about yet. I’ll definitely check them out.

As for my favorite Spitz songs, it’s so hard to choose because I honestly love more than 100 of their songs! But to name a few, I really love “Gerbera,” “Spider,” “Ai no Kotoba,” “Uta-Usagi,” and “Masayume.”

Actually, I have a cool piece of trivia for you. Masamune Kusano, the vocalist and songwriter of Spitz, is a fan of Travis! That’s actually how I discovered Travis—by hearing them on his radio show.

On top of that, in an interview about their 2008 song “Wakaba,” he mentioned that he incorporated the mandolin into the track because he was inspired by a Travis song he heard on the radio. Since you love both bands, you should definitely check out “Wakaba” if you haven’t already!

Here are some other Japanese songs I love:

Sakanaction: “Eureka,” “Document,” “mellow,” “Nylon no Ito,” “Asa no Uta”
Mr.Children: “Fastener,” “HANABI,” “Over,” “Ashioto ~ Be Strong,” “Kuchibue”
Motohiro Hata: “Rain”
DYGL: “Sink”
Quruli: “Bara no Hana”
…and honestly, there are still so many more! Since you already listen to a lot of Japanese music, please forgive me if you already know all of these.

Also, I listened to The Cure and Ride! They are absolutely amazing. Their music has officially been added to my daily life now. Thank you so much for introducing them to me!

[Fran]

川口さん、それらをチェックしてみますね。うつは辛いものですよね。私自身も苦しんだ経験があります。音楽を聴いたり、5kmほど走ったりすることが、私にはとても助けになっています。掲示板へようこそ！

[kawaguchi]

Dear Fran,
Thank you so much. It’s been relatively cool in Tokyo lately, so I think I’ll try going for a run while listening to your music. When I first heard “My Eyes,” it brought me to tears. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Ryo]

Hi Fran,

This is the first time I’ve sent you a message.

There’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time.

There have been many moments in my life when I was truly struggling and felt like giving up. Every time, your voice and your music helped me get through it and gave me the strength to keep going.

Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.

I’m all the way over here in Japan, but I’m already looking forward to seeing you and the band perform live again someday.

With love from Japan.

[sumiresailon]

@kawaguchi
kawaguchiさん、Thank you so much for all the great recommendations! 😊

I’ve actually heard most of the artists you recommended, except DYGL – those I haven’t listened to yet. I really love Japanese music, you guys are incredibly talented.

But here’s something I must tell you – we’re on the Travis forum because of their wonderful music, and what a coincidence: my username “SumireSailon” actually comes from Hata Motohiro’s song “Sumire” (スミレ), which is the theme song of the Japanese drama スミカスミレ starring Mirei Kiritani (桐谷美玲) and Mitsuhiro Oikawa (及川光博). Please do give it a listen!

And “Sailon” is from Noel Gallagher’s solo band song “Sail On”, hahaha.

Isn’t it funny how our love for Travis brought us together, and then my name turn out to have such connections? It’s been a real joy. 😸

Thanks for the Travis forum that allows us to connect.🥹

[sumiresailon]

Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to mention – the fact that Masamune Kusano is a Travis fan is such a piece of niche knowledge! Just as you said. 🤓

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