Shun Nakanishi dropped his solo debut single “Rewind” on digital platforms Aug. 8. The track marks the solo debut of the music producer and DJ who gained attention for his appearance in the global Netflix romantic reality show Boyfriend. “Rewind” is a song about heartbreak that explores themes of loss, regret, and the emotions that lie beyond the “what ifs.”
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Nakanishi, who also releases music under the moniker Haze glitch, spoke to Billboard Japan about his motivations for pursuing a career as a solo artist. He elaborated on the story depicted in his debut single under his real name, as well as his musical roots and vision of the artist he wants to be in this interview that delves into the essence of his creativity.
How was the response to your appearance in Boyfriend, released worldwide last year in July?
It was incredible. I went to Thailand a week ago, and people approached me more than they do in Japan. I realized that everyone knows me. It’s a little scary, though.
Is it scary?
I can’t believe everyone recognizes my face. I wanted to live more privately. [Laughs]
You released a ballad entitled “Last Person” as DaiShun (with Dai Nakai, Boyfriend costar and now partner IRL) in January. How would you describe it?
That song was the first time I wrote about my feelings for Dai. I think the lyrics turned out well because I was able to choose words that are true to myself. But I was initially reluctant to sing.
Why was that?
I didn’t like my voice. I tried recording my voice at a karaoke place long ago, but didn’t like how it sounded. So I stopped singing and just focused on making music, but started to think that I could reach more people by singing as a performer myself.
How did you feel when you actually sang and layered your voice with Dai’s?
I still don’t really like my voice, so I need to practice more to be able to get through to people. But I really like the lyrics and was happy to be able to sing them myself. I’m glad I gave it a try. The lyrics of this song are about being head-over-heels no matter what, and every single word is important. Actually, there are still some things I want to say, so I’m currently working on a solo version.
Really?
Yes. I’m currently working on it now. I want it to be an answer track, like “Last Person Part 2.” I plan to sing that one on my own as Shun Nakanishi.
Can’t wait to hear it. As you just mentioned, you’ve launched your career as a solo artist. Do you consider this new endeavor separate from your work under the Haze glitch moniker?
Yes, I’m thinking about going in the direction of combining electronic music and stuff that isn’t really in the spotlight with pop. Haze glitch isn’t pop music, so it’s limited to a certain audience. But it sounds good and it’s good music, and I want more people to listen to it. That’s why Shun Nakanishi will be like a fusion of Haze glitch and pop. It’s something I can’t do as DaiShun, so I decided to do it on my own.
What kind of artist do you want to be as Shun Nakanishi?
I love film scores, so I want to create cinematic music. The songs will be music and also be like movies. I want to create music that you can listen to as if you were watching a short film, allowing you to concentrate on the work. I want to capture them properly. I want to create works that aren’t bound by fleeting trends or commercial success.
Tell us about your musical roots. Which artists have influenced you the most?
(J-pop superstar) Hikaru Utada and (Norwegian DJ) Cashmere Cat. Utada has also been making cinematic songs mainly with piano and violin lately. I’ve really been influenced by those two. But I also like American pop music like Taylor Swift and Rihanna, and when I sing karaoke, I often sing ballads like AI’s “Story” and Mika Nakashima’s “Yuki no Hana.”
What kind of song did you want to make for your debut?
I agonized over my debut song. Because it goes without saying that it’ll be my debut song for the rest of my life. [Laughs] But I told myself, “It’s not my major-label debut yet,” and decided on this one.
How did “Rewind” come about?
It was originally a song I made for Haze glitch. It starts with a piano intro, and then immediately shifts to a trance beat. I was thinking of making it an instrumental, but then thought it might be good with vocals, so I gave it a try.
It does begin like a piano ballad.
Yes, I really like piano intros. But since it was going to be my debut release, I was really torn. Should I make it more mainstream? Or should I just go with my own style? In the end, I think I went for something in between. But while I was writing it, I believed there will definitely be people who will like this song. Also, I like songs that change a lot throughout, because it’s cinematic.
What thoughts went into the lyrics?
I wanted to make a Shun Nakanishi-style breakup song.
Why a breakup song? People who discovered you through DaiShun would worry when they hear it.
Breakup songs really resonate for me. I like such themes. I’m not really into happy songs. I prefer lyrics that talk about losing something or are dark. The “you” in this song is dead. This song is about that strong sense of loss because breakups mean that the person is dead to you.
So it’s goodbye forever.
Yes. It’s about feeling like the person died after losing them. When you’re young, a love lost hurts that much. It feels like it’s forever. It may not seem like a big deal from another person’s perspective, but you’re feeling a tremendous sense of loss. I remember breakups in my early twenties, but I guess everyone feels differently. It’s complicated. I understand it clearly, but…
By the way, what kind of short film did you have in mind for this?
The intro is a scene where someone is crying while looking up at the sky on a rooftop. It’s a bit heavy, but at first they’re fighting, and then the other person storms off. Then he gets hit by a truck and dies. It’s a depiction of the protagonist witnessing it all. “Akai toiki ga midarete” (Red breath in disarray) means he’s dead. Their time together flashes back at that moment, but there’s no going back even if he wishes he could. It’s a song about regret.
You have such a vivid image and story in your mind. What’s the meaning behind the title?
It’s about wishing there were a switch to turn back time. The drop in the chorus expresses a button that the protagonist finds, and he presses it. The drop is meant to be a transition to an imaginary scene. It brings back memories of the good times. It’s the rewind button.
How did the vocal recording go? You mentioned not liking your own voice.
It was my first time singing an entire song by myself, so it was hard, as was expected. But I’m starting to like my voice more. I’m practicing, and now I just need to gain more confidence.
I’d love to hear you do some quiet electro with whispery vocals.
It’s difficult, you know? Should I try to appeal to what people want to hear, or should I try expressing myself more? But I don’t expect everyone to listen to my first song, so I hope there will be at least one on the album that everyone will like.
You’re working on an album too?
I’m planning to release a single every month from now, and hopefully release an album around February next year. I’m hoping people will hear my songs regularly.
Tell us about your future goals as solo artist Shun Nakanishi.
My goal is to reach number one on the Billboard charts! I want to aim for the top spot on the global charts. And personally, I’d also like to try doing anime songs. I’ve been watching a lot of anime on Netflix lately. While watching shows like The Summer Hikaru Died and Tacopi’s Original Sin, I imagine how amazing it would be if my own song were featured there. So I hope to sing the opening or ending theme song for an anime series someday.
Lastly, do you have a message for your fans around the world?
I’m traveling around the world for fan meetings right now, and think it’d be great if I could go on a world tour as a solo artist someday. Also, more people are becoming fans of Japanese songs thanks to anime, so I hope to create new J-pop and share it with everyone.
—This interview by Atsuo Nagahori first appeared on Billboard Japan
