ALI

写真拡大

ALI (Alien Liberty International) was born out of the trendsetting epicenter of Tokyo: Shibuya. A multi-ethnic collective of musicians with roots from Japan, Europe, the United States, Asia, South America, and Africa - their unique fusion of multi-culturally inspired music has not only resonated in Japan but built a dedicated following around the world. From creating popular theme songs such as ”LOST IN PARADISE feat. AKLO” for the anime series ”Jujutsu Kaisen” to streaming live virtual performances during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are finding creative ways to reach an international audience while also keeping reverence for the past with their vast musical influences.

We have had an interview with the front man Leo to talk further in details about him and the recent single release of the band.

Front man Leo shares his thoughts on growing up in Shibuya, the philosophy behind their music, and what we can expect in the new year.

── You were born and raised in Shibuya right? I read an article that you use to go to the TSUTAYA [store] in Aoyama a lot. I assumed that you grew up in that part of Shibuya.

Leo: I grew up around the Omotesando / Jingumae area. However, since I was 24 years old, I worked in the Maruyamacho district for 6 years, so I know the Shinsen area as well.

── We sometimes tend to forget how the area of that Shibuya is bigger than we think our assumption. I guess for you, it doesnt feel like youre in the middle of the city but more like a local neighborhood, is that correct?

Leo: Thats right. When I was a kid, there werent a lot of tall buildings like how it is today. Many of them were actually vacant and there was a lot more housing back then. When I was in elementary school there were only 8 kids in my grade and we used to play baseball in the streets. I grew up during the time of the transformation of Shibuya.

── Even if that is the case, if you grew up in Shibuya then you naturally were able to learn the latest trends in of music, fashion, and culture.

Leo: I knew one schoolmate a few years older than me in the soccer club, whose family has run ran a fruit and vegetable shop like the one in a movie. At first, I went to his place to play videogames, but then later on when I started playing music we had a lot of sessions together. I also learned a lot of bad things from him and Id rather not go into details (laughs). I felt that such senior-junior relationships were rooted throughout in the entire city like a village.

── The phrase "Tokyo prison" appears in the lyrics of "LOST IN PARADISE". Over the last few years, redevelopment has changed the city of Shibuya. With that in mind, I was wondering what kind of statement this stood for.

Leo: When I was thinking about the theme of "LOST IN PARADISE", it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, and more about how I felt the oppression of the world. Even if youre shopping on your smartphone, you will be advised and directed to enjoy it in a certain way. In Shibuya, the number of party event venues has increased, but the sound is often insanely bad or too quiet. The environment which I grew up in had respect for the quality of the sound which was the driving force to bring people together, but then organizing events became systematic and this important aspect changed for the worse.