Second day.New Raft practiced their songs for many hours.It was the first met with the new singer Vahn.
They were so moved by her voice that they were lost for words.
“We will get eaten up by her voice.”Fujita said.Her voice made them feel like they would be a dried kelp used for a soup stock.
The voice came out from the little lady was amazing that much.Fujita was giving them a pep talk and also cheering them up.
The first practice was end in an unusual atmosphere.

In that night ,they were looking back on their devastated emotions.
Koura says “She may bring out the best in us.It thought us what I really need in my
mental aspect and playing.Others had a same feelings.
They looked happier rather than upset.
Actually they might have been waiting for it to improve themselves.

Second day.Vahn surprised them again.
She had already rememberd all the constitution of their songs.
And she knew how to show herself.
With her,their songs sounded completely different even though those are the same songs they have played many times.
Every members thought “We feel a 100 percent opposite now”.

The show on 3th and 4th,they had to do a complete 180.
If they could have done it,they would brush themselves up.
“We could find another reason to made RAFT”Fujioka says.
They were at the crossroard in their musicians life.
On the day they had stayed and checked the expression and constitution of the songs just before the show was started.
With so much pressure and happiness.

In 2015, from May 24th to 26th, Raft performed a live debut in 3 houses. What changed from the Maiden voyage? No one knew about them. What kind of results did they get as complete strangers? Now let’s take a look from the beginning.

In 2015, May 24th＠PLAY YARD

When they arrived at the house, an unexpected surprise was waiting for them. The quality of equipment and instrument was totally low level. Especially the Drums and cymbals were cracked and broken. Koura got nervous. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Even if you know it, it’s hard to accept it. So many Japanese musicians have given up on making it big without showing their true talent. How you deal with it is the key to success overseas. Usually it’s never asked in Japan.
As time went by, people started paying attention to their performance. After the performance, most of the people gave a big round of applause. That was the moment. People was impressed with their music. Chon-Kiow! – Cheers in Thai. They’re so happy at the wrap up party.

The live at “PLAY YARD”was great but they’re not completely satisfied. On May 25th, Fujioka, Koura and Fujita had a meeting at the hotel, discussing the feedback, improvements and the next task. There’s a saying a live debut usually ends with successful result. It means the next live show at “Studio RAM” must be the place to show their true talent. It’ll be a battle of bands with local musicians. People have high expectations for music. What will people think about them?

By watching the YouTube video (2:31-14:33), it’s unnecessary worry. They truly enjoyed their music.

In 2015, May 26th＠STUDIO LAM

The live at “PLAY YARD”was great but they’re not completely satisfied. On May 25th, Fujioka, Koura and Fujita had a meeting at the hotel, discussing the feedback, improvements and the next task. There’s a saying a live debut usually ends with successful result. It means the next live show at “Studio RAM” must be the place to show their true talent. It’ll be a battle of bands with local musicians. People have high expectations for music. What will people think about them?

By watching the YouTube video (2:31-14:33), it’s unnecessary worry. They truly enjoyed their music.

In 2015, May 27th＠FATTY’S BAR

On the last day, the live performance was a bit different. In addition to Thai, there’re also European tourists coming. Compared to last two days, it’s different. “They changed the music they used to play, and enjoyed the unexpected moment” people responded with a great reaction. You can see on YouTube from 14:34 until the end. Fujioka says “I was so happy when a German man said our groove was awesome!”

In 2015, May 28th, they came back to Japan. They moved on to the next step. Yes, this Maiden voyage was the first step to the next project. The next will be in 2015, from Sep. 30th to Oct. 5th. They’re all set with a new singer!

After the show, everyone could know what a great time audiences and “Kumejima no Kaze”themselves had.
First,”Hiroshi Kamesaki”as a percussionist says “It was the great show this year as well”
Actually his action carried the show out.
First time Kamesaki met Higa,he was interested in the introverted character and beautiful voice of Higa.
And he connected Osaka and Kumejima by their bond.
At the rehearsal he always listened all the member’s opinions and led the band more accretive.
Of course He is the one loves “Kumejima no kaze” and also loved by locals….

Another percussionist “Ryota Yamaguchi”.
The first word he said after the show was”it was dope”.
Because of the dancing audiences he felt more excited.
He said ” I’m so happy and I feel really blessed to be a musician now”.
Speaking of his episode,when he first came to Kumejima as a part time worker,
he decided to live as a percussionist.
And he was easy to get along well with Higa and other members.
He has joined from the first show of “Kumejima no Kaze” and is already thinking of next show coming up next year.

And there’s a one we can’t forget.
One of the happiest audience Mr Morishima from the reggae bar “spiral “.
And he gave a opportunity to Yamaguchi to become a percussionist.
And also Nakanishi and Kamesaki,Higa and members of “Shima gururu”,he connected all the people subconciously.
He gave us some words when we had a secret interview.
“Echan,Naoki,Kamechan,Ryota,members of “Shima gururu”……
It’s like a miracle they encountered .
I really love their music.
I really want more people have opportunities to listen to their musics,and want to cheer Kumejima people up.
They must say “We don’t think in that way,we just enjoy the music.”
But I’m sure your music have a power to make Kumejima’s future great.
What kind of “spiral” does the show in westernmost discribe?
It has just started.

But he even didn’t know that playing SHAMISEN will be major influences in his life in that time.
He says it was impossible to meet Ekkosan（Etsuko Nakanishi／sax),Kamechan(Hiroshi Kamezaki/percussion) and Ryota(Ryota Yamaguchi/percussion) as a members of “Kumejima’s window”without folk songs and Shamisen.
This encounter made me find new goals.

First I am going to have a show in Sendai.
In Sendai,there is a man I know well always takes care of me very well.
When I had a show in Osaka,he came to see me with his wife all the way from Sendai.
So I deeply felt if I could do something for people in Sendai when we had the great east Japan earthquake.
Another thing is releasing the CD.
I want to tell many people how wonderful place Kumejima is!
If I could call people to Kumejima as many as possible by my song.
Nothing better than this if my music could touch those people.

I am eager to put one special song in this CD.
The song is called “Island’s window” written by Kamechan.
When I have checked the rylics of this song,I’ve been confident that I can tell my feelings to everyone by this song.
I believe these two goals will be achieved someday.
If I keep my storing will,the idea becomes real.
I’ve just wanted to play with Ekkosan and Kamechan and Ryota in Kumejima very much,and this feeling pushed me a lot.
At the beggining some people weren’t acceptable,but now many people are asking “When is your next show??”.

The musician said “I and guests came together today “after the show.
If you check this video no one could say the same word.
Because this show was really like everyone came together .

Let you know all about the show.
Band members were Naoki Higa（ Vo, SANSHIN Okinawan traditional instrument) as a leader,and Etsuko Nakanishi（sax)Hiroshi Kamesaki（percussion)Ryota Yamaguchi（percussion).
They met up one day before the live show,and had a rehearsal.
Members were ready with a perfect condition.

The venue was the darts bar called “WHITE HORSE “.
There were some benches and spread mats made guests cozy and comfy.
Man and women all ages in Kumejima were waiting for this day.
How much were they looking forward to,and how did they meet their expectation?
How was the time and atmosphere there?
There was the answer on this video scene that members and guests dancing and sharing time together.
The man who was suffering from the disease was also waiting for this day.
He got tears on his eyes.
His face showed how he and all the guests lived their music.

When you take a look at where they play basically, they are from different places such as Kumejima, Osaka and Okinawa.
It is kind of interesting when the promotors and performers got together in one place from different places.

How did they get gather and play together??
Why are those people in Kumejima crazy about the show so much??

Soon after we took a deep look, we figured out their natural attitude to their music.
They really love and enjoy it.

Speaking of the first “Raft” track.
First of all, they started the band practice for a debut live and the first singles recording with Nat as a singer.

The recording was performed on May 5th.
Members met up at the studio in Nara.
They started recording of the guitar and the bass and drums ‪at 10:00am.
Each members were pretty busy for ther own music activities.
Fujioka, Fujita and Koura practiced hard and worked well.
They’ve finished recording of two songs for their maxi single.

Koura says ” We could find more possibilities of the new sounds we’ve never played”
His words just realized us how deep and exciting those times were.

Then recording of Nat singing voice.
To sing many hours in the small room is harder than you can imagine.
But she never stopped singing even she was exhausted.
The engineer and Raft members also kept encouraging her in many words.
When the engineer said the word “OK well done!” it was so dark outside.
And Fujioka just said “it’s insane!!” for her perfect work.

Next day, they started the practice for their show.
No one could know how it goes at the beggining.
As time goes by, they grasped each characteristics and discussed and made the sound perfect.
Particularly, Fujita’s way to lead was pretty impressive.
He gave sound advices to each part and brought out the best in members.
His advices worked well.
Each one met his expectations and aimed higher and higher.
The practice lasted more than 5 hours with many kinds of languages such as Thai, Japanese and English.
After leaving the studio, they looked nervous but more confident.
Their faces told us “We just did our best. We are ready now.”

18 days later, May 24th, at PLAY YARD in Bangkok, Raft members couldn’t hide their excitement when they appeared on the stage.
It’s time for the new voyage.

May 2015, Raft was formed between Thai and Japanese. Here is who they are.

Raft – intends to paddle ourselves throughout the world without external power and influences. They were able to perform the 1st live in Bangkok on our own. Although Thailand is our 1st destination, they are planning to move into other countries as well.

They have free music concept named “LIBERAL MUSIC” where the music is not limited by boarder, language and style. A music that attracts anyone, anywhere with combination of rock, pop and all other sorts of music. Their 1st live music consisted of Thai, English as well as blending Loogthuang (traditional Thai music) created a new kind of music. The local audience loved their Liberal Music, remarkably, at all the venues we performed. Anyone is attracted and enthused by Liberal Music.

Lastly, Raft members are ever changing and the concept again comes from Liberal Music. Raft started with Vocal:Nat, Base: Fujioka, Guitar: Fujita and Drums: Koura. However, Nat decided to leave Raft after the 1st performance to continue with her filming career and so they are looking for a new Vocal.
This won’t be the last change in Raft. Liberal Music continues to evolve and grow and this is just a part of the process. “We look forward to forming a new Raft”Fujioka smiles.

Everything is free. Even the members can’t imagine where Raft is gonna take them to. “That’s why is so exciting and worth performing to the limit and beyond” The way they spoke reminded me of those times when they just decided to dedicate their lives to music.