Sota Fujimori Interviews

Sota Fujimori Interviews

DDRMAX -DanceDanceRevolution-

The following interview/artist profile was included in the DDRMAX -DanceDanceRevolution- instruction booklet released in 2002.

• Name: Sota Fujimori
• Artist Name(s): SOTA, System S.F.
• Age: 26 years old
• Time at Konami?: 4 years
• First Konami Project: Gungage
• Favorite Instrument: Synthesizer
• Favorite Music Style: I enjoy everything except country & ENKA (Japanese style of blues/country).
• Favorite Music Producer or Artist: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yellow Magic Orchestra and recently, I am in to System F.
• Favorite Bemani song you have written: I can't decide because I like all of my songs.
• Songs created in DDRMAX: Do It Right (Harmonized 2Step Mix), DROP THE BOMB -System S.F. Mix-, Dynamite Rave -Downbird SOTA Mix-, Kind Lady, Look To The Sky, Look To The Sky (True Color Mix).
• Favorite Song(s) in DDRMAX and why?: I really love Groove 2001 written by Sho-T because it has a Big Beat style which DDR has never had before.
• What do you think about the success of DDR in North America so far?: I am extremely happy with the success of the game. Since it was such a popular game in Japan, I am hoping it will be a big hit in the U.S. as well. Be sure to use a DDR Controller when you play this game. Playing with the normal controller is just not the same experience.
• How did you first get involved making Bemani music?: I had always wanted to make dance music in a video game. Finally, my wish came true when the director called me up. Now, here I am.
• Did you always like Bemani-style music or did you like those dance styles after you started making songs?: I have always liked dance music. This is the type of work that gives me the most enjoyment.
• What else do you still want to accomplish as an artist with DDR/Bemani song that you have not so far?: I would like to continue challenging the music style and sound of DDR songs by incorporating new genres.
• Have you ever considered using famous artists or a DJ to make a new remix of one of your songs for a future Bemani game? Who would you like to have remix the song?:: Recent trance artists such as System F, Vincent De Moor, Rank 1 or Barthezz would be great for a remix project. I would also like to have Konami sound artists such as Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill series) and Sho-T (Beatmania series) remix some of my songs as well.
• Have you ever thought about making dance music for official release (I.E. for DJs and consumer use)?: Yes!! If I could have such a chance, I will make sure not to disappoint anyone.
• What kind of hardware and mixing software do you use to compose your songs?: I use various synthesizers and a Macintosh to compose songs. The sequencer software is VISION, however, I need to be updating it very soon.
• What was the most difficult/challenging situation that you have ever experienced working on a Bemani/DDR games?: Since the gameplay time is fixed from the beginning, it is often difficult to make songs fit into the proper length.
• When you are making a song, do you ever think about what some of the steps might be like or do you already know from the beginning that this song is going to be designed to be a difficult song for players, etc?: No. I never think about the steps in advance because the step data is created after the music and the step difficulty is adjusted in the end.
• Do you feel limited as an artist because of the game design and mechanics of DDR?: Not really. I have also been involved with other various projects, such as action and RPG titles, so I still have the opportunity to explore other music styles outside of dance music.
• You have made a big impression on players with your beautiful trance song Look To The Sky and your cool house song Kind Lady, but for this project you have created some new exclusive remixes (including a new version of Look To The Sky). What was it like working on the new remixes and do you have any song planned for the future? I am scheduled to make a new version of Kind Lady and a new remix of Do It Right. Look To The Sky is my personal favorite song as well, and I think I will be making a new remix in the future. Please look forward to it.
• Do you have any comments or words to players?: I really enjoy making music of DDR. I hope you enjoy the game and the music.