The Talk of Creatures

This thread's topic title. YES. It's happening right now. The Residents ARE in Japan! Man... when I created this thread I had a few topics I selected to cover and expected only a slow flow of small updates after that... I didn't expect to be talking about actual NEWS, and certainly not breaking news on... well, just see!

So, the first of the In Between Dreams shows happened yesterday... or today... or whatever. Now unfortunately, no setlist or really any live reports have come out. So sorry about the lack of any information there. Will post more info as it comes available. There has been a bit of info put out about the shows though. First off, Blue Note Tokyo will be serving a special drink during these shows called TYRONE'S OBSCURITY, which contains Pastis and lychees (which look kind of like eyeballs...). I'd love to try an official Residents drink! Anyway, Blue Note has also talked about at least some of the official goods, including classic eyeball shirts (of course!) and The Ghost of Hope in both vinyl and CD forms! I think some people have gotten the album a bit early and have been a bit quiet about it... but Blue Note has specifically stated on their website that the album would available at these shows prior to official release.

Anyway, I hear that Hein Fokker instagrammed this staff access badge from the show out. And it's pretty awesome! It's interesting to see the show being called by an actual Japanese name, 夢の中で ("Yume no naka de"), which could be translated as... well, "In Between Dreams". The text on the bottom just literally says "All Access".

One last bit of news is that Blue Note has put out an interview with The Residents... and, well if you've followed this thread before, then you know it means it's TRANSLATION TIME. I knew this interview was going to be great when I saw this quote from it: 「トランプは"The Ghost of Nope"」... That got my attention... and as you read my horrible translation, you'll see why it caught my eye! But seriously... we have some truly amazing info here in this interview on the show and maybe some other things...

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Original article is here: http://www.bluenote.co.jp/jp/news/features/8011/
New costumes also unveiled! Interview with The Residents just before their performance



Is it a dream, a phantom, a shadow, darkness, or all of that? The Residents... Those Residents from America that come. To Japan. From March 21 to the 23, they'll be doing their first performance in 32 years and they came to take our questions in an interview. What is this world-premier program, "In Between Dreams"? What are The Residents', who have reached 45 years of activity, current status?

interview & text = Manabu Yuasa
[Translator's note: This is the guy who did the Medama no Gakkou event, as well as the DOMMUNE event, and translated Uncle Willie's guide. At this point, think of him as part of the Japanese branch of the Cryptic Corporation.]

This time, this Japan show "In Between Dreams" is called a world premiere, but what is the theme or concept of this program?

It's even in the title, the concept is "dreams". The Residents have chosen songs that meet this concept from their vast repertoire for this show. Also, for the show, there are videos produced with characters talking about "dreams". This time the costumes are modeled after plague doctors. These doctors believe that disease has spread all over the world, and they believe that it can be cured only by dreams created by The Residents or escaping to created worlds.

Why was Japan chosen as the place for the world premiere?

Since The Residents first performed in Japan in 1985, I think they've always wanted to come back. There were plans for a small Japan tour in 2011, but they were canceled by the earthquake disaster. So this time, when they heard from the agent that there was potential for being able to go to the Blue Note Tokyo, they were really looking forward to it.

How did you come to this work, or what was it's motivation?

The beginning motivation was this Japanese show. The Residents weren't planning anything in particular for their 2017 tour. But their motivation for new works was inspired from this unexpected offer.

How is it related to past work of The Residents?

Basically it's just new arrangements of existing works. However, there are also some new songs unveiled, and some from a new project, "The Fixie Man" will be performed.

Can we hear a bit more about "The Fixie Man"?

It's a very dramatic pieces. A piece based on an albino blues singer from the 1960's.
(Translator's note: Japanese doesn't have plurals, so I don't know if it's supposed to be "piece" or "pieces")

Is there any relationship between the new Residents album "The Ghost of Hope" and "In Between Dreams"? And if so, what is it?

They will also be playing songs from The Ghost of Hope on this stage. The Ghost of Hope is themed around train accidents, and it's also a metaphor for the darkness of western civilization. The darkness cannot vanish until the world learns how to dream again. The Residents have appeared to help with that.

It's the first time in 37 years that The Residents have come to Japan, but in those 37 years, have their been any changes in The Residents? Can I please get the facts?

The years have piled on, they've grown wiser, and they have children and even grandchildren. Hair has become grey, and they don't eat as much as they used to. But they are by no means gloomy, and even now get excited to discover fun day by day.

A few comments on arriving at 45 years of your activities. Are there any special feelings?

It feels like a very long time has passed since the beginning of The Residents. However, the future is always open just like it was 45 years ago, and they are still full of new ideas.

If you could describe 45 years of The Residents in one word, how would you?

Perseverance

Please tell me about any ongoing projects right now.

A stage show based on the 1988 album "God in Three Persons" is in production. Also, they're starting to rebuild the experimental film "Vileness Fats" which had its production stopped incomplete in the 70's.

Is there taboo for The Residents? If so, what kind of things?

The Residents don't like rules.

What is The Residents' favorite food?

Well to start, The Residents is a 4 person group so each has their own favorite.

This is a very difficult question, but if The Residents were forced to be pushed into a music genre, where would they be? (Multiple genres are acceptable)

The Residents will only be categorized into their own genres.

What are The Residents' thoughts on US President Donald Trump?

They try not to think about him as much as possible, but that's difficult. He is certainly "The Ghost of Nope".


The new costume for "In Between Dreams" was shocking. What will the sound be like? It would be fortunate if you could see it in a dream. Make the eyeballs long and let's wait.