As the news of RADWIMPS involvement with the music of the upcoming Makoto Shinkai film “Suzume” (set to hit theaters in Japan on Nov. 11) still garnering attention, the band announces the release of the original soundtrack “Suzume” also scheduled for Nov. 11, 2022.
Theme song of the film “Suzume feat. Toaka” is also available now digitally worldwide. The song is featured on the movie trailer and the female singer behind this song is Toaka, a popular voice on TikTok. “I felt a connection between Toaka’s voice and this music that no one could sever,” says Yojiro Noda of RADWIMPS on Toaka’s one-of-a-kind voice.
First feature film by Shinkai in 3 years, “Suzume” takes place in various ruins around Japan as a girl named Suzume, goes on a journey to close the “Doors of Disasters.” Nanoka Hara (voice of Suzume) and Hokuto Matsumura (voice of Sota) have been announced as voice casts so far. On the latest trailer with overwhelming and mystical visual, various landscapes of Japan and Suzume’s voice were revealed for the first time. On the brand-new trailer, you can also check out the snippet of the instrumental track from the OST.
OST Release Info
RADWIMPS
Original Soundtrack “Suzume”
Coming Nov. 11, 2022 worldwide
Movie Info
Theatrical Release Date (JP): Nov. 11, 2022
Title: “Suzume”
Director/Screenplay/Story: Makoto Shinkai
© 2022 “Suzume” Film Partners
Listen here: https://lnk.to/RADsuzume
Story:
17-year-old Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob…
Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these gates to prevent further disaster.
The stars
The sunset
The morning sky
Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky—
Guided by these mysterious doors, Suzume’s journey to close doors is about to begin.
[Official Website] https://suzume-tojimari-movie.jp/
[Twitter] https://twitter.com/suzume_tojimari
[Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/suzumenotojimari_official/
[TikTok] https://www.tiktok.com/@suzumenotojimariofficial?_t=8VQFcnSSR7Z&_r=1
From Yojiro Noda
“I first received the offer back in Spring of 2020, right as Japan and the rest of the world was about to enter two years of uncertainty and restriction. Reading the screenplay gave me the opportunity to expand my imagination and think about what I can do with the medium of music.
Kazuma and I met recently at London’s Abbey Road Studios to record the orchestra. A collaboration with someone of Kazuma’s caliber, having worked on both films and video games, has given me an experience I cannot describe in words. It has broadened my horizons. It would be an honor to work with him again, and I am personally excited to see how the film’s score turns out.
For our female vocalist, we auditioned several talented singers, but it was the moment Toaka began to sing the opening ‘Lah la la la la la lah la~’ of the theme song ‘Suzume’ when I knew we had our star. She was the only choice for the part. I felt a connection between Toaka’s voice and this music that no one could sever. It was a pleasure to capture her vocals that only she can produce at this age and this moment in time.”
From Toaka
“I couldn’t believe it when they first told me I would be singing the main theme song for the film. Emotions of shock and anxiety overcame me instantly, and I spent the next few days with my mind completely blank.
At the audition, it was my first time ever recording anything. I was so nervous my voice was trembling – I remember my voice being very breathy. But, when I received the accompaniment for the theme song ‘Suzume’ I thought about how I would want to express this song, and the vision became clear.
When it came time to finally record the theme, I let that vision guide me and tried to fully express myself in a way that both the sounds and words would resonate. I feel I left nothing on the table and could be myself.
As the trailer was revealed and I heard my voice coming through the speakers, I had goosebumps like never before. I’m ecstatic to be part of RADWIMPS’ intricate melody and Director Shinkai’s beautiful world that will touch audiences’ hearts.”
About Toaka
Born in Tokyo in 2003, Toaka’s musical journey began when she joined her middle school brass band playing the oboe. In high school, she formed the band she has always dreamed of, but sadly had to disband after only one year, which is when she turned to the acoustic guitar and started writing songs on her own.
Giving herself until the end of high school, she pursued the path of a musician occasionally playing live performances but also had to give up that path. Still, deep down she couldn’t completely let go of music and began recording herself singing in her own closet, posting her recordings on TikTok.
Her unique voice, that alters its expression based on what she sings, captivated audiences starting with her original song, “Mermaid Princess,” and continued to the various cover videos she has uploaded, resulting in TikTok followers who quickly grew in numbers.
It was that exact voice that landed on “Suzume’s” musical teams’ ears, when she auditioned for the part to sing the theme song. Her delicate singing voice that occasionally betrays expectation with a certain innocence and sorrowful look. Her raw “diamond in the rough” talents that can morph and rise to the occasion has earned her the opportunity to collaborate with Yojiro Noda and Director Shinkai.
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@toaka_desu
Twitter https://twitter.com/toaka_desu
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/toaka_desu/
From Director Makoto Shinkai
“Almost as soon as I finished the first draft of ‘Suzume’s’ screenplay, I shared it with Yojiro without a second thought. I knew the musical demands of ‘Suzume’ would be quite different from the previous two films, giving the audience an striking musical experience. RADWIMPS was one of the few musical talents that I could count on to help me make that discovery.
Throughout the two-year production process of the film, I was fortunate to meet Toaka’s unparalleled voice and Kazuma’s movie scoring experience, which greatly affected the film’s sounds elevating it to another level.I am confident we have achieved something worthy of calling a ‘theatrical music experience’ and hope that everyone gets the chance to experience the film in theaters.”
About Makoto Shinkai
Born in Nagano Prefecture, Japan in 1973, Makoto Shinkai made his commercial debut with the short film he produced on his own, “Voices of a Distant Star.”
Since then, every project he directed has been very well-received, including the 2004 “The Place Promised in Our Early Days” which won the Animated Feature awards at the 59th Mainichi Film Concours; the 2007 “5 Centimeters Per Second” which won the Best Animated Feature Film awards at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards; the 2011 “Children Who Chase Lost Voices,” which won the 8th Annual CICAF “Golden Monkey King” award; and the 2013 “The Garden of Words”, which won the Best Feature Animation award at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film.
More recently, his 2016 film “Your Name.” became an international sensation and social phenomenon, smashing Japanese box office records and winning the Best Screenplay award at the 40th Japan Academy Awards, as well as the 42nd Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Feature.
Makoto was quick to follow up that success with his 2019 picture, “Weathering with You,” which represented Japan for the Best International Feature Film in the 92nd Academy Awards. Furthermore, in India,’ it garnered more than 50,000 signatures petitioning its theatrical release, which made it the first Japanese original animation to achieve a commercial theatrical release in India.
RADWIMPS are…
Yojiro Noda (vo/gt/pf), Yusuke Takeda (ba)
(Satoshi Yamaguchi (Dr) and Akira Kuwahara (Gt) are currently on hiatus)
Formed in 2001, Japanese 4-piece band Radwimps made their major label debut in 2005. Soon after, they garnered a broad fan base, with the younger generation at the core. The band has released nine studio albums thus far. The band’s creation of music for record-breaking animated feature films “Your Name.” and “Weathering with You” led to recognitions at the Japanese Academy Award for Best Original Score. Their musical activities go far beyond Japan, including touring extensively around the world.
In Nov. 2021, the band released their latest studio album “FOREVER DAZE” and went on the road for nationwide tour to support the album. “FOREVER DAZE” was written and recorded throughout the pandemic and speaks to the musical challenges the guys faced, their hopes moving forward and features a diverse group of collaborators and experimental elements. The album welcomed guest artists including the famous actor/singer Masaki Suda, as well as two of the most up-and-coming artists, Awich and iri
For more info, visit RADWIMPS Official Website>>> https://radwimps.jp/
RADWIMPS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radwimps_jp/
Yojiro Noda Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoji_noda/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/radwimpsstaff