Last Updated on 2025-03-23 by a-indie
About the Debut Song with 1 Million Plays
ーThe debut song was released with the band name as the title, what was the intention behind that? Also, this song has been played 1 million times on Spotify, how did you take this number of plays?
There was no special meaning. It was our first song, and at that time we felt that this song was really like us, so I remember deciding on the title “orange flavored cigarettes” without hesitation. It is no exaggeration to say that we are who we are today because of this song. We received more love than expected in various places, and at first, we were really surprised. love y’all! 🧡🧡
About the Impressive Artwork
ー(Related to the above question) How much did you think about visual expressions such as artwork and photos before your debut?
Rather, I don’t think we thought about it much. The artwork is the first impression of the music.
I have always thought that all genres of art are not far from each other. We just expressed the story with music. In that respect, the artwork is the most primitive work that visualizes our music.
We consulted with the artists we respect about these parts, and as soon as the song was completed, we shared it with the artists and collaborated. Every time the artwork was finished, I felt like the song was finally completed.
The first phase was from “orange flavored cigarettes” to “cosmopolitan” with the artist Heesoo Kim, the second phase was from “pepper” to “melting tides” with the artist Jang Hunyoung, and we collaborated with a total of 3 artists until “Oliver” in “table #2.” Such collaboration always gave us inspiration.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the artists again.
ーYou have used consistent artwork from your debut to the EP release, what was the intention behind that? Also, if you have any criteria for choosing artwork, please tell us.
There was no special intention. We did not get involved in the artwork, and we left it entirely to the artists. As ofc’s discography flows with us, the covers have naturally flowed with the music and have accumulated to create continuity.
ーSince your debut, you have only used the band logo and have not released artist photos, what is the reason why you released the photos for the first time with this release?
It wasn’t the first photo we released. Actually, there were about two member changes. Maybe you felt that way because we didn’t leave the previous photos (laughs).
siracusa
ーDoes the latest song “siracusa” mean Syracuse in Italy? This song has a faster tempo than before, please tell us the production intention.
Sicily’s Syracuse is the correct answer. While working while imagining the wonderful scenery, we completed a faster song that is more active than usual. I happened to see a film photo taken in Syracuse while preparing a new song, and it was really wonderful. I wanted to fill it with that scenery, so I watched the movie “The Godfather” again after a long time to immerse myself in it. The Corleone family is from Sicily, isn’t it (laughs). I think I added the unique fun of this song while incorporating such elements into the lyrics.
ーIn December 2024, “ofc phase 1&2” was released on CD in Japan, and in March of this year, “life goes on / table #2” will be released on analog. Is the physical release the first time in Japan? Also, what does physical release mean to you in an era where streaming is the mainstream?
Not only is it the first time in Japan, but it’s the first time in my life! It’s a very exciting event.
hotch: It’s not my first time (laughs).
Our music has a deep-rooted nostalgia for the past. We also collect quite a lot of CDs and vinyls. Streaming is really convenient and good, but there is definitely something in physical albums that you can’t find there. Every time I come to Japan, I stop by Tower Records, and when I saw our album there, my heart was about to explode (laughs).
Message to Fans
ーThere are many Japanese fans who have already purchased the CD, fans who are about to purchase the analog, and fans who are waiting for orange flavored cigarettes’ performance in Japan. Please give a message to the Japanese fans.
Hello. This is orange flavored cigarettes. First of all, Happy New Year (this email interview was conducted in early January).
Thanks to your love, we were able to proudly end 2024 with the release of the CD and single, and start 2025 strongly with the release of the vinyl. Thank you. We are planning to do some offline activities this year, but we sincerely hope to see you in Japan as well.
The cold days continue, so please take care not to catch a cold. I hope that everything planned for this year will come true. Even if it doesn’t come true, let’s be happy anyway.
We would be happy if you could also have a lot of interest in orange flavored cigarettes’ “phase 1&2” CD and the vinyl containing the two EPs. Thank you! 🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♂️
ofc phase 1&2
orange flavored cigarettes “ofc phase 1&2”
Release date: 2024.12.11
Format: CD
Label: P-VINE
Track list:
1. orange flavored cigarettes
2. noah
3. kontrast
4. life goes on
5. plastic body
6. that’s all i want
7. te amo
8. cosmopolitan
9. pepper
10. vanishing
11. carefree
12. carol
13. melting tides
14. ahoy
15. dune
16. kafka
17. sole
See on Amazon
orange flavored cigarettes “life goes on / table #2”
Release date: 2025.03.12
Format: LP
Label: P-VINE
Track list:
SIDE A (life goes on)
1. kontrast
2. life goes on
3. plastic body
4. that’s all I want
SIDE B (table #2)
1. ahoy
2. dune
3. kafka
4. sole
See at P-Vine Store
Writer: Tomohiro Yabe (yabori)
Editor-in-chief of BELONG Media/A-indie. Since 2010, he has been writing the music blog “Timeless Masterpiece,” which became the predecessor of BELONG.
After writing for “only in dreams,” which is hosted by Masafumi Gotoh, the vocalist of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, he majored in music business at a music vocational school.
He has been writing articles on Japanese and overseas music for over 10 years.
In the past, he was in charge of garage rock, psychedelic rock, and Japanese indie rock at a music CD rental shop with over 100,000 albums.
Taking advantage of these experiences, he has published 26 issues of the music magazine “BELONG Magazine” with the theme of “roots rock.”
Currently, he is writing articles based on SEO measures learned at a web production company. His hobby is watching “Kaiun! Nandemo Kanteidan.”
Click here for articles written so far
Twitter: @boriboriyabori
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.