Текст с Bandcamp’а: “FOXP2 is the gene required for proper acquisition of speech and language. We picked it as our band name for two reasons: one is that it riffs on the idea of music as a language, but it’s also a reference to my own journey with the creative use of language through music, specifically Japanese. In high school, a chance clicking of a YouTube link sent Scott and I down the rabbit hole of Japanese rock, where we found a lot of our favourite bands and I explored my own identity with the Japanese rock scene as a kind of pivot. I grew curious about the creative use of Japanese after searching for translations for favourite songs, of which the translations were really clunky and awkward. It’s the same in English - certain words and phrases just don’t translate well, and this is exacerbated in a creative context. I wanted to understand these songs with all the lyrical connotations intact, rather than a filtered literal meaning version, so I started studying Japanese. I’m not at that level yet, but that’s what I’m aiming for! The Japanese translations for Hanabi and Starcrossing were done by my friend Yoshiko (who did an incredible, incredible job of retaining meaning whilst still sounding natural AND matching syllable lengths!). These translations have helped turn Hanabi // Starcrossing into an experiment in creative bilingualism. What changes over the language barrier? What stays the same? It’s been a lot of fun playing with these ideas, using the music itself as a kind of control. And how does the music itself link with the lyrics?! So many variables! - Josh 隣にいていい?僕ら似てるね。 「離れてよう」なんて言わないでよ。 Oh~君に思いを馳せて夜空見上げ溜息。 星明り霞んでる。 ネオンが眩しい。 ねえ、安らぎはこの町にあるの? もう目離さないで、僕を見てよ。 暗い過去にgoodbye。 悩まなくていい、花火でも見よう。 傷はうずくけど僕が守る、誰よりも。 手に負えない、ままならぬ浮世。 けど君だけは諦めたくない。 いつも手さぐり。どこにいるの? 近くにいたい、大切な君の。 全て打ちあけるよ。 空に輝く花が咲いているね。 二人、花舞うこの空の下 思い出すよ、心折れそうな苦い日々を。 もう目離さないで僕を見てよ。 暗い過去にgoodbye。 悩まなくていい、花火でも見よう。 傷はうずくけど僕が守る、誰よりも。 君を。 from Hanabi // Starcrossing, released March 23, 2016 Music: FOXP2 Lyrics: Josh Julian Guitar and Vocals: Josh Julian Bass: Scott Stattmann (Drums performed by Brodie Julian Recorded and mixed at Blackhaus Studios, Adelaide)“
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