R&B band HALLEY

I want to share the Halley sound with the world.

From left: (Gt.) Toyama Haru, Waseda University, School of Fundamental Science and Engineering; (Drs.) Shimizu Naoto, International Christian University, School of Liberal Arts; (keyboard) Nishiyama Shin, Waseda University, School of Education; (Ba.) Takahashi Kei, Waseda University, School of International Liberal Arts; (Vo.) Chang Tae Hyun, Sophia University, School of Global Studies.

HALLEY(Halley)

■ Profile
A five-member R&B band based in Tokyo, consisting of Chang Tae-hyun (Vo.), Toyama Haru (Gt.), Nishiyama Shin (Key), Takahashi Kei (Ba.), and Shimizu Naoto (Drs.).
Formed in May 2021 after meeting at the Waseda University Black Music Circle "theNaleio." Strongly influenced by Jazz, R&B, Soul, Gospel, Funk, and more, their sound is characterized by a pop sound that also evokes the context of Black music.

HALLEY is an R&B band made up of five current university students. They are currently a promising new band, attracting attention not only in Japan but around the world. We spoke to the members of HALLEY: Chang Tae-hyun (Vocals), Toyama Haru (Guitar), Nishiyama Shin (Keys), Takahashi Tsugu (Ba) and Shimizu Naoto (Drs).

■What was your life like before forming HALLEY?

Clear mountain climbing: I was born in Hong Kong and spent my time there until I was in my third year of junior high school. When I was 13, my father bought me a guitar, and that's how I got into music. I enjoyed it so much that I considered going to a music college to study guitar, but I wanted to be involved with music in a different way, so I became interested in the Department of Expression Engineering at Waseda University. With the goal of getting into that department, I took the entrance exam for Waseda University's affiliated high school and came to Japan when I was accepted. After successfully enrolling, I joined the folk song club and became passionate about music. I feel like I was exposed to a variety of music genres, including UK rock covers and session music.

Tsutomu Takahashi: My father was a pastor, so I attended church from a young age. I had some superficial knowledge of Christianity, but I wanted to learn more about Christianity in order to establish my own identity. I then enrolled in the School of International Liberal Studies at Waseda University, where I studied not only Christian philosophy but also various other philosophies, including Greek and Indian thought. I think that through this, I began to believe that "it's okay to be myself." Also, while attending church, I often listened to gospel and Hillsong from a young age. My lifestyle at that time has influenced my musical taste today, and gospel is still my favorite music. Then, after meeting the members of HALLEY and working with them, I reaffirmed my love for black music.

■Why did you form the band "HALLEY" with these members?

Zhang Taixian: We met at a welcome session for The Naleio, a black music club at Waseda University. The club has a rule that "you can't join unless you can form a band for session music." We all came there with different thoughts and circumstances. However, due to a combination of various reasons, including the fact that we were in the same year, we decided to form a session with the current members. And it was this session that led to the formation of HALLEY. It was a combination of coincidence and miracle, but in a way I think it was fate.

Shin Nishiyama: I think one of the reasons we decided to form a band was because we had similar musical tastes and passion. We felt that commonality strongly at Kichijoji's Warp Live. Although we were a band within a club, the members had talked about wanting to perform live outside of school. However, in order to perform live outside, we needed our own songs, so naturally we had to create our own songs. I think that as we worked on creating music, we all took our music seriously. In that environment, even though we didn't say it out loud, we realized that we had similar passion and tastes, and I think that's what gave us hope of continuing as a band.

Naoto Shimizu: Shortly after we formed the band, our activities came to a halt when Taehyung went to study abroad. It was a big decision to leave a newly formed band without a vocalist. However, even though it had only been about three months since we met, we had already developed a sense of unity as a band by that time. We never thought about "breaking up," and we didn't stop our musical activities even when we were down to four.

■ Thoughts on the first album "From Dusk Till Dawn"

Zhang Taixian: We resumed activities a year after I went abroad to study. Once we all got together again, we moved very quickly, producing 5-6 songs in one summer. We decided to make an album because we wanted to leave behind our music, including the songs we had written before going abroad.

Naoto Shimizu: We faced many challenges in producing the album. For us, who had no experience, it was extremely difficult to record the songs we had written. However, we all faced music together for over a year, and in the process of continuing to pursue our ideals, I feel that we have grown a lot as individuals.

Clear mountain climbing: "From Dusk Till Dawn" is our first album. I feel that the first album of famous bands is often good, so rather than making a "hit album," we wanted to make an album that "people who like HALLEY will feel is 'good' when they listen to it." Looking back, there were some difficult times, but I think we were able to make a good album that will serve as the "origin" for us as HALLEY.

■ What is the appeal of playing music in a band?

Tsutomu Takahashi: Since I started working with HALLEY, I feel like what I want to do has changed. Previously, I wanted to support artists as a studio musician. However, as I continued working with them, I began to want to pursue what I think is good music. Perhaps it's because I realized how much fun it is to pursue my ideals. In that sense, I feel that the band format suits me, as it's an environment that makes it easy to pursue the music of my dreams. Of course, there are difficult times and things don't go well when making music with other members, but I strongly believe that the joy and sense of accomplishment that surpasses these challenges.

■ Future outlook

Naoto Shimizu: Because we are a multinational band formed by members with different roots, we want the Halley sound to resonate not only in Japan but throughout Asia. Although we are a band born in Japan, we don't think our target is just Japan. Just like we participated in the 2024 SXSWMusic Festival in Texas, we want the name "HALLEY" to be known in various places.

Tsutomu Takahashi: We've also decided to hold a solo tour in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka from the end of November. We'll be performing two new songs, so please look forward to it.

■Message to university students

Shin Nishiyama: I think that during your time as a university student, you will have the opportunity to experience many things. Make the most of this opportunity and try to find something that you like.

Naoto Shimizu: University is supposed to be a place to expand your possibilities, but I think there are many students who end up limiting their own possibilities. I hope that students will cherish the encounters and experiences they can only have at university, and expand the possibilities they have.

Tsutomu Takahashi: During your time as a university student, you will have to consider your potential and personality and make decisions about your life. When you come across such situations, I hope you will make choices that you will not regret, so that you can say with confidence that you have no regrets.

Clear mountain climbing: I don't think university is just a place to study. While I'm active in a band, I'm often told, "It's great that you're doing what you love," but I personally feel uncomfortable with those words. I think there are many university students who haven't found what they love or what they want to do. However, I'm sure everyone has something they find "fun." I want university to be a place where you can experience as many of those things that you find fun as possible.

Zhang Taixian: I want them to proactively take on the challenges they want to try but find difficult. I want them to take on the challenges that make them feel cool and happy. So that they can be proud of themselves. I want them to work hard at everything they do, without cutting corners.

Student Newspaper Online (Student Newspaper October 1, 2024 issue: Amazing! University Students) by Waka Watanabe, second-year student at International Christian University

Chang Tae-hyun, Takahashi Tsugu, Shimizu Naoto, International Christian University second-year student Watanabe Waka, Sophia University third-year student Ikehama Momoka, Toyama Haru, Nishiyama Shin