![NSDP – Interview by Jen Wang
[excerpt]What inspired the band’s concept of “breaking all walls into doors”?
Ash: One thing maybe is I got bullied a lot as a kid. If people didn’t bring me here, I’d probably pass the people I’ve met this weekend by. That’s a wall that makes me not do stuff. I’d like to think that you can go through all doors instead.
Read the complete interview at JRock247!
http://jrock247.com/2013/06/nsdp-interview-2013/](http://24.media.tumblr.com/22eed3f6d6db103f294933ff93fdbb5f/tumblr_mommt5Is7c1rn99mao1_500.jpg)
NSDP – Interview by Jen Wang
[excerpt]
What inspired the band’s concept of “breaking all walls into doors”?
Ash: One thing maybe is I got bullied a lot as a kid. If people didn’t bring me here, I’d probably pass the people I’ve met this weekend by. That’s a wall that makes me not do stuff. I’d like to think that you can go through all doors instead.
Read the complete interview at JRock247!
http://jrock247.com/2013/06/nsdp-interview-2013/
![TRIAMPERSANDY
JRock247 Interview by Nhu Nguyen
[excerpt]TRIAMPERSANDY is a unique sounding band name! How did you all come up with this name?
G-YUN: It’s the combination of a triangle and an ampersand. When we were thinking about the band name, off the top of G-YUNcoSANDYs head appeared a triangle with a sketched logo of a flickering “&”. This served as inspiration. That is why we became TRIAMPERSANDY. We wanted to create a name that reflected the following idea: There is a TRIAMPERSAND planet, and the people of that planet live a fun, musical lifestyle. SANDY adds a good feeling, so it makes up a good name.
Read the complete interview on JRock247!
http://jrock247.com/2013/05/triampersandy-interview-2013](http://25.media.tumblr.com/0035d816281e83f2ae701c69c98f4294/tumblr_mm7akrNg1A1rn99mao1_500.jpg)
TRIAMPERSANDY
JRock247 Interview by Nhu Nguyen
[excerpt]
TRIAMPERSANDY is a unique sounding band name! How did you all come up with this name?
G-YUN: It’s the combination of a triangle and an ampersand. When we were thinking about the band name, off the top of G-YUNcoSANDYs head appeared a triangle with a sketched logo of a flickering “&”. This served as inspiration. That is why we became TRIAMPERSANDY. We wanted to create a name that reflected the following idea: There is a TRIAMPERSAND planet, and the people of that planet live a fun, musical lifestyle. SANDY adds a good feeling, so it makes up a good name.
Read the complete interview on JRock247!
http://jrock247.com/2013/05/triampersandy-interview-2013
![Hemenway
JRock247 interview by Jen Wang
[excerpt]
Why did you choose to title your EP, Uraheme – Welcome to the Other Side?
Hemenway: “Ura” means “Back” in English, and we chose this title because Hemenway has many musical backgrounds. We wanted to show that in this album, since our past three singles were much more pop, we tried something heavier and rock.
What made you choose to cover Perfume? Will we see more electronic influences in the future?
Hemenway: Perfume always has been our favorite group, and we always had an idea that if we turn their songs into rock, we simply thought it would be cool. Musically, their melodies and chords are very pop, but at the same time they always challenge for something different and exotic, and we think that’s very similar to Hemenway’s musical style. We’ll definitely have more electronic influences in our music in the future.
Read the complete interview on JRock247!
http://jrock247.com/2013/02/hemenway-interview-2013](http://25.media.tumblr.com/524c35d65cdafbcabfb8bf35eb2da407/tumblr_mit14r5zal1rn99mao1_500.jpg)
Hemenway
JRock247 interview by Jen Wang
[excerpt]
Why did you choose to title your EP, Uraheme – Welcome to the Other Side?
Hemenway: “Ura” means “Back” in English, and we chose this title because Hemenway has many musical backgrounds. We wanted to show that in this album, since our past three singles were much more pop, we tried something heavier and rock.
What made you choose to cover Perfume? Will we see more electronic influences in the future?
Hemenway: Perfume always has been our favorite group, and we always had an idea that if we turn their songs into rock, we simply thought it would be cool. Musically, their melodies and chords are very pop, but at the same time they always challenge for something different and exotic, and we think that’s very similar to Hemenway’s musical style. We’ll definitely have more electronic influences in our music in the future.
Read the complete interview on JRock247!
http://jrock247.com/2013/02/hemenway-interview-2013
![AKI AKANE - first interview in English!
JRock247 Interview by Nhu Nguyen
[excerpt]Fans have given you the nickname “Screaming Cinderella”. What do you think of this nickname?
Akane: I must admit that I feel a bit uncomfortable with it. It’s a strange name, don’t you think? On the other hand, it’s interesting to me that the nickname spread naturally, without me having to say it.
Last year, you released two albums — your debut album Boroboro na Ikizama and DRAGONFLY. What was the difference in the recording process of these two releases?
Akane: The first album Boroboro na Ikizama is made of tracks I recorded at home. I recorded them in the same environment you have when you post videos on Nico Nico Douga. As for the second album, DRAGONFLY, it was recorded in a studio, because I wanted to face new challenges.
What is your favorite song on DRAGONFLY?
Akane: I like them all, but I if I have to pick one, it would be “HEAT”. It’s just the right melody, easy for me to sing, and also the track which reflects me the most.
Read the complete interview on JRock247!
http://jrock247.com/2013/02/aki-akane-interview-2013/](http://24.media.tumblr.com/c5213d14062982a1e893887183bb7113/tumblr_mij6uoX19d1rn99mao1_500.jpg)
AKI AKANE - first interview in English!
JRock247 Interview by Nhu Nguyen
[excerpt]
Fans have given you the nickname “Screaming Cinderella”. What do you think of this nickname?
Akane: I must admit that I feel a bit uncomfortable with it. It’s a strange name, don’t you think? On the other hand, it’s interesting to me that the nickname spread naturally, without me having to say it.
Last year, you released two albums — your debut album Boroboro na Ikizama and DRAGONFLY. What was the difference in the recording process of these two releases?
Akane: The first album Boroboro na Ikizama is made of tracks I recorded at home. I recorded them in the same environment you have when you post videos on Nico Nico Douga. As for the second album, DRAGONFLY, it was recorded in a studio, because I wanted to face new challenges.
What is your favorite song on DRAGONFLY?
Akane: I like them all, but I if I have to pick one, it would be “HEAT”. It’s just the right melody, easy for me to sing, and also the track which reflects me the most.
Read the complete interview on JRock247!
http://jrock247.com/2013/02/aki-akane-interview-2013/
![Yoko Yazawa
JRock247 interview by David Cirone
[excerpt]
Why are you so attracted to the rock genre? If you’re a female singer in Japan, isn’t it safer to sing light, happy pop music?
Yazawa: While I was living in Los Angeles, all I listened to was big hits on TV. I moved back to Japan to go to university, then my friend coincidentally introduced me to what’s called “Mentai Rock” (unique rock bands from Kyuushuu area) such as THE ROOSTERS, THE MODS, THE ROCKERS. I was unbelievably shocked. I was so attracted to the choice of the words for their lyrics and the speed of the songs. It was like “This is it! Nothing else!! I’ll devote my life to this!!” (laughs) Since then, I’ve listened to so much rock music from 1960’s to 2000’s, including oldies.
Why did you collaborate with The Plasmars for ROUTE 405? Was there anything different in your songwriting process this time?
Yazawa: My “Senpai’s” have been saying to me “Why not do this as a band?” and “It’s hard to tell you’re doing rock or something else when you’re solo.” The final decision was made when I was at a live show with Guitar Wolf in August last year. Seigi-san said “OK! I will name the band! THE PLASMARS!!” and it was decided at that moment. (laughs) This time, I wrote all of the songs with the band members including the arrangements, and we were always saying “Not like this! Not like that!” to each other. It was really fun.
Read the complete interview at JRock247!](http://25.media.tumblr.com/df43266cbda19683e1f5c7a26bdaa75d/tumblr_mhnx96pQuH1rn99mao1_500.jpg)
Yoko Yazawa
JRock247 interview by David Cirone
[excerpt]
Why are you so attracted to the rock genre? If you’re a female singer in Japan, isn’t it safer to sing light, happy pop music?
Yazawa: While I was living in Los Angeles, all I listened to was big hits on TV. I moved back to Japan to go to university, then my friend coincidentally introduced me to what’s called “Mentai Rock” (unique rock bands from Kyuushuu area) such as THE ROOSTERS, THE MODS, THE ROCKERS. I was unbelievably shocked. I was so attracted to the choice of the words for their lyrics and the speed of the songs. It was like “This is it! Nothing else!! I’ll devote my life to this!!” (laughs) Since then, I’ve listened to so much rock music from 1960’s to 2000’s, including oldies.
Why did you collaborate with The Plasmars for ROUTE 405? Was there anything different in your songwriting process this time?
Yazawa: My “Senpai’s” have been saying to me “Why not do this as a band?” and “It’s hard to tell you’re doing rock or something else when you’re solo.” The final decision was made when I was at a live show with Guitar Wolf in August last year. Seigi-san said “OK! I will name the band! THE PLASMARS!!” and it was decided at that moment. (laughs) This time, I wrote all of the songs with the band members including the arrangements, and we were always saying “Not like this! Not like that!” to each other. It was really fun.
![Tokyohive interview with exist†trace
[excerpt]Did you have any time off to explore the cities during the tour?
Mally: In New York, we had time to go sightseeing. We went shopping in Times Square, and went to Ground Zero. I think we all found a lot of memories from New York, especially. Also, to tell you the truth, there are certain places we always visit when we go overseas — McDonald’s and drugstores. At McDonald’s, they have items that are not in Japan, and the drink sizes are totally different! We have a lot of fun comparing things. “Look at this! Look at that!” [laughing]Read complete interview](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m660rhQ5WV1rn99mao1_500.jpg)
Tokyohive interview with exist†trace
[excerpt]
Did you have any time off to explore the cities during the tour?
Mally: In New York, we had time to go sightseeing. We went shopping in Times Square, and went to Ground Zero. I think we all found a lot of memories from New York, especially. Also, to tell you the truth, there are certain places we always visit when we go overseas — McDonald’s and drugstores. At McDonald’s, they have items that are not in Japan, and the drink sizes are totally different! We have a lot of fun comparing things. “Look at this! Look at that!” [laughing]
Read complete interview
![exist†trace – Interview (2012)
[excerpt]Who first had the idea to name the album “VIRGIN”? It’s a provocative word — did anyone laugh or feel strange about it?
miko: No one laughed or felt strange about it. You’re right, it’s a powerful word, but we thought it’s a proper word for the 1st major album by this all-female band exist†trace. Personally, I think the word “VIRGIN” has meanings like “straight” and “pure”. Each of the 13 songs on this album has a heroine who walks straight towards their own goals. I think this idea fits perfectly with the word “VIRGIN”. How did the band decide which “TRUE” / “THE LAST DAYBREAK” songs to include on “VIRGIN”?
miko: It was difficult to choose because all of the songs are cool. For the people who might listen to exist†trace for the first time on this album, we chose straight, “exist†trace-Rock” songs, and songs that only we can create.Visual kei fans give praise to bands that act strong, but they usually turn away from bands that show a gentle side. Do you think you’re taking a risk by creating playful songs like “GINGER”, “Kiss in the Dark”, and “Little Mary…”?Read the complete interview…](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5ph58nzYz1rn99mao1_500.jpg)
exist†trace – Interview (2012)
[excerpt]
Who first had the idea to name the album “VIRGIN”? It’s a provocative word — did anyone laugh or feel strange about it?
miko: No one laughed or felt strange about it. You’re right, it’s a powerful word, but we thought it’s a proper word for the 1st major album by this all-female band exist†trace. Personally, I think the word “VIRGIN” has meanings like “straight” and “pure”. Each of the 13 songs on this album has a heroine who walks straight towards their own goals. I think this idea fits perfectly with the word “VIRGIN”.
How did the band decide which “TRUE” / “THE LAST DAYBREAK” songs to include on “VIRGIN”?
miko: It was difficult to choose because all of the songs are cool. For the people who might listen to exist†trace for the first time on this album, we chose straight, “exist†trace-Rock” songs, and songs that only we can create.
Visual kei fans give praise to bands that act strong, but they usually turn away from bands that show a gentle side. Do you think you’re taking a risk by creating playful songs like “GINGER”, “Kiss in the Dark”, and “Little Mary…”?
Read the complete interview…
RAMPANT
Interview by David Cirone
February 18, 2012
[excerpt]
Hiroko, your performance in “Love Spell” amps up the sexy. The breathing, the tone, it’s pretty exciting and definitely that “something new” you were talking about. What was going on with you when you were writing it?
Hiroko: As far as Love Spell” goes, there’s… well, there were a lot of thoughts about that. Like how to use your breath. You’d get tired of it if I was just perving-out the whole time, so I wanted to figure out a way to make it sexy and still keep it rock. Instead of thinking of the A melody or B melody, I was thinking of lingerie. Really. It starts with white and pink lingerie, as if saying, “Come here, come here…” Then when I drop my tone, that’s when I’m imagining black lingerie with garters and a whip! I’m saying, “Now shut up!”
(continued…)
