Interview with MUCC's Miya and Tatsuro in Poland

On May 26th, MUCC played in Poland for the first time. JaME Poland had the opportunity to speak with Tatsuro and Miya right before this very first concert. Backstage, our reporters were greeted in Polish by Satochi, who was trying out his new language skills before using them onstage Then, JaME met with Tatsuro and Miya, who discussed their almost finished tour, future plans, and about where and with whom they want to die.

How’s the tour going? Would you like to play even more concerts or are you ready to go home?

Miya: It was actually a short tour, but rather satisfying. We would like to play more concerts next time and hold a longer tour.

You've already played seven lives; what's your best memory so far?

Tatsuro: We hope that tonight’s concert will be our best memory.

We hope so too. And would did you think about the proposal in Berlin?

Miya: This couple was very beautiful, they were so sweet.

What do you think about such special events happening at your lives?

Both: It’s something that never happens in Japan!

Miya: That’s why it’s so special.

So how did it happen?

Miya: The promoter for this tour got message from the boy that his girlfriend is a big fan of MUCC, that’s why he would like to make a marriage proposal on MUCC concert for her. That’s why it happened in Berlin.

Do fans surprise you often?

Miya: Sometimes they surprise us. For example, on this tour, on our second time in Paris, fans were holding papers with “welcome back MUCC” written on it.

Have you prepared anything special for today, since it's the tour final?

Miya: This is the very first time in Poland for MUCC, therefore we want to show our best to the Polish fans.

You are playing some new songs during the concert. How have fans reacted?

Miya: Fans here react better than Japanese fans. It depends which song, but their reactions are more aggressive and enthusiastic.

Which song do they like best so far?

Miya: (hesitates) We play two new songs…

Tatsuro: Three.

Miya: Three.

Tatsuro: They maybe like Tonight the best...

Miya: They like all the songs, I think. (laughs)

We know that you went sightseeing yesterday. What have you seen, and what did you like in Kraków most?

Tatsuro: Not only Kraków, but all European cities we visited look exactly like attractions at DisneySea (a Tokyo theme park).

What will you do when you return to Japan?

Miya: We'll be shooting a new music video for our new album, and after that we will go on tour.

You just finished recording your new album. The album's title is T.R.E.N.D.Y. -Paradise from 1997-, and 1997 is the year when MUCC started. Is there any connection between these two facts?

Miya: Yes, there is.

What is the connection?

Miya: This album features references to the music we listened to back in the '90s, when we were kids. So this album features this kind of songs, so it’s more of a concept album.

Let’s talk about your past and future. You'll soon be reaching your 20th anniversary. Have you made any special plans for this occasion?

Tatsuro: Actually we haven’t talked about the 20th anniversary celebrations yet, but we still have two years to think about it. Therefore, you'll be informed when we do.

Speaking of anniversary events, you will play at Lunatic Fest. What do you think about this opportunity?

Miya: Lunatic Fest is a very special event, because we have been fans of LUNA SEA since we were kids. Playing on the same stage as LUNA SEA is something really big for us, so we're very proud and happy to be part of this event.

Speaking of the past, what is your biggest achievement so far?

Tatsuro: (pauses) Actually, we never thought if we ever achieved anything...

Miya: But the fact that there are fans of our music in countries so far away from Japan like Poland, somehow proves that we achieved something, right?

Next question is connected to the title of your last album. What would you do, if the world ended tomorrow?

Miya: Live. I wish to die on stage for my music.

It’s a good way to die. What do you think, Tatsuro?

Tatsuro: Right now, we're in Poland, right after the rehearsal and sound check, so if I realize that the world's going to end tomorrow… there's no other way but to go back on stage. There’s nowhere to run. (laughs) The fans' home is right here, but I wouldn’t be able to get back home.

It’s really sad not being able to get back home, but Poland's not such a bad place. People are hospitable.

Tatsuro: But it's not a matter where you are, but who you are going to be with at the end of the world.

That's true, but anyway, changing the subject, you both write lyrics for MUCC. Lately you’ve been using a lot of references to Buddhism, with song titles like Nirvana and Miroku and your album Karma. What's the meaning of these references in your music?

Miya: We use these kinds of words naturally, without thinking about anything special. In Japan, it’s not popular to talk about your religion, but I like to use those kind of words. After I use them, it's only then I realize that that they are somehow related to Buddhism.

Where else do you draw your inspiration from while writing lyrics?

Tatsuro: First we write songs, then add the lyrics. I listen to a melody and take inspiration from that. I’m also inspired by everyday things; by what I see, what I feel and things like that.

What about the inspiration to write music. Your style changed through years, so what triggered this change?

Miya: We wanted to do something different.

A slightly typical question to end on: which song do you like to play most at lives?

Miya: We get asked this so many times, and it’s really difficult to choose one song. We’ve been playing for over 15 years already and we’ve got so many songs to choose. It changes all the time. Right now, I’d choose different songs than before.

Do you know which songs your fans love most?

Tatsuro: I’d like to know which songs people like most. We’re not able to see all the fans, and get to know their feelings. Maybe one girl has some situations going on, whilst another guy is really happy now; we’re not able to see it, therefore we aren’t able to choose which songs people like most. If you know, you can tell us.

Thank you for your answers. Do you have a message for Polish fans and JaME Readers?

Tatsuro: We are very happy to be in Poland for the first time. We liked it here and we will do our best to come back, so look forward to news from us.

Miya: Over the years, we’ve received many letters from Polish fans saying: “Please, come to Poland.” We couldn’t do that before, but we finally managed to be here and we’re very happy about that. Sorry we kept you waiting. Thank you for your patience and we’ll try to come back as soon as possible.

Thank you very much for your time and we hope you have a good time during the concert. Thank you!

JaME would like to thank MUCC, MUCC’s management and KnockOut Productions for making this interview possible.