Interview with WagakkiBand

Please tell us about your experience during your first solo performance in New York in March.

WagakkiBand: We think audiences in the US are very used to live entertainment, so it was challenging and we were nervous at first. However, as the show went on, the crowd began to warm up and we felt like we were connecting with the audience. American audiences react more immediately than in Japan, so we had fun too. We think we found a new side of ourselves.

What do you remember most about your SXSW showcase?

WagakkiBand: The most memorable experience was the spontaneous encore after our show. There was a set time for us and we weren’t planning on playing an encore, so we were panicking and wondering, “What are we going to play?” It was the moment we realized our music was accepted at SXSW. Also, we had a good time playing in the spontaneous session onstage with other musicians in the same showcase as us. We were excited to communicate with them without words.

Did you have any interesting encounters while in the USA? Please share them with us.

WagakkiBand: We went to the Met, but didn’t have enough time so we are hoping to go back when we have more time. Also, Wasabi and Kiyoshi were happy that they could go to Peter Luger Steakhouse.

Let's talk about your new songs. Kyosyu no sora, the eighth track on your second album Yasou emaki, was composed and sung by Machiya. Machiya, please tell us about your experience working on the song and how you felt about it.

Machiya: I didn’t purposely write Kyosyu no sora for myself to sing. I just wrote whatever came to mind at that time and recorded it for the album to create a greater variation in shapes, like Episode.0 from the previous album. The song is about the contrast between my life in the countryside when I was little and me in the big city now.

Which song on Yasou emaki did you find the most challenging to work on? What was difficult about it?

WagakkiBand: We think each member has differing opinions on that. It was quite challenging to arrange Tsuioku, which is a more J-pop sounding song, with wagakki.

Your digital single Strong Fate is the official song for horror film "Zang-e -Sunde wa ikenai heya-." How did the opportunity to provide the official song for this film come about?

WagakkiBand: The author of the original book was a fan of WagakkiBand, so we received the offer to write the image song for the movie.

Are you a fan of horror films? Why or why not?

WagakkiBand: We like horror films. The fear in Japanese horror films gradually increases and creeps up on you. We love the frightfulness and especially want to watch them on a summer night.

Your song Valkyrie -Ikusa otome- serves as the opening theme for TV anime "Sousei no Onmyouji." Please tell us more about this song.

WagakkiBand: The basis of this track is the heavy sound that is WagakkiBand’s strong point, and the lead wagakki instruments also stand out. We worked with an arranger for this track for the first time in our career. The arranger understood the purpose of the track and it worked out well.

Can you also explain to our readers how songs are picked in order to become the opening theme for a TV anime? Is it the band who asks for it or a special request from the anime production committee?

WagakkiBand: We think it depends. But this time, we had an offer from the anime production company to write a song that fit the anime so it could become the theme song. (laughs)

Suzuhana, you sang Senka no tomoshibi, an insert song for TV anime "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans" for your solo project. What is the message behind this song?

Suzuhana: This is a sad ballad about the pain of losing a beloved one.

Are you working on any new material right now? Please tell us more about it if possible.

WagakkiBand: All of the members had a 12-day writing camp in January. We don’t know when they will be unveiled, but we created so many songs during the camp.

What is the next step for WagakkiBand?

WagakkiBand: WagakkiBand continues to aim for Japan and the rest of the world so we will set our goals and keep being active. We want to increase our name recognition in Japan and reach the top. Internationally, we want to expand to other countries and hold live shows in Europe and Asia. Above all, we want to create music that will be loved by many people.

Please leave us with a message for our readers.

WagakkiBand: You can watch WagakkiBand’s videos on YouTube. Please search for WagakkiBand! Also, we would like to continue to perform shows so we can show you the appeal of our music live. Please support us. Thank you.

JaME would like to thank WagakkiBand and Avex Music Creative for this interview opportunity.

Wagakkiband will return to the US this July with three shows in California as part of their first US tour DEEP IMPACT.