Interview with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

Five years into her music career, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu continues to delight fans worldwide with her quirky fusion of fashion and song. Having already put out two new releases this year and kicked off her third world tour a couple of weeks ago, the pop princess looks set to make her fifth anniversary a busy yet memorable one. In this interview, JaME Australia finds out what Kyary thinks about her latest music creations, ongoing world tour and more.

Hello Kyary Pamyu Pamyu! Congratulations on your fifth anniversary. What are your thoughts on this milestone in your career?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: So much has happened during the past five years, and I’ve learned a lot. Everything seems to have happened so fast and I sure have lots of thoughts on what I have experienced, but of all things, going on the world tour is certainly one of my career highlights. After the debut, I absolutely didn’t expect to go outside Japan so fast! I would like all my fans to enjoy my third world tour! See you soon!

This June, as part of your fifth anniversary world tour, you'll be returning to Australia for the first time since your sold-out Sydney debut in 2014. What can fans expect from your upcoming live shows in Sydney and Melbourne?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I would like to say this to not only fans in Australia, but fans all over the world who would come to my shows, that I just appreciate so much you coming and seeing me perform. It means so much to me. I vividly remember the enthusiasm and energy I received from the audience in Sydney the last time. I will do my best to bring 120% on the stage, so come see me perform!

Are you surprised you have so many fans in Australia?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I am in awe but at the same time so amazed and happy to learn that I have fans in so many countries waiting for me to come back! Thank you all so much!

What do you miss most about Australia?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I really would like to go back to the zoo I went to, and this time I want to hold the koala bears!

You'll be performing at J-POP SUMMIT and will be opening the night in San Francisco this July. What are your thoughts about it?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: It’s been quite some time since I went to San Francisco; I am really looking forward to performing there and see how the city is for myself.

For the benefit of fans who don't understand Japanese, please explain what your latest single Sai & Co is about.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: To celebrate my fifth anniversary, Yasutaka Nakata (Capsule) wrote this song for me. This song expresses my thanks to my team and fans. This song really brings the room together!

The blue dress you wear in the music video for Sai & Co looks like an ethnic costume of some sort. What was the inspiration behind its design?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I usually come up with my wardrobe ideas based on the theme and tunes that my songs and music videos carry. For the video of the new single Sai & Co, we decided to go with this Chinese theme – I came up with the Chinese influenced outfit and made a tiara using this pink and white coloured “naruto”, the minced fish we put on ramen in Japan. The highlight of the video is where I dance on a ramen bowl!

You've just released your best-of album KPP BEST. What are some of your favourite tracks from the album?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I love all my songs, and it’s really hard to pick just one. However, if I had to, I would pick Fashion Monster. Many of my songs before Fashion Monster were quite girly, I would say. You know, cotton-fluffy cutie sort of way. I think I changed my image with Fashion Monster, the change I love. Very rock, and very cool music video. The colouring I used for the music video is black and white, which felt very cool to me!

In the five years you've been a singer, please tell us about some of the most interesting messages and gifts you've received from your fans.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: Again, it’s hard to pick just one. I receive so many cute and thoughtful gifts, but from the recent gifts, I was touched when fans overseas tried to talk to me in Japanese, which was obvious that they spent hours practicing the phrase just to tell me how they felt.

What are some of the most challenging problems you've faced as a public figure? How did you overcome them?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I feel proud and humbled about the honour I have received, and I understand it doesn’t happen in everyday life, and therefore I should embrace it, but there were times when I felt uncomfortable and found it difficult to lead a normal private life. After all, I just decided to do whatever I feel like doing, not worrying about being spotted on the street or just anywhere. I am feeling enough love from fans that I don’t really pay attention to other noise.

Your image up until now has mostly been cute and quirky. As you grow older, are you worried about outgrowing the kind of image you have always been known for? Why?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: Looking back, the wardrobe I chose five years ago is very different from what I would wear now. I think I’ve grown up a little, which I find great. No matter how many years later, or how old I get, I will be wearing what I want to wear, and will express myself in the style I believe in moment to moment. I suppose you realise by now that I plan not to plan.

What is your response to people who think that your style of music and fashion is too weird?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I don’t pay attention to them.

What are your thoughts on the rise in popularity in Harajuku fashion worldwide?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: Anime and Akihabara culture has been growing quite a while now and is also drawing attention overseas, on top of Harajuku culture. Japan is a very interesting country; I really recommend people to get to know about my country and enjoy our pop culture.

What's the next step for you in your career?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I love to surprise people. It is my wish to keep surprising my fans. Like I said earlier about my thoughts on how I grow older and how my fashion would change, I tend to concentrate on “now”. So, at the moment, I am focusing on my world tour and delivering my best performance to fans who come and see me.

To wrap up our interview, please say a few words to our readers.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: I am looking forward to seeing you all at my shows in Australia, which are happening soon! When I come back from overseas, I am concluding this world tour at Budokan, Japan’s legendary hall, where I wish to see everyone, not just Japanese people but people from all over the world. If you happen to be in Japan around then, please come see me there as well!

JaME would like to thank Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Australian PR agency Super Duper for this interview opportunity.