Visual rock band THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S is in the middle of their preparations for the upcoming release of mini-album Hoshizora ni kakeru koe on July 6th, as well as for the upcoming fifth anniversary of the band. JaME asked the five members of the group some questions about the new release, their anniversary and anniversary tour.
Since our first interview in early 2013, a lot has happened. The fifth anniversary of THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S is up ahead and you welcomed a new member last year in October. Because of all that, could you please introduce the member next to you with a funny or interesting fact?
kazuya: Honestly speaking, when the former vocalist decided to leave the band, I was worried about what would happen to us. I thought we would disband, but the members were positive and I also expected a lot from this band, so we decided to continue as a band. Nimo then joined us, which transformed the difficult situation we were in into an opportunity, and I think the band is at its best now. SHUN.: When Nimo joined us in October last year, we became more energetic than before and our bonds with one another are stronger. Nimo: At first, I was nervous about whether I was good enough for this band, but now I’m surrounded with the best members and can work aggressively. I have great expectations that are bigger than my initial anxiety, and I'll work hard to meet these expectations. TSUKASA: I thought what a powerful vocalist joined us! But we found out that he’s a funny man (laughs).
In a couple of weeks you'll celebrate your fifth anniversary. When you think of it, what thoughts come into your minds?
kazuya: I’m happy I could play music with these members for five years. SHUN.: It may be an end, but I think it’s also one of the many points we have to transit through. ZERO: It’s fast! Nimo: For me, it’s only been one year, but I’m working hard to continue making music with the band for 10 years. TSUKASA: I simply let myself be carried by the flow of time.
Please tell us what your best memories of these five years are.
kazuya: We went overseas, but I enjoyed touring Japan by car after a long time. SHUN.: I’m very impressed with overseas lives. Also, when we went to the United Kingdom, we nearly missed our flight. Nimo: I was extremely tense during the first live after I joined the band. TSUKASA: Our first live ran abnormally high.
How has THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S evolved in these five years? What has changed?
SHUN.: We trust one another more and I feel our music has become freer in these five years.
You're going to release your first mini-album as part of the celebration on July 6th. Could you please tell us something about the title you have chosen: Hoshizora ni kakeru koe?
kazuya: This time, we asked Nimo for a Japanese title. He gave us various ideas and we chose from them. Nimo: Because Nocturne was originally a song with the image of a night sky, we chose the title based on that image. After the title was determined, I changed the lyrics of Nocturne to reflect the image of a night sky more strongly.
ZERO, you're mostly responsible for the design of the jacket artworks. For your upcoming mini-album, what came first: your design idea or the title? Could you please reveal something about how you usually work on such designs?
ZERO: There are various ways to go about design production. I was informed about the image beforehand this time, so I made the design based on it.
On Hoshizora ni kakeru koe you featured the new songs Nocturne, MOON&BUTTERLY and Vanilla. How would you describe these songs? What can you reveal about their writing and composing process?
kazuya: I composed Nocturne and Vanilla soon after it was determined that Nimo would join us. I put a little of my personal preference into them. They are Japanese songs expressing original Japanese sadness and sorrow. SHUN.: I composed the song MOON&BUTTERFLY and wrote the lyrics for it. I made for the purpose of heating up the atmosphere of our lives. Nimo: I basically wrote the lyrics of Nocturne and Vanilla while incorporating other member’s opinions.
The re-recordings of PARASITIC EMOTION and Curtain Call are also featured on the mini-album. Why did you choose these two songs to re-record and what has changed (except the change in vocalist)?
kazuya: When we made the demo of our previous songs with our new vocalist Nimo, we chose songs that fit Nimo well. We re-recorded Curtain Call, the representative song of our second album that was released before Nimo joined, to connect our past to our present.
Did you change your approach to composition when Nimo joined the band?
kazuya: I’m aware the range of his vocals is different from our former vocalist, and I think he fits better with smooth sounds than hard backing.
In addition to the release of Hoshizora ni kakeru koe, several in-store events and your 5th ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2016 Hoshizora ni kakeru koe have been scheduled. Can you reveal whether there's something special planned and if yes, maybe grant us a glimpse on what it will be?
kazuya: This time, we want to convey an image that connects the past, present and future. And I want each member’s character to be at the forefront. SHUN.: It’s one of the places where we can make contact with fans, so I want to enjoy my time with fans anyway. Nimo: I can feel fans more closely at in-store events, so I want to get to know you more there. I want to do something special but haven’t really decided what it’ll be yet (laughs). TSUKASA: It’s another precious place different from lives, so I want to enjoy it.
In 2013, you held an European tour. Do you have plans to return to Europe?
kazuya: It’s not determined yet but we’ll advance towards it as and when we can. SHUN.: I want to go if we have the chance to! ZERO: I want to go! Nimo: I really want to go. I hope we can spread Japanese culture somehow. TSUKASA: I want to go.
What's next for THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S?
Nimo: First of all, we’ll release the mini-album Hoshizora ni kakeru koe and then do a Japan tour.
To conclude our interview, please leave a message for our readers.
kazuya: The THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S today can really express original Japanese sounds. Please listen to our music. And thank you for supporting us always. SHUN.: I hope we can keep sending our music not only to people in Japan, but also to various places and people. ZERO: We’ll welcome our fifth anniversary soon and I hope I can engage in more ‘fun’ activities, so please come and experience the ‘fun’ with us. Nimo: I’ll continuously work hard as the center of THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S. I hope I can send more English messages to overseas fans. TSUKASA: We’ll work hard as we treasure our music sense, places and bonds that we have cultivated for five years, so please keep supporting and cheering us on continuously.
THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S has also kindly recorded a video message for JaME. Please click the "Subtitles/closed captions" button for English subtitles.
JaME would like to thank THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S for the interview opportunity and video message.
You can watch the full music video of Nocturne with English subtitles as well as the trailer for the album below:
