Interview with angela

Formed in 1993, anisong duo angela comprises vocalist atsuko and guitarist KATSU. They have produced opening themes for popular anime titles such as "FAFNER in the azure", "K", "KNIGHTS OF SIDONIA" and "BLAME!". On July 1st, angela will perform at Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 in Los Angeles.

Hi angela! For a start, please explain why you chose to name your group “angela”.

atsuko: KATSU likes the American rock band Mötley Crüe a lot, and we took our unit's name from their song Angela.

What are your thoughts on performing at Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017?

atsuko: It has been a long time since we last performed in the United States, so we look forward to it. Because American fans' reactions are honest, I want to do my best to meet their expectations!

angela has released many theme songs for anime over the years. Which of these songs did you find most challenging to create? In what way was it challenging?

atsuko: Each and every song was a challenge to create. Among them, Sidonia was composed as a combination of the anime song style of early days and modern sounds. It was also the first time we named a song using the title of an anime. This song opened up new horizons for angela.

atsuko, unlike many singers in Japanese duos, you're credited as a co-composer on all angela's songs. Were you motivated to be different from other duos?

atsuko: I compose a lot. As a singer, it is easier for me to compose melodies singing them rather than playing them on a keyboard.

KATSU, we understand you started out as a drummer. Why did you switch to guitar and keyboard? What other instruments do you play?

KATSU: I also played the guitar and piano in my early days. I switched my official instrument because I wanted to compose and arrange songs. Although it is not an instrument, I started to be an anime song DJ seriously. I also play the shamisen during recordings and I practice playing latin percussions like the surdo and djembe every night.

You recently collaborated with fripSide on two singles. What was it like working with another duo?

atsuko: It was almost the first time I sang with another artist, so it was a good stimulus. Nanjo Yoshino's voice and mine are totally different. Overlaying our voices resulted in a chemical reaction that led to an original song. Yaginuma Satoshi's arrangement also added new colors that could not have been created by angela alone.

Your recent albums have been very diverse musically, with songs like the Latin-style EIEIO. What are angela's main musical influences? Do you plan to experiment with any other world music styles?

atsuko: We are interested in various genres from across the world! It is exciting to see the result of mixing angela with another music style. We want to experiment more.

To conclude our interview, please leave a message for JaME readers about your upcoming performance at Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017.

atsuko: We believe the performance will be dense, like if we condensed the Japanese anime song industry in one live. We are very excited to perform in the United States again! There will be songs to dance to, and we would be very happy to hear you sing with us. Let's meet at Anime Expo 2017!

JaME would like to thank angela, RESONANCE Media and the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation for this interview opportunity.







Links

angela's official website: http://style-market.com/angela/
Anisong World Matsuri's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnisongWorldMatsuri/
Anisong World Matsuri's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnisongWorld
Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo's official website: http://www.anime-expo.org/anisong-world-matsuri-2017/