Interview with dazedgarden

While live music seems to be inching its way back to normal in many parts of the world this year, in 2020 and 2021, due to the restrictions placed on performances because of the coronavirus pandemic, many artists began experimenting with live streaming events more seriously than ever before. Last October, aiming to take advantage of this focus on online concerts to introduce lesser known artists to a global audience, Malaysia-based company Toybox Projects held an event titled Toybox Showcase Vol.1 – Japanese Indie Band Show that was streamed worldwide for free. Alternative rock band dazedgarden were one of the four groups showcased, performing alongside female-fronted punk rock trio TRILL-DAN, Kochi prefecture's TEN-SIN and alternative heavy rock trio ZEROSHIKI.

Shortly after, we had the opportunity to ask dazedgarden some questions about the event, their music and their plans for the future.

As this is our first time interviewing you, could you please introduce yourselves to our readers?

dazedgarden: Hello, we are dazedgarden. Reona Nishiyama on vocals and guitar. Hideki Namba on lefty guitar. Tenji Nagano on bass.

If you had to describe dazedgarden’s sound to a new listener, what would you say?

Reona Nishiyama: At lives our hardcore and metal songs might stand out, but our sound is alternative rock.

How was dazedgarden formed, and what is the origin of the band's name?

Reona Nishiyama: I changed the name of band I was in before, and after several member changes we arrived at where we are now. As for the origin of the band's name, the nuance is the same as that of my previous band, because when experiencing our sound and our concerts, we want to be artists who make the people who resonate with our sound and style of expression feel dazed. Please come and see the garden we have created.

What are some of your musical influences? Did any particular artist inspire you to become a musician?

Hideki Namba: 80s hard rock.

Tenji Nagano: For me the influence of emo-core, mixture sound, and anime songs is strong. But each member of dazedgarden possesses a different element. By blending the points we have in common, we get a rock sound.

Reona Nishiyama: Music that I feel in my heart is good. The artist who became my inspiration to start making music was my homeroom teacher from elementary school.

You recently released a remastered version of your 2011 EP white echo. How did it feel to re-release it after 10 years have gone by? Is there a song or an aspect of your sound on that release you are particularly fond of?

Reona Nishiyama: With the remastering this time, we were able to create an atmosphere of having rounded off the edges, in a good sense of the term. With our live performance activities being limited now, and many people appearing to be spending more time at home, we want people to enjoy the recording once again. We especially want people who have the previous CD to listen to violable and break away and compare versions.


You performed a live stream show for a global audience as part of Toybox Project's online event Toybox Showcase Vol.1 – Japanese Indie Band Show. What was that experience like? Had you been experimenting with live stream performances during the coronavirus pandemic, or was this time a new experience for you?

Reona Nishiyama: This time was our first live streaming. I felt keenly how grateful I am for always having the people in the audience there to give us strength. Also, from now on even when the audience comes back, it's becoming the age of streaming, so I was thinking that if given the opportunity I'd love for us to perform this way again.

The coronavirus has made touring overseas all but impossible for the past two years, but live music is slowly making a comeback in a lot of countries. Once the situation improves, assuming you could go anywhere in the world, is there any particular place you wish you could perform?

Tenji Nagano: To the extent that we have experience performing live there, and we have a connection as a band, I have a deep emotional attachment to Malaysia, so I'd like to do a tour through Southeast Asia.

Hideki Namba: I want to have lives in Malaysia, where we've visited before, and in Asia.

Reona Nishiyama: First of all, I want to go to Malaysia, which we're always promising to go to but never do (laughs). Then I want to go to America after not having gone in a long time, but if there are countries that want us to perform, that's where I want to go.

What’s next for dazedgarden? Can fans look forward to more new music or shows?

Reona Nishiyama: While keeping an eye on the coronavirus situation, we're thinking about announcing new releases and performances, though it might not be for a while.

Please leave a message for JaME’s readers.

Tenji Nagano: If you’re interested in the contents we're putting out, your replays and likes really encourage us. Thanks for your support.

Hideki Namba: Let's get past the pandemic and meet at a live!

Reona Nishiyama: Until the day we can meet at a live concert, get ready by listening to our songs through subscription services! I'm looking forward to the day we can meet! Thank you!

JaME would like to thank dazedgarden and Toybox Projects for this interview opportunity.

Links to download and stream the remastered version of white echo on various online music platforms are available here. If you're interested in checking out the other bands who performed at Toybox Showcase vol. 1, an omnibus featuring one track from each artist has also been released on digital platforms. Give it a listen here.

dazedgarden's music videos for Asu and abyss can be viewed below.