Formed towards the end of 2021 by ex-members of DADAROMA, Neverland and Smileberry, THE MADNA is an up-and-coming visual kei band. Their music bounces freely through a wide variety of
different genres, creating an eclectic and highly energetic sound.
Shortly after the release of their April single sweet dream, JaME was able to ask the band some questions about their music, their interest in performing
overseas, and their plans for the near future.
For any readers who may be unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe the music you make?
Ryota: This is freedom.
Takashi: It’s a collection of Japanese culture!
Tomo: It’s next-generation mixture rock. Anything is possible.
Rio: It’s freestyle.
If you had to choose just one song to introduce THE MADNA to a new listener, which one would you pick and why?
Ryota:MAD GAME, Tokyo BAD STREET KING, GiANT KiLLiNG and sweet dream.
Takashi: Please try THE MADNA’s first release MAD GAME!
Tomo: Definitely try our newest song sweet dream.
Rio:sweet dream.
Is there a meaning behind your band name?
Ryota: It’s a deathbed message “he” left behind.
Takashi: Only God knows.
Tomo: It means “madness”.
Rio: I read it the same way as he does.
What inspired you to begin playing in a visual kei band? Is there a particular artist or aspect of the scene that drew you in?
Ryota:DIR EN GREY.
Takashi:meth..
Tomo: My mother loved David Bowie and my father taught me about X JAPAN, so they both had a lot of influence on me.
Rio: It was hyde.
What is your songwriting process like? Is one person in charge of creating your music, or does everyone take part?
Ryota:Takashi finalizes everything the four of us make.
Takashi: We have loads of methods of making music, but I’m in charge of the final arrangements!
Tomo: After I watch films or anime, read manga or take a walk to view the scenery, I head to my computer and start playing guitar.
Rio: We all make music.
What can you tell us about your new single sweet dream? Is there a concept or sound you were aiming to explore with this release?
Ryota: Us as adults.
Takashi: For the sound, we wanted to show the entirety of human emotion!
Tomo: We wanted to convey lingering nostalgia in the newest sound.
Rio: I was channelling heart-pounding drum phases.
What is the inspiration behind the music video for the lead track?
Ryota: Moonlight in the night.
Takashi: Light and darkness.
Tomo: At the filming location, we saw the lasers and it built from there.
Rio: The shutter speed is the highlight.
There is a lot a variation in your sound and visuals from one music video to the next, and even within individual songs. Do you find it difficult at all to maintain a distinct identity as a band while bouncing between so many genres and looks?
Ryota: We’re just “THE MADNA”.
Takashi: It’s visual kei!
Tomo: I think this is new generation visual kei.
Rio: It’s freestyle.
Your first two EPs Beautiful inferno and Ugly heaven were released very close together – is there a concept linking these two releases?
Ryota: Two become one.
Takashi: It’s a juxtaposition!
Tomo: They’re connected. They’re a contrast.
Rio: Please go and try to feel that.
Are there any artists from overseas that you admire?
Ryota:Mr. Bean.
Takashi:Bullet for My Valentine, The Used, The Crimson Armada… I have loads I like, but those three have had the biggest influence on me.
Tomo: The first overseas band I looked up to was Nirvana, although I’m heavily influenced by Linkin Park.
Rio: I really like Metallica.
Do you have any interest in performing overseas? If so, assuming you could perform anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?
Ryota: Definitely! I want to go to Hawaii!
Takashi: I want to go everywhere I can go! I want to go back to France and Taiwan where I’ve done concerts before and meet everyone again!
Tomo: Japan is an island nation so I want to go anywhere I can and do a concert as long as it touches the sea!
Rio: I want to go to America.
What else can fans look forward to from THE MADNA in 2023?
Ryota: We’ll be climbing step by step.
Takashi: We’re making vibrant, crazy music so I want you all to look forward to that!
Tomo: We’re constantly preparing to go overseas, so although I don’t know if it will be this year or next, please look forward to that!
Rio: Lots of things.
Please leave a message for your fans around the world.
Ryota: Please become our fans. Thanks.
Takashi: Japan is such a wonderful country with its music and culture and food so please come and meet us! Of course, one day we will come to meet you too so wait for us!
Tomo: Thank you for knowing about Japanese visual kei, and thank you for liking it. Please look forward to spreading lots of music around the rest of the world!
Rio: I want to come and meet you. Please look forward to it.
JaME would like to thank THE MADNA and Chaotic Harmony for making this interview possible.
THE MADNA's latest single sweet dream is available for download and streaming on various online music platforms here.
It was recently announced that they will be releasing their first full album, ElecTЯiP, on October 25th. Fans can keep an eye on their official website and Twitter account for more updates about the new release.
