Kisaki Project feat. Jui Interview

Kisaki Project is, like the name says, a musical project of the bassist Kisaki. He is known for playing in various bands like Syndrome and Mirage, but also for running the Matina and, nowadays, the UNDER CODE PRODUCTION label.

On May 1st, 2004, Kisaki Project visited Paris, France, for a concert at Le Trabendo.

The morning after the live, the JaME team met Kisaki and Jui in their hotel for a short interview, after which the two planned to go on a walk through Paris to take some shots for an upcoming photobook.

After a short introduction of the website, we started the interview.


I would like to thank you for coming to France and congratulate you on your excellent concert yesterday.
Kisaki and Jui: Thank you very much.

I would like to ask you some questions. Yesterday, everything went well during the concert. What did you think of it?
Kisaki: It was our very first concert outside Japan, and of course our first concert in France. I didn't really know how to communicate with the audience and I didn't know how they would react. I was worried actually. But by the time I made it to the stage, the audience was already very enthusiastic. I felt more enthusiasm from them compared to what the Japanese fans show. Kisaki Project is a rather calm band: our audience usually doesn't respond very much and they listen to the songs very calmly, contrary to last night's audience. So, well, I lost myself and couldn't keep in control. I exploded with energy along with the audience! I was really touched by this reaction.

Yes, the French audience has a completely different reaction than the Japanese audience. They don't react to certain things, like "running to the front" on violent songs.
Kisaki: It was violent, but at the same time it was wild.

And Jui, what did you think of it?
Jui: As you can imagine, I sang and moved more energetically. I'm really happy to have played abroad for the first time, and the Parisian audience was really wild. It was a big surprise! I am really touched and would like to come back.

Do you have plans to return to France in the future?
Kisaki: It will depend on the timing. We are independent, which means we have no constraints. If there is an audience willing to see us and we're invited somewhere, we will go. We could return very soon.

I spoke with several visual kei fans and they were very anxious to see you. This was the first concert in France with some well-known musicians and it was like a dream come true.
Kisaki: Thank you. Yesterday, I felt more energy, more strength in the audience than in ourselves. Because of this, we are able to improve. If possible, I would like to do an event with European bands. It's a good idea to make an International event with Japanese and European visual kei bands and we will think about it. Meanwhile, I want to launch Vidoll in Europe.

Yes, beginning with the compilation Bijinkei on Mabell.
Kisaki: We will release a live DVD of yesterday's concert in Japan and also in Europe. Yesterday's concert was not just a goal, but a beginning.

Is it the beginning for a lot of projects, like concerts and CDs, for all of Europe?
Kisaki: Actually, UNDER CODE and Mabell met only three months ago, and within those three months, we signed a contract for three albums and were able to organize this concert. We have a great relationship and dynamic and we will probably branch out to all of Europe.

That's what we all hope!
Kisaki and Jui: Thanks a lot.

How would you describe visual kei to people who don't know about it?
Kisaki: Even in Japan it's marginally known. But, to me, it is the best way to express myself: it's my music. It's the music, costumes, make-up, and the concept that everything has to match. It's the best way to express yourself, but also to find yourself. I will definitely continue this style and I hope it will also be appreciated by Western audiences. I hope there will be a lot of visual kei bands in Europe in the future.

And Jui, what do you think of it?
Jui: There are several kinds of music, like hip-hop, rhythm'n'blues, and so on... Usually, these categories are purely musical. But, it's not really this way with visual kei. It's more about appearance and concept. To me, it's a way to make music without being categorized, you're more free.

Yes, that's the main interest of visual kei actually. It's doing what you wish, musically speaking. The same band can play several musical styles, like punk, metal, pop, and so on...
Kisaki and Jui vigorously nod.

In the compilation CDs, we will find French translations of the songs. Understanding the lyrics is one of the only barriers here in France. I think that we lose some of the atmosphere of a band because of that.
Kisaki: Absolutely.

And finally, do you have a message for your French fans?
Kisaki: We will do our best and keep on doing visual kei and we promise you that we will come back very soon. Therefore, wait for us with even more enthusiasm! Next time, I will speak French!

Thank you! Your turn Jui...
Jui: I really want to come back, so wait for us anxiously! Maybe I will come back for a live in Paris in the future!

Thanks a lot for this interview.