Tomoe Shinohara interview

Tomoe Shinohara came back to France this March for a small show, at a special event called TOKYO TOYS BOX at the O.P.A. bar in Paris.
The show was somewhat similar to the other one she had at the Asian bar, but this time DJ KAGAMI was there as well!
JaME met the young singer in another café just a little while before her show, late in the night. Tomoe was a little stressed and nervous too, but she answered the questions with enthusiasm, sometimes using some English and French words.


Interview with Tomoe Shinohara


Bonsoir Tomoe Shinohara!
Tomoe Shinohara: Bonsouar! (in french too)

How are you feeling about being back in France ?
Tomoe Shinohara: I’m very happy because I wanted to come back as soon as possible. And now, I’m here, earlier than it was anticipated.

What are the memories you have kept from your first time here?
Tomoe Shinohara: Paris is a very beautiful place! I went to a Japanese market where there were a lot of French people. I was really impressed to see that Japanese culture was really well represented here.

How did you meet DJ KAGAMI?
Tomoe Shinohara: We are friends from a long time ago but we have never worked together until now. I have composed the music for an anime’s ending and I was thinking that a techno style will surely match with it. So I have called him to work with me.

So that’s the latest single, ★AsoFEVER★?
Tomoe Shinohara: Exactly!

How did you choose to come together?
Tomoe Shinohara: Actually, I had first envisaged coming with a Japanese drummer/percussionist, but our respective agenda would not fit. So, I had said to myself “Why not invite DJ KAGAMI now that I’m working with him ?”. We had decided to compose new songs, and in three weeks, we had already composed seven ones.

Is there an album planned with DJ KAGAMI?
Tomoe Shinohara: It is thanks to the live of this evening that we have written these new songs, and I think we will make a CD which will be released first in France and then in Japan, with a few more songs. But at the moment, it’s just an idea.

When will it be out?
Tomoe Shinohara: I don’t have any exact date but, because I’m coming back for the “Fête de la Musique”, I would like to release it in France a little time before.

Talking about the “Fête de la Musique”, you have announced you will come back on this occasion. Can you give us more information about it?
Tomoe Shinohara: I would like to show a different side of myself. For example, playing an instrument while I sing, or drawing and showing other artistic sides of myself, etc… Actually, I would like to show the global Tomoe Shinohara. That’s what I want to do at the “Fête de la Musique” in France.

So you are going to show us your compositions as a dress stylist?
Tomoe Shinohara: Yes, sure! I have always loved fashion. For example, my night dresses and my “special event” dresses have been designed by me. I would like to design something amazing for the “Fête de la Musique”, near to a manga or an anime. I will try my best!!

You have been seiyū and you have composed some songs for animation. Are you going to continue in this way?
Tomoe Shinohara: Yes! And I would like to be an idol until I am an old granny!! (laughs)

Is this the first time that DJ KAGAMI is coming to France?
Tomoe Shinohara: Yes, it is.

Did he immediately accept your proposition?
Tomoe Shinohara: Actually, DJ KAGAMI was already interested in coming to France, so he was really happy!

Do you think you’re going to bring a “Japanese touch” to France?
Tomoe Shinohara: I would like to, and I also would like to bring this “French touch” to Japan. Somehow, I will be a link between these two countries.

Which element of the French culture do you want to show up to the Japanese people?
Tomoe Shinohara: “Crêpes, crêpes, crêpes” !! (French food)

You seem to love it!
Tomoe Shinohara: I would like to see a lot of “crêpes” shops in Japan, because there are not a lot of real “crêpes” over there.

Would you be interested to sing in French?
Tomoe Shinohara: I will try to make efforts during one year and then, why not? Perhaps I will have to find a French boyfriend who would help me!! (laughs)

At last, do you have any messages?
Tomoe Shinohara: I will present new songs in exclusivity for the French public. I hope that they will love it and dance tonight. For me, the most important thing is that French people like my music, even if the lyrics are in Japanese.

Thanks a lot!
Tomoe Shinohara: Merci beaucoup! Je vous en prie! (in french) (translation: Thank you very much! You're welcome!)


JaME would like to thank Tomoe Shinohara, her manager, Euro Japan Comic as well as Yoshimi Hishida and Keiko.