Kitade Nana makes her US debut at OTAKON

The first day of the convention and before the first live performance by the musical guests, JaME America was able to interview, Kitade Nana. The young and rising star greeted me with smiles and kindness as she took her seat and we prepared to begin the interview.


First of all, thank you for meeting us, we really do appreciate your time.

Nana: Thank you, I'm happy to meet you too.

How does it feel to be 18 years old and have so many fans travel throughout the United States just to see you perform?

Nana: I am happily surprised that so many people have traveled to come see my performance. Even in Japan, when I have my concerts and I see my Japanese fans, I'm always very happy that they take time to come see the show. Now it's happening in the States and it's the first time, so it's really really cool!

You're so young and to be known already, not just in Japan, but outside of Japan where the music industry is rapidly growing. Do you feel that your music can be broadcasted even further because of this?

Nana: I think it's really cool because Japan is an island so we're not part of a continent and we're physically far from other countries. I mean we speak Japanese which is not spoken anywhere else, so I feel that not only music, but including everything else that it's hard to be exported. So I'm really lucky to have this chance to be outside of Japan meeting everyone and perform for my fans in America. Oh, and I'm actually 19 now.

Oh you're 19?! [Nana and everyone laughs] We're sorry, We tried to find your birth date, but we couldn't find it anywhere.

Nana: [laughs] Don't worry about it!

On your "18 -Eighteen-" album, you write all the lyrics, but not the music. Do you still play the guitar for the recording of the album?

Nana: You're correct I did write all the lyrics, but not the music. And yes, I did play guitar in some of the songs. I have been writing some music and hopefully that'll be released very soon.

Actually, that was my next question, if you intend to write music for future releases.

Nana: Yes!

When you write your lyrics, what inspires you?

Nana: It's about the things I feel everyday and that are really close to my everyday life. It's sort of a message that I want to include and express in my music.

For the music you haven't written, how is it determined what it will sound like?

Nana: I usually write tentative lyrics for the music, then I sing it and see how it goes. If I like it, then I complete it.

For the music you have written, is it the similar style of what you perform now?

Nana: Yes, actually, my style is similar to what you've heard in my "18 -Eighteen-" album. I always thought that professional song writers and music writers would do a far better job than I would, but they keep doing the same thing. I thought that would be kind of boring and I want to do something different, so that's why I'm writing music for my new record.

Again, for the music you've written, which comes first: the music or the lyrics?

Nana: They're both written at the same time.

I know in Japan you're known for your fashion and music, if you had to choose just one which would you choose?

Nana: That's hard to answer because I like fashion and music both very much and I do them because I like them. So if someone comes up to me and tells me he or she likes my fashion and another person tells me he or she likes my music, they both make me very happy.

For the fashion show tomorrow, do you have any expectations? And are you going to be really critical and judge for a certain style?

Nana: [laughs] I really don't know what to expect, but you know there's like the Lolita look and Lolita gothic and they have certain style that is fixed, but I always love different elements mixed in fashion so I hope I find something new tomorrow in the contest.

So you're hoping that people will get creative rather than following a tradition or a set of rules?

Nana: Yes, you're correct. I'm looking for new discoveries.

For your fashion, who are your influences?

Nana: Actually, there isn't one person in particular, but I look through various magazines and if I say "Ah, that's cute", then that's something I'll adopt to my fashion.

So it's sort of like a mix and match? "Oh I like this and this" so you'll blend it in together?

Nana: Yes, that's correct.

For your music, who are your influences?

Nana: Again, I don't have one particular person who influenced my music, but I listen to all different kinds of music. Whatever I listen to now, influences me and it keeps changing.

Are there any bands or artists you would like name who are currently your inspiration?

Nana: Bands I like right now are Queen Adreena and (Lazy Chainsaw?). I also really like female punk-rockish vocalists.

What made you decide to play guitar?

Nana: Because I wanted to play the guitar while I sang.

Ok [everyone laughs] Was there anyone or anything in particular that you saw that inspired you to play guitar?

Nana: When I went to live concerts and I saw people on stage playing the guitar and singing, I thought it was really cool and it looked like they were having so much fun and I just love the sound of the guitar.

When you were 3 years old, you started learning to play the piano. Do you still play it?

Nana: [laughs] Not anymore, I forgot how to play.

Do you have any future intentions to start playing again?

Nana: When I write songs I actually use a little bit of piano.

Since we're at an anime convention, let's talk about anime! Do you like to watch anime?

Nana: I don't watch too much animation.

So how did you feel when one of your songs [in reference to "Indelible Sin-Kesenai Tsumi"] was going to be used for an anime series?

Nana: It was my debut song that became the ending theme to "Full Metal Alchemist" and it was out of the blue that it was confirmed so I was really surprised and very very happy and excited.

Do you feel that because your song was put in an anime that it helped you gain popularity outside of Japan?

Nana: I do feel that the song kind of pushed me across the border otherwise I probably wouldn't be here in America and able to perform live for my American fans, but I think it's really cool that my song is the ending theme. And I love the anime series itself, I think it's really cool.

So, how does it feel being here at an anime convention where most likely everyone here has seen "Full Metal Alchemist" since it is a very popular series, meaning almost everyone has heard that song?

Nana: Because it is the first time I've come to America, it never felt that it was real that my record was out here and that there are people listening to my music. I really don't know what to expect from American fans since I've never performed in front of a huge American audience before, but during this live I finally get to experience that. And I'm a little bit nervous and my heart beats a little bit faster, but then again I'm really happy and excited about it.

We're excited for you as well.

Nana: [Nana and everyone laughs] I'm really looking forward to it.

Do you have any plans to go to Europe or other countries outside of the US?

Nana: Yes! I would LOVE to go! Absolutely! I am ready to travel to Europe anytime, whenever there's an anime convention just let me know and I'll be right there!

Have you met any of the other musical guests: MUCC or Yoshiki? And how does it feel to open up for MUCC?

Nana: I haven't met any of them yet, actually. Since I never met MUCC or seen them perform live I don't know what they'll be like on stage, but for me I will concentrate on my performance and do my best for my fans.

We've obviously never met you before and sometimes music artists can get very cocky and arrogant, but as we see you and we speak with you, you're very humble, happy and excited to be here rather than taking it for granted. What makes you keep yourself levelheaded and continue to be humble?

Nana: [laughs.] I don't think I'm all that humble. [Everyone laughs.] But in terms of music creation, as an artist, my job is to make and I enjoy making music and express how I feel. It's just like being in America is something so different, something completely new.

How did you select the songs to perform this weekend?

Nana: I picked the songs that I want my American fans to listen to including some songs off my album "18 –Eighteen-" and some new songs that are not released here yet.

Will we be able to see you play guitar tonight?

Nana: Yes.

How many guitars do you have?

Nana: There are two that I use quite often for different things. I have one acoustic guitar and I have quite a few more. Actually people give me their guitars! They have good guitars, but they say "Oh I don't use it anymore" and they just give it to me. So I have a lot.

Was their any particular one you chose for tonight?

Nana: I actually couldn't bring my own guitars, but I have people here who arranged for my favorite type of guitar to be in my hands tonight.

Is there a different setlist for each performance?

Nana: No, It will be the same setlist for two days.

That's it! Thank you very much for meeting us. And, again, we appreciate you taking time to have this interview with us.

Nana: Thank you. [in English]


Many thanks to Yuriko Inagaki from Tofu Records/Sony Music for arranging the interview, the translator who was very efficient and friendly, and Shinsuke Irihi for the photos.