La Vie En Rose, the Indies band who had been together for 12 years, decided to disband in the middle of 2006; fortunately, JaME was able to have a mail interview with them inspite of their disbandment.
How did the name "La Vie En Rose" become the name of the band?
LVER: We didn't know the meaning of the name at the time, but we liked the sound of it. (laugh)
La Vie En Rose is often categorized as a punk band; do you agree with this categorization?
LVER: We have never recognized our band as part of the punk scene.
For our readers that aren't familiar with Japanese punk, what bands would you recommend o them?
LVER: THREE 9.
KEN, what interested you in the bass, and how long have you been playing?
KEN: I have been playing bass for about 10-12 years without any special reason.
kyohsuke, you wrote the majority of La Vie En Rose's lyrics and music. What inspired you throughout the years?
kyohsuke: I get my inspiration from everything in my daily life. I try to write lyrics about real things.
You're the vocalist of the session band, Gekigakutai. How did the idea of this session band come about? For La Vie En Rose you're the drummer and back-up vocals, what made you decide to do lead vocals instead of drums?
kyohsuke: I wanted to express my songs without having to play drums. When I thought about this, Yaguchi of Gekigakutai happened to be nearby. (laugh)
There are a few songs where you are the vocalist for La Vie En Rose, why do those songs sound different (with a more techno beat) than the other La Vie En Rose songs?
kyohsuke: I wanted to make music far different from La Vie En Rose's usual music, I wanted to separate them.
YUTA, you have a beautiful and strong voice; does singing come naturally to you, or were you taught how to sing? Do you practice any certain techniques?
YUTA: I was never taught to sing. Since I sing songs that were requested by La Vie En Rose, I was able to learn to sing in various ways, develop a broad range.
You wrote the lyrics for "Mabuta". The lyrics are beautiful, yet they seem so sad. What inspired you to write them?
YUTA: When we fall in love with someone, we are very happy and enjoy things at first, but then sadness and pain often follow, which makes love seem frail.
You're also the vocalist of the session band, ANNY's LTD. How did the idea of this session band arise?
YUTA: I started this band to improve my skills, and I gathered members, including a rhythm section that had a totally different feeling than kyohsuke's drumming rhythm. I decided on costumes and make-up later. I wanted to make the concept easy to understand, so I made [Clockwork Orange] as our theme, which fit in perfectly.
Ke2, you originally formed the band, but with a different line-up. How did you recruit the current members, and what were your thoughts about them when you first met them?
Ke2: Before I was just happy to meet men who had the same ideas as me.
You wrote the music and lyrics for "Blue". What was your inspiration for this track?
Ke2: I wrote this song thinking 'I want to grow-up fast and I want to be free'.
La Vie En Rose's "GOLDEN BOX" was recently released; is it possible for overseas fans to order this box as well?
LVER: Not at the moment, no. I'm sorry.
For your album booklets, you design them yourselves; do you also design your merchandise?
LVER: Yes, we design them! Ke2 does that.
You like to drink alcohol quite often, at least from what we've seen in your online diary and from various clips you've posted on your website. What's the most embarrassing or the worst thing you've ever done when you were drunk?
LVER: We can't say since there are just too many stories. (laugh)
On MUCC's album "Cover Parade", you recorded a track titled "Niwaka Ame Session", which is a compilation of your "Niwaka Ame" songs with YUTA and kyohsuke. How do you feel about this?
LVER: We are happy that the songs we created are loved in this way.
In a previous interview with JaME, MUCC stated that La Vie En Rose is their superior, their foremen in your own hometown; do you feel this is true?
LVER: Yes, it is true.
What kind of connection do you have with Ibaraki?
LVER: It's our loving hometown.
"Club Roma" is mentioned a few times in your lyrics, even in one of the tracks for Gekigakutai. What is "Club Roma"?
LVER: An imaginary place which kyohsuke dreamed up.
What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment as a band?
LVER: Our chic hearts.
How has being in La Vie En Rose helped you grow as a person?
LVER: We were able to realize the importance of enjoying our everyday lives as much as possible.
What memories and lessons from La Vie En Rose will you always carry with you?
LVER: We learned 'love' from La Vie En Rose, and we want to live with 'dreams' from now on.
What are your individual plans for 2007?
LVER: We'll think about that starting from now.
Could each of you please give your international fans a final message?
YUTA: I'm very happy that La Vie En Rose's music reached you guys overseas.
Ke2: Thank you for your continuing support.
Thank you to La Vie En Rose and Danger Crue for making this interview possible.
