Kagerou's third visit to France

In April of 2006, Kagerou arrived for the third time on French soil, to the great joy of both long-time fans and new fans who discovered the band through music journals. JaME offers you the chance to live or to relive those four days spent in Paris in the company of one of the hottest Japanese groups at the moment.


JaME had the great pleasure of sitting down for an interview with Kazu and Yuana at their hotel in Paris. Sadly for us, the interview was cut short due to the band's increasing poularity, and other demands on their time.

Hello, and thank you for meeting with us! We know your time is limited, so let's get started. The concert hall you're playing at this year is twice as big as last year's, what do you think of this?
Kazu: We are very happy.
Yuana: We were very happy to hear that, but at the moment it seems a little unreal to us, as we haven't actually seen the venue. But if it’s true, then that will make us very happy.

We have heard on the radio that you were going to release an album in August, will there be a maxi single before that?
Kazu: Yes, in June we will release a new maxi single.

Are you going to play some of the unreleased songs for the concert on Friday?
Kazu: Yes, we'd like to play them.

Are you stressed for this third concert?
Kazu: Even though it's the third time here, some stress still comes with each of the concerts that we do. But being in another country, it's always a pleasure. So all is going well, we're not too badly stressed.

You had a guest appearance on a La Mouv, French radio program. How did that go? What did you think of that type of program and how does it compare to those in Japan?
Kazu: It’s truly different. Quite the opposite of those in Japan, where the guest only speaks of the topic for which he or she is known. Having to speak at length about things that have nothing to do with our band or our music, it’s very different.
And what do you think about this?
Kazu: We would have preferred to have spoken a bit more about the group. It's much more interesting to talk about the group and to make everyone listen to clips of our music.

Can you describe your song writing process for us?
Kazu: Someone brings an idea forward, it doesn’t matter who. After everyone listens, they make their own instrument's arrangements. Then, we make Daisuke listen to it and he writes the lyrics. That's how we end up with something that all of us have contributed to, because someone comes with a base and everyone puts their ideas on top of that.

Yuana, do you find yourself limited in the compositions since you are the only guitarist? Do you ever feel that the guitar presence needs to be stronger?
Yuana: Well, I prefer to be the only one, I don't feel limited at all.

How much time do you practice individually and as a group each week?
Kazu: It’s hard to say. It depends on the time we have and it is difficult to calculate. Sometimes we practice a lot, sometimes less.

At what age did you start to play an instrument?
Kazu: 16 years old.
Yuana: 15 years old.

What made you decide to do music?
Kazu: More than the influence of groups or whatever else, it was the instrument, in particular the bass, which pushed me. The bass was my object of veneration. I wanted to play it at all costs, to make myself happy.
Yuana: When I used to listen to music clips, it made me want to make music. To fulfill my dream, I went to a store to buy a bass, but it was too expensive and so I bought a guitar instead.

How was your first concert (before Kagerou)?
Kazu: In a group, you aren't alone. You're doing it with your friends, and you have to form a whole, so the first time that we entered the scene, it was a great moment of satisfaction and accomplishment, because I truly felt that with my friends, we were constructing something.
Yuana: At the time of my first concert, I was playing the bass. And I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t make myself look at the audience, so I spent my first concert by the side of the stage. We all get affected like that.

To finish, how did your concert in Germany on April 23rd go?
Kazu (Yuana laughs to his side): That went very well, except in the middle of the concert where Daisuke hurt himself diving into the crowd. He was a little bit hurt, but he’s going to be all right.
Yuana: But otherwise it went well, as it usually does.

That's all the time we have. Thank you for the interview!

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JaME caught up with the band on their busy French trip once more on April 27th. In addition to being the first Japanese band to appear on French National Radio, and performing at their concert, Kagerou attended a signing session for fans at FNAC Champs Elysees.

JaME found the band eagerly signing CD booklets, plushies, stationary and even marriage contracts for their fans. The crowd of cosplayers and gothic lolitas, mostly in their late teens, was thrilled to see the band, and even sneak the occasional photo, though cameras were "strictly prohibited".

One middle aged fan proved to the world that there is no age limit on those who enjoy good music, as she kissed Daisuke's cheeks, much to his amusement, and cheers from the assembled crowd. Eventually, the fans departed in good spirits, and eager to see the band's performance the following day at the Trabendo.


JaME would like to thank Kagerou for taking time out of their hectic schedule for our interview.