RENTRER EN SOI in the USA

Over a month after their performances in Europe, RENTRER EN SOI had their debut performance in the USA at the anime convention Oni-con in Houston, Texas. That weekend, the band had a variety of events planned starting with their concert on Friday night, Question and Answer Session on Saturday and an autograph and photograph session with fans on Sunday.

JaME was able to have a one-on-one interview with the band an hour before the Question and Answer Session.

---

For those who aren't familiar with RENTRER EN SOI, please introduce and say something about the band member to your right.

Takumi: He's the bassist Ryo and he's always drinking beer. (everyone laughs) When you're in a band it's very important to keep on drinking alcohol.
Ryo: His name is Satsuki... (everyone laughs as Ryo thinks about what to say.) He has the most important position in the band.
Satsuki: (in English) His name is Mika and he's RENTRER EN SOI's drummer. He's great with drums and he has many attacks. (Satsuki imitates drum playing.) Some drummers think simple is best, but he can play drums really fast.
Mika: His name is Shun and he's the guitarist. He has the coolest silhouette of all guitarists. He has a kind of cool that the other members don't have and he's just a really sharp guy.
Shun: He's Takumi; he's the main songwriter and he's the guitarist. He's a very passionate person and really likes metal music the most. He gets hot very easily out of all the members. (everyone laughs)
Takumi: When I get into a room first, I always turn the air conditioner on right away. (everyone laughs again)

During a previous interview with JaME you mentioned that the theme of RENTRER EN SOI is introspection, the act of looking within oneself. What was the reason behind this theme being chosen?

Satsuki: It's very hard to find yourself and it takes a lot of time. Through our music, we look back at ourselves and relate the message back to ourselves. We want our audience to listen to our music and to look back and evaluate themselves. That is actually the main message that is embedded in our music.

Earlier it was mentioned that Takumi is the main songwriter. How do you compose your music and lyrics; which usually comes first?

Shun: Actually Takumi just writes the music.
Satsuki: I write all the lyrics. The music is usually written first.

Is there ever a conflict involving the music not matching the lyrics?

Takumi: Recently it's been easier because Satsuki tells me what message he wants to give with his lyrics so then I can write the music so it's a little easier to work with. There's more communication before a song is created.

Around 2005/2006 your music style and image changed due to a revelation regarding what is RENTRER EN SOI. Did you see these changes as inevitable and are there other musical styles you'd like to try or experiment with in the future: techno, pop rock, etc?

Satsuki: The changes were something that naturally happened. We do listen to a variety of styles and we don't really say "I don't like this", "I don't like that", "I don't listen to this" so putting everything together, this is the style that we work with.
Takumi: What we really want to relay is more of the message and even if it leans more toward a certain genre, there really isn't a "oh, we want to try this" or "we want to do that".

Ryo, you previously mentioned that you liked Visual Kei a lot when you were in school and wanted to do the same thing. How has RENTRER EN SOI's style and image transition fit in with your personal affinity for Visual Kei?

Shun and Takumi: (laughs) It was more of something that was popular.
Ryo: It was more of an impact that got to me, more of an inspiration. What we're doing right now is what I really want to do so Visual Kei doesn't really fit into the right category.

Many fans have debated over the similarities and differences in sound and image between RENTRER EN SOI and Dir en grey. Do you think there are similarities between your styles and how do you feel about these comparisons?

Satsuki: A lot of people have said that in Japan or other places. I've actually talked to Kyo about that and he said that he doesn't think that we're the same or that we're close at all. That's when I realized that we really aren't and that it's more an opinion of the audience. Since we're obviously under the same production and I really do like them, I'm not going to hide that. I really look up to them, so I'm not offended by it.

You performed overseas for the first time in September. What did you like about performing abroad? What are some memories you have from those two performances?

Satsuki: We really felt that the fans got powered up from our performances.
Takumi: For me, what was really important is that the audience, during both our shows, was singing along. I thought that was really great.
Shun: Compared to the crowd in Japan, they were much more passionate. They were more expressive with their feelings than those in Japan. Their reaction to our music was much different and it was really fun to watch. They really... touched me. (Shun touches his leg.) They were physically touching me. In Japan, the fans don't touch us, but there they did. Maybe it's the country... (everyone laughs) It didn't make me feel uncomfortable or anything; I'm just shy.

This was your first time performing in the USA. How did you feel about the concert and the crowd's reaction to your show?

Mika: It was just like the other two lives we had in Europe. The audience was very passionate and they didn't hold back. It was really great.

Do you find it difficult to express your messages overseas considering most of the fans don't understand Japanese?

Takumi: I also listen to music from bands of other countries and I don't understand their lyrics that well either, but if the listener can feel what we're trying to relay then that is a starter for us.
Satsuki: It's the best when the audience goes home having a negative feeling after a live since it obviously shows that they understood the message and the feeling; they look back at themselves. Usually there is a limit to how you see your inner self and then, because of our music, the person opens up and realizes who they really are inside. The message is to please re-evaluate yourself, so it's the best part when they do that.

Would you consider writing songs in English for those fans?

Satsuki: That would depend on how the words come alive with the melody.

Being a performer on stage, it seems you would be conscious of how you look on stage. How do you determine how you move on stage?

Satsuki: It's all natural because if you try to decide what you're going to do beforehand, it's kind of awkward. So there isn't a time when we're practicing our movements or anything like that, it's all very natural.

Even though you might not have any definite plans for the future, what are some things you'd like RENTRER EN SOI to accomplish?

Shun: There are a few goals that we have. One of them is having a tour in the USA and also throughout Europe.

From what you've noticed, what are some of the biggest positives and negatives of having a career in the music industry?

Shun: Usually I don't get noticed because I'm so different. Normally, I'm too sharp of a person. (everyone laughs)
Satsuki: One of the really good things is being able to come here and other places, spread our music, and get the audience to know us.
Takumi: I think that if we weren't doing this, we would never be able to get people outside of Japan to know us and relay our messages to all the people around.

For a bit of fun, since you're at an anime convention let's say you had super powers, what would they be and would you use them for good or for evil?

Takumi: I'd choose to not be able to die, to be immortal. I would challenge myself to use it for evil. (everyone laughs)
Ryo: To be able to pass through time and I'd use it for both good and evil. (everyone laughs)
Satsuki: In general, I'd like to fly. I wouldn't use it for good or evil, it would be more for my own leisure.
Mika: I'd like to bend time, to change how time passes. For instance, one day for a normal person would be two months for me. So I'd extend the time for myself.
Shun: It's not a super power, but I want to be able to make my own Doraemon and use it for my good only. (everyone laughs) [Doraemon is an anime and the character is a robotic cat sent back in time to aid Nobita, the main character.] Basically, I'd like to be Nobita, but I'd be him in a better way than he usually is.

Please give a final message to your overseas fans.
Takumi: This is our first time coming over here for a live and it was a lot of fun, but I want them to know more about RENTRER EN SOI.
Ryo: I would like to come to the USA again. Every chance you get to listen to our music, please listen to our music.
Satsuki: Me too. (everyone laughs)
Mika: Me too. (everyone laughs again)
Shun: Last night was awesome and we will be back. I love you!
Satsuki: It was love at first sight when we saw our American fans.

---

JaME would like to thank JHouse Rock and Oni-con for making this interview possible, and Midori for translating.