Interview with miyavi in Brazil

Following the last of seven concerts in the Americas and keeping to an incredibly tight schedule, it was no wonder that everyone was exhausted. However, despite the tired atmosphere, JaME was granted the exclusive opportunity to sit down and chat with miyavi about his work and experiences of the tour so far. At midday, the weather remained sunny and everyone from the crew, particularly miyavi, were in positive spirits.

miyavi requested that the interview be conducted in English, making a great effort to understand the questions asked and expressing his thoughts. His English was impressive and we had no problems during the entire interview.


First of all, thank you for everything. We announced THIS IZ THE JAPANESE KABUKI ROCK TOUR on JaME around three months ago and due to a flood visitors the website actually crashed! This was the first time anything like this has happened to the site in six years, so thank you very much for making the website even more popular!

miyavi: Ohhh. Thank you!

You announced that you wanted to break several barriers by carrying out this tour, such as language, race, gender, etc. Is that your purpose with this tour? After seven concerts, five cities and three countries, do you personally feel that you have managed to achieve these goals?

miyavi: Yeah, that was one of my main purposes, to break down barriers and all that. Now, after visiting three countries, I feel that I've gained a lot. I think that when I am up there on stage the most important thing is for me to deliver my thoughts, feelings and emotions through my music. So there are many different languages and cultures, but now I feel that I could make sure that those really don't matter.

So yeah, even though I was performing in Brazil, Chile and the USA, they were singing my songs in Japanese and I was responding to them in English. Although there was also some Portuguese and Spanish involved, I think that the most important thing is to try to understand each other regardless of language.

Do you think that after these performances this was achieved?

miyavi: Yeah! Yeah, I can tell it has.

During the Chilean and Brazilian concerts, were you expecting such a strong audience reaction? Or, was it a surprise for you to find that you have so many fans in South America that really appreciate your music, too?

miyavi: Of course I expected to find people with a lot of enthusiasm, but they had much more than I expected! I really didn't expect them to sing my songs in Japanese! Most of the songs they sang along to; I was so surprised. Although at the same time there was a great deal of power and energy coming from them and that's why we could overcome so much traveling.

Actually, after the first concert in Brazil, I came down with a cold and my throat hurt a lot. I was so nervous about my performance on the second day, but I managed to pull through and I felt that I performed better than usual. Thanks to their power and enthusiastic behaviour, I found it really, really helped me out.

You have stated that you are a visual-kei artist, however, you remain a different kind of artist. You are influenced by rap, traditional songs, hip-hop, jazz and various other styles. Do you think that other visual-kei artists should follow this vein of thinking?

miyavi: I don't think so, I really don't think so. It's my own way, although it's okay that there are so many ways, but I like to think it's my own original style. Plus, visual-kei is becoming more common and normal overseas, and they all look the same. I don't really like this; I don't want to do what somebody has already done before me. That's why I am just trying to, you know, break new ground.

So that's the message behind Sakihokoru hana no you ni ?

miyavi: Yeah, just like that! You know, that song is pretty much my whole life? It's the way I live, what I've managed to gain during my whole life, the way I have lived so far. So I am proud of being a visual-kei artist. Now in the Japanese music industry, there are so many different perceptions and prejudices against visual-kei because we have to wear make-up.

Really we're artists before we're musicians, but this just my image. I'm trying to express my style through my appearance, performance and music; not just music. It's my whole life, even while I'm having this interview I am being miyavi. That's why I'm cool, because even at the airport, having a beer and talking with someone, I'm always miyavi. So, in a way, I'm always singing about my life.

You are a major artist. However, in your songs, you sing about unconventional subjects. These are often matters that are hard for Japanese society to understand and accept. Do you want to break barriers and old taboos within Japan as well?

miyavi: Well, of course. Sure, that's why I have my members and my crew. I mean, they are all from the underground scene, but they have so many skills and are crazy, wonderful and talented artists. That's why I asked them to come along, I want to show off their mad skills to everyone.

We took the chance to speak to Saro about his performance at the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL and to Ryo about being a recognised drummer. I also asked Shige-chan about his role in the band Kobose, who has a completely different style. Do you think that the KAVKI BOYZ are bringing something new to you? Do you find that you're mixing your musical styles and this approach is going more in the direction that you wanted to go in?

miyavi: Yeah, that's exactly it. I am obviously influenced by them in the same way that I am influencing them. That's the main reason why I chose them, I really respect them as artists. They are, as you know, from totally different genres. So, well, you know, we don't care. We have our different styles and different ways, but we can connect through our music.

It's great that you have achieved these things. You know, you are the first musician we have ever met to have a tap dancer in their midst and it is even harder than we imagined to stage a concert because it is so unusual. So, congratulations on making this work.

miyavi: Yeah, it's really hard, that's why we run into so many troubles. But you know, as I told you before, I don't want to do what somebody has already done before me. I want a truly original style.

Do you intend to continue with the KAVKI BOYZ or are you planning something different for the future?

miyavi: That's a very good question. (laughs) Hmmm. I cannot really answer that now because I am always changing. Of course I respect them and I want to continue with my style, but, I don't know, it's just that I will do whatever to be myself.

You also worked with SUGIZO for the song Hi no hikari sae todokanai kono basho de. How was it to work alongside him and how are getting along with S.K.I.N. and the Japanese music scene in general?

miyavi: It was great! He played his guitar because... I just, you know, invited him because I was certain that he had his own style, you know what I mean? It's kind of the opposite to how I play the guitar, I adopt a more aggressive style and partner it with the mic. SUGIZO uses a more melodic approach and keeps up a good harmony. I respect him and we are, as you know, complete opposites; that's why it was a great opportunity.

I also want to be a better member of S.K.I.N. They've made an industry out of visual-kei seeing as they are pioneers of the industry. That's why I'm really honoured to be a member of S.K.I.N. However, at the same time, I realised that I had to create new music to remain in this generation of the musical industry.

So, you might also be improving on S.K.I.N.'s activities?

miyavi: Yeah. That's why I'm mixing my current style and culture with hip-hop, rap, jazz and everything else. Oh, visual-kei, too!

You don't want to lose your visual-kei style?

miyavi: Yeah, it's an important thing. You know, it's really easy to quit being a visual-kei artist. I could be classified as a visual-kei or popular artist. Right now in Japan, especially in Japan, it's way easier to be famous without the visual-kei label because it has a really negative image. I am sure however, that it is really important for me to continue to be myself as a visual-kei artist.

The visual-kei audience is very specific, they tend not to mix with audiences from other fandoms. Do you want to encourage those other audiences to attend your concerts, or are you content to stay with a visual-kei orientated audience?

miyavi: No. I mean, I don't just focus on one kind of audience. I don't have a specific type of audience. Well, actually I don't care, you know?

Whoever likes your songs can attend?

miyavi: Yes, everyone in the world! But, you must know that I will keep my style and that is what is important.

You are one of the younger and most powerful artists that has bought urban Japanese culture to the West, such as fashion, music and behaviourisms. All of this popularised by the Internet, you are an artist who is made known by music downloads and Internet communities. Right now you maintain a MySpace and blog, do you intend to bring more of you influence to the Internet, such as iTunes for example. Or, do you intend to carry on creating official merchandise and goods to sell?

miyavi: Oooh, yeah! Of course I would like to do that! Actually, not only with merchandising that somebody would have to make. I want to create a strong connection with my fans overseas via the Internet.

And about your fanclub, Comiyavi, many artists are bringing theirs to Western audiences. Do you think that this is possible for yours?

miyavi: Of course, you know. Yeah, I kind of wish I could.

Now you realize that you have a big audience, in both Brazil and Chile?

miyavi: Yeah, anything is possible. But you know, managing and running a fanclub is incredibly hard work. I have a fanclub in Korea and Taiwan and it's kind of hard to manage. It is worth trying though, there's so many people that listen to my music!

So, after the tour, do you intend to work on another album, carry on activities with S.K.I.N., or do you have something else planned?

miyavi: After the whole tour?

Yes. The whole tour.

miyavi: Ahhh... I think I am going to release an album or single. Actually, for now, I am going to stay in Japan before we leave for Europe.

Will you be taking influence from this tour and applying it to those releases? Something from the Brazilian or Chilean cultures?

miyavi: Of course, all of the experiences I've had during the tour will affect the music that follows as a result.

A little off topic. Recently the hide memorial summit was held in Japan. You weren't able to attend because you were obviously on tour and concerned about the preparations, etc. JaME held an interview with various Japanese artists asking for their views on hide and how he influenced their style. We noticed that you wrote an entry in your blog regarding the event and mentioned that he was one of your favourite artists. Could you possibly leave JaME a small testimonial about him?

miyavi: Of course you know that my musical style was influence by him. But, most of all, the way that I live, the best way to maintain a relationship with my fans. Actually, I am just playing the guitar, but in a totally different style. I respect him as an artist, as a human being and you know, the relationship he had with his fans is something that I respect greatly.

He was also trying to break rules and barriers and so that why we are so influential as artists. We are responsible for continuing to succeed, continuing with his opinion, his ideal and that is what I am trying to achieve. Not only that of course, I was influenced by many artists, but that's how it was.

To finish, can you please leave a message for everyone in Chile and Brazil?

miyavi: First, thank you for everything. I just want to say that without you guys and your hard work that we never would have made it here otherwise. I felt that we couldn't have made it happen, so I am honoured to be the first J-Rock artist... Am I?

You are in Chile.

miyavi: Ah. SOMEONE CAME?

Yeah. Charlotte, Sharurotto, an oshare kei band.

miyavi: (a moment of silence) Anyway... (laughs) I am honoured to be here, so, yeah... I also want to thank the fans in South America. I will always go everywhere I can, but I gained a lot of things from this tour in South America. I was really impressed with you guys, the hall and your energy. It was really worth the effort; I was really surprised. It was amazing! You guys made me feel happy and made me realize that differences, such as languages and culture, don't matter. We can make it happen, we can break it down. So, I hope I am going to come back soon, around February, the carnival...

Please come, we would be honoured!

miyavi: I want to know more about the culture in South America, Brazil and Chile. Well, I had fun while I stayed here! So, thank you!

Thank you!


JaME would like to thank PS Company, Maru Music Yamato Comunicações e Eventos and, of course, miyavi for this extraordinary opportunity.