Rock band
camino is no stranger to performing at anime conventions in the United States, but this time the band is embarking on a number of performances in Toronto, Canada, including
Dot Con. They answered some of the questions we had in advance of their performances in November.
First of all, thank you so much for granting us this interview. It's been quite a while since you've performed overseas. How do you feel about being able to perform in Canada this November, are you excited to perform abroad again?
TAKA: This is our first trip to Canada, so we are all really excited!
HAYATO: I'm looking forward to talking with fans over there!
What are your favorite aspects of performing in the Americas? And is there anything you dislike or just can't get used to?
KIKU: The audiences overseas generally get into live concerts more than Japanese do, so we are really pumped up to do a good live.
HAYATO: The experiences we've had overseas have been important for
camino, I think that they gave us a lot of confidence.
TAKA: What I hated was eating McDonalds everyday!(laugh)
KIKU, you are the only original member from when the band first started. What made you want to form a band and what was your original goal or vision for the band?
KIKU:I made this band for my love and for my youth. In Japan there aren't many skillful rock bands, so I thought camino could carry the rock scene. My goal is to make this band the best rock band in Japan.
Do you think the group's sound has transformed entirely since the early days, or is it pretty much still what you had in mind when you formed it with JUN?
KIKU: What I wanted to do has never changed. I regard the present members as the real original members, that's what changed.
How would you describe your music and what would you say are your main messages?
HAYATO: We'll send our everything to you in our music!
TAKA: LOVE&PEACE!!!
For the members who came a bit later, what inspired you to join camino? What about it attracted you?
HAYATO: I thought I could find something new in myself.
TAKA: The distorted guitar sounds were something that I'd never experienced before! (laugh)
REHIT: It was the music I wanted to do.
RYOSUKE: Drinking together was fun! (laugh)
Could each of you say something that one of your fellow bandmates brings to the group?
All: We gathered because God told us to do so!
You've given a bunch of overseas performances at anime conventions in the United States, so in the U.S. and maybe Canada, do you feel your fans there really associate you with anime? And what about your fans in Japan?
All: We feel that very much!!!
RYOSUKE: Is that Shibuya?
Do you like playing at anime conventions or are there also negative aspects to it?
KIKU: I love it!
HAYATO: I'm happy that
camino is accepted well every time. We are supported by fans warmly all the time.
Would you consider doing a live house tour in the Americas as well?
All: We don't have plans at the moment, but if we could, we would love to!
And back to the theme of anime, Nostalgia
and Lovin' Moon
were used as anime songs; how did those arrangements come about? Did you make those songs knowing in advance that they would be for anime, and did that influence the lyrics and compositions?
KIKU: I can't give too many details, but I saw the anime and then I made the song.
Having flown overseas so much, what advice would you give to people making 12 hour flights? What do you usually do during that time?
HAYATO: Be careful about the economy syndrome!
TAKA: It's better to wear casual clothes!
REHIT: It's better to ride the airplane without sleeping!
RYOSUKE: Play games!!!
If you could play anywhere in the world you haven't been before, where would each of you want to go?
HAYATO: Easter Island! (laugh) We'll go wherever we're invited!
KIKU: Australia.
TAKA: UK.
REHIT: Canada.
RYOSUKE: Italy.
Do any of you speak English well? How is communicating with your overseas fans?
KIKU:
HAYATO does.
HAYATO: I'm not so good at speaking English, but I wholeheartedly make an effort to communicate with fans.
There's a lot of moon imagery on your website, and of course in the singles Lovin' Moon
and Lovin' Moon 2006
, and the cover of L+
. What does the moon mean for you, why do you use it?
TAKA: We use it because we're attracted to its mysteriousness.
Your new single Story
came out this summer. What were you conscious about when composing the music or writing lyrics this time?
HAYATO: I wrote the lyrics while thinking about the preciousness of life and peace.
KIKU: Concerning the music, I tried to bring out a driving feeling and the mood of
camino.
How was the recording process?
KIKU: We were laughing all the time, and it was very fun.
HAYATO: I think there was a good level of nervousness that brought us all together to make some really good work.
This time on your trip to Canada you'll be doing autograph sessions. How are those usually; Do you ever have fans ask you to sign unusual things?
TAKA: I wrote my signature on a big car.
KIKU: I signed a guitar, and a Pirates of the Caribbean postcard! (laugh)
RYOSUKE: Someone's body!
Could you tell us something about your future plans or goals?
KIKU: We want to communicate not only with Japanese fans, but with foreign fans more and more!
All: We aim to be the top of Japanese rock scene, and we want to release
camino's sound to the world music scene!
Could you please give a message to your overseas fans?
All: We think you will be happily surprised when you see our live performances. Come to the show and take a look and we'll have a great time together!
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions! We wish you good luck in Canada.
JaME would like to thank camino and Avex for making this interview possible.
