Interview with KAMIJO in Moscow

JaME succeeded in sitting down for a chat with KAMIJO while the other members of Versailles were preparing themselves to appear on stage. In spite of the heat, the vocalist was elated and courteous and joked during the interview.


Good evening, thank you for finding the time to speak with us.

KAMIJO: (in English) Hello, my name is KAMIJO.

At the beginning of this year, Versailles' international fan club was opened. Why did you decide to do this now?

KAMIJO: The international fan club is an essential thing to advance the band to the world level, so I decided that we must create it.

You are one of the most famous visual kei bands among the Russian fans of Japanese music. What is the secret of your uniqueness?

KAMIJO: The fact that a band such as Versailles exists - our teamwork and the opportunity to perform on stage, everything that happens with us is a miracle, I think.

What are some main sources of inspiration for you?

KAMIJO: I’m inspired by the movies I watch, the books I read and even the wine I drink. And women are also a source of inspiration. (laughs)

Your latest release, the album JUBILEE, is a very impressive and emotional work. How did its conception come about?

KAMIJO: Inheritance of the information that people share with each other is the basis of JUBILEE. It may be something like what we call history, to a wider extent of the word, and contains some other knowledge also.

What did you want to tell your fans with this album?

KAMIJO: I think everyone interprets it differently. Each person experiences the emotion with which he feels the most comfortable. But if someone were able to open his heart, it would be the best thing that could happen.

What is the process of composing songs like? Do you write a melody first and then the lyrics, or vice versa?

KAMIJO: First of all we compose the melody.

V-ROCK FESTIVAL ’09 took place in Japan in the autumn of 2009. Besides those who were present at this festival, a lot of fans of visual kei all over the world were watching the on-line broadcast of the event. How did you feel being a part of this extensive project?

KAMIJO: V-ROCK is Versailles ROCK. V-ROCK FESTIVAL is Versailles ROCK FESTIVAL.

Really?

KAMIJO: Of course. (in English) We were the main act.

What do you think is the difference between the perception of visual sound between Japanese fans and overseas fans?

KAMIJO: The Europeans take visual kei as a musical genre, but we consider it as a unique status and I’m proud of it.

At the present time, Japanese music and Japanese street style are becoming more and more popular all over the world. In your opinion, what is the reason for this?

KAMIJO: In both cases, it’s happening due to the popularity of anime, but in the case of Versailles' rise in popularity, I think everything began with movies.

If you were not a musician, what would you like to be?

KAMIJO: (in English) A tennis player.

Finally, please give a message to your overseas fans.

KAMIJO: I’m very glad to see Russian fans of Versailles. (in Russian) Thank you.

Thank you!


JaME would like to thank CMG-Project for making this interview possible and Joji Natsui for translating.