【Interview】Miku (An Cafe) × ClubZy ONLINE │Part #3 [FINAL]
In February of this year, 2023, Miku was interviewed by the ClubZy Online team.ClubZy is a Japanese magazine specializing in artists from the visual-kei scene managed by Visual-kei Oyaji/Seiichi Hoshiko. The magazine's chief editor is Hakuei (Penicillin).
To access the interview it was necessary to pay a contribution/subscription fee on the ClubZy channel on Nico (Japanese live broadcast platform), Cafekko Sara signed and sent us the interview!
Part 3 published on 02/22/2023
After beginning their hiatus in January 2019, AN CAFE made a 'live comeback' at [OSAKA MUSE 35th Anniversary Event “OUR CANVAS”] held in June last year/2022. After such a surprise, they celebrated their 20th anniversary this year by performing at Zepp Haneda on January 5th and 6th/2023. Furthermore, it was also announced that they will perform live in Tokyo and Osaka in August this year, certainly many readers are creating expectations for the full resumption of activities. We caught up with Miku (Vo.) to talk about the past, present and future of An Cafe!
Interview: Takayuki MurakamiPhoto: Susumu Miyawaki
- Is there anything you think has changed in the last 20 years of your activities as AN CAFE?
Miku: The biggest change was when I became grateful. Plus, seeing someone happy makes me feel more comfortable than before, and I find joy in those kinds of things.
-I understand. When I started the band, I did it for me, but having continued for so long, I feel gratitude. One more thing, Miku seems to have been very shy to begin with. Wasn't it a burden for someone who was shy to stand center stage and sing in front of people?
Miku: There was a lot of pressure and there were many moments when I wanted to run away from the stage. It's the same as being shy, but I'm not very good with crowds, and when I'm walking through Shibuya or Shinjuku crossing, I get heart palpitations. So, I had been taking antidepressants and panic disorder medication since I was 21 and stopped when I was over 30. The first year after I stopped was really hard, but once I got used to it, I was fine with crowds and things like that. Also, when I was on medication, I had strange emotional ups and downs. Even when it was fun, I didn't find it very fun, and when it was difficult, I was very sensitive. However, life has become much more enjoyable since I stopped using drugs. I liked being with people. Now I can enjoy my favorite music even more.
-I think it was difficult being in a band for 20 years, but I'm happy that you persisted and continued to sing.
Miku: Regarding that, it all comes down to having fans and team. If I had been alone, I think I would have given up completely. That's why I actually saved my life because of AN CAFE.
-Certainly. So on the other hand, what do you think hasn't changed consistently even after 20 years?
Miku: I can't grow up (laughs). I can't forget my childhood and I can't become an adult. There are more parts that haven't matured than other people, and that hasn't changed for a long time.
-I feel that it is good not to forget the childish heart. So I don't think you should force yourself to become an adult.
Miku: I wonder... I feel like it's not good if I get caught up in this. After all, I feel like I have to become an adult. When I say "adult", I don't think you're an adult because you're silent, or you're an adult because you're always free. As I said before, seeing someone happy makes you happy, and the people who support you are also adults. I think it would be good to become an adult in this part.
-The fact that you think like this makes me feel like an adult. Even though men have a strong desire to be loved when they are young, as they get older they want to give someone unconditional love... In other words, it seems that many men want to be a "long-legged uncle."
Miku: Certainly, I have changed a lot in this area. I actually started giving gifts. I give birthday gifts to people who are indebted to me, but there are times when people buy expensive things that they would never buy for themselves. It was my sister's birthday on January 10th and I use a very cheap rice cooker. Guys under 10,000 yen (laughs). But I gave 50,000 yen (about 1,700.00 reais) to my sister. Recently, I have a strong desire to make someone happy.
-I think Miku is an adult after all. Next, since this is a good opportunity, I would like to ask Miku-san about the personalities of each of the AN CAFE members.
Miku: First of all, Yuuki (keyboard/vocals) is beautiful. In fact, he is very delicate and I think he is the closest to me. So it fits into the story. Even though she is this type of person, Yuuki comes out of her shell and musters the courage to offer entertainment to everyone. That's why I feel like Anpanman (laughs). Takuya (guitar) is a young man with a good heart. He doesn't say what he thinks out loud. It's not because he doesn't trust his own thoughts and opinions, but because he believes that if he keeps quiet, things around him will go well.
-I feel like there are a lot of guitarists who say, “I am, I am”, but takuya-san is different.
Miku: Yes. I have the impression that he is a person who can control his ego, which is rare among guitarists, and who stands up for others. During the performance, there are times when takuya goes to the center of the stage, it's not takuya saying he wants to go to the center, it's us saying it. We said “Wouldn’t it be interesting if takuya appeared more here?” takuya is that kind of person.
Kanon-san is the only person I don't understand. Ever since he chose bass, I always thought he had no desire to move on. But when he stopped doing AN CAFE, he was doing solo, singing songs and, surprisingly, he's the kind of person who wants to express himself... or something. He doesn't talk much about his opinions in the band, I really don't know where his true feelings lie. That way, I still can't understand the person. Teruki is kind, serious at heart, hardworking and a different type from everyone else. There are some moments when I think I'm a child, but there are also moments when I see a philosophical side. That's why I consider myself an artist.
-I understand. Looking at it this way, a keyboard player who appreciates flashy things, a guitarist who is not selfish but acts like an unsung hero who respects the people around him, and a bass player who wants to stand out from others. We have members a little different from the so-called traditional musicians, like an aggressive bassist and an intelligent drummer, working in a good team.
Miku: Actually, it might be like that. I think it's a good team.
-The way the limbs are somewhat irregular gives rise to a unique chemistry. Now, let's talk about the future of An Cafe. Firstly, in August this year, concerts will be held in Osaka and Tokyo, the title is [LIVE CAFE 20th Anniversary NYAPPY SUMMER NIGHT] “An Cafe, 20th Summer ~Remember the innocent days~''.
Miku: It's a summer show, as the title says, but An Cafe is celebrating its 20th anniversary, so you're only 20 years old. 20 is already an adult, so I think there are times when you can suppress your childishness and pretend to be an adult. The audience has grown up with us, and I feel like the brakes have been put on their hearts and they can no longer enjoy themselves purely. Under such circumstances, this show will be a show full of thoughts, of remembering the innocent days and becoming a child and having fun together. I think the more you grow, the more restrictions you have, so I want you to get rid of them and have fun, and we will escort you.
-I'm looking forward to it. One more thing, including the summer show, what kind of year do you want 2023 to be?
Miku: I want it to be a year where I can take a leap forward both in my private life and as a band. It's a boring story, but last year, when I drew an omikuji, I was unlucky twice. So every time something happened, I spent my time worrying that something bad might happen in the future. Until December 31, 2022, I was thinking: “This year is just a little longer, but until then, don't let anything bad happen, don't happen.” I decided not to draw an omikuji (laughs). I don't draw omikuji and, as it's the year of the rabbit, I hope it's a year in which I can take a leap forward with the Cafekkos.
