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Aug 29, 2016

GOOD ROCKS Vol.76 - interview with Kyo

interview by Kurota Nahoko photos by Fukumoto Hirosuke

You can get original at amazon or CD Japan

- I've just listened to “Utafumi” right before the interview. So for now my image of the song is “the force of explosion”. It became a song with a very different image from your last album “ARCHE”. Did you have any worldview or image that became a root for this song?

Kyo: I was thinking that having a faster song would be good, just that. What to do after releasing an album and then a single, I don’t think about that at all. I only do what I want to do. I don’t really like ballads as they bring the tension down, so I pushed for having a faster song.

- Whose song was it?

Kyo: ... probably Kaoru’s.

- You are not interested from whom the song comes out originally?

Kyo: I listen to songs randomly when we are choosing songs to work on, so I don’t know whose songs are they and I don’t care.

- Can you tell whose song is it by mannerism and so on?

Kyo: No, I don’t know much about song writing so I don’t know that.

- You’re responsible for writing lyrics so it’s surprising to hear that you don’t know about composing. Besides the song that became a single were there many submitted songs with higher tempo?

Kyo: Members submitted songs twice, in total there were 10 candidates. To tell the truth, first time there were no faster songs and I wanted a faster song no matter what so we had a second submission, and that time there was a faster song as well. Honestly, there was one more song besides that faster song, but it was a ballad. So we chose the song that became “Utafumi”.

- Song has an explosive start and then has parts that make you wait with a lingering memory. We can also feel “pain” that was always a theme for this band. I got a feeling of exploding.

Kyo: I didn't really feel it’s a heavy song...

- What is a heavy song for you?

Kyo: No idea. Isn't that different depending on the music one listens to? If I said this song is heavy, fans of black metal will definitely disagree. From a view point of punk fans who would say it is a heavy song it will be different too.

- Even so, this song became as close as possible to what band wants to express now.

Kyo: I don’t know if it’s right on mark, but it’s a faster song made by the current DIR EN GREY.

- It’s your first release since 1 year and 7 months, during that time you had various activities like sukekiyo shows or exhibitions. If we talk about the flow of production, at which point the worldview depicted in lyrics was created?

Kyo: I don’t remember at all. I write lyrics while singing the provisional version at the time we decide on a song. I can’t really say when it becomes completed. Just that I suddenly realize it’s done. I finish the whole song before band members start recording, so I don’t know when it starts or finishes.

- So after you finish the lyrics you leave the writing to other members. You didn't feel like you want to change something or your impression changed when listening to the completed song?

Kyo: Only “okay”.

- Not “great, okay!”?

Kyo: No, only “okay”.

- So you are always okay with what other members create?

Kyo: We keep doing what each of us wants to do, that’s the answer. I don’t have anything to say about that.

- As you are writing lyrics, do you just gather words that follow the image of the song?

Kyo: Yeah, that’s about how I do it.

- DIR EN GREY is expressing “pain”, “loneliness” and “anger” in their songs. What pain and anger was included in the lyrics of “Utafumi”? I felt something like an explosion of frustration as well...

Kyo: Usual things, like a diary from that time. Not feelings that accumulate daily, but things that I feel everyday.

- Was the aim to be saved by putting those feelings into words?

Kyo: No, there’s no aim. Even if I put it into words, it will not change. I've never thought about writing lyrics as a job. When being asked “what did you eat today?”, one answers “a hamburger”. A regular thing like that.

- So it’s a feeling included in the everyday. The title “Utafumi” brings to mind “Fumie”.

Kyo: It’s not our side that is doing the trampling, it’s the other side.

- When writing lyrics, does anything influences you? You had so many other activities besides the usual like your solo work and exhibitions.

Kyo: ...influence. No I don’t.

- Feelings that bombard us daily, movies, art ,literature...

Kyo: Nothing.

- So you’re a type who doesn't get blocks, you can just smoothly continue creating.

Kyo: I don’t get blocks.

- We see many people who get into conflicts when they continue music activities for a long time, so what’s a secret to being able to continue expressing oneself with only those feelings as a base?

Kyo: Don’t people who get into conflicts look for them? (laughing) Isn't the final form people wish for different for everyone? Regarding the level of creating, of course people who do their best have some trouble as well. But, I simply keep creating as I see fit, but I’m not troubled. When I struggle with some difficulties I just write.

- So while being super busy with bands activities, exhibitions and other things you just keep writing. I can’t not wonder how you reset?

Kyo: Reset... I don’t do that. I’m really busy as in I’m lacking time, but I don’t treat being in a band as a job. I simply keep doing things I want to do, that’s it. I have fun, I properly have fun. So I don’t really feel tired (of creating/band activities).

- So you don’t separate band activities from your private life?

Kyo: It’s all the same. No mater if I go on a trip in private, or if we give a show, it’s not different.

- I have this image “travel = refreshing time”.

Kyo: I do get refreshed. Just to take care of my throat. If I only take care of that my daily life doesn't change at all. It was like that for me from the very start that I didn't need to reset myself.

- I've heard that you describe yourself as a pessimist, but rather than that I would say you’re very straightforward.

Kyo: I only have pessimistic thoughts.

- About what kind of things?

Kyo: Everything!!

- About society or environment, people around us...

Kyo: Really everything!! I see the negative in everything.

- We often say that after falling you can only get up.

Kyo: I have some positive thoughts... about once every half a year.

- I’m really curious about what is it about (laughing).

Kyo: It’s usually very random. I can’t really remember what was it about, normally I just have negative thoughts.

- What do you enjoy?

Kyo: I do enjoy giving concerts and creating music and so on, but I basically soon start thinking that’s it’s only me who enjoys that. I can’t get satisfied.

- About music or society, we just keep wanting things.

Kyo: Yup. I’m extremely greedy and pessimistic.

- Even if there’s something making you happy, you soon just start thinking it won’t last long?

Kyo: Instead of thinking it won’t last long I think that it’s only me who understand this enjoyment. It’s like that. But... How should I put it?

- You don’t search for people who think the same way as you?

Kyo: Wishing for someone thinking the same way I would become empty. Me wishing for the same opinion is empty as well. On the contrary, I hate being comforted. Even being told something good, maybe I will hear complains the next day... So I decided not to think things will go well.

- If you make this kind of thinking quite natural it’s not tiring, right? If you only have negatives thoughts sometimes, won’t you get questioned if you’re not tired?

Kyo: Nah, that’s tiring.

- Oh, you get tired!? (wry laugh)

Kyo: Yeah, I do. I do, I hate optimistic people, but compared to those people I think I’m much better off (being a pessimist).

- Isn't that a bit positive?

Kyo: Optimists will stay positive no matter what, so I think it’s easy to live like that, but if someone makes fun of them wouldn't they just try to change it into something positive? I see that as really pitiable. Instead of that I prefer negativity, I think that I can’t fall further than this.

- Isn't there a bottom that will end your falling?

Kyo: You just keep falling, even after falling you cannot crawl up. Of course my feelings change daily, but I’m not hoping it will improve, so I just write lyrics and express myself at concerts according to how things are at that very moment.

- You just released a live footage “ARCHE in NIPPON BUDOKAN” last month, there’s a chance that Kyo we can see there is Kyo who fell to the very bottom?

Kyo: If we did it now it would probably become something very different. Those are the feelings from that time.

- To tell the truth before the interview I went to a cinema screening of that live footage. You look really incredible in that footage... If I think that Kyo from the footage is in a very low place mentally it gives me a very different point of view.

Kyo: So the me now is not incredible?

- That’s not what I meant (wry laugh). There’s never such time!!

Kyo: I see...

- Ah, I feel you took what I wanted to say in totally wrong way (wry laugh). I heard that you are already performing a new single at the concerts. How’s the response from the audience?

Kyo: We don’t really mind that before the official release, but it looks like not paying attention to our fans. Even if it’s not a heavier song that is released, some people would try to join in/dance to the music, right? But if they actually don’t like it and just dance to not look like they’re bored, seeing that is painful...

- That is also connected to your pessimism. I've only just listened to it, but it seemed like a song that will get people very excited at the concert.

Kyo: Unfolding is complex, so it’s hard to listen at first.

- I’m looking forward to how it will develop during concerts.

Kyo: But a good start will be finished at this level. It doesn't feel like a song we performed for the first time, I can sing it in better places, I would like it to get even smoother/better.

- This “better place”, what place is it?

Kyo: Playing concerts at various locations during the tour, don’t you get used to it? You make the next move while still thinking about it. But this song can be done without thinking about unnecessary things, so I like it.

- SUGIZO recorded one song with you on violin, “Kuukoku no kyouon”, it’s because of playing together last year at the LUNATIC FEST, right? You decided on this song to play together?

Kyo: We requested this song... I think...

- It’s a quite long song from ARCHE, when listening to it the impression is suddenly changing. Not only because one more person was added to a normally 5-people formation, I think there’s added impact specifically because of SUGIZO’s presence.

Kyo: There was no pattern like that, I was simply happy about it. I don’t know about other members, but I really enjoyed listening to it, I listened to it feeling like a kid. You don’t have to try hard to do it. Even when rehearsing I didn’t have to think much about the composition and so on.

- After the event you wanted to work on the same song?

Kyo: It felt good performing it together at LUNATIC FEST, so we wanted to give it a proper shape.

- When arranging it again, have you made any changes?

Kyo: Maybe other members have, but I haven’t changed anything.

- I would really love to see it again performed live...

Kyo: That depends on SUGIZO (laughing).

- Other extra song from the single is the remix of “Revelation of Mankind”, it was the last song recorded for ARCHE, who worked on the remix?

Kyo: I had nothing to do with it. I think it was other band member or someone from the company wanting to include a song like this. I didn't have any reason to be against it.

- So for this song as well you didn't have any opinion?

Kyo: That’s right. The “okay” feeling.

- I would like to go back to the topic of Live DVD. It was your 10th performance at Nippon Budokan.

Kyo: I think so...

- I would like you to look back and tell me your thoughts on the performance, but your memory might be vague?

Kyo: I remember wearing a military uniform, I don’t remember much more... maybe I mistook the lyrics... this much.

- Do you not remember all shows done so far as long as you did your best?

Kyo: Yes. It’s not that I remember because it was bad, it’s just when it’s over it doesn't stay in my head. I also forget all lyrics I wrote so far. I forget lyrics I wrote myself. It’s not about a lack of interest, I’m just this type of person.

- With a product with a cut out everyday, this attitude makes it difficult to remember things.

Kyo: It was a good show, we played in a big venue, I don’t remember things because of things like that. Instead don’t we remember bad concerts? I don’t think we remember fun things for long.

- I guess bad memories keep following us.

Kyo: Right? I remember that I did my best at the show, that’s it. Anyway, I do my best at every show.

- So if you don’t remember much about playing in Nippon Budokan, it was a very good performance.

Kyo: I think so.

- On the DVD you have many moments that leave a deep impression on viewer.

Kyo: I simply wore what I wanted to wear. We don’t match outfits with other members. We only see each other before the show, same for photo shoots.

- I thought that you all are using a stylist for photo shoots.

Kyo: Some band members do, some don’t. I don’t have anyone working on my make up or hair, I mostly do everything myself.

- Your make up from the DVD is also amazing. You painted another pair of eyes above your own eyes.

Kyo: When we were touring abroad I had a lot of free time so I did it (first time).

- Was it simply because you thought another pair of eyes would be interesting?!

Kyo: Interesting, checking if I can draw it. When we go abroad I have really a lot of free time. Being free I thought it would be interesting to paint eyes, so I also did that for Budokan. Just that.

- So you decide on your own costume and make up for concerts.

Kyo: I can’t make my own costumes so I explain what I’m thinking about to a staff and then I simply choose one.

- Recently you also produced some Western style clothing. Paintings and clothes, I have a hunch that from those diverse aspects some things help get new ideas related to music.

Kyo: I don’t have much experience outside of music, so I’m not sure what will come next. It’s very frustrating when I cannot express my idea when drawing.

- You’re in the middle of the tour now (interview occurred in mid June), how do you feel?

Kyo: I’m still interested and enjoying it.

- There are previous album names included in tour names. What’s the reason behind it?

Kyo: I don’t mean it as our 20th anniversary or anything like that, but it’s like a festival. We’re not going to simply revive past concerts, current us are performing previous albums. But the most important is definitely the new single, Utafumi.

- With older songs, it’s been quite a few years, so do you notice anything when performing it now?

Kyo: If it matches or not (the band now). Only that.

- So at the rehearsal there are some bits where band members sound each other out?

Kyo: I wouldn’t know, I do my best not to go, so I’m not a nuisance.

- A nuisance? (laughing)

Kyo: Because I’m not a type of person who needs to sing perfectly. If I was a person who needs to express themselves perfectly, I would go to rehearsals and also check lights and ear monitors properly. It’s not like I don’t care at all... but if possible I don’t want to sing at the rehearsal. But for the sake of our sound engineers/PA I sing a bit. If you want to hear perfect version please listen to the CD. Mistaking the start of the song, being out of sync, being late... mistaking lyrics and changing the melody, I do all of that. So? Isn’t it interesting?

- It’s the best thing from that exact moment.

Kyo: If I was cutting corners, it would be terrible. But because I do it seriously I think it’s okay. There are some mistakes, but it’s not because of the lack of rehearsal. My feelings from that exact moment, I think that how they are included in the concert in every moment is the most important part. Singing prettily is only a frame. I don’t regard that as something important. I want to let out more what’s inside of me, how would that work with a thorough rehearsal? That’s my position.

- What’s the most important thing to be able to express your feelings at concerts?

Kyo: Being honest. Nothing more. Aren’t there people at concerts often saying ‘let’s do it for others!’, isn’t that cold?

- I can’t answer that (wry laugh).

Kyo: I think there are some people like that, but not me. It’s lacking feelings.

- You look at that very soberly/coldly.

Kyo: For example when singing in the venue with capacity of 2000 people with this feeling ‘for others!’, it’s not like all of those 2000 people like the performer. Some might hate them. I don’t want to sing for the sake of people who hate me.

- Not tolerating things you dislike, it’s very simple.

Kyo: Yeah, I really can’t.

- Since when do you have this way of thinking?

Kyo: Since I was born, I was a person like that since the very beginning (laughing). From long ago I hated hypocrites

- Word “hate” is very powerful. Being able to do things your own way is some kind of happiness.

Kyo: ...Maybe. If I couldn’t do that (things my way), I wouldn’t be here.

- The last question. After releasing new single you will have an autumn tour. At the movie screening Toshiya shared happy news that you will probably play some new songs.

Kyo: After 2 song submissions we have quite a few songs. There are some songs on which we started working so I think we should be able to play them at the next tour.

- So attending the next tour we will be able to experience your evolution. I’m really looking forward to that!

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