AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MORPHINE

 ©Morphine

Could you please introduce yourselves to the readers of Summon the Roses?

I’m Rema, I’m Shizuki, I’m Lin, I’m Hisaki!

Hi, we are Morphine.

How did you come up with your band name Morphine? What is the meaning behind the name?

Each human has some negative aspects. Disagreeable, filthy and all of them can be pain. We want to be relied on as if people who has physical pain relies on morphine and as if they're addicted to it.

Can you tell us about your image concept? Are you going for a dark or mysterious look?

The design of our costumes and photography comes from the image of black color like darkness.

What do you want express through your music and lyrics?

We describe and uncover "reality" that the public wants to conceal with straight lyrics. But what we write can be felt with your own way as well.

Are you currently composing new music to release? Is there a mini-album you are working on releasing soon?

We compose songs always as many as we can! The mini-album which will be released on next November has 5 songs. We hope that all fans who listen to the album can feel something in every songs.

You released a free single titled 乙切り荘  on June 12th. Can you tell us about the composition of this single?

The highlight is harmony of the sounds. Though it's simple and heavy, beautiful and catchy melodies coexist. The lyrics describe weakness, madness and wrong love, that the part of human, but we compared that emotions as stalker figure.

What do you want your fans to feel when listening to your music?

The way people feel and perceive music is different, so I want our fans to feel the sounds and empathize the lyrics as they feel.

You have been around the music industry for a while now. What will be the direction you will be taking with this new band you formed?

We become stronger band to overcome the targets in front of us step by step. Without any stop, limitation as the definition of visual-Kei, we want to grow much bigger to be accepted by anyone with our own music.

Are you touring soon? Will you travel overseas to perform?
What are some of your favorite hobbies when you're not working on music?

We're planning a tour within the next years. Unfortunately, the tour doesn't include overseas  shows, but we wish we can go overseas soon.

What are some of your favorite hobbies when you're not working on music?

れま:アニメを見る

To watch anime.

Lastly, do you have a message for your dedicated fans?

I'm looking forward to meet fans from overseas. Please wait for us someday we will meet.

🌹Links🌹

A big thanks to Morphine and staff for allowing us to conduct this interview. 

EDEN OF GODS ~ INTERVIEW WITH deva:ed

 ©deva:ed

Can you introduce yourselves to the readers of Summon the Roses?

Hi! We are deva:ed. deva:ed's members are You-suke (Vo./Gu.) and Yayoi(Ba.).

How did deva:ed members meet and decide to form a band?

We have been friends for a long time!

Can you explain your music concept?

Our music concept is unique music that does not resemble any band.

Are you currently working on a single or album?

Yes. We are currently working on a 1st mini-album.

What do you want to express through your lyrics and music composition?

I would like to express a dramatic and fantastic world. 

What is the meaning behind your band name? How did you decide on your band name?

deva:ed is coined word. "deva" means Gods in Sanskrit, and "ed" stands for English Eden.

Therefore, it means the eden of the gods. We decided on "deva:ed" because we liked the magnificent meaning and sound of words. 

This year many Jrock bands have attended events in the United States, do you plan to go overseas to perform? 

Of course! If we have the opportunity we would like to perform overseas. 

What are your goals for the remaining of this year 2017?

It is to make our performance in Tokyo successful. 

Lastly, do you have a message for your fans?

Thank you for always cheering us up! We are always so happy with your kind support.

🌹Links🌹

https://deva-ed.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@deva-ed

Summon the Roses would like to sincerely thank deva:ed and staff for allowing us to conduct this interview.

DIVE INTO GLAMSCURE'S WORLD IN THIS INTIMATE INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND

©Glamscure

Can you introduce yourselves to the readers of Summon the Roses?

Chaos: Hi this is Chaos, proud member of Glamscure.
Harui: Harui. I play guitar, write songs and propose various ideas too (laughs).

Inori: I am Inori, the resident of darkness.

How would you describe Glamscure’s world? Does each member represent something in particular?

Harui: Dramatic and romantic.

Chaos: Glamscure’s world is usually moody and dark but also brings back the good catchy melodies of the past. We try to do what we like and put some of our personal taste into it as well. I don’t think each member is representing something individually, but I should say that each individual member’s experience and taste is reflected into our music and visuals. Each of us is playing an important role in that sense.
Inori: Everybody’s heart is affected by different kinds of darkness. We would like to explore about the shadows that are born from the light.

What is the meaning behind your band name? How did you decide on that band name?

Harui: It comes from the words glamorous and obscure

Your first album, “shadowscapes”, was release last April. If you were to advise a single song in this album, which one would it be and why?

Chaos: I keep changing my answer every week but the first song “Haiiro no sora, siren no koe” is one of my favorites. I think it’s a good track to start with,
Harui: “Haru ga owaru koro”, because this song has a special meaning for me.から
Inori: My current favorite is “Kakusei to Psyche”. This song also has a music video which is featured in the limited edition of the album. It was our very first video-clip so it has a special meaning for me.

Vo.Chaos

Gu.Harui

Ba.Inori

Tell us about your new video, “Kakusei to Psyche”. What’s the meaning of that song and video?

Harui: Ehehehe...

Chaos: The meaning of the song is tied to a traumatic experience in my life. In the video I play a noblewoman who is confined in her mansion with her husband and butler. More than telling a concrete story I tried to visually reconstruct the main feelings of the lyrics. I had some more episodes in mind but unfortunately could not make it due to time constrictions..

Inori: You might need to watch the video many times to understand its meaning. Buying the CD and looking at the lyrics and artwork might help as well (laughs).

What feelings do you want to bring in people who listen to your music?

Chaos: My objective is to have people relate what the song is about to their own personal life and experiences. It really depends on the song and lyrics but definitely you will rarely feel happy after listening (laughs). I actually would like to write a love song sometime though.
Harui: Life it mostly suffering, but it’s hard everybody not just you.

Inori: Everybody feels differently by looking at the same picture and listening to the same sound. You are free to feel the songs and their meaning in your own way.

Where do you find the inspiration for your lyrics?

Chaos: A lot of lyrics are usually about something I am upset about or some kind of complaint I have. However, as expressing those feelings straight might not be enough I try to build a different story or setting around the original episode that inspired me. Most lyrics have multiple interpretations.

Harui: They mostly come from my imagination ️ There are times I get influence and inspiration from episodes and events happening around me though.

What artists or bands have inspired you?

Chaos: I used to be a goth kid, a metalhead when I was younger, and even got obsessed with folk at some point so I should say a lot of different artists inspired me through the years. But older visual kei bands from the 90’s and early 80’s are definitely a major influence for this band.

Harui: MALICE MIZER.
Inori: I was mostly inspired by the visual kei bands from the 90’s and first half of the 2000’s. But there are bands that I like and that inspire me even in the current generation.

Do you have any travel plans in the future to perform in another country?

Chaos: We do not have plans even though we would really like to visit other countries. Feel free to invite us!
Harui: I guess it depends on our CD’s sales.
Inori: We do not have plans but I wish it would happen in the future.

What are your ultimate goals with Glamscure?

C: World Domination.
H: I am not sure yet, maybe will find out somebody.

I: Secret︎

Lastly, do you have a message for our readers?

Chaos: Please check out our new album on Spotify and such and feel free to purchase it online if you like! I spent days making the booklet and artworks and months recording it so I hope you will enjoy.
Harui: Everybody around the world!! This is Harui!!!!
Inori: I hope more and more people will know about us and like our work★ Please keep supporting us.

🌹Links🌹

SPECIAL FEATURE: AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH ANIMA KURAYAMI

©ANIMA

Could you please introduce yourself to our readers and describe your position in the company?

Hi everyone! My name's Anima, I'm from France. Japan is my passion since my youth. I've been a Visual Kei fan for 13 years. I'm translating interviews in French, looking for new artists to interview and post the latest Japanese musical videos on the Summon the Roses' page.

When was the first time you got into modeling and what inspired you to get into it?

I started modelling in 2015 at Tokyo Collection for the Tenbo brand which invited me to join them for this event. I admit that it basically wasn't a domain that attracted me at all, haha. But Takafumi Tsuruta, the Tenbo leader, found the words to change my mind. I couldn't say no.

How did your close family members and friends feel about you becoming a model? Did they have any objections or were they supportive of your decision?

My close family members and friends didn't all react the same way, haha. My father was really worried and skeptical (and he still is by the way). My mother always saw that as a good thing and is cheering me. My sister was really proud and allowed herself to tell it everywhere around her, haha! Only my best friend was aware of what I was going to do before I begin in modeling. He too was quite worried at first but sees it better now, haha. My other friends discovered it on the moment. I didn't tell them anything until the Tokyo Collection was over. They're all very encouraging.

Was it a big challenge for you to become a model? What are some challenges you faced,and how did you overcome these challenges?

Being a model was a really big challenge for me. I always had trouble to physically accept myself, and I wouldn't have believed that one day someone would propose me to do something like that. To accept that proposition meant to fight against the picture I had of myself, to accept myself. It wasn't easy at first, but I managed to. After years of hearing people saying that after all I'm just a "girl in wheelchair", being with people complimenting me was really disturbing. But I did some effort, I thanked them, I started thinking that maybe they were right and I shouldn't underestimate like I did. I forced myself into taking more pictures of myself, being more tolerant with those and posting more on social networks. Now I know that, even if I was afraid, I did the right thing to give myself an opportunity in this domain, because it helped me to moving on.

We want to know a bit more about your modeling career and all the wonderful things you have experienced so far. How do you prepare before a photo-shoot? Do you choose your own outfits?

Before a photo-shoot, I prefer to not think too much, because I tend to stress quickly, haha. I simply try to keep focus, to not stress too much so the pictures are successful and to always take it as an entertainment rather than an obligation. I sometime choose my clothes myself depending on my mood, but often one of the brands I represent entrusts me with some outfits. It depends.

©ANIMA

You mostly use dark colors, do you consider yourself dark? Would you consider lighter and softer colors?

I consider myself as a Visual Kei, with a style close to that of Mana from Moi dix Mois for example. However, I don't like to give myself etiquettes, I am myself, I wear what I like without worrying about fashion or people's opinions. A style is a style, we shouldn't judge people only with that. Being "dark" on the outside doesn't mean that you are in your mind too, haha. I'd like to try to wear a "lighter" outfit, while keeping my dark makeup for a photo-shoot or a parade. It could be an interesting contrast. On the other hand, wearing anything "soft" doesn't attract me. I don't really like what's banal, haha.

Do you have any favorite brands you want to model for? Who's your favorite designer?

Moi-meme Moitie, YOSHIKIMONO, h.NAOTO, Baby The Stars Shine Bright, SEX POT REVENGE, Anna Sui, ATELIER BOZ, ATELIER PIERROT, Fanplusfriend Garden, ACDC RAG... Those are the first names that come to my mind, but I'm open to any brand that would be interested. I'll necessarily do favoritism for the designers by saying Takafumi Tsuruta for Tenbo and Kouji Oukanda for Hippies, haha! I'm also a big fan of Sixh since many years. But my preference goes necessarily to Mana for Moi-meme Moitie and Yoshiki for YOSHIKIMONO.

Do you have any favorite models that inspire you?

Here too, I'm forcefully going to do favoritism by citing my friends Takuma Hara, Soushin Kouyoushi and NalmiX, haha. I also really like what AKIRA (Dis@code) does as a model. Otherwise, I can also cite Winnie Harlow.

What are some important goals that you want to achieve as a model and in your personal life?

As a model, I'd like to make myself known more in Japan, whether it's with new brands or with those I already represent. I'd like that my image inspire other people who feel complex or not confident in themselves (whether they have a handicap or not). In my personal life, I'd like more than anything to once be able to live in Japan and keep going in artistic, no matter which domain, because it's the environment I'm the most fond of.

What does modeling mean to you? Do you see yourself modeling for a long time?

I long saw modeling as a superficial picture of our world that I found unrealistic. That's why it basically didn't interested me at all. When I joined Tenbo, I realized I was wrong. modeling is an art and, when used properly, can allow you to transmit important messages to people. I sincerely hope that what I do as a model opens the eyes of those who persist in rejecting those who are different of them or those they don't want to see. Our world is so and ignoring it won't change anything. We've got to accept each others, and modelling is a good tool to promote diversity and tolerance. That's why I joined Tenbo, because their message goes in that way. I don't know if I'll be a model all my life, but it wouldn't displease me. But if one day I feel like I'm not transmitting any message anymore, that would certainly convince me to stop.

What are some important values in your life?

Tolerance, to accept ourselves as we are, honesty, to respect the others, to always do our best to reach our goals, to be trustworthy, to listen the others when they need, to be useful for the world when we can.

Could you describe your personality to those who don't know you well?

When people see me for the first time, they tend to think that I'm a cold and distant because of my style. In reality, I really like to kid, I'm really attentive to the others, I'm curious about a lot of things. I admit to appear as a calm person, but it's more shyness. I like to do my best when I do something.

You travel to Japan often!  Can you tell us one of favorite memories from your past trips to the beautiful country?

I have a lot of good memories of Japan, it's going to be difficult to choose only one, haha! I'd say that maybe it was when I went to the first YOSHIKIMONO exhibition in 2015, because it's not something one can do often in one life. Since I'm a big fan of X JAPAN, I was really delighted to assist it. The show was really magnificent, as much for the outfits as the show. And seeing Yoshiki in flesh and blood was a privilege for a Visual Kei fan like me, haha.

You are studying Japanese at the moment, how are your studies going?

It's going well! I like the Japanese language a lot, so I don't really see it as an obligation, haha. I especially try to train with Twitter and Facebook, thanks to my numerous Japanese friends. It works quite well.

Have you ever been to America? Do you ever plan to visit?

No, I never went to the USA. But maybe one day I will. After all, I have a really good friend there that I'd really like to meet, haha.

What other companies are you associated with at the moment? What are other talents you have besides modeling?

I'm officially model for Tenbo and Hippies in Japan. I'm also administrating the official French and American Street Team of Sana Sama on Facebook. I like art in general, so I try a bit of everything. I try to design outfits and jewels for example. But basically, I'm an author. Even if to this day I never managed to do much in that domain, I hope one day I'll be able to keep going. I write a bit of everything, otome-games, mangas, graphic novels, comics characters...

How many languages do you speak? Are you planning on translating articles in another language in the future?

Except for French of course, I speak English since I was 8, I'm been learning Japanese for more than 1 year, I understand Italian because it's one of my 2 mother tongues, and I know some Russian words too. For now, I don't have the level to translate articles in other languages than English and French, but maybe I'll soon be able to translate in Japanese!

Are you working on any important projects right now you want to share with us?

As I said before, I'm currently doing my best to live in Japan. Of course it's extremely hard, because it's a country where immigrating is like the 12 labours of Hercule, haha. Especially when you're disabled. Unfortunately, I'm not receiving much support, which greatly slows me down. But I won't give up! I'll do my best as usual, and I know I'll reach my goal. Support me, my friends, haha!

What are your goals for the remaining of this year 2017?

First of all, returning in Japan at the end of the year and keep doing the procedures to live there. Progress as a model in the hope that I'll reach new horizons. I always have a lot of things to do so I'm not too worried, I'm not about to get bored anytime, haha!

Lastly, do you have a message for our followers?

Thank you all for your support, it means a lot to me! I'm waiting for your point of views on our future projects. Never give up your dreams, always fight to reach your goals, whoever you are. Don't let the others tell you what to do or tell you that you're worth less than the others. Approach those who aren't like you, you'll have good surprises. And especially, keep following us on Summon the Roses! I love you! Visual Kei Powaa!

🌹Links🌹

Thank you Anima Kurayami for allowing us to conduct this interview.

Facebook: visual.kei.is.not.dead

Twitter: AnimaKurayami
Instagram: animakurayami