Please introduce yourselves to the readers of Summon the Roses
Hello! I'm Captain Mina, guitarist of FATE GEAR. also I do songwriting, and playing bass guitar on recordings.
You're an all-female steampunk metal band. What inspired you to choose this theme and style for the band?
I discovered steampunk when I performed at convention in U.S. with my previous all-female band in 2013. I've always love fantasy, so I like steampunk too and decided to incorporate it into FATE GEAR.
Can you describe in a few words the sound of your music?
Female fronted steampunk melodic metal. Umm difficult to say in a few words! XD
Your latest release "The Vanguard Of Hades" album will be released nationwide this Summer, What can you tell us about this album?
This is a concept album based on a fantasy novel featuring angels and demons that I wrote as a child. It contains 4 new songs and 9 live recordings. The new songs have a gothic and symphonic feel.
the song "Devil's Pact" is I sung for the first time!
You will be releasing a digital single titled "This Fate" feat. NANA & Hashimura Hime which will be different from the track on your "The Vanguard of Hades" album. What can you tell us about this digital single? How is it different?
The single version has lines by my voice during the violin solo.
Translated into English, it means, "Now I just want to know what my future holds, rather than live in fear of not knowing what it will bring." The drums sound mixing is also different.
You will be embarking on your first Canada Tour as part of your Worldwide Live in Blood Tour this year. Are you excited you will be performing in different cities in Canada?
Yes, of course!
Do you have any sightseeing plans when visiting Canada?
We want to do some sightseeing. however, every tour is so busy with travel that we can't do much sightseeing. we hope we can!
What is the most exciting part about meeting your fans overseas?
Being able to actually meet fans I had only interacted with online.
Lastly, do you have a message for your fans?
Would you like to go on the adventure with FATE GEAR?
We look forward to seeing you this tour!
🌹Links🌹
A Special thanks to FATE GEAR for allowing us to conduct this interview.
Please introduce yourself to the readers of Summon the Roses
My name is Taku Takahashi and I'm a member of a group called M-Flo. We started our group 24 years ago and next year it will be our 25th anniversary.
I make tracks and beats and I also produce artists such as Crystal, aill, b-first, and recently did a remix for Utada Hikaru. I'm also the owner of radio station called block.fm.
In August, you released Gold ~Mata Au Hi Made ~ Taku’s Twice Upon A Time Remix for Utada Hikaru's latest single. What was it like working with singer song-writer Utada Hikaru?
Usually when I'm asked to do remix they send me the stems of the track and vocals and I just make the remix. For this case, I asked Utada Hikaru for a favor I wanted her to rap on top of it, I wanted her to say "Bring the beat back". She was very kind that she recorded that in her own studio and did more than that. That is how she came up with introductions voicemail, it was her idea. She likes listening to her singing but she doesn't listening to herself talking on the radio and was a bit shy about it. It was a very creative experience and the communication was fun too. The way she expresses herself and explains how she wants things to be done it's very unique.
What were some of the challenges of releasing Japan’s first internet radio broadcast dedicated to dance music? What did you enjoy most about it?
It cost money (laughs) I was very fornutate when I started my career, although we worked really hard, everything went smoothly so I never had to worry about money. I just had to concentrate on creativity. We were fortunate we were really successful, what we did was very different from the regular J-pop. My management company, let me focus on creating music. The reason why I started block.fm. went to Japanese music scene to change and back in that time it was very less progressive. There were so many great talents that were not exposed and I decided, I should start it. Problem was, I never had experience dealing with running a company. I learned in order to do something creative, and something you want, you need your mind and you also need money.
M-flo is considered to be one of Japan's most iconic hip-hop groups. How did the idea for M-flo come about, and what would you say was the key to the group's success?
Verbal and I went to same the school in Elementary, and in Highschool we were together and I knew Lisa from Junior High. We first started M-FLO with just Verbal and me, and we featured Lisa and that's how she became part of our group. in 1999, it's so different from now, R&B, House music and electronic music was not mainstream in Japan. US and Uk underground was becoming popular and it was entering the pop scene, but that wasn't happening in Japan. My main goal was to make that music more mainstream in Japan since I loved it. We worked hard and a lot of people helped us. We had a great team. There was a birth of Jpop in Japan, and Japan was going thru a new phase. J-pop became more experimental and we debuted at the right time. People wanted something different and a change.
Can you tell us about your time working as a music director for the anime, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt? What was that like?
I was the music producer, I was in charge of creative aspects. At first it was offered to me, but I was too busy with other productions, so I said I can't do it alone. I asked friends to join me. My made like half of the song in the soundtrack, when I'm working with Anime or Movies, it's all about giving confidence to the production team. Mr. Imaishi and I had a lot of discussions asked a lot of questions about how he wanted the audience to feel for this particular scene or the OP, he wanted the opening to be classical Japanese animation.
Do you prefer producing music or DJing?
I like making music and concentrate on music but when I'm on stage, I forget that. The crowd going crazy and giving you support and love and adrenaline rush, and that makes me forget.
Lastly, do you have a message for the readers of Summon the Roses?
I am very happy that people listen to my music outside of Japan, and I notice a lot of people know my songs. I like that they listen to my music without any bias, but at the same time I love having conversations and communicating with people that listen to my music. I hope I will be able to come back more.
Could you please introduce yourselves to the readers of Summon the Roses?
Sena: I am Sena. Guitarist.
Ricko: I am vocalist, Ricko.
Zyean: I am Zyean, drummer.
Boogie: I am Boogie, bassist.
Jiluka started in 2013 and it is now 2023. Did you all decide to come to North America on your 10 year anniversary? Was this something that was planned or something that just happened?
Sena: The version of JILUKA that started in 2013 was a temporary version*. The current JILUKA which is the permanent, “real” band started in 2015. They haven’t hit 10 years quite yet.
Could you tell us more about your concept of ‘Electro-Gothic-Metal’? What is the story behind EGM and your new single, VENΦM?
Sena: For EGM, there were three JILUKAs. There was the Electro JILUKA, the gothic JILUKA, and the metal JILUKA. Since we wanted to take those three and make them into one unique concept, we mixed them together and that is where EGM came from. It is just to mix the three genres and it becomes something that is our own.
VENΦM is the third song after BLVCK and Overkill in the EGM concept. We wanted to make a third song that’s really strong and leaves a lasting impression so that you, as a fan, can know what EGM is.
After seeing Sena rap in VENΦM, can we expect to see more rap vocals in JILUKA’s future releases?
Sena: If the members agree.
Ricko: NO!
So what are some of JILUKA’s favorite songs to perform and why?
Sena: BaLa-DeDa
Zyean: BLVCK, Overkill, & VENΦM
Boogie: KUMARI.
If you were to choose a specific band or event that drew you into this industry, who would you give credit to?
Sena: Since I was a kid, being expressive and expressing myself is really fun so I wanted to do that.
Ricko: Since I was a kid, I loved to sing. I was always singing around the house, just getting the opportunity to sing is the reason I wanted to do this work.
Boogi: I like music and I like watching musicals so getting the opportunity to express myself through music is really important to me. It’s why I wanted to do this work.”
If you had just one sentence to capture your audience’s attention and convey “JILUKA”, what would it be?
Sena: E. G. M.
Ricko: Stronger!
Zyean: Greedy.
Boogie: E.G.M
What can fans look forward to from JILUKA in terms of upcoming releases or projects?
Sena: We want to continue to expand and perform overseas more, and become more worldwide.
9. Let’s ask some more fun questions now. Do JILUKA’s band members have a favorite anime or TV show series they love?
Ricko: Naruto! Ninja!
Boogie: Death Note.
Zyean: Spy x Family.
Sena: Stein’s;Gate
Are you all enjoying America so far?
Boogie: Yes
Zyean: Yes
Ricko: Yes. I love the US.
Sena: Of course.
Are there any plans for a world tour in the near future?
Sena: Of course
Thank you! That is all I have but before we conclude, is there anything JILUKA has to say to the readers of Summon the Roses?
Sena: Mata Kimasu
Ricko: Mata Kimasu
Zyean: Mata Kimasu
Boogie: Mata Kimasu
🌹Links🌹
We want to give a special thanks to Jiluka Staff and Fakestar for allowing us to conduct this interview.
A special thanks to Anime Weekend Atlanta for this opportunity.
Please introduce yourself to the readers of Summon the Roses
I'm Ano. Nice to meet you.
You will be releasing your first album “Neko Neko Getsu” this upcoming December. Are you excited about the release of your album? What can we expect from this release?
It's my first physical release as a CD and I'm really looking forward to it.
How was it like having your song “Chu, Tayousei” featured as Chainsaw Man's ending theme?
Chainsaw Man was a big hit and a lot of people watched it. I was very honored to be involved as a project in the ending theme.
What are the differences when you're performing as an artist compared to when you're modeling? We would like to know the best of both worlds, is there a big change when you switch from one to the other?
As an artist, I'm using words and sounds to express my emotions, whereas, as a model I concentrate more on the physical side of things. For example, how does the clothing I'm wearing fits or how does what I'm wearing express itself. It's not so much an internal emotion it's more of an external expression.
How would you describe your fashion and visual concept?
It's almost a changeling where I don't stick to just one genre, I wear a lot of different things. I don't stick to one thing, and I can change and express different things depending on what I'm wearing.
What message are you trying to convey through your lyrics and music?
Through lyrics and sound, what I wanted to do was try to let you forget about your anxiety and use my music as a weapon to go against the next tomorrow, so it can be a better day.
Are you enjoying your time in North America so far?
I'm having a lot of fun
What are some hobbies you enjoy doing when you're not working on your music?
I play a lot of video games.
Lastly, do you have a message for your fans?
This is my first time in Atlanta, Georgia and I don't speak English at all, but I'm also not very good at communication or speaking in general, but with my music I feel like it crosses borders and nationalities do not matter. I'm using this opportunity for more fans to learn about my music and me.
🌹Links🌹
We want to give a special thanks to Ano Staff and Fakestar for allowing us to conduct this interview.
A special thanks to Anime Weekend Atlanta for this opportunity.
Please introduce yourself to the readers of Summon the Roses
I'm mainly an Anime singer and I used to live in the United States.
Your new album “Who’s me? “ came out this year. Can you explain what you wanted your fans to feel while listening to it?
Because of Covid we couldn't hold any live performances and the music industry was affected as a whole, and I even caught Covid at one point. It affected us pretty heavily, so in making the album "Triple Crown" there are a lot of Anime songs in a lot of different genres. In purchasing this album, you will get to see many sides of me. I also love horse racing so I took a lot of inspiration from that.
Can you tell us about your visual concept for your music video “Triple Crown”. What is the theme you were going for in this video?
Within this world of Anime singers, it's really hard to succeed in this industry, but for me I wanted to prove I have what it takes and I'm prepared and have the willpower to go forward with this career and of course the image of the song is of a strong powerful woman. I prepared my outfit to show that strength so the visuals could impact the viewers as well.
From your album “Whos me?” Do you have a favorite track from this album?
My favorite song is titled "No. 1". The meaning of the track No.1 is that I want to become the number one Anime singer in the world. The meaning behind the lyrics is inspirational for my fans. I want to let them go so we can reach great heights together. This is also an inspiration from the horse racing world.
How do you feel about meeting your fans in North America?
I haven't met my fans at Anime Weekend Atlanta yet but there's a lot of positive response on social media and I see the fan's reaction and I love to see that. For me being back in America, feels like coming back home. I am looking forward to the warm reception of fans and I'm excited about meeting my fans at the autograph session.
Growing up, what made you decide to become a singer? Who inspired you on your music journey?
Originally, I really liked Anime and singing and I wanted to put those two together. I wanted to become an Anime song singer. The reason why that was even a possibility was because I heard May'n who is the singer for Macross Frontier and I heard her powerful songs and I thought this is a job I want to do in the future. It took a lot of different auditions and I participated in some competitions and took voice training. I eventually debuted.
What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of music?
I love to play games and watch horror movies.
Do you have a favorite horror film that you love?
I really like OLD directed by M. Night Shyamalan. I've seen a lot of horror movies.
What projects are you currently working on right now?
Next year I'll be singing one of the theme songs for Laid Back Camp season 3 and that will be debuting in April of next year. Please look forward to the production of this song.
Lastly, do you have a message for your fans?
As an Anime song singer, I love when I go overseas to these events and I see how much love everyone has for Anime and Anime songs. It takes me by surprise and I want to live up the those expectations. My goal is I would love to do a stand alone show in the US in the future. I love to start here at conventions and maybe even join music festivals. Eventually I will have my own stage in the US and that is something I am looking forward to. I have a lot of aspirations to come back and I want to do like six more shows. Big plans!
🌹Links🌹
We want to give a special thanks to Asaka Staff and Fakestar for allowing us to conduct this interview.
A special thanks to Anime Weekend Atlanta for this opportunity.
Thank you for granting us a second interview. Could you please introduce yourselves to the readers of Summon the Roses?
HAL: I’m HAL, ACME’s drummer. My hobby is mountain climbing. I recommend it to everyone because it makes you healthy both mentally and physically.
SHOGO: I’m SHOGO, ACME’s guitarist. My favorite animals are dogs and sloths. I love metal.
RIKITO: I’m ACME’s bassist, RIKITO. I’m the strongest in the band. I like to fish and I like to visit aquariums.
CHISA: I’m CHISA on vocals. I’m into watching movies and cameras.
You recently traveled to North America for your Wildfire Tour and sold out two shows, how did it feel to be welcomed with love from your fans?
HAL: We were so happy. It really means a lot to us as a band that there are people very far away who are waiting for and supporting us.
SHOGO: Super happy. I want to sell out even bigger shows from now on so more people will get to know us.
RIKITO: I never imagined that so many fans would be waiting for us, so I was really happy. I want to work even harder in Japan so that even more people can see ACME perform live the next time we visit the U.S.
CHISA: It was like a dream, honestly. I was a little nervous to perform for the first time in so many new cities, but the second I hit the stage I felt so welcomed that my fears were instantly blown away.
How was your experience traveling to North America this year? How was it different from your last tour?
HAL: This time was Los Angels, and as for Austin we performed with Demondice but we received a lot of positive response (from the audience.) I think sometime I want to perform together with them again. For New York and Toronto, I am happy so many people came despite it being the first time we performed there.
SHOGO: The fact that our show was sold out, many people came, more than our previous shows. I want to do these challenges abroad more!
RIKITO: We were able to make so many memories through doing events such as the live shows and sightseeing events with our regular fans and our new fans. In particular, New York was a place I always wanted to check out so I am really happy we could do a show there. I was also really happy that the number of guests increased more than our previous tours.
CHISA: Previous times, we were able to enjoy Halloween and Black Friday in the US since we toured in the fall, but because this time was a summer tour, we were able to be in the US for the Fourth of July for the first time.
Did you get to enjoy delicious food on your tour and visit many places?
HAL: I ate a ton of things like hamburgers and pizza. Out of all of that, the thing that left the biggest impression on me was eating a hand-made hamburger, which was the tastiest burger I have ever had, on the rooftop of a friend’s apartment building during the Fourth of July in LA. It’s something that can’t be experienced in Japan.
SHOGO: I have the same opinion as HAL, haha!
RIKITO: I ate a lot of tasty hamburgers at every place we went to. Also, we did another fan trip event this time for Disneyland in California; I feel like I have come to like Disney even more than the last time.
CHISA: I ate a lot of tasty stuff, but for the first time in Pittsburgh I ate bison meat, which you can’t eat in Japan. It tasted unlike anything I’ve ever eaten before!
ACME
You performed two shows in extreme Texas heat. Was it hard to perform in your costumes in such extreme heat? How did you handle it?
HAL: Because I normally do rock climbing under the blazing sun, this doesn’t bother me, but my computer wasn’t working because of the heat. I thought I had to cool it down and I saved it when I found frozen hamburgers in the dressing room freezer and placed my computer on them. It was a very American memory.
SHOGO: We put fans blowing on our electronics, and our PCs were spread out on top of frozen hamburgers, haha! To combat the heat in my body, I could only drink water. The wind from the fans was hot and the water quickly became lukewarm.
RIKITO: Anyway, to combat the heat we countered with taking tons of water, but even so, during the live we thought we were going to give in to the heat many times, the heat of the fans was more than the heat of the air, so without losing to the heat, we were able to play until the end and had an awesome performance.
CHISA: During rehearsal, there were times our Macbook got hot and wouldn’t work and there were many worries if we could do the live performance that day, but we combined everyone’s power and got through it! The Texas summer really was so hot it made you dizzy.
What is your favorite memory from the Wildfire Tour?
SHOGO: (For me) it was the trip seeing the bats in Austin with fans. They were gross, but I had never seen a scene like that and that left the biggest impression on me.
RIKITO: It is really hard to decide what the best memory was because no matter what show it was, it became an awesome memory. But, if I had to pick, the show in Pittsburgh really left a memory in me. In Pittsburgh, we performed with NANO, but being able to see her perform live also is a really good memory.
CHISA: No matter which show they were all memorable! If I had to name one, for New York City there was one place I absolutely had to see, which was a place from Metal Gear Solid. I’m a huge fan of the game, so being able to see Federal Hall, which is the last stage from MSG2.
Your popularity has risen overseas, and you have an incredible fanbase. Did you ever imagine you would make it this far?
HAL: Upon starting the band, I never thought such a thing would be possible. But I did have the desire to go. If you work hard all your dreams can come true!
SHOGO: I never imagined that I would be able to perform overseas. And even the first time I went to America I didn’t think there would be a next time. But there were people who supported us, and then more and more people came to support us, and thanks to them we are where we are now. I want more people around the world to know us.
RIKITO: Honestly I never imagined that we would be able to perform overseas this much, and it still feels very much like a dream even now. On top of that I’m so happy that we could meet so many of our fans overseas because of it.
CHISA: I never imagined it. The first time I went to America I went by myself without the band, got ACME’s name out a little bit, and finally recently we’re able to have our own shows. I’m so happy to see something we’ve spent the last 4 years building together as a team and the fans become a success!
(Vo) CHISA
(Gu) SHOGO
(Ba) RIKITO
(Dr) HAL
Do you ever miss your home in Japan when you are away on tour?
HAL: Since I came all the way to America I try to make the most of my limited time there, so I’ve never felt homesick. But I went around the tour thinking that when I returned home, I wanted my Japanese fans to hear about my memories.
SHOGO: After about two weeks, I start thinking that I’d like to go home for a bit. The reason why is that I can’t go out alone because I can’t speak English and I get stressed because I can’t eat the kinds of food I expect to.
RIKITO: During the tour, every day is so fun and exciting that I don’t really feel like I miss home, but there are times I wish I could eat some of Japan’s delicious sushi.
CHISA: Being able to go to various places while on tour gives me the best moments of my life, so I don’t miss home at all! If everyone were cool with it, I would want to keep traveling to many places and hold live concerts there without ever going back home.
You recently released your 14th single, "kagaribi". Can you please tell us the inspiration behind this single? What message are you trying to deliver to your fans?
HAL: Since the beginning of COVID-19, and even now, it’s become much harder for people to come to live houses. Many bands suspended activities and there were many people who were no longer able to come to live houses. We wanted to make a song that held our wish that even in such circumstances, rather than letting the fire in inside their hearts die out, that we would make that fire even bigger!
RIKITO: In a time where COVID-19 made it difficult to do band activities and many bands ceased activities, rather than losing to COVID-19’s influence, we wanted to do whatever we could, no matter how small, and give it our all to cut out a new path. We packed that feeling at the center of our song “kagaribi”.
CHISA: It was really hard to do activities due to COVID-19, but we wanted to protect those places were we could be together with our fans. This song is about our determination to continue protecting these places so that we could always come to them.
What can we expect from Acme in the future? Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
HAL: Of course, I’m sure I’ll be standing on the stage together with our current members. I don’t think anything will change.
SHOGO: Even 10 years in the future I want to be active in the band, so I think I’ll be doing that. But I’m pretty sure the music’s contents will change, though LOL.
RIKITO: I think that 10 years from now I’d like to spend fun days together with our members and fans, just like now. But I think since I’ll be older I’ll have to be a bit more careful with my health LOL
CHISA: If we get a chance, I’d like to go on tour in South America and Europe soon. And 10 years out, I want to keep on enjoying holding live concerts with those who support me.
Lastly, do you have a message for your fans?
HAL: Those who like ACME’s music have good taste! Recommend us to your friends, family, and lover with confidence. Please spread the word slowly but surely with your good impression of us! Thank you for reading our interview.
SHOGO: If you tell us “please come here!”, I believe we will grant that wish one day. Cheer us on, okay?
RIKITO: From here on out, ACME will continue to evolve and bring cool music to you, so keep your expectations high. Also, we will stay positive that we will go to places we haven’t yet visited so that those who haven’t been able to go to an ACME live concert will be able to see one, so please look forward to it.
CHISA: I’m always grateful for everyone’s support! Let’s meet at a concert!
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