Interview ~ Miyavi: May 15, 2008
Miyavi World Tour 2008
On the Thursday after his first stop on the American leg of his World Tour, Miyavi sat down with us to answer a few questions.
Yesterday was your first stop in the US yesterday. How do you think it went?
It was really really freaking awesome! I mean, I couldn't prepare the same way I do in Japan, but everyone was very helpful. The audience was very enthusiastic.
What do you think makes a good live for Miyavi?
My condition. My condition and concentration.
Is there a place on this tour that you look forward to visiting?
No, all the places are precious. Ahhhhh...but I am looking forward to going to Brazil, cuz I was, y'know, I was going to be a professional soccer player. I guess I'm going there as a musician.
Are you going to try to go to a soccer game there?
I'll try, but I don't think I'll have time.
Is there any particular venue that you would like to play at that you haven't played before?
House of Blues in West Hollywood.
For the USA circuit, you're only touring California. Had you hoped to tour other states as well, like New York or Texas? And would you like to in the future?
Of course! Bust ask him!
[Rob (tour manager for US tour)]: We got many requests but there just wasn't any time.
Yeah, yeah, but we have to go to South America.
As for past concerts, is there a particular memory that stands out to you, good or bad?
So far? Uhmmm....I don't usually drink, but after the concert in Germany I drank a LOT. Everything was so fucked up, I felt like I was almost dying!
You've had shows in the USA, Korea, Germany, and Japan. What differences do you see with the different audiences?
I've actually also toured in China and Taiwan...Ah, but Japan...it's Japan, right? In the US it's more like an anime crowd than in other areas, and in Europe, it's more visual kei fans.
A lot of fans cosplay you. Have you had a chance to see some of them, and if you did, what did you think?
I like it! I love it, I really love it. I want the whole crowd to be like that!
You're getting more and more famous, how do you deal with over-zealous fans?
I'm cool. I like it...I got used to it.
Do you have a favorite song from your new album?
The last song. Playing without anything, only guitar and vocals, so simple...making simple songs is more difficult.
Why aren't there any lyrics for Thanx Givin' Day?
Oh, there was no particular reason...I just wanted people to listen to it without lyrics. I want them to focus on the music and...the feeling.
Does the song have any relation to the American holiday Thanksgiving?
Yes, I made the song on Thanksgiving Day, when I was in LA.
The Kavki Boiz are something of a mystery to us. Can you tell us a little bit about each of them?
There's beat-boxer Tyko, he's my man. He's a really good guy. He's like...he's like my dad. He's really...you know, how do you say it? Heart warm? Warm-hearted. Dependable.
Then tap-dancer Saro, he's really talented, and he's really...I think he's a genius, and he's really, I don't know. He responds so fast! That's why we can have jam sessions, improvisations.
And then drummer Ryo, he's really strict to himself. It's kind of like we have the same feelings to improve ourselves. We always brush up on our skills; he's always practicing.
The bassist, Hige, he's really funny. And he lived in San Francisco for four or five years. He likes hippie music. They're always different, all covering different types of music!
And DJ Teddy, he's...he's eighteen years old, and he's really talented, too. He can beat-box, and then DJ, and then remix. He's really talented and he's got good response, too, and he's real smart. Yeah, really smart. On this tour, I focus on him by putting his show in the middle of my show. He remixes my songs a lot. And my fans are enjoying his performance very much.
Actually a lot of fans are already wondering if he will have an album with remixes of your music.
Uhh...there might be. I dunno, it depends on the record label. I dunno, but I am thinking about working with him.
What kinds of places do you like to go for writing your music? Is there a particular place that inspires you more than any others?
Actually, at my apartment...anywhere that I can write my lyrics and music. Inspiration from...I dunno...while I'm driving in LA...in the convertible. (grins)
How do you pass the time on the long flights between countries?
I've been studying. Studying English .....or sleeping. Yeah, sleeping and studying.
Japanese tradition and culture has always been a part of your music, however, with your new album, you seem to be emphasizing it a lot more, sharing it with your audience, and making it a part of your style. What made you push it more like this?
Well first...the world tour relates to that. I feel that I had to focus on my own style, breaking new grounds and making my own style. When I was in LA, I touched other cultures. I felt that I needed to add my own self and from my original style. That's why I focus on Japanese tradition and culture. I mean, I try to mix it up, along with my current style.
What do you think about the impact of Visual Kei on the USA? FOr instance, JRock is quickly gaining popularity; do you see this as a good thing, or are there drawbacks?
I think it's a good thing, but y'know, we have to be careful. It's not all about appearance. Putting on make-up and dressing up...we have to put our attitude and music and style and quality into our style. That's why...yeah, we gotta to be careful. But it's very good, actually.
interview and photos by elffys
Thank you to Maru Music for setting up this interview, and thank you to Miyavi for taking the time to answer our questions.
links
Miyavi Official Website
Miyavi Official MySpace
Maru Music
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