As L’Arc-en-Ciel gear up for their debut UK performance in April, we had the privilege of chatting with lead singer Hyde about the band’s extensive history, current endeavors, and what lies ahead.
You’ve been together for 20 years and your music and concept have developed in several different ways. Is there anything you feel you still haven’t tried to this day? What new influences and changes can we expect in the future?
I feel we’ve done a lot already, as far as the Japanese market goes we’ve done everything! We think that we would like to travel overseas from now on.
It’s going to be your first time playing in England- have you visited England before, what are you looking forward to the most?
I was actually in London to record my solo album, I remember going to China Town everyday. I have fond memories of London. The London Eye wasn’t there when I came over, so I would like to go on that next time.
What countries would you like to tour in that you haven’t visited yet?
Italy! I love Italian food!
You’re the first Japanese band to play a headline show at Madison Square Gardens. That must be a great honour, playing on the same stage as many big names in music.
We feel that it’s definitely a big risk, but if we make this successful, we would be able to pave the way for more Japanese artists to break out overseas; it’s a dream not only for us, but for all Japanese bands and artists.
Through your long career, you’ve met and collaborated with many people. Is there any artist you’d like to work with in the future?
I’m not that sociable…
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Where do you get your inspiration for your songs?
I have a unique way of writing songs; it starts from an image, more of a vague atmosphere that I’m trying to capture- for instance, a quite dark and fast track, and starting from there, put a song together from that atmosphere, if that makes sense! My lyrics are quite visual, I write lyrics based on the imagery I see when I listen to the tracks.
What do you think is the main obstacle for Japanese bands to overcome, to have a bigger audience overseas?
Obviously there is a language issue, but also musically, Japanese bands need to write music that is good enough to compete with top international acts. For instance, people in the UK need to be more open minded too, not only listening to music from the UK and America, but other countries too.
It must be hard to gain a fanbase, as in the UK, people tend to only listen to music that is in English, and won’t stray from their comfort zone.
Understood.
What is it like to turn 20 years as a band together? Do you feel stronger than ever, or maybe that you’re closer as a unit?
We definitely learned how to deal with each other when we were younger- sometimes we get on each other’s nerves quite a bit! However, we learned to deal with it, so it’s becoming more easy to work as a band.
Do you guys intend to leave P’UNK~EN~CIEL as a list of rarities, or do you want to make it an album?
Probably not…!
For the latest release Twenity 2000-2010, you featured a cover of “I Love Rock and Roll”. Why did you choose to cover that song? Do you just really love rock and roll?
Hmm..probably it’s because we were looking for a song that everybody could sing along to as it’s in English. It was an ideal song for even Japanese people to sing along to, so that’s probably the reason one of our members came up with that song.
Although retaining your iconic musical style over the years, you’ve remained current and well in the public eye. How would you say the band has evolved to what it is today?
It’s hard to say whether we’ve evolved as a band when actually in the band. In the past, we wrote songs quite spontaneously, without thinking much, but now we think more when we write songs, so we don’t come up with weird songs that much these days!
You’ve all had different side projects and solo acts over the years; after taking part in all of those, how do you feel those experiences have helped you when coming back to the band?
It’s been quite positive, probably because we’ve each done other things- that’s helped the band grow and evolve more, rather than being in a band all the time, and repeating ourselves, we can come back to the band with a fresh mind, and then evolve the band much more. For instance, I used to be reluctant to sing, but after my solo project, I really like singing, and feel I have progressed and grown as a singer, and think I am a better vocalist now.
Any hints of when we can expect a new album?
There’s not a fixed plan yet, but probably some time next year!
Your single X X X was recently released via digital download in Europe by Ganshin records, and so far has had a great response, we love it!
I’m very happy to hear that! Actually there is an english version of that song, so maybe one day we’ll be able to let you guys hear that!
What are your plans for after the tour ends?
No plans as of yet!
Do you have a message for your UK fans?
I grew up listening to a lot of UK music, it’s my roots, so I’m very happy to be able to play in your country, whose music I admire very much. We hope to put on a great and exciting show, and we hope everybody can come and experience it!
