INTERVIEW: Vicke Blanka, the DIY J-pop hit maker

Singer-songwriter and producer Vicke Blanka might be one of the biggest recent names in J-pop, but he isn’t an artist that can be pinned down to one genre.

His 2018 breakthrough single Black Rover, used as the opening for the smash shonen anime Black Clover, quickly made him a massive name in Japanese pop. Since then he’s gone from strength to strength adding to his ever-growing discography of genre bending hit records.

Earlier this year he released his first best-of album BEST ALBUM SUPERVILLAIN and new single Changes, the ending song to the French LGBTQ+ sports comedy Revenge of The Shiny Shrimps.

We caught up with Vicke to talk about his new single, his inspirations, and gaming.

---

Your new single Changes will be featured in the upcoming French film La Revanche des Crevettes Pailletées (The Revenge of the Shiny Shrimps). You’ve collaborated on several productions in Japan, but how was it working with French filmmakers?

The job was really straightforward and I’m satisfied. Cédric and Maxime (the film’s directors) communicated with me clearly, and I’m confident that I answered them speedily. I remember that it was very stimulating.

The track has very emotional and encouraging lyrics that match the movie’s theme of becoming a better person but also loving yourself for who you are. Did the lyrics for this song come naturally to you after watching the film or did they come from your own personal world view?

I only watched the ending of the movie before I wrote it. With just that scene, I understood everything that they wanted to convey. It really resonated with me. And after that I wrote the lyrics, so I think the message of the work and my own message was combined at just the right balance.

You’ve had a hit song called Ca Va?, your new single will be featured in an upcoming French movie, and your fan club is called French Link, what’s your connection with France?

I simply love France. That’s funny, isn’t it? Many of the musicians that I like, such as Alain Chamfort and Mika, are people who have connections with France. I’ve only visited the country once, but I love it.

You released your first best-of album SUPERVILLIAN earlier this year, was it a challenge choosing which tracks to put on the album?

It was really a challenge because I’ve released an unbelievable number of songs, but thanks to the help from my fans it was easier to decide than I expected.

With songs spanning numerous genres from pop, rock, to EDM, your sound is some of the most versatile in Japan’s music charts at the moment. Do you intentionally make tracks with certain genres in mind?

There aren’t many artists in Japan that have their own opinion. This is a fact. That is why the producer’s authority is very strong and I’ve had many friends that couldn’t cope with this. So, I decided to declare from the beginning that I would make what I want to make only when I want to make it. I think it is this stance that gave me the chance to create music in a variety of genres.

While listening through your discography I got vibes of popular UK acts like Take That, Queen, and Mika. How were you first exposed to music outside of Japan?

When I was a child, my mother would let me listen to music from all over the world. Among them, I really fell in love with Michael Jackson, Alain Chamfort, and The Knack. That is the beginning of everything.

You started producing music back in primary school. Compared to the accessible producing apps like Garage Band that we have these days, what were your early producing set-ups like from a child to your senior high school years?

I was steadily producing music using a machine called MTR (multitrack recorder). I think it would have been convenient if I have had a DTM (Desktop Music, aka MIDI music) when I was a junior high school student.

Were you entirely self-taught or did you have a mentor?

I’m self-taught. In Japanese “garyu (my way).” I think I was able to continue because it was fun.

You mentioned in an interview last year that you bought a KORG MS-20. Outside of piano and guitar, have you been experimenting with any other instruments since then?

I bought a violin to try it out, but I gave up because it was too hard. So, I really respect people in the orchestra and those who can play string instruments.

You’re known for being quite the gamer. Which games are you playing these days?

Usually Apex Legends, League Of Legends, and VALORANT.

What’s your go-to legend on Apex?

I think personality-wise, the extreme characters match me. Like ultra-combative or ultra-defensive. So it’s always Wattson or Valkyrie. And don’t forget this, if you find a turbo charger, you need to tell me ASAP!

You recently announced your nationwide tour starting in August to commemorate your major debut 5 years ago. If you could give the Vicke Blanka from 5 years ago one piece of advice, what would it be?

Maybe, pick a different manager? (laughs)

What can your fans expect to see on the tour?

A tour with my name on top. Definitely going to be a special day. I want you all to wait for it with anticipation.

Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview! Is there anything you want to say to our readers before signing off?

Give me lots of love!

---