"It was a risk.
I knew it could ruin my music career."
MIYAVI was already an international rock star when Angelina Jolie came
to Tokyo to convince him to be in her next movie. The 33 year old Osaka
native, who is known both for his solo albums and as a member of
supergroup S.K.I.N, hesitated before accepting her offer. 'It was a
risk. I didn't have any real experience as an actor and it was a really
controversial story. I knew it could ruin my music career.'
The risk payed off. MIYAVI's performance as sadistic prison guard The
Bird in "Unbroken", released Stateside in December 2014, was widely
praised. "I knew the more evil I was, the better the story would be." He
says. The film, coupled with a move to Los Angeles, helped MIYAVI rise
to major celebrity status. He found himself at countless award shows and
after-parties. Ellen Degeneres personally requested him as a guest on
her talk show.
But although MIYAVI's career reached new heights, he struggled with
his move to the US. "The atmosphere was so different", he says. "I had
no capacity to handle everything in English. I lost my confidence." He
toured the world but couldn't get a car or apartment in the US: "I had
no credibility."
So he decided to focus on what he knows best. "When I first moved to Tokyo at 17, the guitar was the only thing that allowed me to be myself. Music saved me."
So he decided to focus on what he knows best. "When I first moved to Tokyo at 17, the guitar was the only thing that allowed me to be myself. Music saved me."
MIYAVI began work on his new album, "The Others", with award-winning
R&B producer team Drew and Shannon. "They blew me away," he says of
their first writing session. "Music is their life. It wasn't about
signing a contract, booking a studio, then making music. They were
writing lyrics over dinner."
MIYAVI recorded the album in Nashville, and he says he felt a spiritual connection to Music City USA. "It was like rehab. Everyone in Nashville is so musical. Even the waiter at the restaurant was a better singer than me." (laughs)
MIYAVI recorded the album in Nashville, and he says he felt a spiritual connection to Music City USA. "It was like rehab. Everyone in Nashville is so musical. Even the waiter at the restaurant was a better singer than me." (laughs)
"The Others" is MIYAVI's most diverse album yet. While his signature
sing along anthems are represented ("Into the Red" and "Let Go"), they
give way to atmospheric funk ("Come Alive" and "Unite") and electrometal
("Odyssey" and "The Others") He also traded his Taylor guitar for a
Telecaster: " Before, I was trying hard to be distinct. I didn't want
the typical guitar sound, even if it sounded good. Now, I'm a little
more relaxed."
The album features plenty of MIYAVI's trademark
slap-guitar style, but the standout track is R&B tune "Alien Girl."
Listen to MIYAVI talk about Angelina Jolie, we have to wonder if the
song wasn't inspired by her. He says: "She is so passionate and
determined in her work. She has a mission to make the world better. It's
like she's not human, she's come from outside of the planet to heal
this world."
"Unbroken" has caused and outcry in Japan because of it's portrayal
of the country's wartime atrocities, and has yet to find a distributor
here. But MIYAVI has strong words for those Japanese netizens who
criticized the film before even seeing it: "Nobody hates Germany after
watching 'Schindler's List'. Everyone knows that's the past and they
overcame it. Nobody hates Japan after seeing 'Unbroken'. I'm getting
positive comments from all over the world. "
MIYAVI has no regrets about accepting the role or moving to LA. He's
already looking forward to the next challenge: "None of my fans
thought I would be acting in a film, especially speaking English," he
says. "I want to prove to them that everything is possible. I try to
show my fans improvement, achievement, and excitement. I want to give
fans that positive energy."
Source: TimeOutTokyo
Special Thanks to comyvz : Hiromi & Kathy
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