English Translation for the Interview of MIYAVI with vyper-jmusic on March 2014
After 'What's
my name?' an album that allowed us to discover a new MIYAVI,
the Samurai Guitarist came back to us a year ago with a new opus.
Less Japanese, always more English and a new message through simple
but catchy lyrics. MIYAVI, eponymous album, surprised. Americanized
music videos, sex freely discussed...
Bye to Japanese restraint
and hello to a style even more easy to embrace.
With the strong desire to
touch and to take place in front of a maximum of people, MIYAVI did
us the honor of taking place on the stage of La Cigale in march for a
show on fire.
It's shortly after that
the musician accepted to answer our questions, explaining his choices
and making no taboo of his role in Angelina Jolie's next movie,
'Unbroken'.
V – Your previous album was titled
'What's my name ?',Your new opus directly responds to it with
an eponym title 'MIYAVI'. Do you have this desire to enter into the
music history ?
M – Yes, of course, but not
directly into music history itself. Rather in the hearts of people
who like my music. They are the ones who make music history.
V – You don't hide your attraction
for USA, that we can really feel in your two last albums. Why did you
chose to move away from Visul Kei to come to a more occidental
style ?
M – Humm, actually I don't think I
moved away from Visual Kei... Of course, I prefer to be judged as an
artist more than by my appearance. But I'm just trying to create
something new that nobody tired out or heard before. That's also
sincerity towards people that follow and support me for a long time.
V – In addition to the change in your musical style, we saw an evolution in your look... Less make
up for example. Is it a new instance of your desire to stand out ?
M – As I said I don't want to stand
out from Visual Kei, even though I have to admit that I don't like
to be restricted to the image of anything. I just try to stay true in
my creations as an artist. This is all I can say... And I put make up
on sometimes ! (laugh)
V – Now let's talk about your last
album. HORIZON was the first music video to come out. How did you
have the idea of its production ?
M – This song represents our
primitive desires. I think that all human beings were born equal with
this craving to move our body on rhythms. Rock, even Jazz, are musics
people can dance on. I'd like to insert this strong passion in both
the song itself and the music video.
V – Can you tell us about
'SECRET' ?
M – At first, I have to say that I
spend a wonderful time during the shooting ! (laugh) One more
time, this song concerns our instincts, as the sex. As you could see
my artistic Director managed to use sophisticated metaphors to
describe our primitive desires. But I really liked this idea of being
artistic and simple in the same time.
V – For 'GUARD YOU' music video,
you asked help from your fans with #Underthesamesky project, and we
could see the pictures in the final result. What does this song
represent, and what's the message behind all that ?
M – Right after the earthquake
which hit Japan in 2011, I had to go on an European tour. I wrote
this song at that time. I had to leave my family behind... But I
realized that there's a lot of people in that kind of situations. And
that's even harder ! Some people have to be far from their
relatives... But I strongly felt that feeling that, no matter the
distance between people, with strong feelings you can remain
connected and united ! We sometimes have to go beyond the
physical distance to get closer. And that's what the pictures
represent, the ties between all of us !
V – Your album MIYAVI was first released in Japan in June 2013, and then in Europe in March 2014.
Why this choice ?
M – Please, ask my staff why !
(laughs)
V – You often say on Twitter that
every World Tour is a new experience. Is there a link with your two
last albums ?
M – Of course ! But first of
all, I can guarantee a new experience each time !
V – SlapTheWorldTour is, once
again, an impressive world tour ! 40 dates in 16 different
countries. It's really rare for japanese artists. What makes you want
to do so many foreign dates ?
M – Because there's people waiting
for me ! For me, it's natural to deliver my message directly
with my music. No matter the country they live in, I just try to go
where my fans are. Although this is not always easy.
V – After Japan, it's Europe which
holds the most part of your tour. Have you got a special feeling for
your European fans ?
M – I know they're supporting me
for a very long time and that they're opened to new things.
Especially in France, I'm really well welcomed when I come !
V – During your last tour, you had
5 dates in France. Why only 1 this time ?
M – Of course I'd like to perform
in more cities in France ! Please ask my manager !
V – Have you got special memories
of your last time in France ?
M – Last time, I played for the
fashion show of my friend Mihara Yasuhiro in Paris. It was a
wonderful moment and good experience to be able to play in those
conditions as an artist. People came for clothes and products, not
for me. It was very disturbing to play the guitar to make the fashion
show better. I learned a lot.
V – You are one of the Japanese
artists to be the more followed on the social networks. Miyavi
Official hit 280 000 fans, it's great ! Have you ever thought
about making a global official fanbase to be closer with your
fans ? Anyway, do you know that there is a French fanbase ?
M – I know that French fans are
wonderful and that they support me since my debut. I've an official
fanclub, MYVCREW, and I'm happy there are french fans on it.
V – Before leaving for touring, you
took part in the filming of the next Angelina Jolie's movie,
UNBROKEN. How was the meeting with her ? What made you accept
the role ?
M – She's just amazing. I really
respect her as a human being. Very professional, very sensitive. When
I met her, she right away told me that she didn't wanted to make a
movie with narrow scenario like stereotyped Hollywood war movies. The
underlying topic of the movie is forgiveness, tolerance and the fact
that she is able to show the importance of these 2 things through a
role made me accept it.
V – UNBROKEN talks about World War
II from an original point of view since the story takes place in
pacific side, between USA and Japan. Wasn't it difficult to act this
role while japanese are quite unwilling about this war ?
M – Of course I thought that it
could make a controversy. But once again, if I take part of this
project, which show the different possibilities of the human nature,
I told myself that I could be proud of myself.
V – What did this experience bring
to you ? Could you accept to act in other movies in the future ?
M – Oh I learned a lot !
Actually, I found many similarities with singing and acting. Both try
to deliver a message through expression. So yes, I could act in the
future if possibilities come.
V – Your show at La Cigale in Paris
was sold-out. Have you got a message of your French fans ?
M – Once again, I like your strong
support. This is what makes me comeback again, and again, and again.
I really respect the fact that you respect foreign cultures. It's a
honor for me to perform in France. And of course I'd like to perform
in more cities next time and set everything on fire ! Merci !
That was on the 14th of
march that MIYAVI decided to conquer La Cigale ! Armed with his
legendary fingering, the Samurai Guitarist marked the famous venue of
his name.
Thought 18 song, the most coming from
his last album, the artist made us dance, but also cry while the
ballad songs interlude.
Needless to say that MIYAVI, with
this 4th time in our country, succeeded once again in
conquering his fans' hearts and making them wait for the next dance !
- Super THANK YOU for the Translation from French to COMYV CRAzYON382
- You can order the VYPER MAGAZINE ISSUE with the Interview Here ( It's in French of course)
- Check LA CIGALE LIVE PHOTOS from VYPER & LIVE REPORT HERE
