September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part one)
Cover:“Why do people get tattoos?”
Interview explanation: “For each interview, we welcome a guest who has tattoos, in a place most relaxing to the photography subject, and Miyuki Matsuda drills down to the real motive behind the tattoos.”
Matsuda: “How was the photo shoot?”
Kyo: “It was interesting. It had a liberating feeling.”
Matsuda: “The photographer is very unusual, they say (laughs).”
Kyo: “Truly unusual (laughs). It was very interesting. It’s usually different from today; today I couldn’t quite guess how it was going to end. It’s fun.”
Matsuda: “You mean to say it was disorganized, don’t you? (laughs)”
Kyo: “The magazine couldn’t really come out if pictures weren’t taken.”
Matsuda: “Your tattoos are really beautiful. I like such delicate patterns. I’m completely fascinated. What was going on when you first thought to get a tattoo?”
Kyo: “A long time ago, during a live performance, I forgot precisely where we were and my left ear was damaged. Since then, I haven’t been able to hear low pitches. In the aftermath of that, I thought ‘I want to try to have no regrets before I die’ and ‘I want to go to more serious, deeper places.’ And after that, I thought ‘not changing is useless,’ and that’s when I got a tattoo.”
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part two)
Matsuda: “Dir en grey is made up of ‘bad guys,’ and has changed a little. It’s become more introspective and dark, wouldn’t you say?
Kyo: “I don’t particularly like beautiful things or an unrealistic view of the world; if pushed, I’d have to say I like dirty and scary things.”
Matsuda: “There are a lot of different kinds of things to be afraid of, aren’t there?”
Kyo: “That’s true. Things inside oneself, painful things, ambience.”
Matsuda: “Is it a metaphor for pain in the heart?”
Kyo: “It’s easy to try to form that sort of world view. It’s like people aren’t doing anything, and I wanted to create an underground expression of this. And then, even more, I was drawing blood on stage and doing other extreme things, but recently, in a more real and direct way, I have become able to express this [view] with just my body and voice, I think.”
Matsuda: “How do you pull your fans into that sort of view of the world?”
Kyo: “In live shows, the bright parts don’t express that view, but after the spectacle is over, a lot of people feel refreshed, I think. I don’t want to speak for everyone, but these kids are carrying something with them, and whether they want to scream or don’t scream, they change places with me. Afterwards, they go back to normal, but it’s natural, and a good feeling, I think.”
Matsuda: “You’re trying to do something to help, but you get nothing in return.”
Kyo: “You could say that. Basically, it is for myself that I sing and write song lyrics. I’m doing it from a place of self-satisfaction, that’s how you can perceive it, a ‘please do as you like’- type feeling.”
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part three)
Matsuda: “[Fans] buy their ticket, and until they go to the venue, ‘I want to listen to these songs’ is what you make them think, it’s amazing. Are these the thoughts your fans are having?”
Kyo: “If they truly feel that way, that’s good. Even if they’re behaving like this, there will always be excessive thoughts and uneasiness, but I want them to genuinely do their best, I think. ‘I don’t think about too many things either, I do things I like’: if you look at things from this stance, nothing is interesting, I think.”
Matsuda: “What kind of a human being is Kyo?”
Kyo: “A weak human being (laughs). I want to become strong, but it hasn’t happened yet. I think human beings might tend toward cowardice.”
Matsuda: “Communication means…?”
Kyo: “Because I’m afraid I’ll be betrayed, I am shy about communicating; the person to whom I am speaking doesn’t inspire confidence, and it’s like stepping into someone else’s territory. I could hurt the person to whom I am speaking, and because of things like that, I can’t really be honest. Put simply, that’s how I feel.”
Matsuda: “Are things like your tattoos, for example, entwined with a feeling of defense against fear?”
Kyo: “My tattoos have no relation to any feeling like that. I just like them, so I get them. My tattoos don’t have a deep meaning. ‘I want to get tattooed, so I get tattooed,’ ‘I like that picture, so I get it tattooed,’ that’s all there is. It’s simple, but it’s honest.”
Matsuda: “And you never want to get them removed?”
Kyo: “I don’t. I’m a fickle person, but not when it comes to tattoos. In spite of painful thoughts, I still get tattooed.”
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part four)
Matsuda: “When was Dir en grey formed?”
Kyo: “About 13 years ago.”
Matsuda: “During those 13 years, you went through big changes; what experiences helped you to grow up?”
Kyo: “Really, it was the ear incident I mentioned before that was the biggest [thing that helped me grow up]. ‘From now on, I have to get by without using one of my ears,’ I thought. I didn’t know whether or not I could continue with music in my current situation. However, ‘Don’t resign yourself to this fate,’ I thought, and at that time I changed my appearance, and my performance, and I tightly squeezed my inner being and hardened it; that was the biggest thing.”
Matsuda: “How long ago was that?”
Kyo: “About ten years ago. After that, we wanted to try going abroad; there are a lot of great bands over there. It wasn’t a win or lose situation, there are also bands like that in Japan, but there are more [abroad].”
Matsuda: “What has been the response from your fans overseas?”
Kyo: “There are a lot of extremely enthusiastic fans. Because they don’t have MC’s at all, the only words there are [during a show] are song lyrics. So there are also a lot of people trying their hardest to feel the lyrics.”
Matsuda: “So the feeling in Japan is different?”
Kyo: “What I’m doing isn’t different, but Japanese fans vary a lot. For example, in a silent part [of the show], they read the situation, and they get quiet. Over there, it’s very loud; whether it has a good or bad meaning, it’s a freeing feeling.”
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part five)
Matsuda: “To what areas do you travel?”
Kyo: “America, Europe, Canada, we go to a lot of various places. But the truth is, I don’t like going overseas, it’s tiresome (laughs).”
Matsuda: “Is that so? (laughs) Why?”
Kyo: “We don’t have meals together, and I can’t chat in English, so communication is a problem. After a live show, doesn’t everyone drink alcohol? While on tour, my throat is troublesome, so I don’t drink. While everyone is lying down and being really loud, I’m lying down and being very quiet (laughs).”
Matsuda: “Well then, you can certainly relax here [Studio Coast].”
Kyo: “That’s true. From a long time ago, we’ve done a lot of shows here.”
Matsuda: “What kind of private things do you like to do?”
Kyo: “The number one most relaxing thing is seeing a movie in a movie theater, and walking at night. On tour, if I’m by myself in a hotel and I feel depressed, I go outside. Basically, I’m not really the type who likes to be alone.”
Matsuda: “That’s a very human feeling, don’t you think? That sort of feeling is connected to presentation, isn’t it? For example, an actor’s presentation is all words. He reads the script, and because in theory he creates an artistic work, the words have various meanings. But for a musician, there are rhythm and sound and other things to think about.”
Kyo: “Today, while I was being photographed, I thought it was very close to when I’m writing songs and lyrics. ‘Ah, stop it’ or ‘More like that’ [phrases the photographer used]. I too have that feeling [when I say things like] ‘Guitar not like that’ or ‘Yes, that feeling.’”
Matsuda: “And yet, you stand on stage and completely change. That is amazing. I’ve never been to a Dir en grey show, may I come next time?”
Kyo: “Of course. Please be sure to come.”
The end.
Cover:“Why do people get tattoos?”
Interview explanation: “For each interview, we welcome a guest who has tattoos, in a place most relaxing to the photography subject, and Miyuki Matsuda drills down to the real motive behind the tattoos.”
Matsuda: “How was the photo shoot?”
Kyo: “It was interesting. It had a liberating feeling.”
Matsuda: “The photographer is very unusual, they say (laughs).”
Kyo: “Truly unusual (laughs). It was very interesting. It’s usually different from today; today I couldn’t quite guess how it was going to end. It’s fun.”
Matsuda: “You mean to say it was disorganized, don’t you? (laughs)”
Kyo: “The magazine couldn’t really come out if pictures weren’t taken.”
Matsuda: “Your tattoos are really beautiful. I like such delicate patterns. I’m completely fascinated. What was going on when you first thought to get a tattoo?”
Kyo: “A long time ago, during a live performance, I forgot precisely where we were and my left ear was damaged. Since then, I haven’t been able to hear low pitches. In the aftermath of that, I thought ‘I want to try to have no regrets before I die’ and ‘I want to go to more serious, deeper places.’ And after that, I thought ‘not changing is useless,’ and that’s when I got a tattoo.”
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part two)
Matsuda: “Dir en grey is made up of ‘bad guys,’ and has changed a little. It’s become more introspective and dark, wouldn’t you say?
Kyo: “I don’t particularly like beautiful things or an unrealistic view of the world; if pushed, I’d have to say I like dirty and scary things.”
Matsuda: “There are a lot of different kinds of things to be afraid of, aren’t there?”
Kyo: “That’s true. Things inside oneself, painful things, ambience.”
Matsuda: “Is it a metaphor for pain in the heart?”
Kyo: “It’s easy to try to form that sort of world view. It’s like people aren’t doing anything, and I wanted to create an underground expression of this. And then, even more, I was drawing blood on stage and doing other extreme things, but recently, in a more real and direct way, I have become able to express this [view] with just my body and voice, I think.”
Matsuda: “How do you pull your fans into that sort of view of the world?”
Kyo: “In live shows, the bright parts don’t express that view, but after the spectacle is over, a lot of people feel refreshed, I think. I don’t want to speak for everyone, but these kids are carrying something with them, and whether they want to scream or don’t scream, they change places with me. Afterwards, they go back to normal, but it’s natural, and a good feeling, I think.”
Matsuda: “You’re trying to do something to help, but you get nothing in return.”
Kyo: “You could say that. Basically, it is for myself that I sing and write song lyrics. I’m doing it from a place of self-satisfaction, that’s how you can perceive it, a ‘please do as you like’- type feeling.”
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part three)
Matsuda: “[Fans] buy their ticket, and until they go to the venue, ‘I want to listen to these songs’ is what you make them think, it’s amazing. Are these the thoughts your fans are having?”
Kyo: “If they truly feel that way, that’s good. Even if they’re behaving like this, there will always be excessive thoughts and uneasiness, but I want them to genuinely do their best, I think. ‘I don’t think about too many things either, I do things I like’: if you look at things from this stance, nothing is interesting, I think.”
Matsuda: “What kind of a human being is Kyo?”
Kyo: “A weak human being (laughs). I want to become strong, but it hasn’t happened yet. I think human beings might tend toward cowardice.”
Matsuda: “Communication means…?”
Kyo: “Because I’m afraid I’ll be betrayed, I am shy about communicating; the person to whom I am speaking doesn’t inspire confidence, and it’s like stepping into someone else’s territory. I could hurt the person to whom I am speaking, and because of things like that, I can’t really be honest. Put simply, that’s how I feel.”
Matsuda: “Are things like your tattoos, for example, entwined with a feeling of defense against fear?”
Kyo: “My tattoos have no relation to any feeling like that. I just like them, so I get them. My tattoos don’t have a deep meaning. ‘I want to get tattooed, so I get tattooed,’ ‘I like that picture, so I get it tattooed,’ that’s all there is. It’s simple, but it’s honest.”
Matsuda: “And you never want to get them removed?”
Kyo: “I don’t. I’m a fickle person, but not when it comes to tattoos. In spite of painful thoughts, I still get tattooed.”
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part four)
Matsuda: “When was Dir en grey formed?”
Kyo: “About 13 years ago.”
Matsuda: “During those 13 years, you went through big changes; what experiences helped you to grow up?”
Kyo: “Really, it was the ear incident I mentioned before that was the biggest [thing that helped me grow up]. ‘From now on, I have to get by without using one of my ears,’ I thought. I didn’t know whether or not I could continue with music in my current situation. However, ‘Don’t resign yourself to this fate,’ I thought, and at that time I changed my appearance, and my performance, and I tightly squeezed my inner being and hardened it; that was the biggest thing.”
Matsuda: “How long ago was that?”
Kyo: “About ten years ago. After that, we wanted to try going abroad; there are a lot of great bands over there. It wasn’t a win or lose situation, there are also bands like that in Japan, but there are more [abroad].”
Matsuda: “What has been the response from your fans overseas?”
Kyo: “There are a lot of extremely enthusiastic fans. Because they don’t have MC’s at all, the only words there are [during a show] are song lyrics. So there are also a lot of people trying their hardest to feel the lyrics.”
Matsuda: “So the feeling in Japan is different?”
Kyo: “What I’m doing isn’t different, but Japanese fans vary a lot. For example, in a silent part [of the show], they read the situation, and they get quiet. Over there, it’s very loud; whether it has a good or bad meaning, it’s a freeing feeling.”
September Tattoo Burst interview with Kyo (part five)
Matsuda: “To what areas do you travel?”
Kyo: “America, Europe, Canada, we go to a lot of various places. But the truth is, I don’t like going overseas, it’s tiresome (laughs).”
Matsuda: “Is that so? (laughs) Why?”
Kyo: “We don’t have meals together, and I can’t chat in English, so communication is a problem. After a live show, doesn’t everyone drink alcohol? While on tour, my throat is troublesome, so I don’t drink. While everyone is lying down and being really loud, I’m lying down and being very quiet (laughs).”
Matsuda: “Well then, you can certainly relax here [Studio Coast].”
Kyo: “That’s true. From a long time ago, we’ve done a lot of shows here.”
Matsuda: “What kind of private things do you like to do?”
Kyo: “The number one most relaxing thing is seeing a movie in a movie theater, and walking at night. On tour, if I’m by myself in a hotel and I feel depressed, I go outside. Basically, I’m not really the type who likes to be alone.”
Matsuda: “That’s a very human feeling, don’t you think? That sort of feeling is connected to presentation, isn’t it? For example, an actor’s presentation is all words. He reads the script, and because in theory he creates an artistic work, the words have various meanings. But for a musician, there are rhythm and sound and other things to think about.”
Kyo: “Today, while I was being photographed, I thought it was very close to when I’m writing songs and lyrics. ‘Ah, stop it’ or ‘More like that’ [phrases the photographer used]. I too have that feeling [when I say things like] ‘Guitar not like that’ or ‘Yes, that feeling.’”
Matsuda: “And yet, you stand on stage and completely change. That is amazing. I’ve never been to a Dir en grey show, may I come next time?”
Kyo: “Of course. Please be sure to come.”
The end.
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