Ken: When writing “INAI” what was the inspiration and thought process behind composing and writing such a track?
Ikkyu: This time I wrote it as the insert song for the drama Haru no Noroi, so I read the original story and the materials I received carefully, and I thought, "I want to say this", not only at the top of the story but also in my own way. I made the thing into lyrics and the melody was conscious of its catchiness so that it could be conveyed even more.
Kida: It's an insert song for a drama, so I combined the chords while considering the balance between the disturbing sound that closely matches the content of the drama and the addictiveness and catchiness that makes me want to listen to it over and over again.
Ken: As your band has been abroad several times for tours, are there any funny stories that you’re able to talk about?
Yoshida: I was on a diet that was difficult to do in Japan and I had eaten only meat, so by the time I returned to Japan my body fat had dropped so much that I was a little macho.
Hiromi: When we went on a European tour, I unfortunately forgot the location, but it was interesting. One of the audience members during the tricot live got excited and we brought them up onstage to start dancing during a performance.
Ken: We love the designs of several of your goods. Between the four of you, which one was your favorite? In addition, for Ikkyu Nakajima, which one was your favorite to design?
Hiromi: The Wan-san pouch is cute and convenient, so I've always liked it. Another thing is the fried rice plate we put out a while ago has a cute design and I often use it at home.
Kida: I like the cute design of the goods featuring the hair part of the hairy character that appears in the "Black" music video. Along with various sweatshirts and knit caps.
As for goods that weren’t designed by Ikkyu Nakajima, I like the ones that have a clean and simple design with little waste, such as a Straight logo type of goods and such.
Ken: As all of your albums have such a distinct sound, how do you go about creating and placing the songs on your albums?
Ikkyu: Basically, I don't decide on the theme of the album before starting the production of it, and from that process we would record more and more songs. Then they are arranged in the order that makes us the most excited.
Ken: For international fans, how they usually find out about J-pop is through anime. Do you guys watch anime, and if so, which would you say is your favorite?
Yoshida: I like the series Penguindrum and Gurren Lagann. Penguindrum is so amazing and the character’s behavior and wording are so wonderful that really I admire it. The story is also great and I hope that everyone is able to watch it!
Hiromi: Recently I was addicted to Attack on Titan and watched the entire series all at once. I also had read the manga, but anime is also very wonderful.
Ken: Is there a venue that you performed at that you’ll never forget? Also, is there a dream venue that you would like to perform at?
Kida: The stage at POHODA FESTIVAL in Slovakia left an impression on me. It was the first festival in the country I went to for the first time, so the audience was sparse at first, but I was happy that when the live started and the people who listened to the sound had gathered. Also, I would like to perform again at the House of Blues that we performed at when we participated in the SUPER CHON BROS TOUR before, this time as a headliner instead of the opening act.
Hiromi: The atmosphere at the Pohoda Festival in Slovakia was wonderful and I enjoyed it both as a performer and as a guest. I also want to appear at Coachella sometime in the near future.
Ken: What track(s) is your favorite to perform live and why?
Kida: It would have to be "potage". I like the pacing of the track and it feels good to play while the amount of crowd energy increases from the first gentle tune to the end.
Ken: Who is the one artist you would love to work with in the future?
Ikkyu: The idea of collaborating with the American duo tUnE-yArDs is interesting. I also love System Of A Down so working with them would be fun also!
