author: Finja, d(emi) - translation: Non-Non, Yuu, Finja, Kay

© Free Will - Dir en grey

This June, the successful Dir en grey embarked on another European tour that contained performances all across the continent, even in countries that are usually skipped during such tours. Originally the interview with the band's leader and guitarist was supposed to take place during the tour, but was canceled. However, we still got the opportunity to ask our questions when the band returned to Japan.


Recently you finished your European tour and now you are back in Japan. How was the tour?

Kaoru: This time it was really exciting, because our trip included several events. We visited cities that we hadn’t been to for a long time and went to places we had never been before. I would like to come back and do it again as soon as possible.

What is important to you when you are on tour?

Kaoru: We want to go everywhere where people want to see us and it doesn’t matter whether that is in or outside Japan. Personally, I like the concerts abroad because we don’t have to concentrate so much on the details.

This time you performed again at the German Rock am Ring and Rock im Park events, this time on a smaller stage. Your former performances at these festivals have not been without problems, how did it go this time?

Kaoru: We gladly accept these invitations. The concerts were good this time and in my opinion this showed that we have been accepted by now.

Do such experiences motivate you to deal with the tough, every day routines?

Kaoru: It’s the people that attend our concerts. They give us the power.

Still, do you ever think about what would happen after Dir en grey?

Kaoru: No, never. If we don’t have the will to continue anymore, we will most likely stop.

In the past you have mentioned that Dir en grey’s image is not especially important. What do you think about this nowadays?

Kaoru: I consider our image important. This is just in general, because it is boring to watch concerts of bands that don’t leave any special impression.

UROBOROS sounds like it was a difficult album for you. In retrospect, would you change anything?

Kaoru: Well, if we were to record the album today, it would be different again. By performing the songs the atmosphere and the way we feel about them change.

The album has a certain undertone, as if it closes a circle that had begun with MACABRE.

Kaoru: We wanted to create an album that showed our past, present and future.

Your last few albums contained a few unplugged songs on the limited editions. Do you think that these songs will not reach your “mainstream” audience?

Kaoru: It’s not necessarily that. However, we think that people listening to our CDs for the first time shouldn’t get to know all our facets right away. The ones that like us are bound to find out more about us and learn about our various sides. We also play these songs during concerts.

Without falling strictly under any genre, it is sometimes hard to appeal to certain audiences. Have you ever faced trouble because of that?

Kaoru: Even if there was trouble, it never really influenced our producing. Maybe you need that information [regarding the audience’s perception], but that doesn’t mean that you have to care about it.

Your (devoted) fans have been criticized on occasion and your lyrics are esoteric by nature, just like your appearance, so you also have to face criticism. What do you think about that?

Kaoru: To us, the presence of our fans is incredibly important. They give us confidence – and I think they know it. Furthermore there are many arts born from blame and criticism.

Your music has changed monumentally over the course of time, and one criterion probably was touring overseas. How did these experiences feel to you?

Kaoru: My belief in freedom and also in myself grew, that was what I felt.

About the male-only live you held a while ago. While you reasoned that without females around, your fans can go wild easier, we would like to ask you: After so much touring, how can you still be bound to such preconceptions? Perhaps next time the distinction could be ‘wild lives’ and ‘emotional lives’ since many girls are looking for the opportunity to rock out as well.

Kaoru: It’s not about prejudices… I wish we could do lives for everyone where no one feels discomfort. However, I know it’s difficult as there are many types of people. Our shows are often perceived as too fierce.

A lot is written about you on the internet. What do you think about this? Do you even read it?

Kaoru: Nowadays, it’s pretty normal, I think. However, what people have to say hardly ever moves us.

Your blog entries are very successful; they even get translated by fans. Does this huge encouragement make you consider opening up a knot, your fan club, to other countries as well?

Kaoru: Of course we want to get things going overseas, too, and we are working on that every day. We also want to continue this blog and make sure that our fans can communicate with each other, no matter where they are from. I’m really happy to hear that all of this is well received by our fan base.

Do you feel your music can still evolve and you can strike new paths after eleven years?

Kaoru: I’m curious by nature. I think we all want to create sounds during concerts that no one has ever felt.

You often use old songs to remix or rearrange them, right?

Kaoru: Before, we were unwilling to do so, but now we actually enjoy it. It’s hard to do a job that breaks us in some ways, but on the other hand it brings lots of creativity.

Kyo once mentioned that he is working on another poem book. Will this still happen?

Kaoru: I’m not completely sure, but it seems like he is working and writing for it.

What is the trick to keeping the band together through thick and thin?

Kaoru: Activity with stimulating members, there is nothing more exciting than that. And consideration.

Are there any people around you that you respect and ask for advice about your band and work?

Kaoru: Yes, there are people like that, but usually I don’t ask them.

Are there any Dir en grey “classics” that you often play when you’re by yourself?

Kaoru: Yes, I play older songs often. It’s a habit of mine.

Kaoru, you once said that if the music required it, you would perform naked. Is this day approaching?

Kaoru: Playing a song naked, we would really be a stunning band!

What are your plans for the near future?

Kaoru: Currently we’re recording a song and if we like the end result, we will release it. We will probably decide this very soon, so be ready!



JaME would like to thank Kaoru and Gan-Shin, who made this interview possible.