Before their concerts, JaME chatted with members of Hemenway about their beginnings and first time abroad in France.
JaME caught up with members of the rock band Hemenway during their time at popular Japan Expo 2012, held in Paris. The group met in Japan but are based in Boston, and has members from both Osaka and Kanagawa.
Hello. Can you start by introducing yourselves for those who might not know you?
Isaac: Hello, I’m Isaac. I’m the singer for Hemenway. Thank you. (laughs)
Charm: Hello. I’m Charm and I play the guitar. Hemenway are from the US. We’re based in Boston but we met in Japan because we all love Japanese culture, like all the people coming here this weekend to Japan Expo. That’s a little bit on how it all started. Nice to meet you!
Ogaching: Hi, I’m Ogaching, on bass. I’m from Kanagawa! (laughs)
Toshi: Hello, my name is Toshi, the drummer for Hemenway. I’m from Osaka, Japan and I really like France!
You met each other while studying at the Berklee College of Music. What did you study while you were there?
Isaac: Well, I received my diploma there. I mostly learnt to write songs and compose music. Upon entry to the college we all had to have a favourite instrument and for me, I had my voice.
Your group is named after a street that is in Boston. Why did you choose that name? Do you associate it with anything in particular?
Charm: Actually, Toshi and I were flatmates back then and our apartment’s address was 108 Hemenway Street. Isaac lived nearby in the same neighbourhood—though more in the suburbs—but we were all in Boston.
Isaac: I went to their apartment many times; we’d meet there together.
Charm: We had parties … it was like being in college. (laughs) In fact, that was our starting point. We met there and that’s how it all started.
As of now, you have released some singles. Are you currently working on an album? When might you plan to release it?
Isaac : We’re currently working on it and we’re hoping sometime this year. Nothing is for sure yet.
Has the album already been recorded?
Isaac: No, though we are in the process of recording.
Is there a song you would recommend to those who have never heard your music?
Toshi: Our single, Listen ... please listen to it! (laughs)
Isaac: For me, I’d recommended Escape, heard in the anime "Eureka 7." I think there are many people here at Japan Expo who love "Eureka 7."
Charm: That’s because he wrote that song! (laughs) My choice would be something a little strange, but it would be Dear Junior, which was our first song recorded with Isaac around the time of our debut.
Ogaching: It’s a tough question! I’d choose Dear Junior. (laughs) Actually, every single: Listen, Escape and By My Side, and especially the instrumental guitar versions. I really enjoy these instrumental versions.
Charm: I’m forced to say yes! (laughs)
Two of your singles were used in both "Naruto" and "Eureka 7." When you began your career, had you ever contributed to ending or opening themes?
Isaac: No, we never thought that would happen. And for "Eureka 7" we were asked to make the credits. The work was different as opposed to what it usually is.
Had you watched a video of the anime before writing the song ?
Isaac: Yes, of course. We already knew the anime, so of course, it was pretty simple. We had the script before we even knew the character and the story. I was inspired by the robots.
Hemenway participated on the most recent L’Arc~en~Ciel tribute album. How was that experience for you? Does L’Arc~en~Ciel hold a special meaning for you?
Isaac: Yes, it was special for me. When I started listening to Japanese, the first group I listened to was L’Arc~en~Ciel. They were my heroes and it was an honour for us to participate in this project. But I was very surprised to have this opportunity. The song contributed was Caress of Venus, a song I heard when I was younger. It was amazing. I think we made a good arrangement of the song and I really enjoyed it.
Charm: Actually, it was sung in three languages: Korean, English and Japanese. It was something new and we received a lot of feedback about this, especially since few groups can afford to take that risk.
Did you learn some Korean quickly?
Charm: Well, we were born in Korea so we hadn’t learnt the language just for the sake of the song. We think that it’s the best way to honour the country, and we have many fans in Korea.
Isaac: That is one of the reasons why I wanted to sing for a Korean arrangement as well.
You played your first concert here at Japan Expo. How was that for you?
Isaac: I think … oh, I don’t know, what do you think? We had fun. The audience was great and helped us a lot. The audience went crazy and it was good!
Were French fans different from other countries?
Isaac: Well, France was the first country where we held a concert outside of Japan. It was a lot of fun and people were really friendly.
And finally, a message to your fans?
Charm: First, we will continue making good music, or what we think is good music. (laughs) And hopefully other people will think that too. (laughs) Please continue to listen to us. I hope to return again to France but also go to other countries. This was our first time in France, and I can’t believe we’re here. The mixture of music at Japan Expo was successful—it attracted many people and it was great! The power of music is great despite the language barrier.
Isaac: We hope to return soon to France.
Thank you.
JaME would like to Hemenway for this interview and Swann Péré for his help.
