Interview with LOKA

Formed just slightly over a year ago, alternative hard rock band LOKA speaks to JaME for the first time. In this in-depth interview, the trio share about their history, music creation process, style and much more.


Since it’s your first interview with JaME, please introduce LOKA and the band members to our readers with an interesting, funny or unusual fact.

Kihiro: Hey, this is Kihiro the singer. I'm a Californian covered in Japanese skin.
KEN'ICHI: Hi, this is KEN'ICHI the drummer, my hometown produces the most famous tangerine in the world.
Katsumi: Yo, this is Katsumi, I grew up in the most ghetto-like place in Tokyo, but my hometown is the most beautiful Okinawa.

Please tell us how the band was formed. Is there any interesting story or fact behind the formation?

Kihiro: I started the band LOKA. It was meant to be a solo project at first, but after KEN'ICHI decided to leave SEX MACHINEGUNS and join me, LOKA shifted its thoughts to become a band. We had couple of guitar and bass support players, but when we met Katsumi in April 2013, it was chemistry. We both knew after one studio session that we needed Katsumi in the band.
KEN'ICHI: Kihiro and I met at their band's elder guitarist—called "senpai" in Japanese—birthday party. At the party, the "senpai" got drunk and ordered us to go out to find some girls in the cold January blizzard, which we did. (laughs) Katsumi was introduced to us by a friend named TEEDA, rapper for the band BACK-ON. Katsumi's previous band's singer happened to be Kihiro's high school mate.

What made the members start their music career? What was their first musical experience (first CD, first show)?

Kihiro: Why did we start our music career? Because its cool being in a band and that is the only thing we do best! Most of our first musical experiences would be playing a show. Katsumi and I started from middle school while KEN'ICHI started hitting the drums at his home since elementary school.

Katsumi: Kihiro's first debut would be 2006 in the US with his previous band Supe. KEN'ICHI's first debut was with SEX MACHINGUNS after competing against 200 audition hopefuls. My first major debut was in 2004 with my previous band CLAYFISH.

What bands and artists influence your music and LOKA’s choice of style?

Kihiro: We've all been in the music business for a long time, so it's hard to choose a particular band that influences us. However, we love all rock style music, stuff like KORN, mixture style Linkin Park, American hard rock NICKLEBACK, heavy metal like Bullet for my Valentine, alternative style like Breaking Benjamin, and hard core like Suicidal Tendencies. All three of us have different musical backgrounds, and combining that makes LOKA. We love hard rock rhythms combined with melodies and a little bit of digital synthesizer mixed in it.

Let’s talk about LOKA’s song-writing process. Your lyrics sound rather aggressive and daring. Why did you choose this style?

Kihiro: In 2012, LOKA was only me and KEN'ICHI, so we had a couple of songwriters help build and record the songs. After Katsumi joined, we mostly create our music in the studio, building phrases to phrases, making our music more "band style." The lyrics are all written by me and I write mostly about my daily experiences. Though, when I started LOKA, I wanted to put in the 80's hard rock style, sex, drugs and rock'n'roll kind of vibe. Japan does not have so many real American hard rock style bands, which makes us stand out.
KEN'ICHI: However, after Katsumi joined, I think LOKA's music has evolved to a new stage. We'd keep the hard rock style but will have more deep, sensitive input in our songs.

All your songs are in English. What are the reasons for that? Do you aim to reach a wider audience with the help of English lyrics? Do you plan to write in Japanese as well, or do you intend to stick to English? Where do you find inspiration for these texts?

Kihiro: I originally spent my childhood in the US, so English is my best way to express a song, I don't know why but I like the English expression more than Japanese. I believe I can connect mentally with fans outside of Japan because of my lyrics, especially against fans that are non-J-rock, or anime fans. Japan also likes English lyrics these days so it's a relief to know people are reading your lyrics. I understand most J-rock fans or anime fans like to hear Japanese in the songs, but I tend not to write in Japanese because of that. I will write in Japanese when that vibe comes I guess. I'm a big movie and drama fan and I find a lot of phrases and words in any kind of movies and drama.

What comes first: lyrics or music? Who’s the main composer of the band?

Katsumi: Music comes first all the time. Kihiro finds the emotion in the music and then writes the lyrics. The "main composer" of the band is all three of us. One of us will bring a phrase to the studio and expand it together.

How’s the song writing process organized?

Kihiro: After jamming in the studio, we'll have a basic idea of the whole song. Then each will create a demo data at home using their DTM. We'd make a pre-production demo, arrange it until we are all satisfied and then record the final take.

On November 7th, 2012, you released your first full-length album EnFLAME. Tell us more about it. Is there any particular concept behind it?

KEN'ICHI: Kihiro named it EnFLAME, meaning enlarge the flame. LOKA's fire was lighted up on our first EP, and then we wanted to EnFLAME it with the full-length album. Since Kihiro has an American hard rock taste in his voice, and my background is heavy metal style, we wanted to combine our styles and create something like an American hard metal band sort of thing. So if you listen, you'll find some riffs that sound metal, but with hard rock melodies, metal style screaming with twin drums raging, and west-side hip hop style in the songs. Basically, we don't want to fit into one genre. Whatever comes up in the band, it's the band's sound, which we think is the true style of being a "band."

You chose a genre which is not really common in Japan. Why?

Kihiro: Hmm … we have every genre in Japan, so other than J-pop business music style bullshit, we think none of them is common. (laughs)

What’s the current situation in the Japanese hard rock scene? Does this music style have many fans or is it mainly underground with not that many devoted fans?

Kihiro: Despite what we said earlier … (laughs) the hard rock scene in Japan is growing at a massive speed. We have so many more bands and fans than 10 years ago. Visual kei was the mainstream rock band rail road but not the only one. Hard rock music fans are about the same number as visual kei now. Actually, the hard rock scene and visual kei scene is emerging in Japan. Listeners are growing to understand it's the music that speaks, and not just the style. Like LOKA, we have fans that came from visual kei, and we have fans from the hard rock scene.

Kihiro, you started your career as a member of the band Supe. A few years after formation the band moved to America. What are the differences between working in Japan and the USA? What about the live experience? What’s the difference between the Japanese and American audience?

Kihiro: One huge difference is the size of the country. (laughs) USA was massive, we travelled cross-country four times driving for hours and hours. It was an awesome experience, like being the character in an RPG game. As for live shows, the treatment you get at clubs is different. In Japan, all clubs are equipped perfectly; you got monitors, drum set, amps, cabinets, cables … anything, and it's same with rehearsal studios. In USA, however, you have to bring everything. Which is better? I'm not sure, but I think USA bands grow stronger from the tough environment they have to face. Japan … you go and everything is there for you. So if I were to start a band, I'd want to start it in USA. Starting in Japan is easy, but if you can't be steadfast to your music, you can become like a spoilt brat. But here is something people should know about Japan: since everything is equipped and you have a good house PA everywhere, anyone can sound "good." Which makes it even more difficult to stand out just with the music. You have to be creative and "really" good. I think different quality and creativity is required in both countries.

Why did you decide to form your own project in June 2012 while you still were a part of UNDIVIDE?

Kihiro: Well … I formed LOKA before UNDIVIDE. (laughs) And UNDIVIDE was a short term project band led by LEDA. So it's basically up to him if he wants to keep doing it or not, but if I'm too busy with LOKA, I won't be able to do it also. Leading LOKA and being part of UNDIVIDE was tough, I had to write solid songs and lyrics for two EP's and two albums while touring with both bands in about eight months. But it was great experience, it helped me to say "I'm stronger now, I can do more!" (laughs)


KEN'ICHI, what made you join LOKA after leaving SEX MACHINEGUNS? What is the difference between these two bands from your point of view? Does work with LOKA give you any new experience? If yes, what kind of experience?

KEN'ICHI: I left my previous band SEX MACHINEGUNS before starting LOKA. SEX MACHINEGUNS was already a huge band in Japan when I joined, and it was great playing in front of a massive audience. However, SEX MACHINEGUNS had its own style set, and I wasn't able to express or create the music genre I wanted to. Also, I wanted to start a band from zero. My goal is to overcome my previous band with LOKA, which I feel is the best way to show my respect to SEX MACHINEGUNS, the band that made me a professional drummer.

The same question to Katsumi: you were a member of a major band Clayfish, then after a few years joined LOKA. Why? Do you feel something special about this project that made you become an official member? What new experience does this band give to you?

Katsumi: I found the band attractive because Kihiro and KEN'ICHI are freaking crazy! (laughs) KEN'ICHI is insane when he hits the drums, Kihiro screams like a devil, sings like an angel and the tone of his voice catches people's ears. But most of all, I love them because they drink and party hard like I do! (laughs)

Many overseas readers are also interested in your support members: LEDA from DELUHI, pablo from pay money to my pain and ex-wizard member Shin. How do you usually choose your support musicians?

Kihiro: We are all friends, so we just call out if they have an open schedule. If they do, we rock together. We have many more talented guitar support members. Junchi from ChaseDown and formerly of Acid Head Some Rise, and ex-Mr.Orange member SCHON are the other support members.

What was your most memorable live so far and why?

LOKA: Taiwan Formoz Festival. It was the first festival LOKA played at and our first foreign ground.

What is the coolest thing about being musicians? What is most difficult?

Kihiro: We meet the coolest people in all fields of work, we make tons and tons of friends, and we get to travel everywhere and say "we're going on a tour." The most difficult thing about being a musician is being a musician, to keep doing it.

What do you feel standing onstage in front of the audience?

Kihiro: Giving them something more than what they paid for.

What does music, in general, mean for you?

Kihiro: The best way to say I existed in this world.

How do you spend your free time? Do you attend other bands’ concerts (Japanese or Western)?

Kihiro: Drink, drink, drink …
KEN'ICHI: Drink, drink, drink ...
Katsumi: Anime and games.

Do you have any dream collaboration? Such as playing with a legendary band/artist?

Kihiro: Tommy Lee on drums, Nuno Bettencourt on guitars, and Paz Lenchantin on bass playing a song produced by Trent Reznor!
KEN'ICHI: Hikaru Utada, Taylor Swift, Ville Laihiala and Ville Valo.
Katsumi: hide from X JAPAN and Chester Bennington from Linkin Park.

What do you prefer: anime or video games? What’s your favorite and why?

Kihiro: Anime, and my favorite is "AKIRA."
KEN'ICHI: Anime, and my favorite is "Space Battle Ship YAMATO."
Katsumi: Anime, and my favorite would be "One Piece."

Imagine you are on an uninhabited island after your ship is shipwrecked. What three items do you want to bring with you?

Kihiro: Cigarettes, knife and iPhone. Hey, it may pick up some kind of signal! (laughs)
KEN'ICHI: "Space Battle Ship YAMATO," drum set, and credit card What if they charge me to get rescued? (laughs)
Katsumi: Women, alcohol, and my glasses. What the hell am I'm going to do if I can't see? (laughs)

What profession would you choose if you didn’t become a musician?

Kihiro: Soccer player.
KEN'ICHI: "Space Battle Ship YAMATO" crew.
Katsumi: Indiana Jones.

Imagine yourselves in 10 years. What your future will be like?

Kihiro: I'll have everything that everyone wants enough to share.
KEN'ICHI: Drummer.
Katsumi: Legalize multiple wives in Japan.


What are your plans for the future?

Kihiro: We are planning an European tour and some South East Asian tours in the near future. We want to tour everywhere and play at music festivals each country has to offer. We will also be digitally releasing another single and our goal is to release something every month, so heads up!
Katsumi: Please subscribe to our mail magazine here to get new release info faster than anywhere.

Thank you very much for this interview. Please give a final message to our readers all over the world.

LOKA: Book us a show and we'll be there! Spread the LOKA movement for us!

JaME would like to thank LOKA and ke'i for making this interview possible.