D'espairsRay in Finland

JaME had an opportunity to interview D'espairsRay while Sonata Arctica was performing on stage on July 7th. Our questions were answered by Zero and Tsukasa, both of whom - especially Zero - seemed enthusiastic and cheery, probably because of the signing session that had just ended. The atmosphere was relaxed as we sat in the small interview booth behind one of the stages, while the music and explosions provided nice background noise.

Thank you for this interview opportunity. I want to start with saying that your gig today was great.

Tsukasa & Zero: Thank you, thank you.

You've come to Europe a few times now. Does it feel any different this time?

Zero: Of course it's rather different compared to the first time we were in Europe. Back then we didn't know what to expect and we were rather nervous. As we came over more often, we got a better idea of how the audience in Europe behaves. So, our attitudes are different now. Nothing overall has changed though, and the last visits have motivated us to come back again and again.

In the USA you said you wanted to see the local bands perform at these festivals. Have you been able to see some bands?

Tsukasa: I haven't really had a chance to see bands.
Zero: I went to see several bands yesterday!

In Europe, during signing sessions, your fans often want to hug you. What do you think of this? Does it make you feel uncomfortable, or do your fans in Japan do the same?

Tsukasa: Well, it's a matter of cultural differences. The way fans are in Japan is different than in Europe. We just aren't used to this kind of warm culture and it makes us lock up a little, but that doesn't mean we'd be 100% against hugging. At times we feel good when we can fulfill a hug request.
Zero: In Japan we communicate with fans by speech, but here in Europe there is a language barrier between us and the fans, so in some ways, for our fans here, a hug can be a way to communicate with us!

Last year you were on tour in several countries and then this year there were three countries toured. Do you sometimes want to learn a little of the languages spoken in the countries where you performed?

Zero: We would like to understand what our fans think and say in each of the countries, but there are so many languages and so little time, so it would be hard to learn all these languages. We haven't really been studying anything other than English. And right now I'm concentrating on my bass. (laughs)

You have filmed at these festivals, and from to the information I got, also in Sweden. Are you planning to create some kind of a DVD out of this tour?

Tsukasa: We're going to keep everything of us that we've managed to record here, but it's still completely unsure where and when this image material will be used. It's certain that we will use it sometime in the future!

Could you tell us something about your alter ego band, ANIMAL MANIA?

(Tsukasa and Zero laugh)
Tsukasa: It started as like a joke. ANIMAL MANIA consists of the same members as D'espairsRay, but the members have different roles in these bands, and a different way of bringing themselves forward to perform. Basically ANIMAL MANIA was a different side of D'espairsRay.
Zero: But unfortunately ANIMAL MANIA has disbanded. (laughs)
Oh, what a shame!

In ANIMAL MANIA the members of D'espairsRay, except for Tsukasa, played different instruments than their usual ones. Would they sometimes like to trade places during their regular concerts also?

Tsukasa: We would like to sometimes surprise our fans by trading places, such as during encores, but it would be too difficult and we haven't really thought about who'd play what and who'd sing. But we have often considered this possibility.

Do you often receive gifts from your fans? Are there some gifts that have remained in your thoughts?

Tsukasa: (declines translator's help and answers in English) In Japan I got... Japanese... Japanese spice!
Japanese spice?
Tsukasa: Yes!

And is there some specific European gift in Zero's mind?

Zero: When we were in Sweden, a fan gave me a necklace with a letter. The fan asked me to use the necklace and then send it back to her. I thought it was strange, but it left a strong impression in my mind.

How have the Finnish festivals differed from Wacken or your oneman tours?

Tsukasa: At festivals, and while playing in Europe in general, the chances for rehearsal are down to a minimum. We can't do the sound check ourselves. Everything's been a little difficult. Also the communication with the audience has been a little uncertain, as there's not only our fans, but also people who don't even know who we are.

How have you spent your time here in Finland?

Zero: I've walked around a lot. It calms me.
Tsukasa: I've been shopping.

(at this point it was shouted over the noise that it was time for the last question)

Have you had the time go sightseeing here in Europe, and are you now relieved and happy to go back to Japan?

Tsukasa: Once again we have had too little free time, so we haven't seen all the tourist places that we wanted to see. I, for one, don't want to go back to Japan yet. There's so much to see and so much to eat! (laughs)
My goal was to taste different kinds of foods here, and I've noticed that the food is very delicious out here!
Zero: I don't want to go back yet either. A part of the reason is that I don't want to lose my passport. (laughs)

Thank you so much, and I wish you a safe trip back home!

Tsukasa & Zero: (in English) Thank you!


JaME would like to thank Zero and Tsukasa, Supersounds' Maako Härönen, D'espairsRay's management and caitleen for the concert photos.