Interview with Mana

On Saturday October 27th, a little before the rehearsals of his band, we met with Mana backstage. Moi dix Mois's guitarist and leader had already dressed up and put on make-up for the concert. He looked a bit sick, but he was ready to answer our questions before getting ready for the last concert of this European tour.


Good morning, Mana.
Mana: Good morning.

You are coming to the end of a very long tour through Europe during which you performed for the first time in Italy and Spain. What are your feelings about it?
Mana: They were really pleasant lives and the audience really had style. I was happy and proud to meet fans from new countries during this tour.

You end the tour in France and announced you wanted to film the concert for a DVD. This country holds a special place in your heart, doesn’t it?
Mana: Yes, that’s right. This country is unique to me. You can actually see it in the name of the group and in the name of the songs. Also, this performance in Paris is the last of this tour, so it was important to finish with a DVD.

Lately, you took part in a live called Dark Sanctuary with D’espairsRay. How was it? Where did the idea come from?
Mana: Actually, the members of D’espairsRay wanted to do it one year ago, but that was when the members of Moi dix Mois were changing. As a result it wasn’t possible to do it back then. This year we were able to come to an agreement between our two bands. The result was impressive because it was the first time we were doing something like that.

Are you interested in doing another coupling like the one with D’espairsRay?
Mana: If I find another interested band that I like, I will be delighted to do it again!

Mana, thinking about your beginnings, would you ever have thought to tour Europe and to have so many fans outside Japan?
Mana: When I was younger, I listened to a lot of European bands and I already dreamed of performing in Europe. Of course it was difficult in the beginning, but now, thanks to anime for example, many people got interested in us. It’s a good thing for Japanese artists and I’m happy about it!

Your last album, DIXANADU was published by a German label, Trisol. What are your plans and projects for Europe in the future?
Mana: There’s nothing confirmed yet, but I would like to publish a new album next year. Of course, I would like it to come out in Europe too. I really want to come back to Europe next year and visit new countries too.

So, there will be a new album; can we expect new singles and clips from Moi dix Mois new singles and clips that are eagerly awaited by your fans?
Mana: There’s nothing scheduled for now about clips, maybe if we get the chance, who knows…

DIXANADU also came out on vinyl; it was a long time since you last released a LP. Was it your choice or was it just to please the fans?
Mana: Actually, it was requested by Trisol and I immediately said yes.

What does the album DIXANADU mean to you, and why this title?
Mana: XANADU means "utopia". "DIX" comes from "dix" in Moi dix Mois. I wanted to create this utopia for the five years of Moi dix Mois. That’s why I mixed these two words, which gave DIXANADU.

The song dispell bound is a particularly interesting introduction to the album DIXANADU, with its voice in the background: how would you describe it?
Mana: I wanted to gather and exalt the emotions that emerge from Moi dix Mois. That’s why you get these "dix", full of power and energy on this track.

You held many special events in Japan called DIS INFERNO. Can we hope for something similar in Europe one day?
Mana: Sure. I really want to do it one Europe too, because this event means something very special to me. I would like to play the drums for example. I want the Europeans to see that!

In this DIS INFERNO, we can see a different Mana. Is this a way to be closer to fans?
Mana: DIS INFERNO is like a big party where the band meets the fans. So, yes, in this way I can feel closer to my fans.

Has making music ever helped you out during difficult times?
Mana: Ah…that’s true. But for me, making music is simply life.

Is it a way to get out from the reality of life?
Mana: When I write music or see my fans, I feel stronger but also I become more aware of the weight of reality and that means you can feel more suffering; on the contrary, music is not a way to escape.

Even outside Japan, you are an icon for many kids. How do you feel about it?
Mana: I found out I had fans outside Japan from the moment I have been on oversea tours, and that made me very happy!

For the album Beyond the gate, you told us, in a previous interview, that you tried a digital sound for some tracks. We can find in DIXANADU some tracks with an electro sound. Is this a style you now adopt in your compositions?
Mana: At first I had a heavier approach with music but that doesn’t stop me from using this electronic sound; it strengthens the heavier side of the songs. So, yes, I’m going to continue.

Where would you like to perform now?
Mana: I’d really like to perform in Greece!

It’s been a while since Moi dix Mois has had the same members. They are not said to be support members anymore. Is Moi dix Mois a fully-fledged five member band now?
Mana: Today, all five members of Moi dix Mois are good. So, maybe in the near future, everybody will become formal members. It can also be though that certain invited musicians will come at some point to try other things, musically speaking.

You have your own ESP guitar and last year you introduced to your audience a new version, ESP jeune fille X Bronze –Cross Ray-. How did you manage to have your own guitar designs with ESP?
Mana: I love the design of these guitars and I have a contract which allows me to design my guitars.

Do you have a last message?
Mana: Thanks to all who came to the shows of this tour!


JaME would like to thank Mana and Midi:Nette for this interview.