Interview with Lolita∞Complex at Tsukicon 2008

On a rainy Sunday, a large number of people interested in Japanese culture gathered in Kulttuuriareena Gloria, Helsinki, Finland for the Tsukicon event. JaME got a chance to interview one of the evening's performers, Lolita∞Complex.


Could you tell us something about your band?

Töcco: Our band has two members, I write the lyrics and he composes the music to match my lyrics. I sing and he plays bass.
Jünne: And keyboard.

Your band is often connected with the clothing brand Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. Could you tell us more about this connection?

Töcco: Connection? (laughs) The connection was formed through my boyfriend. He played guitar in a famous band in the 80's, and the band's style consisted of some frills, the style was called "new romantic." That is the connection.

Your recent album only consists of cover songs, and your versions differ considerably from the originals. How did you choose the songs you covered?

Töcco: We chose the songs from artists we admire greatly. So basically, they have been picked because of our respect for those particular artists.
Jünne: Yes, the reason is deep respect for them.

You have a Little Red Riding Hood theme on your official website. How did you end up choosing this theme?

Töcco: That is because the dress I wear in those pictures is a Baby, the Stars Shine Bright dress. They also sponsor our band.

The band's name is formed up of three parts. The "lolita" part's meaning is easy to guess when you look at the singer Töcco's style, but what about the two other parts, "complex" and the sign of infinity?

Töcco: The name is from the old movie "Lolita." We asked Stanley Kubrick's company if we could use the term in our name and they said yes, but they asked us to enclose the infinity mark to separate our name from the original film name.

Where do you get inspiration for your music?

Töcco: Music? I make the lyrics. (looks over at Jünne, who is silent) Quiet man! (laughs)
Jünne: Töcco gives me images and vistas and I make the music according to them, like a movie soundtrack.

So when you make a new song, you write the lyrics first and then compose the music to match?

Töcco: Yes, always the lyrics first. I create images and they help him to compose the music to match.

What are your plans for the future?

Töcco: The future? I want to be a poet.

What about your band's future?

Töcco: The band's? Hmm. I don't know.
Jünne: Only God knows! (laughs)

What were your expectations about your visit to Finland?

Töcco: One of my grandfathers is from Sweden, so I have some Scandinavian blood in me. Therefore, I am very excited about this.

What are your feelings now? Did your expectations about Finland come true?

Töcco: To be honest, I didn't know anything about Finland beforehand, just the cartoon Moomin. But my impression was that this is a very happy country.


JaME would like to thank Lolita∞Complex and JrockSuomi for making this interview possible.