JaME caught up with Kanon Wakeshima after she made her US debut to chat about her music and what she does with her art after it's finished.
After having successfully played overseas in Europe, cellist and vocalist Kanon Wakeshima made her American debut at the nation's second largest anime convention, Otakon. Following her fantastic performance at the convention, JaME caught up with the young talent for an interview.
Thank you for meeting with us. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us what your first impression of Otakon was?
Kanon Wakeshima: My name is Kanon Wakeshima. I've been playing the cello since I was three years old and now I am cellist and vocalist. This is my first time in America and my first time performing at Otakon. It was lots of fun, I just finished the concert. It was really nice to see all the cute cosplayers and meet them. It's all been really fun, so far so good!
As your first time to the US, are there any sights you'd like to see?
Kanon Wakeshima: Where would be a good place to go? Do you have any recommendations? I don't know where I should go!
The Baltimore Aquarium is very nice!
Kanon Wakeshima: Ah, everyone keeps telling me that, now I'm really curious! I'd really love to go!
Was the concert anything like you had envisioned it to be?
Kanon Wakeshima: Originally, I thought it was two different audiences in there! (laughs) I was really happy to see the whole place packed!
Shojo Beat, an English manga magazine in the USA, named you Best Newcomer in their 2009 Music awards after you received 45% of the total votes. Were you aware of that? Did you have any idea of your fanbase here?
Kanon Wakeshima: (surprised:) Ehh? I had no idea! (laughs) I actually haven't checked out Shojo Beat, but I would love to have a look very soon. I had no idea I had so many fans here!
After having been released in Europe, your debut album Shinshoku Dolce was finally released in the USA last month. When you debuted, had the thought of having international releases ever crossed your mind?
Kanon Wakeshima: No! (laughs) I never thought I'd be releasing internationally like this, but it's been great that I've been able to perform at Otakon. It's great to explore the world by performing.
Besides the music for "Vampire Knight", you also had a voice acting role in the series. Was that something you had always wanted to do and would like to do again?
Kanon Wakeshima: Voice acting was another thing I never thought I would do! (laughs) I was very nervous at first but all the other voice actors were very kind and helped me out so it was really fun after all (laughs).
Are you a fan of anime yourself?
Kanon Wakeshima: Yes!
Any particular favorite?
Kanon Wakeshima: I recommend "Vampire Knight"!
At the instore event coming up at Royal T Cafe in California, there's going to be an art show displaying some of your original drawings. What kind of drawings did you bring with you and how did you decide which ones to bring?
Kanon Wakeshima: The ones that I've brought are all ones posted on the website. I picked the ones to display in L.A. according to the messages from the fans about the ones that they liked.
What do you do with all your artwork once it's completed?
Kanon Wakeshima: (Laughs) All of my work that you see on the website is at my management's office (laughs). After I'm done, I toss it to the management and they are the ones who keep it there.
Your parents were what got you started playing the cello. Was there ever a time you wanted to quit playing the cello or pick up a different instrument?
Kanon Wakeshima: I never thought about changing instruments but I did think about stopping playing the cello numerous times. Since it's become a big part of my life, it's just like brushing your teeth - if you don't do it for a few weeks, it becomes uncomfortable - so that's what keeps me going. It's become a routine at this point; a normal thing to do in my daily life, practice and playing.
How did you pick the theme your music is centered around?
Kanon Wakeshima: It's all coming from my inner feelings and experiences, nothing else. It all comes from inside which is where I am at right now, just building up all these experiences and emotions. Those experiences are what I am trying to express.
Would you say that theme is something which progresses throughout the lyrics?
Kanon Wakeshima: The music is all written by Mana-sama, but the lyrics are coming from the music's image, but through my filter, so it's my own expression as well, but still inspired by the music. That's how the lyrics came out through my personal feelings and experiences
When we interviewed you recently at Japan Expo, you mentioned working on a new single. Could you tell us about that?
Kanon Wakeshima: I am working on a new song right now and we're trying to get that released in the fall, hopefully September, that's what we'd like for the release of the new single. It's still a work in progress!
Kaiga-teki ongaku-kai is the title of your first one-man live coming up in August. How did you decide on this title?
Kanon Wakeshima: Because of the fact that I am a musician and that I also draw, which is a big part of my life, I wanted to do something special. Drawing and music - combining them together - and presenting that in my show. "Kaiga" means "picture", like art, and "ongaku" is music so I put the two together to have an output of something that is unique and new, that's what I wanted to try to do.
Have you done anything special to prepare for the live?
Kanon Wakeshima: I've been preparing for it little by little.
Lastly, please give a message to your fans.
Kanon Wakeshima: Hello, I am Kanon Wakeshima. It was really fun playing here in the US for the first time. I am definitely looking forward to coming back as well as going to other countries that I haven't perfomred in yet, so if you like my music, please invite me! (laughs) Thank you for the great show!
JaME would like to thank Otakon, Sony, Ryu Takahashi, Alyce Wilson, and Kanon Wakeshima for making this interview possible.
