LOKA will release two digital singles soon, titled SENSE OF CRISIS en LET IT DIE -20XX-. The upcoming releases, the announcement of a world tour and the fact that it has been a while that we talked with each other for an interview, makes it a good reason to have a new interview with LOKA. Singer kihiro took the time to answer the questions through email.
AVO Blog: Our last interview with you was in 2014. In the meantime there have been a few band member changes, but you guys are still going strong. Where did you find the motivation and passion to go on like this?
kihiro: Hey thanks for your interview again AVO. LOKA started with kihiro/vo and KEN’ICHI/dr only at first. So you can see that being a band without guitar or bass for the two are actually is normal. Though it is hard to see someone leave, we find great new members like MIRO our new bassist. When we find guys like him, motivated, skilled and characteristic, it gives us a new vision for the band. That new vision gives us motivation, the possibility to be able to challenge new music creates the passion.
AVO Blog: What are you trying to tell us with the new single SENSE OF CRISIS, is it about the common sense to stay sharp or about the masses that have lost their “sense of crisis” just like the song ALIVE?
kihiro: The song was written for a SNOWBOARD event PARK AIR in Sapporo. Yes, the direct message would be to “always stay sharp”. I love X-Sports, and those kind of sports you always need to be aware of what you do because one mistake can lead to death. There is something close about that in life, because it can relate to work, love, friendship…being in a band as well. We lived this far doing many things, we continue to work on somethings not giving up. So you need the “SENSE OF CRISIS” to protect and not to lose the things you have achieved now.
AVO Blog: You have worked together with PABLO a.k.a. WTF!? from Pay money To my Pain for the single SENSE OF CRISIS. We know that he is your longtime friend, so working together is maybe not a surprise, but still you haven’t done that before. How did this collaboration start?
kihiro: When we decided to record, PABLO was the first guy that came into my mind.
I actually just made the call, and PABLO said: “Yes!”. It was a great experience for the other band members because kihiro’s and PABLO’s style of work match so close. PABLO’s guitar sound was of course awesome, since the song itself is like the new “original” style for LOKA, his sound brought the band sound to the next level. So hope the fans enjoy Japan’s 2 Loud Rock pioneers collaboration sound.
AVO Blog: LET IT DIE -20XX- is a single that was already released with the album EVO:ERA and was used for the PlayStation™ 4 game LET IT DIE. What can fans who didn’t hear this song before expect from this song?
kihiro: Well you can expect that the song is totally different from the usual LOKA style. The song style is matched to the game, in their sense, hardcore, metal is the genre that fit the game. The lyrics is also written with many phrases from the game story, so we hope that people who actually own the game enjoy it. Also we hope it will be an opportunity for game owners who don’t know the band to find LOKA.
AVO Blog: We know of the different projects and collaborations of the band members of LOKA, for example KEN’ICHI with FRUITPOCHETTE, split album with JAW-EYE, shows with other bands like the Halloween live with DIAWOLF. All these collaborations give another view of LOKA. In the future are you guys going to continue working with other artists as well? What do these projects mean for the band?
kihiro: Yeah, we seek to work with more other artist. We feel that its time to create a new era in Japan’s rock field. In order to do that, its important to work and collaborate with other great bands. It’s also important to cross over the genre and style of music. Letting the “general public” know LOKA’s style is still a long term process, we have many ideas in our mind ; ) but its still a secret.
AVO Blog: kihiro, you announced your acting debut in 2016, can you tell us more about the choice to act, the movie and when it will be released?
kihiro: The movie title is “She’s just a shadow” an American movie directed by Adam Sherman.
My friend kind of ‘seduced’ me to do an audition. I never really auditioned before so out of curiosity I took the chance and I got the roll. Haha. I’ve actually didn’t memorize the line for the audition. But the director gave me 15min to memorize it and I did. If he didn’t give me that chance or I didn’t take it, it wouldn’t of happened. So… 15min can really change your life, I hope people could feel that when they see it. I can’t tell you what the movie is about other than there’s sex, drugs and violence involved, I think you can imagine a lot from that. The release date isn’t set yet but it will be played in USA and Europe so hope people enjoy the movie.
AVO Blog: LOKA is heading towards a bigger stage, for the new fans could you explain what the difference is in your music style from when you guys just started and the upcoming releases?
kihiro: LOKA is finally finding our true music form. We challenged so many things from the beginning, and after EVO:ERA we kinda noticed where are true art form is. In a way, we are going back to where we started, in a new way. Who we are, what we are best at. These are the most important elements for us in creating music. So its gonna be the best, we went many directions, tried different things, and now our road is solid. That is what you are gonna hear.
AVO Blog: We remember that your goal is to perform at Tokyo Dome someday, but now that you have plenty of experience performing overseas, what does the new dream look like?
kihiro: Tokyo Dome is just a dream targeted in Japan. There are so many stages we want to play in overseas as well. The most important thing for the band is to keep being a band. It’s not forever. I don’t know if I could be 60years old and still keep screaming on stage. But until that day, we wanna keep writing, keep touring and keep creating something that will entertain and deliver a message to our fans.
Yes we want to play big festivals and be ranked in Billboards, ORICON and etc. but I guess looking at the world today, I guess the most important thing for the band
is to exist and always create a place where our fans can get back to. We want to create a one big WORLD Family ; )
AVO Blog: You already have been to Europe before, what was your favourite moment during the previous tours and what are you expecting the next time when you come to the Netherlands?
kihiro: The favorite moment is the first sight we get on stage. Seeing all the fans that have been waiting for us to come. It’s such a great view, big or small. The fans are the best, and we work so hard to go and see them. We just don’t go to play music, but deliver a message we studied through life and an enjoyment than is something more than what they paid for.
AVO Blog: We look forward to see you soon. Do you have any words for your fans in Europe?
kihiro: Thanks for reading! And thanks for being always supportive. We got lots to deliver to you guys so hope we get to see all of you. Meanwhile, check our website, Facebook and make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram. We upload toward our foreign fans a lot here. Cheers!
I want to thank kihiro for his time and LOKA Dutch Street Team for their help. As kihiro said, you can follow LOKA through the website and the social media!
