Soon the flamboyant musician and producer KAMIJO will go on a new European tour to promote his latest release Sang. He will be supported by members who aren’t exactly unknown in the world of Japanese music, and were chosen by their technical skills and artistic visions: Meku and Anzi on guitars, Masashi on bass and Yuki on drums. Before the start of the tour, KAMIJO took some time to answer a few questions AVO had sent him.
AVO: The last time you had an interview with AVO Magazine was in 2014. In the meantime, you’ve been able to put quite some releases to your name, among which your most recent one: Sang. The upcoming European tour is to promote this new release. What do you hope to tell your fans through Sang?
KAMIJO: With Sang, which is my version of the story of Louis XVII who unfortunately died at a very young age, I hope to give stability to today’s children.
AVO: We think it’s special that you’re coming to Amsterdam again. Do you remember anything from your previous visit to Amsterdam with Versailles, when you performed at the small venue called Bitterzoet (Bittersweet in English)?
KAMIJO: I remember that there was a column on the stage and HIZAKI was the other side of it. I was sorry for him about that. By the way, Amsterdam is a beautiful city with many canals.
AVO: In continuation of the previous question: Do you have a preference for a bigger venue for your performance, or a smaller one that allows you to give a more intimate show to your fans?
KAMIJO: I like them both, but I think that a big venue fits my songs better.
AVO: In total, this tour has seven performances in six different countries. Aside from the shows, what do you hope to see in the various cities your shows take place?
KAMIJO: I do wish to go to Moulin Rouge in Paris.
AVO: The Netherlands had to wait quite a while for your arrival as a solo musician. And of course, there are even more fans in other countries anxiously awaiting you to visit them. What can these fans do to make a show in their country a reality?
KAMIJO: You may try to give an offer to the tour producer in your country, haha.
AVO: What will be the focus for this tour music wise? Why did you choose these songs as a setlist for this tour?
KAMIJO: Sang is a work that in which you must see the music as a category. That’s why I made a setlist that goes with the story. Please look forward to it.
AVO: The last few years the Visual Kei scene has been changing constantly. Bands come and go, but big names like KAMIJO remain active. How do you see the current Visual Kei scene? Have you seen any positive changes?
KAMIJO: I am sure that a big revolution is necessary.
AVO: In the music, you have released you use happenings and people from ancient history, but also new theories like being able to draw energy from blood. What makes you so interested in history and vampirism? Do you read a lot of books with these themes as inspiration for your music?
KAMIJO: Once the real history fuses with my vision, I can make new theories indefinitely.
AVO: Recently there has been a beautiful fan project, which you even responded to yourself directly: it was a book containing artwork fitting your music. You shared the story on your blog and fans got to work with that information. What do you think about fans making things for you?
KAMIJO: I am always surprised by my fans and I am looking forward to thanking them by singing for them.
AVO: You’re also a special guest vocalist at the Deep Sanctuary event, celebrating 25 years of Malice Mizer. But what influence did Malice Mizer have on you? How did it influence you as a person?
KAMIJO: Malice Mizer influenced me a lot as a human, but also in their high quality as an artist.
AVO: Can you tell us anything about your plans for the future both as a musician and as a record label owner of Sherow Artist Society?
KAMIJO: I will do what no one in this entire world has ever done before.
AVO: In your own words, can you tell us why no one should miss the opportunity to see a KAMIJO show for this tour in Europe?
KAMIJO: Please listen to the narration between the songs carefully in order to be in the universe I invite you in. Once the song starts, go mad!
I want to thank KAMIJO for his time to answer the questions, B7KLAN for the possibility for this interview and lastly, I want to thank Arlequin and Anna Maria for their support. If you want to know more about KAMIJO’s upcoming European tour, please click here.
