\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\nAVO Magazine: Ladybeard, finally a new idol unit after working on it for a while now. In the last few years, we have seen you work in a couple of music units already, which caught a lot of attention. Where did the motivation come from to start the new kawaii metal idol unit named BABYBEARD?<\/strong>
\nLadybeard: Well, hopefully, you all remember my first song NIPPON MANJU<\/em> that I did with my first group. That group was going great guns and we were extremely popular all over the world, but then in 2016 my time in that group came to an end, and that group now no longer exists at all. However, every day since that happened, I\u2019ve been asked what went wrong, and asked to return to the formation of that first group: Ladybeard + 2 adorable girls. A return to this formation was not possible for 5 years. But now…. FINALLY!!….. Ladybeard returns to the group formation that made him famous. The whole world has consistently asked for it, and finally it returns.<\/p>\nAVO Magazine: SUZU and KOTOMI, what were your reasons to join a new music unit with Ladybeard? Can you maybe share something about the audition process?<\/strong>
\nSUZU:\u00a0I decided to be a member of this group because I think it will change something inside myself. (About the audition process) I quite enjoyed the audition mainly because Bea-chan (Ladybeard) praised me all the time, telling me I was good and adorable.
\nKOTOMI\uff1aI was in another idol group before I became the member of this unit, but that group, unfortunately, came to an end. But I couldn\u2019t give up on my dream so I attended the audition! (About the audition) I was so nervous that I couldn\u2019t remember the lyrics of the song I was singing at the audition. I lost my temper\u2026<\/p>\nAVO Magazine: Reading that you have found out that you have a purpose on this earth, Ladybeard, can you explain to the readers something about that purpose that you want to fulfil?<\/strong>
\nLB: That\u2019s right. It\u2019s clear to me that the world wants one thing from me: Ladybeard, a big, hairy, Aussie pro-wrestler, screaming and dancing alongside 2 adorable girls, singing and dancing, to the brilliant songs of Takashi Asano and Natsumi Tadano (the musical geniuses who made Nippon Manju<\/em>). It\u2019s been amazing to see how witnessing this formation lights up even the hardest and roughest of metalheads, and fills audiences everywhere with joy. And that\u2019s what we\u2019re all about: making people smile, even in the most difficult of times. We also feel Japan is an amazing country that had a lot to offer the world in terms of pop culture. However, for outsiders, access to this amazing and colourful world can be hard to attain. We\u2019re hoping to open the door to Japanese pop culture to the world a little bit more.<\/p>\nAVO Magazine:<\/strong> BABYBEARD is presented as a project where you three want to spread hope, smiles and encouragement, especially with the current ongoing situation of the pandemic in mind, this seems to be much needed. Soon you will release the first songs to present yourself as a group, you have been active on TikTok, a great platform to make yourself known to a large audience. What other ways of spreading motivation and positive vibes can we expect from you?<\/strong>
\nLB: Well, at this exact moment, we are of course limited by world events, that are preventing us from doing many of the things we\u2019d like to be doing. Until further notice, make sure you\u2019re subscribed to the BABYBEARD social media accounts, because that\u2019s where you\u2019ll see updates on our adventures. Our first 2 songs NIPPON KARA KONNICHIWA<\/em>\u00a0and PIENNIZER<\/em>\u00a0start streaming April 28 on streaming services. Listening to those first 2 tracks a thousand times each should tide you over until we can make further moves.<\/p>\nAVO Magazine:<\/strong> We are becoming more and more aware that the COVID-19 pandemic currently affects a lot of people all over the world. These effects are felt in a lot of ways across all sectors of life, including those working in the cultural sector, such as musicians. How is this for you all as a musician and how have you been dealing with it with the start of BABYBEARD in mind?<\/strong>
\nLB: Oh, it\u2019s been a challenge. Basically all the things that are my usual activities have been shut down. And from a group standpoint, we\u2019re not allowed to do most things outside, and we have to be masked all the time. So, challenges abound. And, as I write this, Tokyo is entering yet another state of emergency, right after they lifted the last one. This pandemic really is the gift that just keeps on giving….<\/p>\nAVO Magazine: The first reactions on the internet after unveiling the new idol group seemed to be very positive. How did that feel for you three?<\/strong>
\nLB: Excellent! I mean, I\u2019ve known this is what people want from me for the past 5 years, and I\u2019ve met obstacle after obstacle in trying to make it happen. To finally get to do it, and get confirmation of what I was telling everyone here in Japan, is very gratifying.
\nSUZU: I\u2019ve come to realize the reaction as I check my SNS every day. I\u2019m very happy that many people are interested in our activities.
\nKOTOMI: I\u2019m very happy! Now I have many followers from all over the world, so I can\u2019t wait to go to perform overseas! I\u2019ll work hard so please keep your eyes on us!<\/p>\n