Sohu Entertainment Interview with Miyavi
Erm, how I came across this Miyavi interview is beyond me, lol. I believe I was originally searching for some DaizyStripper wallpapers of Kazami, and well... no, I didn't find any (>__<). Instead, I found this interview, hahaha. Ummm yeah, somehow, even though it was in Chinese, I felt compelled to read and even translate it, LOL!
I'm actually glad I took the time to translate this because Miyavi defends the style of visual kei. Before, I got into listening to visual kei, I didn't realize how much stigma visual kei artists have to deal with, and well, I think Miyavi does a good job of answering the interviewer's questions about this subject in this interview.
Original here
Exclusive Interview with Visual Kei artist Miyavi: Tattoo for his daughter and Creation of samurai music
On June 12, 2009 Japanese Visual Kei artist Miyavi was at 星光现场1 holding a concert. Before the concert, Miyavi accepted to do an an exclusive interview with Sohu Entertainment.
[Pic 1] Caption: Miyavi taking a photograph holding a small fox
Sohu Entertainment: Miyavi, how times have you come to China already? How do you feel about Chinese fans?
Miyavi: This is my fourth time coming to China. Even though this year I haven't released a new album, my new CD will be released next year. When I landed in Beijing, I was really amazed at why there were no fans. I was a little heart broken. Later, I found out that the flight I took from Shanghai to Beijing is a domestic flight, therefore no one was notified so no one knew. Chinese fans are still very passionate.
Sohu Entertainment: What concerts have you held this year?
Miyavi: This I've held concerts in Europe and South America. During the time in South America, I came across lots of difficulties because of the water. My band members and I all got sick, so we felt we didn't perform as well. Feeling regretful and sad, I even cried. Recently, I felt really satisfied with the concert held in Shanghai.
Sohu Entertainment: Everyone says Miyavi is a visual kei artist. How do you position yourself? Do you feel that visual kei appearance and its music have any connection? Because of what considerations do you dress like a woman?
Miyavi: My position? It should be that of a samurai. As for the relationship between visual kei appearance and its music, it is just like the example I gave of a samurai. Making music is sometimes very similar to throwing a party because of the mix of many things. To me, life is the same. I want to have an positive outlook as well as try out various things. On stage, I don't meticulously choose to be feminine-like. Every visual kei rock band has its own style, therefore in regards to my feminine clothing, I don't really think much about it. I just dress to fit the music.
Sohu Entertainment: Then do you plan to keep your current style or do you plan to change and try other new styles? Where does the inspiration for creating your music come from?
Miyavi: Within this short time period, I will still keep this style. As for inspiration, it's because the various types of music I listen to enables me to reflect a lot. Everyday when I ponder I will come up with lots of inspiration.
[Pic 2] Caption: Miyavi's rebellious2 modeling
Sohu Entertainment: What new elements will your new concerts have this year?
Miyavi: Last year in my concert, I wore a kimono and had a performance on stage. This year, I won't be having these because I want to add a very direct and obvious display that can be classified as my own music. This is to say, I want to display a dark samurai feel to my music, then let everyone know that I am just a guitarist. This is my style.
Sohu Entertainment: Besides singing, have you ever considered other directions of development? For example, stage performances or movies?
Miyavi: I hope to challenge my own capabilities for all type of work, so I can try out anything.
Sohu Entertainment: We know you like to personally design jewelry and T-shirts. Have you ever considered establishing your own brand name or opening your own store?
Miyavi: Yes, I like to design these things, such as [tour goods]3, etc. I also hope that I can use them to become a brand name.
Sohu Entertainment: We all know that your body has lots of tattoos. Fans really want to ask why your back is decorated with Buddhist texts? Which tattoo do you love most?
Miyavi: Umm, the reason for Buddhist texts...I had a short time to reflect upon many things. It just so happened that in that short time I was reading a lot of Buddhist texts. I received enlightenment. To give it some sort of meaning, I deeply received the grace of the Buddhist texts. The tattoo I love the most is the new one I got for my daughter because of two reasons. The tattoo says "love me" because I picked a name for my daughter out of love and also I hope my daughter will always be loved by people. I hope fans will also be able to feel the love. I wish happiness for everyone.
[Pic 3] Caption: Cool Miyavi with cute fox
Sohu Entertainment: This year can be said to be Miyavi's most important year because of opening your own company, getting married, and furthermore having a very cute daughter. First tell us the feeling of being a president4.
Miyavi: Being president is more perplexing. I don't know how to go about it because being president and living is not the same, but I will work hard.
Sohu Entertainment: How do you feel as a father? Normally, will you play together with your daughter?
Miyavi: Lots of things really happened this year. Being looked upon as a father, I really feel a sense of responsibility. But of course, I hope to be able to spend more time with my family. To all my fans that have always been supporting me, I am extremely grateful.
Sohu Entertainment: Coming to Beijing, have you eaten Beijing's special foods such as roast duck?
When asking about roast duck, Miyavi became really happy. He used very standard Chinese to say: "I ate it, I ate Beijing's roast duck!"
Sohu Entertainment: It will soon be 2010. What projects do you have for next year? Or do you have some wish?
Miyavi: As far as I'm concerned, this year really has been a very prosperous year. Next year I hope to have a brand new starting point and work hard to do good work as a performing artist.
Sohu Entertainment: Finally, please say a few words to your fans on Sohu5.
Miyavi: I also frequently check my fan's messages on my blog and other websites. I am extremely happy and touched. In the future, I hope to be able to spread even more news about myself to everyone to become even closer to my fans.
TNs:
1. 星光现场 is the name of the first livehouse in Beijing.
2. This is probably irrelevant, but the caption had this word 嬉皮 which when I looked it up means those young people that want to live outside the rules of society. Sounds like rebellious, doesn't it? ^^;
3. 巡演的周边 ... basically 巡演 means tour like the ones musicians give and 周边, in this case, means merchandise related to the tour so those tour goodies, haha.
4. 社长 means to be president or director of a company
5. Sohu (搜狐) is a Chinese web portal and online media company.
What did you think? I was surprised to hear Miyavi already got married and had a child. I don't know his age, but I guess he's at that time, lol.
I hope you enjoy reading my translation. Please credit me if you're going to re-post it somewhere. Letting me know where you post it would be nice, too, =)
Comments are <3. Yay!
photo credit
I'm actually glad I took the time to translate this because Miyavi defends the style of visual kei. Before, I got into listening to visual kei, I didn't realize how much stigma visual kei artists have to deal with, and well, I think Miyavi does a good job of answering the interviewer's questions about this subject in this interview.
Original here
Exclusive Interview with Visual Kei artist Miyavi: Tattoo for his daughter and Creation of samurai music
On June 12, 2009 Japanese Visual Kei artist Miyavi was at 星光现场1 holding a concert. Before the concert, Miyavi accepted to do an an exclusive interview with Sohu Entertainment.
[Pic 1] Caption: Miyavi taking a photograph holding a small fox
Sohu Entertainment: Miyavi, how times have you come to China already? How do you feel about Chinese fans?
Miyavi: This is my fourth time coming to China. Even though this year I haven't released a new album, my new CD will be released next year. When I landed in Beijing, I was really amazed at why there were no fans. I was a little heart broken. Later, I found out that the flight I took from Shanghai to Beijing is a domestic flight, therefore no one was notified so no one knew. Chinese fans are still very passionate.
Sohu Entertainment: What concerts have you held this year?
Miyavi: This I've held concerts in Europe and South America. During the time in South America, I came across lots of difficulties because of the water. My band members and I all got sick, so we felt we didn't perform as well. Feeling regretful and sad, I even cried. Recently, I felt really satisfied with the concert held in Shanghai.
Sohu Entertainment: Everyone says Miyavi is a visual kei artist. How do you position yourself? Do you feel that visual kei appearance and its music have any connection? Because of what considerations do you dress like a woman?
Miyavi: My position? It should be that of a samurai. As for the relationship between visual kei appearance and its music, it is just like the example I gave of a samurai. Making music is sometimes very similar to throwing a party because of the mix of many things. To me, life is the same. I want to have an positive outlook as well as try out various things. On stage, I don't meticulously choose to be feminine-like. Every visual kei rock band has its own style, therefore in regards to my feminine clothing, I don't really think much about it. I just dress to fit the music.
Sohu Entertainment: Then do you plan to keep your current style or do you plan to change and try other new styles? Where does the inspiration for creating your music come from?
Miyavi: Within this short time period, I will still keep this style. As for inspiration, it's because the various types of music I listen to enables me to reflect a lot. Everyday when I ponder I will come up with lots of inspiration.
[Pic 2] Caption: Miyavi's rebellious2 modeling
Sohu Entertainment: What new elements will your new concerts have this year?
Miyavi: Last year in my concert, I wore a kimono and had a performance on stage. This year, I won't be having these because I want to add a very direct and obvious display that can be classified as my own music. This is to say, I want to display a dark samurai feel to my music, then let everyone know that I am just a guitarist. This is my style.
Sohu Entertainment: Besides singing, have you ever considered other directions of development? For example, stage performances or movies?
Miyavi: I hope to challenge my own capabilities for all type of work, so I can try out anything.
Sohu Entertainment: We know you like to personally design jewelry and T-shirts. Have you ever considered establishing your own brand name or opening your own store?
Miyavi: Yes, I like to design these things, such as [tour goods]3, etc. I also hope that I can use them to become a brand name.
Sohu Entertainment: We all know that your body has lots of tattoos. Fans really want to ask why your back is decorated with Buddhist texts? Which tattoo do you love most?
Miyavi: Umm, the reason for Buddhist texts...I had a short time to reflect upon many things. It just so happened that in that short time I was reading a lot of Buddhist texts. I received enlightenment. To give it some sort of meaning, I deeply received the grace of the Buddhist texts. The tattoo I love the most is the new one I got for my daughter because of two reasons. The tattoo says "love me" because I picked a name for my daughter out of love and also I hope my daughter will always be loved by people. I hope fans will also be able to feel the love. I wish happiness for everyone.
[Pic 3] Caption: Cool Miyavi with cute fox
Sohu Entertainment: This year can be said to be Miyavi's most important year because of opening your own company, getting married, and furthermore having a very cute daughter. First tell us the feeling of being a president4.
Miyavi: Being president is more perplexing. I don't know how to go about it because being president and living is not the same, but I will work hard.
Sohu Entertainment: How do you feel as a father? Normally, will you play together with your daughter?
Miyavi: Lots of things really happened this year. Being looked upon as a father, I really feel a sense of responsibility. But of course, I hope to be able to spend more time with my family. To all my fans that have always been supporting me, I am extremely grateful.
Sohu Entertainment: Coming to Beijing, have you eaten Beijing's special foods such as roast duck?
When asking about roast duck, Miyavi became really happy. He used very standard Chinese to say: "I ate it, I ate Beijing's roast duck!"
Sohu Entertainment: It will soon be 2010. What projects do you have for next year? Or do you have some wish?
Miyavi: As far as I'm concerned, this year really has been a very prosperous year. Next year I hope to have a brand new starting point and work hard to do good work as a performing artist.
Sohu Entertainment: Finally, please say a few words to your fans on Sohu5.
Miyavi: I also frequently check my fan's messages on my blog and other websites. I am extremely happy and touched. In the future, I hope to be able to spread even more news about myself to everyone to become even closer to my fans.
TNs:
1. 星光现场 is the name of the first livehouse in Beijing.
2. This is probably irrelevant, but the caption had this word 嬉皮 which when I looked it up means those young people that want to live outside the rules of society. Sounds like rebellious, doesn't it? ^^;
3. 巡演的周边 ... basically 巡演 means tour like the ones musicians give and 周边, in this case, means merchandise related to the tour so those tour goodies, haha.
4. 社长 means to be president or director of a company
5. Sohu (搜狐) is a Chinese web portal and online media company.
What did you think? I was surprised to hear Miyavi already got married and had a child. I don't know his age, but I guess he's at that time, lol.
I hope you enjoy reading my translation. Please credit me if you're going to re-post it somewhere. Letting me know where you post it would be nice, too, =)
Comments are <3. Yay!
photo credit