Omona Exclusive! Interview with Interlunium
On December 25th, 2017, Interlunium debuted with 'Intergalactic Disco' in 3 different languages, English, Korean, and Japanese. With IDOLM@STER taking a leap into the K-Pop industry back in 2017, I hoped I could take advantage of the growing interest and market in fictional/virtual idol groups, and help get some exposure to an incredibly talented and hard-working indie group of ladies that poured their hearts into their music, Interlunium. While the Korean group is a different set of girls, this project wouldn't be possible without the core group, specifically Junko (Mom0ki) who started this project well over a year ago! I want to take this as an opportunity to shed light on a group that deserves recognition and help bring a breath of fresh air to the usual posts here on Omona! I hope you enjoy reading the interview as much as I had conducting it!
First of all congratulations to you all! This project is truly incredible and the effort put into this really shines! For this interview, feel free to skip any questions you are not sure how to answer, or it doesn't necessarily apply to you, most questions should apply though! Thank you so much for your time to answer these questions! -Amber Lynnora[OP]
Each answer is listed in order from first to fourth with respective member color coding:
1. Mom0ki (Junko)
2. EiS (Eimi)
3. Lizz (Chiyo)
4. Takara (Rinko)
Q: Starting off, how did you end up in this project? What led you to a collaboration like this and what were your first expectations diving into this?
A: I actually created the project! I had the idea around a year/year and a half ago while drawing up character designs. I was like “hey, why not try this?” I’ve always loved Japanese idols, so I thought it would be a fun project to manage and create. After I sketched out around five character designs and had my good friend, Saku, sketch them digitally, I started scouting for singers. My first expectations were just to make the release on time!
A: I was asked by Mom0ki (Junko) to be a part of the project back in December of last year! I was honestly super excited and my hype hasn’t left since then! I’m very grateful that she asked me and I’m so happy I can work with so many kind & talented people!
A: Mom0ki asked me last October if I would be interested in joining a cast of 7 girls for a special project, and that project was Interlunium! I love idol games and anime like Love Live and iDOLM@STER so this was something I instantly agreed to work on. I wasn’t sure what to expect other than to sing with other girls in a group, but it’s turned into something much more special than I ever imagined.
A: Mom0ki (Junko) invited me into this project as soon as she started scouting for the idols in Interlunium. Of course, I agreed since she is one of my closest friends, and the entire project is absolutely captivating. I expected that this project would be a life-changing experience for me, and I’m grateful to be given this wonderful opportunity to collaborate with these incredibly talented people!
Q: Was the story building for each member difficult? Did you find it challenging making sure each member had unique qualities on their character sheets?
A: It came pretty easily (to me) honestly. I’ve always been interested in character study and creation, so it wasn’t particularly hard to come up with unique characters. You meet numerous people everyday, all of whom are completely different, even if they have similar qualities. I wanted to make sure the characters were appealing visually and story wise, but also giving them the feel a real person has. There is a lot of story still left to come, so I hope you’ll keep and eye out for it and look forward to learning more about our idols!
A: Since I was able to design Chiyo and come up with her personality and such, I actually based her mostly on myself. We share the same struggles and traits, but with Chiyo, I’m able to watch her achieve her dreams and overcome her hardships. It’s inspiring and makes me want to work hard to do the same for myself. Mom0ki really helped flesh Chiyo out through her back story (which will be shared, along with the other girl’s stories sometime in the future) and gave her even more depth.
Q: The art is absolutely amazing, however I was struggling to find any information on who was responsible for it, who was it? What was the creative process like designing each member? Did the members have freedom with their character design, and if so was it easy to appeal to everyone's unique taste?
A: Our art was done by the incredible artist, Arucelli! At the end of each of the YouTube videos, you can find the full credits in each language! For example, in the English video, we have the credits in English, and so on.
I myself was in charge of character design. I had assistance from Arucelli and Saku, two of our artists. When I scouted each idol, I gave them a few options:
Design your own idol
Pick from one of my character designs and make changes as you see fit
Pick from one of my character designs and leave it
I originally only had five character designs, so when I scouted Lizz in particular I didn’t yet have a character for her, so I gave her full authority over her character. She named, designed, and came up with her character traits! Most of the other girls who were scouted liked my character designs and chose the third option. With Kanon, she went through a huge transformation thanks to the amazing Hikaru Station and Arucelli! They took my initial design, which we all agreed needed fixing up, and restyled her hair and clothing! Her body and face stayed the same, but otherwise she (visually) is incredibly different from when we began! When the characters were created (in my opinion) they were already pretty unique and different, it wasn’t very hard to appeal to everyone's different flairs.
A: Since Mom0ki allowed me to design and name my own character, I knew I wanted to make her the type of idol I’ve always wanted in an idol group. I’ve always favored light green and orange color schemes (the Vocaloid “Gumi” for example is aesthetically heaven for me), so when Mom0ki told me the colors that were left to choose from, I instantly chose orange. I knew right away that I wanted to give her green hair to satisfy my ridiculous obsession with the color combination! When designing her hair, I wanted to make sure I did something different than the other girls so each girl could stand out individually. So what does somebody with no ideas do? Use anime dress up games for hair inspiration! That’s how I decided on her signature buns. Not really an inspiring story, but it did really help!
Q: What fueled the idea of creating a group like this? Did you have any inspirations such as an idol group in particular or a genre of music?
A: I’ve always been really into iDOLM@STER, Love Live, etcetera, and was even in a Minnesota based idol group at one point. We’d perform live, dance, sing, and so on. That with the stage work I’d often do helped me build a deep love for performing, so it was something I missed a lot. Once I moved and was unable to take a lot of acting jobs, I was looking for something to do. When I made the sketches randomly, I knew it was something worth continuing.
Q: There's a growing market for fictional idol groups, for example LoveLive, would you consider a record deal offered from a company if all members followed through?
A: Yes, though, of course, I’d have certain terms (I’d like the cast to remain the same in English, for example. I’d also like to maintain the rights to the characters and music.)
Q: The production quality of the single is very impressive and polished. How long on estimate did it take to produce the single(s), did you have any creative blocks through the process or did it come to easier than anticipated?
A: It took around a year and a half to produce. The project has been pretty lively this whole time, so I hope it remains that way! Don’t get me wrong, it was a ton of hard work, but it was fun work, so I never felt burnt out or ran out of ideas.
Q: When it comes to the Korean Version of the single, it hosts a different cast of singers, did you focus on matching Korean singers to the English/Japanese counterpart or was the focus getting the single as fluid in Korean as possible? Maybe a combination of both?
A: My top priority, at first, was getting singers who were 100% fluent in Korean. For some I tried to voice match, but for others it was difficult to find perfect matches. The more I looked, the more I focused more on vocal ability rather than voice matching. Though I consider voice matching to be very important, I also want to make sure that everyone in the project is talented and capable of their roles.
Q: Do you already have plans for the next single? If so, would you consider a B-Side or mini-album?
A: Yes! A second single is planned, though we are taking a short break while we try to find out how to get the budget. We have lots of exciting things planned for the future, and those are definitely not off the table!
Q: At any point did you feel overwhelmed in a project as intense as this? Do you think your work paid off once the single was released?
A: The only thing that has overwhelmed me is all the love and support our group is getting, I feel so blessed to have so many people who enjoy our work. It definitely feels like all of our hard work paid off!
A: Honestly, same response as Mom0ki! The support from our followers has been incredibly wonderful. All the positivity shown to us can cause any negativity fade for me!
A: I found this project to be exciting and rewarding more than anything. Everytime we would get a preview of our song, everytime a new piece of art would be finished, it just made the whole project more and more exciting. I’d also have to say that the only thing that’s really been overwhelming is the people who support us and cheer us on!
A: Like the others, I was strongly overwhelmed by all the support we received from our followers as soon as our single was released. Just watching the finished products of our single and seeing the continuous support definitely makes me feel that all of our hard work has paid off!
Q: How would you react if you heard your single on the radio while in a vehicle or in a store?
A: I think I’d be so overjoyed, I’d be moved to tears honestly!
A: I’d probably sob into my hands from happiness aaaa
A: I would probably end up wrecking my car! I would be so excited and shocked and amazed, I would probably forget how to drive.
A: I know for sure that I would shed a few tears of joy!
Q: What can we expect in the future from Interlunium aside from music? Will there be an elaboration on each member's story, for example Eimi already established as a solo artist?
A: Everything we do, sad to say, depends on our budget. Each character has a backstory, and when I release them I’d like them to be high quality and enjoyable! If budget allows, we’d like to do as much as possible. Physical merch, for example, is one thing we’re looking into.
Q: Since this is such a unique way of releasing music, do you hope that fictional idol groups become more popular? Would you want to see this grow into a mainstream market?
A: I very much would! I think fictional idols (like Love Live, iDOLM@STER, etc) are already pretty popular, but I’d love to see them grow even more! If you mean indie stuff like Interlunium specifically, I’d LOVE to see more indie idol groups, and I’d love if they could kick their way into the mainstream.
Q: What advice would you give to creators out there self producing and releasing their music on the internet? What fuels your desire to keep going?
A: Rome wasn’t built in a day, it’ll take a lot of time, energy, and money, but it’s more than worth it. No one else can create what you’re creating, and if you don’t release it, it’ll never be released.
My desire to continue is fueled by my desire to create, but also to make something that someone will enjoy. If our music can reach just one person and make them feel something, that is super fulfilling for me and gives me enough drive to continue for a very long time.
A: I think it’s incredibly important to be patient and remember that every experience is a learning experience. Take constructive criticism and be positive!
A: It’s all about teamwork, supporting each other, and working your hardest. I think you have to be really passionate about something to really make it happen, so put your heart and soul into whatever it is you’re creating. There will always be people who aren’t going to enjoy what you create, but don’t let them stop you from doing what you love.
Q: Lastly, since you're an idol group, it's custom to leave a message for your fans and supporters! What would you like to say to your fans?
A: Your love and support means the world to me, and all of us! I don’t even know to to begin thanking you all ♡ I hope we can continue to bring joy through our music! Thank you, Lunulas ♡
A: The overwhelming support and love shown to us in these past few weeks have really kept me going and I can’t thank you all enough for it. Thank you all so much for enjoying our music and voicing your love for us! I hope that our music can help lift many spirits as we continue being virtual idols!
A: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting us and showing all of our girls so much love! I really hope we can continue making music and bringing these characters to life, so please continue to support us! We’ll work hard to keep on shining bright!
A: Thank you all very much for the incredible love and support! I hope we will be able to continue creating music for all of you to enjoy! I love you, Lunulas~ ♡
If you'd like to purchase their singles, you can do so via:
Amazon: Eng, Jap, Kor, iTunes: Eng, Jap, Kor, or GooglePlay: Eng, Jap, Kor
Please note due to upload restraints there is no instrumentals for the Japanese single.
Source: Previous Omona Post, Respective YT Channels 1, 2, 3, 4, Myself via Twitter/Google Docs with Caitlin Myers, Amazon E, J, K, iTunes E, J, K, GP E, J, K
I really enjoyed doing this interview, and really hope to follow-up on these girls in the future! Would you like to see more indie posts or interviews with indie artists (if possible)? Obviously it would be more K-Pop focused, but I thought this could be a special case to help brighten the mood. pls mods
First of all congratulations to you all! This project is truly incredible and the effort put into this really shines! For this interview, feel free to skip any questions you are not sure how to answer, or it doesn't necessarily apply to you, most questions should apply though! Thank you so much for your time to answer these questions! -Amber Lynnora[OP]
Each answer is listed in order from first to fourth with respective member color coding:
1. Mom0ki (Junko)
2. EiS (Eimi)
3. Lizz (Chiyo)
4. Takara (Rinko)
Q: Starting off, how did you end up in this project? What led you to a collaboration like this and what were your first expectations diving into this?
A: I actually created the project! I had the idea around a year/year and a half ago while drawing up character designs. I was like “hey, why not try this?” I’ve always loved Japanese idols, so I thought it would be a fun project to manage and create. After I sketched out around five character designs and had my good friend, Saku, sketch them digitally, I started scouting for singers. My first expectations were just to make the release on time!
A: I was asked by Mom0ki (Junko) to be a part of the project back in December of last year! I was honestly super excited and my hype hasn’t left since then! I’m very grateful that she asked me and I’m so happy I can work with so many kind & talented people!
A: Mom0ki asked me last October if I would be interested in joining a cast of 7 girls for a special project, and that project was Interlunium! I love idol games and anime like Love Live and iDOLM@STER so this was something I instantly agreed to work on. I wasn’t sure what to expect other than to sing with other girls in a group, but it’s turned into something much more special than I ever imagined.
A: Mom0ki (Junko) invited me into this project as soon as she started scouting for the idols in Interlunium. Of course, I agreed since she is one of my closest friends, and the entire project is absolutely captivating. I expected that this project would be a life-changing experience for me, and I’m grateful to be given this wonderful opportunity to collaborate with these incredibly talented people!
Q: Was the story building for each member difficult? Did you find it challenging making sure each member had unique qualities on their character sheets?
A: It came pretty easily (to me) honestly. I’ve always been interested in character study and creation, so it wasn’t particularly hard to come up with unique characters. You meet numerous people everyday, all of whom are completely different, even if they have similar qualities. I wanted to make sure the characters were appealing visually and story wise, but also giving them the feel a real person has. There is a lot of story still left to come, so I hope you’ll keep and eye out for it and look forward to learning more about our idols!
A: Since I was able to design Chiyo and come up with her personality and such, I actually based her mostly on myself. We share the same struggles and traits, but with Chiyo, I’m able to watch her achieve her dreams and overcome her hardships. It’s inspiring and makes me want to work hard to do the same for myself. Mom0ki really helped flesh Chiyo out through her back story (which will be shared, along with the other girl’s stories sometime in the future) and gave her even more depth.
Q: The art is absolutely amazing, however I was struggling to find any information on who was responsible for it, who was it? What was the creative process like designing each member? Did the members have freedom with their character design, and if so was it easy to appeal to everyone's unique taste?
A: Our art was done by the incredible artist, Arucelli! At the end of each of the YouTube videos, you can find the full credits in each language! For example, in the English video, we have the credits in English, and so on.
I myself was in charge of character design. I had assistance from Arucelli and Saku, two of our artists. When I scouted each idol, I gave them a few options:
Design your own idol
Pick from one of my character designs and make changes as you see fit
Pick from one of my character designs and leave it
I originally only had five character designs, so when I scouted Lizz in particular I didn’t yet have a character for her, so I gave her full authority over her character. She named, designed, and came up with her character traits! Most of the other girls who were scouted liked my character designs and chose the third option. With Kanon, she went through a huge transformation thanks to the amazing Hikaru Station and Arucelli! They took my initial design, which we all agreed needed fixing up, and restyled her hair and clothing! Her body and face stayed the same, but otherwise she (visually) is incredibly different from when we began! When the characters were created (in my opinion) they were already pretty unique and different, it wasn’t very hard to appeal to everyone's different flairs.
A: Since Mom0ki allowed me to design and name my own character, I knew I wanted to make her the type of idol I’ve always wanted in an idol group. I’ve always favored light green and orange color schemes (the Vocaloid “Gumi” for example is aesthetically heaven for me), so when Mom0ki told me the colors that were left to choose from, I instantly chose orange. I knew right away that I wanted to give her green hair to satisfy my ridiculous obsession with the color combination! When designing her hair, I wanted to make sure I did something different than the other girls so each girl could stand out individually. So what does somebody with no ideas do? Use anime dress up games for hair inspiration! That’s how I decided on her signature buns. Not really an inspiring story, but it did really help!
Q: What fueled the idea of creating a group like this? Did you have any inspirations such as an idol group in particular or a genre of music?
A: I’ve always been really into iDOLM@STER, Love Live, etcetera, and was even in a Minnesota based idol group at one point. We’d perform live, dance, sing, and so on. That with the stage work I’d often do helped me build a deep love for performing, so it was something I missed a lot. Once I moved and was unable to take a lot of acting jobs, I was looking for something to do. When I made the sketches randomly, I knew it was something worth continuing.
Q: There's a growing market for fictional idol groups, for example LoveLive, would you consider a record deal offered from a company if all members followed through?
A: Yes, though, of course, I’d have certain terms (I’d like the cast to remain the same in English, for example. I’d also like to maintain the rights to the characters and music.)
Q: The production quality of the single is very impressive and polished. How long on estimate did it take to produce the single(s), did you have any creative blocks through the process or did it come to easier than anticipated?
A: It took around a year and a half to produce. The project has been pretty lively this whole time, so I hope it remains that way! Don’t get me wrong, it was a ton of hard work, but it was fun work, so I never felt burnt out or ran out of ideas.
Q: When it comes to the Korean Version of the single, it hosts a different cast of singers, did you focus on matching Korean singers to the English/Japanese counterpart or was the focus getting the single as fluid in Korean as possible? Maybe a combination of both?
A: My top priority, at first, was getting singers who were 100% fluent in Korean. For some I tried to voice match, but for others it was difficult to find perfect matches. The more I looked, the more I focused more on vocal ability rather than voice matching. Though I consider voice matching to be very important, I also want to make sure that everyone in the project is talented and capable of their roles.
Q: Do you already have plans for the next single? If so, would you consider a B-Side or mini-album?
A: Yes! A second single is planned, though we are taking a short break while we try to find out how to get the budget. We have lots of exciting things planned for the future, and those are definitely not off the table!
Q: At any point did you feel overwhelmed in a project as intense as this? Do you think your work paid off once the single was released?
A: The only thing that has overwhelmed me is all the love and support our group is getting, I feel so blessed to have so many people who enjoy our work. It definitely feels like all of our hard work paid off!
A: Honestly, same response as Mom0ki! The support from our followers has been incredibly wonderful. All the positivity shown to us can cause any negativity fade for me!
A: I found this project to be exciting and rewarding more than anything. Everytime we would get a preview of our song, everytime a new piece of art would be finished, it just made the whole project more and more exciting. I’d also have to say that the only thing that’s really been overwhelming is the people who support us and cheer us on!
A: Like the others, I was strongly overwhelmed by all the support we received from our followers as soon as our single was released. Just watching the finished products of our single and seeing the continuous support definitely makes me feel that all of our hard work has paid off!
Q: How would you react if you heard your single on the radio while in a vehicle or in a store?
A: I think I’d be so overjoyed, I’d be moved to tears honestly!
A: I’d probably sob into my hands from happiness aaaa
A: I would probably end up wrecking my car! I would be so excited and shocked and amazed, I would probably forget how to drive.
A: I know for sure that I would shed a few tears of joy!
Q: What can we expect in the future from Interlunium aside from music? Will there be an elaboration on each member's story, for example Eimi already established as a solo artist?
A: Everything we do, sad to say, depends on our budget. Each character has a backstory, and when I release them I’d like them to be high quality and enjoyable! If budget allows, we’d like to do as much as possible. Physical merch, for example, is one thing we’re looking into.
Q: Since this is such a unique way of releasing music, do you hope that fictional idol groups become more popular? Would you want to see this grow into a mainstream market?
A: I very much would! I think fictional idols (like Love Live, iDOLM@STER, etc) are already pretty popular, but I’d love to see them grow even more! If you mean indie stuff like Interlunium specifically, I’d LOVE to see more indie idol groups, and I’d love if they could kick their way into the mainstream.
Q: What advice would you give to creators out there self producing and releasing their music on the internet? What fuels your desire to keep going?
A: Rome wasn’t built in a day, it’ll take a lot of time, energy, and money, but it’s more than worth it. No one else can create what you’re creating, and if you don’t release it, it’ll never be released.
My desire to continue is fueled by my desire to create, but also to make something that someone will enjoy. If our music can reach just one person and make them feel something, that is super fulfilling for me and gives me enough drive to continue for a very long time.
A: I think it’s incredibly important to be patient and remember that every experience is a learning experience. Take constructive criticism and be positive!
A: It’s all about teamwork, supporting each other, and working your hardest. I think you have to be really passionate about something to really make it happen, so put your heart and soul into whatever it is you’re creating. There will always be people who aren’t going to enjoy what you create, but don’t let them stop you from doing what you love.
Q: Lastly, since you're an idol group, it's custom to leave a message for your fans and supporters! What would you like to say to your fans?
A: Your love and support means the world to me, and all of us! I don’t even know to to begin thanking you all ♡ I hope we can continue to bring joy through our music! Thank you, Lunulas ♡
A: The overwhelming support and love shown to us in these past few weeks have really kept me going and I can’t thank you all enough for it. Thank you all so much for enjoying our music and voicing your love for us! I hope that our music can help lift many spirits as we continue being virtual idols!
A: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting us and showing all of our girls so much love! I really hope we can continue making music and bringing these characters to life, so please continue to support us! We’ll work hard to keep on shining bright!
A: Thank you all very much for the incredible love and support! I hope we will be able to continue creating music for all of you to enjoy! I love you, Lunulas~ ♡
If you'd like to purchase their singles, you can do so via:
Amazon: Eng, Jap, Kor, iTunes: Eng, Jap, Kor, or GooglePlay: Eng, Jap, Kor
Please note due to upload restraints there is no instrumentals for the Japanese single.
Source: Previous Omona Post, Respective YT Channels 1, 2, 3, 4, Myself via Twitter/Google Docs with Caitlin Myers, Amazon E, J, K, iTunes E, J, K, GP E, J, K
I really enjoyed doing this interview, and really hope to follow-up on these girls in the future! Would you like to see more indie posts or interviews with indie artists (if possible)? Obviously it would be more K-Pop focused, but I thought this could be a special case to help brighten the mood. pls mods