Interview Archives

Interview with Kouki: Bridging cultures through music and passion

20 September 2023

Meet Hanamizakura Kouki, a star in the visual kei scene dedicated to promoting Japan's distinctive culture to global audiences. With a Tsugaru-jamisen guitar in hand and a resplendent folding fan, he embarks on...

Interview: Dream Theater’s John Petrucci on breaking international barriers

Nori

11 August 2023

Interview, Tour

For nearly 40 years, prog metal flagbearer Dream Theater has stood tall and fortified the redoubt of guitar-driven rock. For aspiring amateurs as well as professional musicians across the world (and especially ...

Interview with Kai: the GazettE’s 20 years of evolution

afaenia and Rin

26 July 2023

Interview

This interview was originally published by “club Zy.” in Japanese. JROCK NEWS is partnering with club Zy. and Vijuttoke with the aim to popularize Japanese visual kei globally. Learn more about our partnership ...

Interview with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: From Harajuku to the world

Nori

7 June 2023

Interview, Tour

Electropop diva Kyary Pamyu Pamyu voyages on "WORLD TOUR 2023 -POPPP-", making seven colossal appearances across North America and Europe! JROCK NEWS caught up with the "Pink Princess" during her stop at The No...

Interview with JUNNA: The powerful voice making waves in anime!

NBT, Erica, Narine, Omatsu and Peertje

2 June 2023

Interview, Releases

JUNNA is an emerging prodigy making waves in the world of Jpop, Jrock, and anime music. This extraordinary talent burst onto the scene at a mere 16 years old, captivating audiences with her commanding and soul-...

Interview with DEVILOOF: From underground pioneers to major label success

NBT, Mazohyst_Kyo and NoMusicNoReason

26 May 2023

Interview

The metal band DEVILOOF recently achieved the remarkable dream of signing with a major record label. Considering how big this milestone is for the five-man band, we were curious to learn about the implications ...

Interview with HAKUEI and Karyu: Wholesome talk between shy people

Dorian, Rin and Peertje

3 May 2023

Interview

This interview was originally published by “club Zy.” in Japanese. JROCK NEWS is partnering with club Zy. and Vijuttoke with the aim to popularize Japanese visual kei globally. Learn more about our partnership ...

Interview with Saki Rose: Emerging solo vocalist in visual kei

Erica and Nori

8 April 2023

Interview

In February, JROCK NEWS was on the scene covering THE LAST ROCKSTARS' debut in New York City. While in Manhattan for the weekend, we reached out to independent musician, Jrock Afficianado and local Brooklynite ...

Interview: Artist Naofumi Yonetsuka defines generations of visual kei

Erica, Nori and Omatsu

18 March 2023

Interview

As written in the name, the Jrock subgenre visual kei is founded on just that—the visuals. Often otherworldly yet at times macabre and downright bizarre, the elaborate garbs and set designs on visual kei music ...

Interview with TAKURO (GLAY): Healing the world through “The Sound Of Life”

NBT

24 February 2023

Interview

The world hasn't been an easy place as of lately, with contributing factors such as a pandemic and war outbreaks, leaving people feeling anxious and helpless. From all of these recent events, TAKURO, the guitar...

Interview with LYNCS: Shedding light on the darkness

Bri, afaenia and Omatsu

30 January 2023

Interview

LYNCS is a cyber gothic metal band that formed in Japan with roots in China. Exploring themes of darkness and night, vocalist Noctis Zang and guitarist LIN don’t shy away from heavier themes and emotions in ord...

Interview: BAND-MAID unpacks sold-out US tour and aggressive EP “Unleash”

G Andrew White and Nori

7 January 2023

Interview, Tour

Between a wildfire US tour, and prepping for their first big concert of 2023, BAND-MAID sat down for an interview with JROCK NEWS. The metal maidens from Tokyo had a lot to say about their US tour experience th...

Interview: NEMOPHILA guitarists SAKI and Hazuki reflect on US performances

G Andrew White and Nori

18 December 2022

Interview, Tour

In October, JROCK NEWS caught up with the all-female hard rock band NEMOPHILA at Aftershock Festival 2022. We had a quick interview with their guitarists SAKI and Hazuki. They were buzzing from the electrifyin...

Interview: Kouki and HIZAKI’s philosophies of visual kei

Erica and Omatsu

8 December 2022

Interview, Tour

Musicians Kouki (D=OUT) and HIZAKI (Versailles, Jupiter) rocked Nekocon 24, held from November 5-7 in Hampton, VA. After a hectic weekend of autograph sessions, a Q&A panel, and no less than three live conc...