Interview Archives

Interview: ATARASHII GAKKO! pushes onward from best year ever

26 January 2024

Genre-bending dance unit ATARASHII GAKKO! wrapped up an explosive 2023! With an appearance at Head In The Clouds fest in LA, a world tour, and an invitation to the the widely viewed end-of-the-year program Kouh...

Interview: Madmans Esprit rocks Ikebukuro Chop with intense 5-day concert series

Rin and Erica

20 January 2024

Interview, Tour and event

Madmans Esprit, the avant-garde metal project led by Korean independent artist Kyuho, is known for its unique blend of heavy music and visual kei-inspired aesthetics. Self-described as “making depressive suicid...

Interview with Japanese Visual Metal part 2: Moi dix Mois, Versailles, D, Matenrou Opera

Peertje, Rin and afaenia

26 December 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 Japanese Visual Metal part 1: Moi dix Mois, Versailles, D, Matenrou Opera

Peertje, Rin and afaenia

22 December 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 Yugiri and SARSHI: a 17-year journey through visual kei

Erica and Kay

14 December 2023

Interview, Tour and event

From November 3–5, 2023, Yugiri (DaizyStripper) and SARSHI (HERO, Nana, Flutter Echo) took the stage at Nekocon in Hampton, VA, treating attendees to a unique musical experience. Despite belonging to different ...

Interview with SARI: Japanese artist now living in Sweden

NBT and Kay

24 November 2023

Interview

At NärCon Summer this year, Northern Europe's largest anime convention, we had the privilege of sitting down with SARI, the versatile Japanese artist who recently made Sweden her new temporary home. Delving int...

Interview: HANABIE. rampages across US

Nori, afaenia, Jonathan Lane, Omatsu and Zephyr

16 November 2023

Interview

Newly dubbed "Harajuku-core" band HANABIE. completed its ambitious run across the US, capped with a finale at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento on October 6. JROCK NEWS caught up with the women who expertl...

Interview: Marty Friedman on gifting Jpop to the world (part 2)

Nori and NBT

10 November 2023

Interview

Welcome back to our conversation with guitar legend Marty Friedman! For those who missed the first half, you can find part 1 here.In part 2 on the interview, Marty delves into the prominence of female-led J...

Interview with RUKI (the GazettE): Rising from silence to live stage

afaenia

4 November 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: Marty Friedman on gifting Jpop to the world (part 1)

Nori and NBT

31 October 2023

Interview

It’s not every day an international guitar hero replies to our cold call with a resounding yes! But Marty Friedman, formerly of the “big four” GRAMMY-nominated thrash metal legend Megadeth, emphatically welcome...

Interview: YOSHIKI’s mission to shatter music boundaries worldwide

Erica, Nori and NBT

5 October 2023

Interview, Tour and event

YOSHIKI, one of the most influential musicians in Japan, has made an enduring impact in both the rock and classical music realms. He's renowned as the founder of the globally beloved rock band X Japan and the l...

Interview with Momoiro Clover Z: 15-year idol journey of vibrant music

NBT

30 September 2023

Interview

We recently connected with the idol group Momoiro Clover Z to delve into its incredible journey as the group marks an impressive 15-year anniversary!With such extensive journey in the music scene, captivati...

Interview: MAN WITH A MISSION’s Jean-Ken Johnny talks world tour, “WOLVES ON PARADE”

Erica and NBT

27 September 2023

Interview, JROCK ONSEN, Tour and event

MAN WITH A MISSION is a rock band that defies convention in many ways. For starters, their five-member lineup consists of superior lifeforms who are half-human and half-wolf. Like the hybrids they are, their mu...

Interview with MAD JAMIE: The spirit of “Kawaii is Fxxk” and idol punk rock

NBT and Kay

25 September 2023

Interview

Back in late July, we had the chance to sit down with Kanjosen Akubi (感情線あくび) from MAD JAMIE, who at the time had just performed at NärCon, Northern Europe's largest anime convention. This marked MAD JAMIE's fi...