[Interview] 2016/04/20 - Kazue Akao (Kruberablinka)

[Painkiller]

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1. Please tell me about how you first discovered music, and what bands influenced you. Did you have any experience playing instruments, or were you just a vocalist? Before Terra Rosa, were you in any other bands? How often did you play shows? What was the Japanese metal scene like in the 1980s?

I was affected first,  the classical music that father heard. And rock music and the jazz which an older brother heard, too. Then I am influenced by Paul Simon since the age of 10 years old. QUEEN since the age of 15 years old. Ritchie's RAINBOW since the age of 16 years old. I became love hard rock. The musical instrument can play the piano. I sang in some bands before TERRA ROSA. I could not count the show, I did, In 80's in particular.
In 80's, the metal scene of Kansai in particular was strong, and I am in there.

2. How much did the success of bands such as Loudness impact Japan? Also, at the time, what was your opinion on X Japan and the visual kei movement?

LOUDNESS succeeded for the first time in Japan as a HM band. But I think that there was big trouble. It was not possible in Japan as business that succeeded in the HM that only a few people heard.  The movement of Visual kei's succeeded was the different dimension from HM. I think that it is a good movement in Japan.

3. During the 1990s, what other projects were you a part of?

I participated in the solo album of the guitarist and sang RAINBOW by events.

4. At what point did you decide to form Kruberablinka? Musically speaking, what makes your band different from your previous one?

I made music with Hiromi Suzuki, and KRUBERABLINKA was born from there. Unlike TERRA ROSA, it is guitar-centered sound. The melody is introduced to many divergences. I enjoy it very much .

5. I recently had a listen of your latest album, Blanko. It seems to take a more experimental route than what I've previously heard from you. More bluesy hard rock elements. I'm curious to know the direction of the band past this album. Also, are you interested in doing concept albums?

Because I want to try various things, 'BLANKO' is the one.
I do not understand how tomorrow turns out, but please look forward to next album 'Conicalify'.

6. What do you think of the metal scene nowadays? Are you done with metal, or you do still enjoy listening to it?

Though the present metal is good, but I hear classic metal. Because my heart danced by old metal.』

7. Please tell me about your label, Taiyo Music, and why you became interested in doing studio work.

'Taiyo' is a label for exclusive use of KRUBERABLINKA. That all. And it's not Taiyo Music, but just 'TAIYO'.
I liked the studio work from old days. I did not begin it recently.

8. What are your thoughts on YouTube and downloading?

The good point is convenient. The bad point is convenient, too. I cannot talk here. It is too complicated.

9. How well do you think that you have improved as not only a vocalist, but also a songwriter? When you write your lyrics, what themes come to mind? Do you prefer to write simpler song concepts?

There is not the theme particularly, but I do not write the text in favor of war. The rhythm of the text has top priority. Even simplicity is good.』

10. Are you more into working in the studio or playing shows, and why?

There are not many studios. We do the shows, too.』

11. What is Kruberablinka currently planning? If you could travel around the world, which countries would you like to visit? What would you say to your fans outside of Japan?

We go anywhere if  you call us. If the schedule of the member matches.

" Hi, I am glad to be able to come here.
Please listen to a new album 'CONICALIFY' !! ''

12. Besides music, what are your other hobbies and interests?

I like naturally, animals and plants, do a favorite thing alone in my house. I have a gloomy character. HAHAHA......(^0^)

13. Thank you so much for accepting this interview request. Anything else that you want to say?

I think that music of the world losing the power. I want to make music to have power. Thank you very much.

Kruberablinka