After his showcase during the Laforet HARAJUKU Collection’08 in Paris and before the public conference with his fans, Miyavi took some time to answer the questions of the press. Wearing his cap, sunglasses and geta, Miyavi sat down in front of us with the translator. She only translated the questions of the press because Miyavi answered with his good English. The conference was held by Orient-Extreme who asked the first two questions.


What did you think about your performance during the previous showcase? Were you surprised about the reactions of the audience?
Miyavi: It was great. We worked harder than expected. Except the sound system was horrible. I didn’t know that fans would be sitting on their seats. I was surprised. The reaction of my fans was really, really great. It totally got me pumped up. I enjoyed that a lot.

Your World Tour ends tomorrow (July 6th) with a concert at L’Olympia in Paris. Did you have time to do some sightseeing in the countries you visited? What stage did you prefer?
Miyavi: Honestly, I liked every country, but especially Sweden. It was really beautiful. The sky was near and the clouds were beautiful, so Sweden was the best. I went sightseeing in the city and castles of Stockholm. It was clean and peaceful. In Berlin, we hired a taxi to look around the city. There were so many places to see. I had fun.

Can these visits inspire you for the rest of your career?
Miyavi: I was inspired in every country, but we had no time to create anything. We were touring on a bus. Of course, I had a lot of inspiration through their relationships between different cultures and languages.

On the eve of your last European concert and before your Asian concerts, what would be your outcome of this World tour?
Miyavi: Actually, it will be the final day in Europe, but the tour continues in Asia and Japan. As I said before I gained a lot of things during this tour. It was a really tight and hard schedule. I was surprised and impressed to have so many fans that were waiting for me in long lines during days of the week. That’s what gets me more excited. I try my best. I like every country more than before. I want to show my listeners and audience what I gained from this tour. I gained a lot.

What were you the most surprised about European fans in comparison to Japanese fans?
Miyavi: Basically they’re all different. They don’t have the opportunity to come here often… They’re really fantastic and more energetic. They express how they feel more than the Japanese, including me. Japanese people are not good at expressing how they feel. At every show the crowd got crazy. They were really excited.

You’re a vocalist and guitarist. Can you tell us about your first guitar, how you discovered the guitar?
Miyavi: There was no particular reason in choosing to play guitar. When I was fifteen, I wanted to be a professional soccer player. I joined a professional team in Junior High, but I got injured and I had to give up. Right after I quit my career of being a professional soccer player, I had nothing to do and hung around with my friends. I just started playing guitar for no particular reason. I wanted to make a band. The first time, I wanted to play bass. In my mind, bass was kind of like guitar. Guitar was only acoustic in my mind. After I knew about it and studied more rock, I (felt that I) could stand out, so I chose the guitar. The moment I touched the guitar, I could imagine the picture of me on stage and the crowd. Then I played do, re, mi, fa, so, la, si, do and I decided to be a professional musician.

Have you already some ideas for the rest of your career after the tour?
Miyavi: Yeah, I have but it’s secret. I want to get some rest. I want to sleep on a bed. I have been sleeping on the bus… so I want to go home. I’m thinking about the future and next time. There’s no need to change, but I want to evolve and improve.

Where does your inspiration come from?
Miyavi: It depends on the time. I have many styles including rock, hip-hop, funk, and blues from experience which I got when I was in L.A. I was learning the culture and I started to study English a year and a half ago. I also started break dancing. I realized that I had to focus more on our original skills and abilities as Japanese; to have good relationships with people overseas on an equal (level). It depends on the time. Anywhere at any time I get inspiration.

The language is very important?
Miyavi: Yeah, the most important thing is when I want somebody to understand me, I must understand them first. That’s why I studied English; because I want my listeners to learn about the Japanese culture and language. That’s why I won’t answer in Japanese. With this World Tour, I’ve been trying to speak English on the stage all the time. When I spoke Japanese, the audience got excited more than when I spoke English. When I say, “o-genki desuka?” they’re all crazy imitating excited fans . It’s a little depressing because I’m studying hard.

Do you make the distinction between the periods of concerts and the more quiet moments at home? Does your life stand out in periods?
Miyavi: Ah, that’s a really good question. I’m categorized as a Visual Kei artist, so I’m trying to be Miyavi all the time. There is no border between (being) on stage and off stage. The way I live is not only (about) appearance and putting make-up on. It’s the way I live. Even when a deliveryman knocked on my door at my apartment in Japan, I answered the door in my underwear. I’m always being myself and natural.


The conference for the press is finished but Miyavi will give another conference for his fans this time.

Thanks to J-Music Live, Orient-Extreme and miyavi.

Corrections: Christine