Interview Exclusive

Interview with D=OUT

05/06/2020 2020-06-05 02:00:00 KoME Author: Christine Translator: Ryan Wong, Pareesa Madjd Copyeditor: Tomo

Interview with D=OUT

D=OUT is ready to show America what visual kei is all about.


© D=OUT. All rights reserved.
Visual kei band D=OUT are set to make their US debut at Nekocon, a convention that will be taking place at Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia from November 6th to 8th this year. While there are still a few months left to go before they head overseas, we were able to get some insights from the band about their latest album Mandala A, the influence of traditional Japanese culture on their sound, vocalist Kouki's enka solo project and what the members are looking forward to during their trip to America.


For any readers unfamiliar with your work, if you had to describe the essence of D=OUT quickly, what would you say?

D=OUT: We seek to present a visual kei take on traditional Japanese music. Through our music, you can get a taste of rock music, Nihon buyō, the Tsugaru-shamisen and other distinctive elements you wouldn’t normally get to experience otherwise.

You’ve been together for over 13 years now. What do you think has been the secret to D=OUT’s longevity?

D=OUT: Respecting every member as a musician in his own right.

You just released your latest album Mandala A in February. Is there an overarching concept or theme behind the release?

D=OUT: The concept for the album stemmed from the idea of believing in yourself before choosing to believe in any God.

D=OUT - Mandala A

The cover art pairs a man with a somewhat punk/gothic look with traditional religious imagery. Where did the idea for this cover come from, and is there a message behind it?

D=OUT: I think that the album cover visually captures the concept we had in mind for the album. It was also the first time we engaged an art director in the photography process.

You’ve mentioned that D=OUT is a band that really values Japanese culture, and a few of the titles on your latest album seem to reference festive imagery (fireworks, parades, dancing, etc.). Is there a particular Japanese festival or holiday that you enjoy or are inspired by?

D=OUT: While all of us come from different hometowns in Japan, each having their own unique and distinct festivals, some festivals like the Bon Odori are celebrated all across Japan, so we still feel closely connected to the spirit of Japanese festivals. We are also heavily inspired by Japan’s four seasons.

You’ve performed overseas many times in the past, but your appearance at Nekocon this November will be your US debut. Is there anything in particular that you are looking forward to experiencing in America?

D=OUT: Since we have the chance to visit America, I would like to try recording some music there too.

Kouki, you will also be performing as a solo artist at Nekocon. In your solo work, it seems like you transform into almost a completely different person, both musically and visually. Do you see Hanamizakura Kouki as a separate character from D=OUT’s Kouki?

D=OUT: They’re the same to me, just like how rock music and traditional Japanese enka vary in many aspects but still share the same soul.

Hanamizakura Kouki - Wasuregasa

What inspired you to perform enka music? Is there a particular enka artist you admire, or an aspect of the genre that appeals to you?

D=OUT: It’s a genre famously regarded as embodying “the heart of Japan”, so I felt that in order to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese music I had to give it a shot.

You released the single Onizakura with DaizyStripper in 2019. How did this collaboration come about?

D=OUT: Although we’re bands from the same era, we mostly performed our live shows separately so we never really got the chance to interact. But as bands that share so much in common, both sides just decided to give it a shot and collaborate!

What was the inspiration behind the song and its music video?


D=OUT: It was the result of us focusing on showcasing the appeal of both bands as best as we could.

D=OUT x DaizyStripper - Onizakura

What else can fans look forward to from D=OUT in 2020?

D=OUT: We would love to perform more live shows in America, so we’ve been brushing up on our English. We really look forward to meeting all of you over there!

Please leave a message for your overseas fans.

D=OUT: Through our first live show in America, we want to let everyone know what Japanese visual kei is, so we hope you’re ready for it!

JaME would like to thank D=OUT and Chaotic Harmony for making this interview possible.

Admission for Nekocon can be purchased here, and you can keep your eye on Chaotic Harmony's Twitter and Facebook accounts closer to the event for more updates regarding the band's schedule during the convention.

D=OUT - Senkou hanabi
 Buy a pass for "Nekocon"  D=OUT - Official Website
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Releases

Album CD + DVD 2020-02-26 2020-02-26
D=OUT

Related Events

Date Event Location
  
06/11/20202020-11-06
08/11/2020
Convention
Cancelled
D=OUT, Hanamizakura Kouki
  
06/11/20202020-11-06
Concert
Cancelled
D=OUT, Hanamizakura Kouki
Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, VA
USA
  
07/11/20202020-11-07
Concert
Cancelled
D=OUT, Hanamizakura Kouki
Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, VA
USA
  
08/11/20202020-11-08
Concert
Cancelled
D=OUT, Hanamizakura Kouki
Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, VA
USA

Visual Kei Meets Enka

Interview with Mogamigawa Tsukasa © Mogamigawa Tsukasa. All rights reserved.

Interview Exclusive

Interview with Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Visual enka singer Mogamigawa Tsuksasa answered our questions regarding his origins, his new album and various other topics.

New Album from Mogamigawa Tsukasa © Massive One/ UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC. All rights reserved.

News

New Album from Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Visual enka singer Mogamigawa Tsukasa will release a new album in May.

New Single from Hanamizakura Kouki © Hanamizakura Kouki. All rights reserved.

News

New Single from Hanamizakura Kouki

Enka singer Hanamizakura Kouki will release his third single on October 20th.

New Releases from Mogamigawa Tsukasa © Massive One/ UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC. All rights reserved.

News

New Releases from Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Mogamigawa Tsukasa will release a photo book, a "special price" edition of his collection "Golden☆Best Mogamigawa Tsukasa" and a number of new songs in the coming months.

Interview with D=OUT © D=OUT. All rights reserved.

Interview Exclusive

Interview with D=OUT

D=OUT is ready to show America what visual kei is all about.

New Single from Miyoshi Seiji © Miyoshi Seiji, all rights reserved.

News

New Single from Miyoshi Seiji

Miyoshi Seiji (aka Seth of Moi dix Mois) will release his second enka single on June 12th.

New Single from Hanamizakura Kouki © 2015 Tokuma Japan Communications CO., all rights reserved.

News

New Single from Hanamizakura Kouki

Hanamizakura Kouki will release his second single on September 5th.

New Single from Mogamigawa Tsukasa © 2016 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC. All rights reserved.

News

New Single from Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Mogamigawa Tsukasa will release his fourth single on August 1st.

Details on Mogamigawa Tsukasa's New Compilation Album © 2016 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC. All rights reserved.

News

Details on Mogamigawa Tsukasa's New Compilation Album

More details have been revealed about Mogamigawa Tsukasa's upcoming compilation album "Golden☆Best Mogamigawa Tsukasa".

New Album from Mogamigawa Tsukasa © 2016 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC. All rights reserved.

News

New Album from Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Mogamigawa Tsukasa has announced the release of a new album for November 22nd.

Mogamigawa Tsukasa - Kimi no mune no naka ni © 2016 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC. All rights reserved.

Review

Mogamigawa Tsukasa - Kimi no mune no naka ni

The yearning for home in a musical way.

New Single from Mogamigawa Tsukasa © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

News

New Single from Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Mogamigawa Tsukasa will release his third major single on October 12th.

New Single from Mogamigawa Tsukasa © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

News

New Single from Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Mogamigawa Tsukasa will release a new single on February 3rd.

Interview with Mogamigawa Tsukasa © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

Interview

Interview with Mogamigawa Tsukasa

JaME interviews Mogamigawa Tsukasa, following the release of his first enka album.

Mogamigawa Tsukasa - Oku no utamichi © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

Review

Mogamigawa Tsukasa - Oku no utamichi

A colorful cross-section of songs from the Tohoku region.

Cover Album from Mogamigawa Tsukasa © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

News

Cover Album from Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Visual Enka singer to release a cover album on November 25th.

Mogamigawa Tsukasa - MATSUPOIYO © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

Review

Mogamigawa Tsukasa - MATSUPOIYO

A musical declaration of love for the singer's hometown, Yamagata.

Interview with Mogamigawa Tsukasa © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

Interview

Interview with Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Mogamigawa Tsukasa, Japan's first visual Enka singer, answered JaME's questions in a long and detailed interview.

Mogamigawa Tsukasa © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

Biography

Mogamigawa Tsukasa

Japan's very first visual Enka singer wishes to express his gratitude with his own music and in his own words.

TSUKASA's Major Debut Single © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

News

TSUKASA's Major Debut Single

THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S drummer TSUKASA will make his major debut as an enka singer in June.

TSUKASA - Matsupoi yo / Hitohira no sakura © 2015 UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC All rights reserved.

Review

TSUKASA - Matsupoi yo / Hitohira no sakura

We're listening into the debut single of Japan's first visual enka singer.

TSUKASA's Solo Plans © THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S All Rights Reserved

News

TSUKASA's Solo Plans

The drummer is now following his childhood dream

ADVERTISEMENT