Interview: Vicke Blanka

Vicke Blanka is a versatile songwriter-composer who got his start in 2016. His songs are best characterized by his individuality, melodies, and his beautiful falsetto voice. He started composing music when he was only in elementary school and held the aim to pursue music as a career, attending university in Tokyo. Since his debut, his performances have impressed listeners with out of this world sounds.

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Ken: First of all, thank you so much for letting us do this interview. We are big fans and love what you bring to the Japanese music industry. Congratulations on your latest release!

Vicke Blanka: Thank You😘

K: Over your 5-year career what would you say has been your favorite song to compose/write?

VB: Honestly, it’s very difficult. I really like all of my tracks, however I really like the positive vibe style of songs like most recently “Soten No Vampire”.

K: What was the inspiration for your moniker, Vicke Blanka?

VB: It means Pure Pirates, it’s actually quite funny as when I was young, my language was rough however I was really really serious about music.

K: With your latest original album “Black Catcher” having a variety of genres, what was your favorite song to record and compose?

VB: The recording of “Black Catcher” was one of the best, and everything ended up perfect. During the recording, I remember having that feeling of having a pillar of fire burning up.

“If you can get rid of that, you’ll have a really creative feeling.”

K: Do you have a process or certain mindset when creating your songs? If so, would you like to share that process?

VB: I usually wonder if it’s about eliminating the unconscious rules of music. People and other artist tend to choose familiar melodies and words without knowing it. If you can get rid of that, you’ll have a really creative feeling.

K: How did the pandemic affect the way you approach the beats and composition for your music?

VB: Since we didn’t have people getting together in the studio, I was able to train myself to pretty much complete everything myself. I can now do beats, bass, synths, and even the FX myself. The result is the amazing track “Soten No Vampire”.

K: What song(s) had an impact on you growing up?

VB: Michael Jackson, Ben Folds, MIKA were like my teacher

K: What are some challenges you have faced as an artist? How have you overcome them?

VB: I make music depending on my mood, so a lot of the time genre usually isn’t decided, which caused trouble for the promotional companies. I was told that I didn’t know how to sell the products that I’m usually given lol. But if I kept that stance, I could have the moniker of being an artist that, “can do anything.”

“Find something that is second to none and go to a place that no one can reach.”

K: What made you choose a path in the music industry? Who had the most inspiration for you and led you to choose this path?

VB: The teachings of my parents really had a big impact. “Find something that is second to none and go to a place that no one can reach.” Teaching has that feeling of being ingrained to my personality.

K: Which artist would you say is your biggest inspiration? Also are there any international artists who inspire you guys as well?

VB: It would have to be Michael Jackson, Ben Folds, and MIKA. Currently favorite artists right now are Conor Ross and Alan Walker. Alan and I had a set together at Summer Sonic and we would listened to my new song together as well.

K: You are a gifted guitarist and pianist. Which instrument took longer for you to learn how to play?

VB: Perhaps I have a talent for musical instruments as none of them took so long to learn. I didn’t have to learn perform a fast guitar solo because it was all about understanding the role of the instrument.

K: Is there a particular genre of music you would like to write a song for that you haven’t already?

VB: I want to create a more acoustic atmosphere, and have it only hearing me fingering an electric guitar along with my vocals.

K: For international fans, how they usually find out about J-pop is through anime. First, do you guys watch anime? If so, which would you say is your favorite?

VB: Like everyone, I love anime. When I was watching "Durarara !!" while living in Ikebukuro, I felt like a character in that anime.

K: Is there a venue you performed at you’ll never forget? Also, is there a dream venue you would like to perform at?

VB: I had a birthday live in Shanghai which was very impressive. I would like to collaborate with various artists in various parts of the world. I'm currently waiting for an offer!

K: What track(s) is your favorite to perform live and why?

VB: Honestly I can’t decide. It usually differs depending on the day.

K: What would you say is your most difficult song to perform?

VB: “Black Catcher”'s complex modulation, and melody is one of the tracks that I think is difficult to copy.

K: Who is the one artist you would love to work with in the future?

VB: I want to make a song with Alan Walker. Rather, I love collaborating with musicians from around the world. I'm waiting for an offer. I’ll keep saying this many times lol.

K: What song have you created that you wish had a music video?  What type of music video would you film?

VB: It's a shame that there is no “Black Rover” music video. If there was I would want to shoot it somewhere overseas. I'd be happy if it was an offer to shoot from an overseas team.

K: Do you have a message for your international fans?

VB: I think I'll be able to meet all of my fans in person soon. Please look forward to that day. I’ll be sure to show you the perfect music!

K: Once again, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule and we look forward to your upcoming releases!

VB: Thank you very much!

Yamato Shows His Essential with Latest Release!

Essentials EP Jacket Cover

DJ/producer Yamato is dropping his biggest release of 2022 in Essentials EP. Having worked for Pioneer as a technical developer of Pioneer CDJ series, he has an unrivaled competitive advantage few other artists can touch. A keen sense of songwriting, a brand-savvy skillset, and an ability to surround himself with the right team makes it clear as to why he’s achieved so much in his internationally acclaimed career.

With over 30 million views on YouTube, Yamato not only began uploading to the platform early, but showcased clever live DJing video themes which resulted in the attention of a worldwide audience. Showcasing his incredible long-form DJ sets in a gorgeous setting using a multi-camera set up, Yamato was able to create lucious eye-candy videos that kept YouTubers coming back for more and demanding more of this content. The series has become one of several breaking points in a chain of successful stages this artist has journeyed through.

With the lockdown era coming to a close globally, Yamato’s goal with Essentials EP is to stir up energy within the listener and close the secluded, adverse chapter of their recent past.  Featuring vocal collaborators Mike Macdermid and Poe Leos, the experience is jam-packed with uplifting, positive melodies while still sticking close to the roots of Yamato's signature sound.

Featuring Mike Macdermid, title track “Essential,” launches with a shining, heavenly disposition. Piano House and electro-inspired sound design backs up a moment capturing mood brought about through the lyrics. A build up hits and transitions the song to a melodic drop, taking the single to a peak moment. The section showcases deep house influences, as the previous sections rinse and repeat, giving Macdermid an ability to continue onward.

Yamato also released a music video for “Essential” which you can check below along with the streaming link for Essentials EP here!

BRIDEAR Introduces Fan to A New World with Latest International Release!

AEGIS OF ATHENA International Jacket Cover

Having completed their fifth successful European tour last year, metal band BRIDEAR are adored by fans around the world. Following the April 20 domestic release of their latest album AEGIS OF ATHENA, the band have released an overseas edition on UK label SETSUZOKU RECORDS on May 13, available in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.

To celebrate the release of the overseas edition of AEGIS OF ATHENA, a new music video for the song “Determination” was also released today on BRIDEAR's official YouTube channel. AEGIS OF ATHENA is BRIDEAR’s fourth studio album, following the release of Bloody Bride in April 2021. Having been unable to pursue overseas activity since 2020 due to the effects of the ongoing pandemic, BRIDEAR resolved to tour Europe in September and October 2021, becoming one of very few Japanese artists to achieve this feat.

The tour was propelled by the success of their 8-minute blockbuster music video “BRAVE NEW WORLD REVISITED”, which carries the message of raising our voices and banding together to overcome this crisis that has affected the whole world – gaining a passionate response from the European audience. After successfully completing the tour despite difficult pandemic-related restrictions, the band members decided to create a new album dedicated to facing this crisis together. The resulting album, AEGIS OF ATHENA, is named after the sacred protective shield Aegis that was wielded by Athena, the guardian goddess of ancient Greek mythology.

The songs skillfully weave progressive elements and catchy melodies into a deep bed of heavy metal, while eight out of the 11 tracks are sung in English, resulting in an ambitious album that will leave a lasting impact on metal fans around the world. The album includes “Greed”, which was released with a music video ahead of the album. The song features an impressively unique melody and was written by kiyo, formerly of renowned Japanese band Janne Da Arc.

The jacket illustration is by jbstyle., an acclaimed artist who took first place in the digital art battle LIMITS Japan Championship 2019 and second place in the LIMITS World Grand Prix 2019. Working together with such world-class artists, BRIDEAR will continue to reach audiences across the globe in fall 2022.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Determination” below, with the order links for AEGIS OF ATHENA from SETSUZOKU RECORDS here!

JOLLY’s "CIKI CIKI BAM BAM", gets A party Remix and New Music Video!

JOLLY

Track “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM” became an internet hit after a cover of the track was selected as the opening song to hit anime series Ya Boy Kongming!. Now, the original version of “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM” by JOLLY has a new party remix, which was released on May 10. This new Eurobeat remix comes courtesy of disco scene heavyweight DJ BOSS, with a faster BPM to rock the dancefloor harder than ever. When QUEENDOM’s version of “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM” was used on Ya Boy Kongming!, fans left comments that the song sounded even better at 1.25x speed, so this new remix should appeal to those fans as well. The cover of “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM” by QUEENDOM became the opening theme song to Ya Boy Kongming! when it began broadcasting in April 2022, leading to the song becoming a phenomenon online.

QUEENDOM is a group made up of lol members hibiki and moca, FAKY members Akina and Taki, and GENIC member Maria Kaneya. In their version, the group members sing soundalike Japanese words based loosely on the original song’s Hungarian lyrics. The video has already generated almost 7 million views, and the song has charted in multiple countries. Fans around the world have left comments about this addictive song, with some even comparing it to the 2004 wildfire hit “Dragostea Din Tei”.

This wave of popularity has flooded the internet, with videos all over YouTube including fan-made covers, parodies, mashups, loops of the song, reaction videos, interpretations of the surreal dance moves from the original video, and more. This wave has spread from Japan to all corners of the world. The original version of the song by JOLLY has also been reenergized by this boom, and at the end of April, his original ”CIKI CIKI BAM BAM” took the No.1 position on the iTunes Store Dance Chart – a very rare feat for a song that is sung in Hungarian.

“CIKI CIKI BAM BAM (PARTY REMIX)” Jacket Cpover

The phenomenon continues with the release of “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM (PARTY REMIX)”, which is accompanied by a lyric video. The video includes the music from “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM (PARTY REMIX)” with the soundalike Japanese lyrics from the QUEENDOM version displayed on screen. Check out this chaotic video for a riotously fun experience!

The addictive “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM” has taken not only Japan but the world by storm. It has also become a hot topic in JOLLY’s home country of Hungary, and even the Hungarian Ambassador of Japan recently mentioned this sensational song on his Twitter account.

Keep an eye on anime series Ya Boy Kongming!’ and the song “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM” as they continue to spread excitement throughout the world.

Be sure to check out the lyric video for “CIKI CIKI BAM BAM (PARTY REMIX)” below, along with the streaming link for the track here!

XANVALA Goes Djent with Digital Single “Que Sera Sera”!

“Que Sera Sera” Digital Jacket Cover

Alt-rock band XANVALA released the digital single "Que Sera Sera", an abrasive dark song that dropped on music platforms earlier in the month. Since the band’s formation in 2020, XANVALA has been constantly delivering solid music incorporating different styles into a catchy rock foundation. After the release of their first full album Tsuki to Taiyou in February, XANVALA returns with “Que Sera Sera”. The intense track features a deep and highly distorted sound that plunges the listener into the realm of fatalism.

The band comments, “Our fans are avidly waiting for new music, so it was hard to determine what genre they want to listen to now. Their taste also differs depending on the generation. We are incredibly happy with the response that we have received from all over the world so far. “Que Sera Sera” is a song with an aggressive intro chock-full of djent. The tunning is lowered two tones from A# to F#. It’s heavy as hell. The piano melody helps to convey a story with a strong message in such a short song. We want to leave people craving for more. We are making music that our fans want to hear and bringing out the charm of XANVALA while embracing a wide range of genres. Please look forward to our next release.”

XANVALA are currently touring all across Japan, expecting to delight fans and first-comers in 20 different cities with their high-energy concerts. They have also set their eyes on performing overseas in the future to spread the uniqueness of J-rock and Visual Kei scene in other countries.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Que Sera Sera” below, along with the streaming link for the track here!