Artist: Phantasmagoria
Interviewer: MIYUKI MURAYAMA
When we play, we're not reliving the past. It's only natural for us to perform.
Phantasmagoria announced that their regrouping will only last until April 5th. There are only a few more opportunities to see them. On March 10th the previously unreleased 'Diamond Dust' and 'Seeds of Brain' will go on sale. They will perform their last concert at OSAKA BIG CAT on April 5th. All fans should closely watch the band's last activities. Each member has announced their future careers after the final live performance. The leader KISAKI has also revealed that he will form a new band!
---- In a previous interview you mentioned that 'Diamond Dust' stays true to the band's form. But personally I think it sounded markedly different from other Phantasmagoria songs.
KISAKI：Really?
---- Were there any other songs as upbeat as this one?
JUN：[Smiling wryly] That's not exactly what we intended to express.
KISAKI：I thought it was very much like the other songs written by JUN. Like the guitar phrases and composition. I felt it was a straightforward Phantasmagoria song.
JUN：It's a close friend 'Fairy times memory'. (laugh)
Riku：Just like KISAKI-san and JUN said, I think it's similar in style to 'Fairy times memory' too. It smoothly fitted into all our other songs.
---- I see.
KISAKI：At that time [when 'Diamond Dust' was written] I didn't want '神歌 / Kamiuta' to be our flagship song, so there were talks about making 'Diamond Dust' the feature track. But for several reasons the plans were scuttled and left that way. Now that we're going to release the song as a single, I guess it turned out okay.
---- There were ideas for it to become a major debut single. [There were plans for Phantasmagoria to make their major debut back in 2007, but ultimately they turned down the offer.] Did that affect the songwriting?
JUN：Not really. When I wrote the song, we were in the process of adding different sorts of music to our repertoire. We were mainly focusing on incorporating new kinds of sounds. That's how the song was formed. As time goes on you gradually feel the need to take on new challenges.
---- When you listen to it now, what do you think makes it stand out as a Phantasmagoria song?
JUN：From the way there were talks about it being coupled with '神歌 / Kamiuta', we're a band that can do both serious and crazy songs. I mean crazy in a good way. It's pretty difficult to do that consciously, so that's something that developed on its own.
---- You've succeeded in creating a serious, or rather, a genuinely beautiful song.
KISAKI：At that time we were constantly nagged into making songs that will easily sell and be easy to remember; mainly by people from the record label (laugh). They bombarded us with instructions. The songs had to be melodious, and when recording them the vocals had to sound more clearly than the instruments, and so on.
---- The sounds of the instruments, including the guitar, are crystal clear. It gives the song an upbeat character.
JUN：That's especially true for the intro. You can hear from the sounds of the guitars that we were trying to establish the band's image by keeping everything that might get in the way to a bare minimum.
Iori：It's a very streamlined song. The melody and guitar sounds are catchy. It has a very fresh and exhilarating ring to it; almost like we've reached new heights. It will strike a chord with everyone. Although the exact impressions might be different, for the aspects I just mentioned I'm sure most people will feel the same way.
---- How about the drums?
Matoi：When I first heard the demo tape, I immediately thought that it will appeal to anyone. It felt as if it were telling us to work hard towards tomorrow. The drumming is meant to reflect that impression.
---- That positive attitude, that sense of freedom seems quite different from your other songs.
Riku：As with 'Fairy times memory' or 'Pixy false', this song was written in our earlier years. The track gives you strength to start anew, to work again from square one. This song in certain ways became the root for all our other songs. The song and its lyrics sound positive.
---- Do you feel nostalgic when you listen to the song?
KISAKI：I didn't have any recordings of the song with me. JUN had it, and he came across it when he was sifting through his computer's data. That's when we listened to it for the first time in a long while. We didn't even know what state the original recording was in, or even who owned it. We were told about the data when there weren't any formal plans for us to reform for a limited period. Even though people suggested that we release the song, I thought we won't have any chances of releasing it. I asked JUN if he'll use it for spiv states ['spiv states' is a band led by JUN and Iori]. But it didn't suit the band's personality.
JUN：(laugh)
KISAKI：Then there were talks for us to regroup; that was totally unexpected. But we thought it will be a great opportunity to release it.
---- This song will come with a DVD showing footage of the countdown event [held on December 31st 2009 and January 1st 2010].
Riku：It shows us counting down the clock towards New Year's Day, and also our live performance.
---- You hadn't played live as Phantasmagoria for quite a while. How was it?
Riku：We hadn't played for a long time, but it didn't feel that way. When we play, we're not reliving the past. It's only natural for us to perform.
Matoi：When performing live that sights look familiar...but as for our stamina...(laugh). We weren't exactly at optimal strength. Although we tried to exert ourselves, our bodies wouldn't follow. [Smiling wryly] To do something about that, I quit smoking.
---- Then for you, KISAKI, it also must have been a long time since you had last performed.
KISAKI：Since I was there to simply have fun, I wasn't as nervous as usual. It was our first countdown event in Tokyo. So along with our friends at UNDER CODE [record label] I was there to lend a helping hand. We had a great time.
JUN：In a good sense we were able to play around and have fun. That's how I felt. For a different band I belong to, I'm both the guitarist and [vocalist]. Since I wasn't tied down I could concentrate on the guitar. It was easier to do different sorts of things. I had a blast (laugh).
Iori：Since we hadn't played together for a long time, to be honest I was a bit worried about the performance and the vibes among us. But once we took our positions and started playing as Phantasmagoria, we fully recalled what each member's role and job was. All that was left to worry about was how much we could enjoy ourselves. In those terms it was a very good performance. It was fun.
---- You are going to release a new EP titled 'Seeds of Brain'. This will also include tracks you've made in the past.
KISAKI：Although we created the songs a while back, we never released them. We included those for hardcore fans who want to listen to all our songs. This is our last release; although I'm not sure if that sounds convincing [grins]. But this time around it's really the end.
---- Is the bonus track 'Mental State･･･' a new song?
KISAKI：Me and Riku wrote it about a year ago, and a limited supply of 200 copies were sold exclusively at concert venues. It was never released to the mass market, so we re-recorded it and included it in the EP.
---- So the lyrics are the same as before.
KISAKI：But the lyrics better match our feelings right now. The things said in the song still sound relevant.
---- The vocals were very passionate and emotional. You weren't holding anything back.
Riku：During the recording it was told by KISAKI-san to infuse all my thoughts into the song. I think I was able to fulfill that request.
---- Recently you announced the regrouping of Phantasmagoria will last until April 5th.
KISAKI：Around the time we decided to appear at the countdown event, we weren't being specific about our activities after regrouping. We really had a hard time deciding. Phantasmagoria is of course important, and we've been receiving offers to perform even after April 5th...but we also had to think about our individual careers. We needed to make a clear statement after the event. We had to think carefully, but we couldn't just drag on and on. We talked with each other until the very last minute, and eventually we settled with April 5th.
---- April 5th will be your final performance.
KISAKI：From there we'll go our separate ways. We will each concentrate on what we chose to do. It will become a matter of how we view Phantasmagoria from the standpoint of our individual careers.
---- KISAKI, you will also restart activities as an artist by forming a new band.
KISAKI：I can't say for sure if this is the right decision, but I wanted to play music again. It's a simple motive, but for me that was the biggest and most important reason for coming back. I've already left the music scene once, so I'm well aware that there will be criticisms. But I thought that I shouldn't try to quell my true feelings. Now I've made up my mind and am willing to face the consequences. If the members weren't part of other bands I would have argued that we should regroup. But that's not the case. That's why I chose to start with a new band. I was able to make that decision thanks to our limited period comeback, and also the performance at the countdown event.
---- How do you feel about KISAKI's return?
Riku：I've always known KISAKI-san as both a producer and a musician. There will be naysayers, but I think he'll be able to hold his ground and show us something special. I will be glad if I can help out.
JUN：Whether he's retiring or returning, there's nothing for me to say. If he wants do it, he should just go ahead and do it. We didn't start because we were told to do so, and by that same token he wasn't ordered to retire by anyone either. If he has something he wants to do, it's only natural for him to feel the urge to show that to everybody. I definitely will want him to do it. It'll be interesting.
Iori：Like JUN said, when he announced his retirement [in 2007], he sincerely thought that was the right decision. Whenever we make mistakes or run into obstacles, we feel much the same way. But as time goes by, you gradually begin to look at that moment objectively. In the process your passion is rekindled. There is no fixed script in life. KISAKI-san has a strong resolve to pave his own way.
---- That's true. Tell us your thoughts about the concert on April 5th.
KISAKI：We're are going to hold a solo concert for the first time in 2 and a half years. We're extremely thrilled that we will be able to perform that important concert in Osaka. You can't hold successful concerts on your own; the fans, staff, team members, we all have to come together to pull it off. We hope we can create our own unique atmosphere. We're not just going to have fun. We will perform while having in mind the worldview of Phantasmagoria; while staying true to the band's concept. I also hope that during the concert we can each make [formal] announcements about future activities. We won't simply reminisce about old times. We want it to become not only an ending but also a beginning.
Matoi：It will be a very important concert, so I'm going to do my best. It will probably be the last time in my life that I will hold a solo concert. This will be my final performance, and I'm going to become a 'building block' and support everyone.
Riku：April 5th will be especially important for KISAKI-san. I will make sure I fully express myself as the vocalist of Phantasmagoria.
JUN：The Phantasmagoria members normally lead separate lives. But when we get together as a band, without thinking we get fired up. That will most likely be the case on [April 4th] too. Concerts are where the band becomes 'alive', so I hope everyone will come and see us.
Iori：In the past, when we were performing live I always knew that there will be a next time. It's really strange to think that it will really be our last, but I'm going to enjoy it. Through our performance, there might be people who will be encouraged to take on new challenges. We're going to do our utmost so lots of people will feel that way.
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