Yes! We have another exclusive interview with Japanese hip-hop trio HOME MADE KAZOKU! We decided to catch up with the guys again and see what they’ve been up to since Otakon 2010. If you haven’t checked our previous interview, check here. The group has been very busy with various performances around Japan and they took the time to reply to some of your questions. So let’s start!
Jessica: How have you guys been? MICRO’s birthday just passed. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! How did you celebrate?
MICRO: Lots of people wished me a happy birthday and celebrated in various places. The biggest surprise was a huge cake that the students presented me during the encore at a school festival. I was surprised and so touched, it brought tears to my eyes.
Jessica: You have just released your new single “Nukumori.” Can you tell us a little bit about the song and how it was inspired?
MICRO: At the end of each show in the CIRCLE TOUR, I’d call out, “Let’s all hold hands to make a family circle that can only be made today!” And that felt really good. What is it about holding hands that makes you feel kind and care and respect of the others? The feelings I had then was “nukumori (warmth.)” It’s a very special song that I want everyone to hear, especially now, in these times.
KURO: I felt really moved when we ended the shows and meet & greet sessions in the CIRCLE TOUR by all holding hands. When we tried to put that feeling into a song, it came down to the word “nukumori.” No matter how many tools are invented to connect with people (like Twitter, Mixi, Facebook, etc.) nothing compares to the human touch. The most important thing comes from the heart.
U-ICHI: I felt everyone’s “nukumori” on our last tour.
Jessica: So, is there “Nukumori” hand cream? What’s the deal with that?
MICRO: It’s a promotional item for fun. We want you to be well-groomed when you hold hands! I’m sure people would be happier to hold hands with someone with soft and supple skin.
KURO: Since your skin tends to get chapped and dry during the winter, we made it to contribute to a happier “hands-on” relationship for touching and holding hands.
U-ICHI: The record company said they wanted to make a promo item, so we thought you should be prepared with this hand cream for when you get a chance to hold hands with that special someone. It’s a little joke!
Jessica: We first met back at Otakon 2010 in Baltimore. Can you now tell us how you felt about that experience? What differences did you see with the American audience?
MICRO: I didn’t find a single difference with the audience when comparing the US and Japan. There is the obvious difference in the language, but I realized that our thoughts reach the audience if we sing directly to their hearts, from the bottom of our hearts. You know they say, “Music has no borders,” well, I understood the true meaning of that! I can’t wait to perform in the US again.
KURO: I was a little worried about what kind of reaction we would get, but once we started playing we felt the same vibe that we get from the fans in Japan. Our experience at Otakon was very encouraging. I’m really looking forward to performing abroad again.
U-ICHI: It was a life-changing experience! Performing felt so good, I can’t wait to do it again, and I think it went to my head!
Jessica: Is there a particular memory that stands out from your concert/time at Otakon?
MICRO: The fire, maybe? That was unexpected. The thing that surprised me the most was that everyone sang our songs in Japanese. I really felt their love.
KURO: The meet & greet/autograph session after the show that lasted over two hours.
U-ICHI: The crowd’s vibes when we were playing the non-anime songs!! It was awesome.
Jessica: You guys just hosted the your very first KAZOKU FES 10′. Despite the heavy rain that day, how did you feel about the turn out?
MICRO: We had some really serious rain. But thanks to all the people that were soaking wet but stayed to watch until the end, all the artists that kept on singing although their instruments got wet, and all the staff and everybody backstage who took it to the limit to keep it going, we were all incredibly united and it turned out to be an awesome day.
KURO: The rain was almost a kind of production effect that united the performers and audience. Maybe it was the feeling that we all made it through the rain together. It was really moving. As it was with Woodstock, rain comes with any legendary concert.
U-ICHI: I was really moved. I’m grateful to the performers, audience, and staffs for making it all happen. I was filled with a feeling of accomplishment and a renewed sense of mission.
Jessica: You have worked with a lot of people over the years and this concert was a way to celebrate that friendship with those artist and your fans. Was it hard to pick the artist that performed?
MICRO: That’s true. There were so many more artists that we wanted and it was a difficult decision, but we started by asking those people that we have a personal relationship and are close with or respect and look up to.
KURO: Organizing the bookings was the hardest. We want to ask the people that we couldn’t this year to come next year. The basis of KAZOKU Festival is people that are connected. You get to see sessions here that you can’t see anywhere else.
U-ICHI: I chose people that I respect or personally like. Other than personal preferences, HOME MADE KAZOKU considered the choices as a group.
Jessica: You have fans from all over the world. How do you feel about illegal downloading since some of your CDs do not reach certain countries?
MICRO: I guess it’s the tide of the times. I figure I’ll just have to make an amazing song that people will HAVE to buy!
KURO: You can’t really help it. You can’t stop the tide. I’m happy that at least it helps our songs reach as many people as possible. If they really like us they’ll come to see our shows and I trust that they will buy our CDs in the end.
U-ICHI: I wish they would stop!! It demeans the value.
Jessica: Are you planing to have any more performances abroad anytime soon?
MICRO: We don’t have any plans yet, but if we’re invited, we’d be happy to come anytime!
KURO: There are some plans in the works that have come up in meetings. I’m sure they’ll come together soon. I hope you’ll come see us when we’re there!
U-ICHI: I’d love to go. Europe is attractive too!
Jessica: If you had to describe HMKU as a color, what color would it be?
MICRO: Light purple!
KURO: I think green.
U-ICHI: Rainbow color.
Jessica: All three of you have been put into a body switching machine. What would you do if you had the chance to be another person for a week?
MICRO: I’d become Jay-Z and spend the week recording feature songs with HOME MADE KAZOKU.
KURO: I want to tour the world with Prince. His ideas are always so original. I think his view and approach about the CD media format is interesting too. Now that we’ve lost Michael, I’d like to learn as much as I can by spending time with a living legend.
U-ICHI: Jay-Z.
Also, check out this clip from their performance at KAZOKU FES 2010 of their new single NUKUMORI!
For most people around the world, the G20 Seoul Summit was just another economic forum. But for South Korea, it was something much more. It was a chance to finally show the world that it is a country strong enough and worthy enough to be respected by world leadersl.
