Interview with DALATH ( from Visual Kei Heaven)

Hello, we propose the interview (in English) issued by the band members DALATH for Visual Kei Heaven
(Ciao, proponiamo l'intervista ( in inglese) rilasciata dai membri della band DALATH a Visual Kei Heaven)

DALATH are Vocalist Ryuta, Guitarist TORA, Bassist JSKE

This is interview:

"Less than a year ago, DALATH formally started activities, and has accumulated a sizeable following both domestically in Japan and internationally. The band was runner up in a recent contest to play a series of concerts in Europe, and has been nominated on several websites for year-end awards, including garnering a significant amount of votes for the Viewer’s Choice 30 PVs of the Year, here at Visual Kei Heaven. Recently, I talked to Ryuta (Vocals), Tora (Guitar), and JSKE (Bass) about the international Visual-Kei scene, their band’s concepts, their success in social networking, and their plans for next year.



VKH: Could each band member tell us some of their musical influences?

RYUTA： DIR EN GREY, KORN, Slip KnoT, Mucc, Björ, Opeth, Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, Children of Bodom, 陰陽座（Onmyouza), SADS, 黒夢 (Kuroyume), Ｘ JAPAN, LUNA SEA, L'Arc~en~ciel, HELLOWEEN, ANGRA, Sonata Arctica, Slayer.

TORA：LUNA SEA, Eminem, RIHANNA.

JSKE： LUNA SEA , Dir en Grey, 黒夢(Kuroyume), hide, the GazettE, Slip KnoT, KORN, Boom Boom Satellites, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Linkin Park, Hoobastank, Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, Justin Timberlake.


VKH: Can you tell us why the name DALATH?

DALATH: In the dialect from certain areas in Japan there is a word, "darazu", which means "cheeky brats". From that we created the word DALATH.


VKH: There is a Native American or “Indian” as your logo image? Why this decision?

DALATH: "Love is something that should be directed to all beings."
This is a saying of the Cherokee tribe from the American Indian people. A very long time ago, being deeply impressed by these words, and this being the means to express the theme of our band, DALATH which is love, due to its frankness we decided to adopt it as our logo. You may consider it our creed. 

VKH: Your PV for “Cheeky Ren” features stand-ins for the band members that are younger children? Why?

DALATH: The core of this song is the "cheeky" element, we're trying to express that our music plunges into souls audaciously, and featuring these cheeky girls, our concept was to summarize, if I may say so, the directness of this song and the gap between us and the others. 


VKH: Describe what you want your music to say to listeners.

DALATH: Without forgetting our own goodness and wickedness, trying to find the light that is there somewhere, until we grasp it. If not more, we are a musical group, so music is our spokesman. This can be felt starting from the sound and the lyrics.


VKH: Do you consider yourselves Visual-Kei or do you associate with any genre?

RYUTA: Visual-Kei is just a category related to appearance, looks, it is not a musical category, I think. By fusing the elements particular to each member, we can call our musical style "DALATH rock".


TORA：What is called by society Visual-Kei represents an original way to express a certain stage. HIDE from X Japan, in his solo epoch called his genre "Digital rock", Miyavi called it "neo-visualism", the Gazette called it "gaze rock". Consequently, our genre can be called DALATH.


JSKE：I really don’t think about genres in a serious way. I think it's better to do everything in your own way and to present it properly, because the original purpose of music was to improve your mood. That's why we should stick to something simple, I think. 


VKH: You have become very popular with Visual-Kei fans, why do you think this is?

DALATH: First of all, I'm really grateful that we're popular. Thank you very much. Maybe because we can spread our music with all our might, being confident and expressing our love. We all think that we should treasure each and every fan we've got.


VKH: In your view, why has DALATH been successful in such a short period of time, even though DALATH has not released an EP or an album, or even a formal single?

DALATH: I thought first of all it was important for many people around the world to know about us, That's why we've uploaded all our releases on YouTube. Our intention was that through our music, we should let as many people as possible experience happiness.

VKH: Looking at the genre of Visual-Kei, who do you see as a younger band, so not Luna Sea, X Japan, a band that has started up after 2008, who do you see as a band that you guys like to listen to?

DALATH: I don't really know a lot about young Visual-Kei bands, I'm sorry, I didn't learn a lot about them. But among the bands that had lives abroad I think "A" and "PLUNKLOCK" are great. If I like them or not, I'm not going to comment on this but I think their members excel in certain departments, that's why they are so popular, I think.


VKH: Who is a band that has started up recently, Visual-Kei or non-Visual-Kei, that you would like to play/tour with?

DALATH: At the moment there is no band in particular that I would like to tour with. But I think that I'd like to come into contact with many bands in the future. 


VKH: You are a very bilingual/international band in the way you interact with your fans. This year, the Visual-Kei genre has seen a lot of bands like this come about – LuCiD, Seremedy, YOHIO, Espirit D’air, and others- why do you think this is?

DALATH: We are not thinking to reach Japanese audience only, but people from all over the world. That's why I think it's imperative we use English, which is officially used worldwide, and if it was possible I'd like to think there is no distance between us and our fans. I'm glad if other bands think the same.


VKH: Do you consider DALATH as being a band that plays for the world or just Japan?

DALATH: We sing for the world. Consequently we sing for Japan too.

VKH: What are your plans for 2013?

DALATH: We'd like to do live shows in America or Europe, were we have many fans, we strongly wish to directly interact with fans. To see everyone's faces directly, to hear their voices, We'd really like to interact with lots of fans. And I'd also like to participate in a big festival.


VKH: Do you have any announcements you want to make?

DALATH: Yes, I'd like to, but it's a secret still.


VKH: Do you have a message for your fans?

DALATH: 

Dear DARAZU

Thank you for your constant support! Everyone's voice or feelings is reaching Japan. DALATH has just started to activate but already our hearts beat as one. Each voice becomes a part of us, so "DALATH" feels like it's born again. DALATH won't stop from now on. We will push on with all our might. Please allow us to bring happiness into your hearts! In order for us to be able to meet you faster, please support us from now on too! "

credits: Visual Kei Heaven

REMEMBER -> Christmas Present from DALATH -1st Album New Release 2013.2.2 OUT