Interview with NightingeiL

■We are living in a global pandemic, so how are you currently dealing with the corona issue?

Vo. Kon: I just leave the global corona problem to the experts.
Gt. Kaie: I’m soooo tired of it.
Gt. Nao: I’m taking more precautions than just following the general measures.
Ba. Rei: I don’t take any special measures, because I think, if you get it, you’ll get it. 
Dr. Hakuya: I just endure it, and I’m aware of myself to stay safe and healthy.

■Japan is full of Kanji, so how would you describe NightingeiL with just using one Kanji?

Kon: 傷 (kizu, scar): I guess because we are a naive and sensitive band.
Kaie:血(chi, blood): Because it’s or underlying concept.
Nao: 色 (iro, color): We have a dark image, but we have different nuances in various aspects.
Rei: 闇(yami, darkness): Because we are a two faces band
Hakuya: 夜 (yoru, night): It’s the opposite of the brightness of the day, we as a band can live without light as a nocturnal character.

■How would you describe yourself with just one Kanji?

Kon: 無 (Mu,nothing) Because I want to think about anything at all.
Kaie: 楽 (Raku, easy) Because I am an optimistic person.
Nao: 猫 (neko, cat) Because I can’t live without this creature.
Rei: 陰 (Yin,shadow) Because I’m a gloomy person.
Hakuya: 喰 (Ku, eat): LIVE is a one-shot soul life, I’m performing on stage with the intention of eating and swallowing everything!

■In 2012 you disbanded once, and in 2017 you guys returned back, has anything changed?

Kon: We had a member change and we are a 5 member band now, also what we want to express has expanded with those changes.
Kaie: To me it feels as if we started a brand new story.
Nao: Of course the members changed, but I don’t think that the inner core of NightingeiL has changed.
Rei: The color of Solei has become darker.
Hakuya: We understand each other better and also our new members own input of their sound and entanglements ideas.  

■Why did you decide to use the name NightingeiL as a band name?

Kon: We chose the name NightingeiL to express life, love and death.

■What made you decide to use your stage name?

Kon: I can’t remember it anymore, I chose it too long ago.
Kaie: A character in the manga To-y is also called Kaie.
Nao: It’s a part of my real name.
Rei: My name is of no particular origin, but my fortune teller advised me to change my name because it doesn’t have any pluses.
Hakuya: From the anime “Bleach” from Byakuya Kuchiki, the first captain.

■We are all influenced by someone or something so what are your musical influences?

Kon: Many bands and artists have influenced me. 
Kaie: Punk at its core, also hard rock and positive punk. To keep it short, I like LUNA SEA.
Nao: Of course it’s Japanese visual kei music, but nowadays I don’t care much about the genre. If I think it’s good music, I’m influenced by it.
Rei: I like Zi:Kill and Merry Go Round.
Hakuya: 90s J-POP.

■You all play an instrument (vocals included(smile)), but what made you want to play your instrument?

Kon: Because I didn’t have to spend money to buy an instrument.
Kaie: I just happened to be in charge of it.
Nao: My dad had a guitar at home.
Rei: I’ll skip answering this question because it’s an impure motive.
Hakuya: My parents played the drums as a hobby, so we had a drum set at home, so also I started to play the drums for fun. 

■So please tell us which type of instrument you use. 

Kon: I’m using SHURE BETA58A. 
Kaie: The tones I play are almost straight from the amp. 
Nao: The current guitar I use is one I painted myself.
Rei: I’m using Warwick JAZZMAN.
Hakuya:  
My drum set: TAMAdrums starclassicBirch.
Hardware: TAMAdrums
Cymbals: Zildjancymbals
Twin Pedals : AMAHA FP9310

■Talking about memories, what are some of your favorite memories?

Kon: Our emotions after we finish recording together..
Kaie: Can’t choose, so I guess all of them.
Nao: Our live shows and also our daily life together.
Rei: That I am finally able to perform with the legends which I saw in magazines as a junior and High school student. 
Hakuya: Our live shows at big venues and touring around.

■You’ve been in the music industry for a long time, so what has changed the most since the start of your career?

Kon: I stopped to compare my own band with other bands.
Kaie: I don’t have too many expectations anymore.
Nao: We don’t have to be bound by certain stereotypes anymore, we can express ourselves in different ways.
Rei: Our hair was up to our waists, however now our haircuts are shorter. 
Hakuya: Our music and attitude towards the band and how to enjoy it has changed.

■And what’s the secret to staying active for so long?

Kon: It’s finding the good balance between yourself and bandmates, also too keep up a healthy distance between each other.
Kaie: Because I love what I do and because we have people who support us.
Nao: We love our music and we respect each other, which leads to good relationships between each other.
Rei: We don’t get into conflicts easily because we don’t play as a band on a regular basis.
Hakuya: The most important thing above all is that we all love playing music and we are having lots of fun while doing it. 

■Which song do you think is most popular under fans and what’s your own favorite song?

Kon: Our most popular song is “吊り下げの恋”. And my own favorite is “その手”
Kaie: I guess that our most popula song is “吊り下げの恋” and “白い森”. My personal favoriets are “その手” and “彼女と空腹” 
Nao: There are various of popular songs “吊り下げの恋” “12秒間” and “水銀”, but my own favorite is “孤島の彼女”
Rei: “吊り下げの恋” a song which is easy understand, so it’s loved by many people. My own favorite is “孤島の彼女”. 
Hakuya:歪んで走る and 身代わりの人

■You have a lot of introspective lyrics, where do you get your inspiration for writing lyrics?

Kon: I take inspiration from everything that happens in my life.

■How do you write and compose your songs?

Kaie: We bring our ideas to the studio, and turn them into a real song together.
Nao: When we write a song idea, we turn it together into a song.
Rei: Based on our ideas, we create the final song together in the studio. 

■How has your songwriting changed as you have gotten older?

Kon: If you wonder about the lyrics, they haven’t changed.
Kaie: Basically, I haven’t changed at all.
Nao: WE haven’t made any big changes, but we’re not trying to omit them with negative energy, but we’re trying to affirm them and trying to absorb them. 
Rei: It’s getting simpler.

■Due to Corona, you weren’t able to perform live earlier this year.  How has this affected you? How did you deal with it?

Kon: No, problem at all, we didn’t have any live show planned.
Kaie: We’re just in the middle of a hiatus, so…
Nao: We weren’t able to make any plans originally, so it didn’t really affect us.
Rei: It didn’t interfere with NightingeiL’s activities, so I just gave my dogs attention during the self-restraint period. 
Hakuya: I’ve been doing some personal activities, so I was able to perform live. However I wasn’t able to do any activities for about 3 months during the self-restraint period, so in that meanwhile I just practiced at home. 

■When you are standing on stage, do you face any challenges?

Kon: I’m always wondering how I can betray my audience in a good way. 
Kaie: To keep doing stuff easygoing, just to be natural and not being afraid of what I’m doing. 
Nao: Just to have fun. 
Rei: I always feel sorry for my dog to let her stay alone at home.
Hakuya: To stay calm, if you stay calm you are able to enjoy the live show.

■Why is it important for (rock) bands to play lives?

Kon: To feel alive.
Kaie: Because it’s fun.
Nao: It’s the most fun to do and more importantly it’s not only fun with the members but also with the audience. 
Rei: It’s a great way to earn money.
Hakuya: We want people to see us because we’re alive.

■What’s the most important thing that has happened to you in your music career so far?

Kon: Being into this current state now. 
Kaie: To be able to meet a lot of people.
Nao: That I am blessed with my musical friends.
Rei: Everything.
Hakuya: Playing with my favorite artists and supporting them.

■Some years have passed since your last release, can we expect a new release soon?

Kon: If it’s expected we’ll release it, we are also considering digital distribution. 
Kaie: We’re looking at it positively!
Nao: Maybe yes, maybe no, I’ll give my best.
Rei: Would love so.
Hakuya: We’re currently considering it.

■What’s the biggest challenge of being a musician?

Kon: To stay yourself.
Kaie: To absorb things without losing yourself.
Nao: How to deal with music.  
Rei: To not get fat and not to age (becoming unattractive). 
Hakuya: To keep loving and enjoying it. 

■Have you ever thought about performing overseas as NightingeiL?

Kon: If you have an offer for us, we’d love to consider it!
Kaie: I would love to go abroad!
Nao: Currently not.
Rei: It’s hard because it makes me feel homesick. 
Hakuya: I always wanted to go abroad.

■Kaie tweets a lot of anime, but what are some anime’s everyone watched as a kid?

Kaie: Can’t really tell, just check out my tweets. 

■What’s your ultimate goal for the future? 

Kon: Sokushinbutsu. (To become a Bhuddist mummy)
Kaie: My goal is as long as I can enjoy my life, it’s the best life I can have. 
Nao: filial piety (laugh)
Rei: To own lots of dogs.
Hakuya: To be a respected musician and not just a band member.

■Please tell us your beliefs and/or mottos as an artist?

Kon: Where there is will, there is a way
Kaie: Don’t beg, win, and it will be given to you.
Nao: The first thing to do is to make something that you are convinced and confident about.
Rei: It’s going to be a long story, so we’ll have to come back to it another time.
Hakuya: I always like the drums, hit the drums, and push the ensemble to the next level.

■Please write a last message to your fans and readers.

Kon: If you haven’t been exposed to the world of NightingeiL yet, this is a great moment to start.
Kaie: The reason why I can take it easy is because there are people who are waiting for me. I am sincerely grateful. Although we are a peculiar band, we are looking forward to your continued support.
Nao: Nice to meet you. My name is Nao, I play guitar in NightingeiL. Thank you for taking the time to read this interview. I hope you will continue to support us.
Rei: Please let me touch your boobs when we meet. (laugh)
Hakuya: Thank you for your support. I’ll always play the drums with my heart and soul. I will continue to play the drums, which is my life’s work, and I will continue to work hard every day to provide you with a comfortable and pleasant sound. I will continue to be a band member, musician and drummer for the rest of my life.