Interview with MIYAVI in São Paulo

On the rainy afternoon of January 24th, the eve of his fifth performance in Brazil, MIYAVI met JaME at the hotel where he was staying in São Paulo, and told us a little about his latest releases, his partnerships in Hollywood and his work as a Goodwill ambassador.

In 2018, we had an interview just before the concert and it's great to have you here again. Do you have any memories from that day?

MIYAVI: Yeah… In that tour, I think that was the Day 2 tour, I was having great times with the crew members… That time, I think, I had support singers as well and then I remember that we had to cancel the show in Argentina… We really were busy, but as always in Brazil, São Paulo, we got positive energy from the people because they were really, really musical and so lively… So much energy from the audience! Yeah… that was a great memory as always.

Since our last meeting, you have released two albums. Let's talk first about SAMURAI SESSIONS vol. 3 - WORLDS COLLIDE-. As in the other volumes, you made several collaborations. Why did you decide to call this volume "WORLDS COLLIDE"?

MIYAVI: Because I have been based in LA, America, I had many opportunities to work with – have collaborations with – American artists, even some other artists from other countries. So, the idea of the album was like to combine those artists that I had collaborations with and Japanese artists. To me, that's also my responsibility: to open up the door for Japanese artists for the global market, and then I saw the Japanese music scene kind of experience kind of how things go overseas. Then, through that creation, I wanted to make an example. So, my mission is to be a bridge between Japan and the whole world, which starts with what I'm trying to do with music. So, that's why I made it.

In this album, you made a remix of Pink Spider by hide. What did you feel about recording that song? Where did this idea come from?

MIYAVI: Since I debuted as a solo artist, I was really close to and I was walking with staff who used to work for hide, his team actually. So, I was really close to his creation, his vibes, his legacy. Of course, as a fan of his music, I was one of the fans who got inspired by his creations and the path he made.

Recently, to be honest, I’ve been away from the visual kei industry, because as a musician, I’ve been feeling responsible to create and also approach and then commit to the global market without any images of a particular genre. So, I really, really appreciate the fans of MIYAVI’s music and also everyone who's familiar with the visual kei industry. It’s a great market and our music is needed, but at the same time, I didn't want to depend on that. As an artist, I'm responsible to take my audience to the next level, so they can be proud of themselves even when they have conversation with people from outside of that box. I don't want to be like stuck “in the box” and having a good time my whole life without knowing what's happening outside the box. I want my fans to be able to be proud of themselves when they talk about my music with their parents or classmates, anybody who doesn't care about the visual kei industry.

That's why I decided to be away from that industry, because I didn't want to depend on that fanbase -- that strong fanbase. But recently, to be honest, I'm actually confident enough to rock the whole world, no matter what. As a musician, as an actor, as a fashion model, as a Japanese person, I'm really confident. So, it started being really natural and casual to involve that [part of Japanese] culture as well. I did “Bleach”, the film. I think I wouldn't have done that if it was three or four years ago, where I was [wearing] that kind of kimono stuff, almost cosplay. Even if I do respect those anime and manga [and their significance] in history, I wouldn't have done that four years ago because, in the past, I [was worried that I] would give people that image of those kinds of thing and then they would judge my music with that impression. Now, I feel the music I create is way stronger than that prejudiced image that people have towards the Japanese industry and I have the confidence to change it.

So, I got the opportunity to perform at hide’s 20th Memorial show and then I was closing – I’ve known those people as well hide’s brother. And then, just as an idea, [the idea of covering Pink Spider] just came up and then, of course, I love the song… the song came out even before I went to Tokyo. So, I know and I've met YOSHIKI, of course, and we made a band together and I met the rest of the members as well… but I never met hide… That track is really, really well made, first of all, and it also has a strong meaning...and also it was the right timing for me to cover that track.

What was your inspiration for the album NO SLEEP TILL TOKYO? This one is mostly in Japanese and sung only by you, with only one collaboration.

MIYAVI: So, as a Japanese person, I mean, as a guitarist, I've been trying to express myself with the guitar, especially outside of Japan. I've been thinking my weapon is the guitar, not singing. Especially in English. It's hard to sing and express yourself with a language you never learned when you were a kid, so I've been trying to kind of establish the image of myself as a guitarist, which I should still be doing.

But on the flip side, there are many of my fans who support MIYAVI because of that message in a language  – I mean, the lyrics with my voice, MIYAVI’s voice, which I haven't been… I have not been a big fan of… but just this time, I wanted to make it for my fans, which I should have been doing. I've always got a focus on the global market, [bringing in] different genres, experimental stuff every time… People still kindly keep supporting me, so that's great to make something with this [in mind]. Actually, with this experience, I was able to open the door expression-wise [by singing] in a falsetto or even a low voice… I actually am discovering new elements and dimensions of my vocal approach as well.

Speaking of partnerships, Samuel L. Jackson opened SAMURAI SESSIONS vol. 3 and you were in “Maleficent 2” with Angelina Jolie. How was the experience of working with these Hollywood artists? How has it influenced your artistic expression and career?

MIYAVI: The one strongest common thing of those people is generosity. Not only generosity actually, but the capacity for generosity also in the freedom of creativity. So, inspired by those people who over-achieved in their own way and established everything they wanted in and out… Especially Angelina, she's like my big sister and she's still going to fight with me, even Samuel… he's over seventy, I guess, and he's still there, on the front line and creating new stuff, and he's a key person - a key actor in the whole world's entertainment history. It's required to have a lot of energy and passion [to be like that]. So, every time when I walk with those people, I learn. Simply learn. For Samurai Sessions, Samuel L. Jackson was really, really kind, and also creative and flexible as well.

You first came to Brazil in 2008, then 2009, 2011 at SWU and, more recently, in 2018. You are one of the Japanese artists who has visited our country the most on tours.

MIYAVI: Really?

Yes! How do you feel about that?

MIYAVI: Before I answer that question, I just want to go back to the previous topic. Walking with those professional artists – not just Angelina Jolie and Samuel L. Jackson – I suddenly feel more responsible… What does becoming influential or famous mean to you? When you keep trying just to become famous it is a goal, but now it is not a goal, it is just a tool. What do you do with that power? That's what I've been learning from them, and that is also motivation [for me] to keep moving forward.

To me, to come back to Brazil often - I mean not only to me, but all of the foreign artists – it’s not financially healthy and also risky to compete in your territory. The safe place for me is Asia – Japan and Asia. It's easier to handle, [with the] same race, same kind of traditions, same kind of way you work, same electricity… but again, I'm responsible to open the door and then that's also the role of music, which can be a bridge between people.

As long as there's people who listen to my music and also support my career, I would love to come. And it's not just business for me, it's just my life. It's the same as visiting refugee camps. I just flew in from Colombia this time. So, again, without my fans we wouldn't be able to come here. I just appreciate this opportunity and then, while I can do it, [the chance] to do my best for the audience who get the tickets and wait for the [show] time. So yeah, I’m just thrilled.

Since you mentioned your trip to Colombia, let's talk about your work as a Goodwill ambassador for UNHCR. How do you feel about meeting so many different people and hearing their stories? How do these experiences translate into your music?

MIYAVI: It’s so inspirational and also shocking to witness the path they have been going through… and then sometimes it’s just hard to hear… It's not only adults, it is going for the kids as well. Those little kids are going on a hard path, and sometimes it traumatizes them. So, it's a personal, inspirational experience every time. At the same time, that's also what I need in others – fuel to keep going, no matter what, no matter how hard it is – that becomes my motivation. So, I get power from the people, especially young kids.

No matter where they are kept, children have power and then we are always getting energized and inspired by the most faults, and I always run from them, only they just enjoy [themselves] no matter what. That's, I think, the strongest ability that human beings have, and I respect them. That's why I want to give back to them with music, sports, art, dancing. So, my role as an ambassador is just to bring out those brighter sides of the refugee crisis. I mean refugees, because the image that people have toward refugees is really dark, heavy, and it really is heavy. It's not always going [to be about] having party or having a good time with music… it's not always like that. Most of the time it’s suffering.

Still, they are human beings and they are strong. So, I want to show it to the world – that resilience and also the power and the strength of their attitude towards life. They're the only people who are able to, I mean, who overcame those hard paths. If you are not strong enough, you're not there, you are actually already dead. So, they're really strong, even if they need help and our attention. Ignorance is the worst thing in the world, so to keep being the way, I am paying attention. I just keep playing music.

JaME would like to thank MIYAVI, his staff and Highway Star for this interview opportunity.

Zdroj:https://www.jame-world.com/en/article/153083-interview-with-miyavi-in-sao-paulo.html?fbclid=IwAR0-I2Q5WXYR-WQLETqVet0vAP2-6hrrH4IVaHPb_zFls2lO2vbRIGanR6o