Q: I believe you’ve performed in the US before, so how do you prepare for a concert here as opposed to one in Japan?
HMK: When we first had a show in the states, we were very nervous. You know the language, and the vibes, but afterwards it doesn’t matter. You know the audience in America knows how to groove, so we were like, we’re having fun right now. Don’t think too much and just do our thing.
Q: Your music’s been used in many anime, so I’m curious are you asked to craft songs for the anime or do they choose them from your existing catalog?
HMK: For our songs it’s just our own compositions, where we write it and have a message first. We don’t make songs for the anime. Usually at least. We make songs that come from here inside [points to heart].
Q: You just released a best of album featuring quite a few incredible singles. Is there any dream you’re still looking to accomplish as a band?
HMK: Our next dream is to have a U.S. tour.
Q: I fully support that dream.
HMK: We could go to your home state of Tennessee.
Q: Yeah Nashville would be a great place for you to play.
HMK: Nashville’s definitely a cool city.
Q: In addition to your tour here, what projects are you working on or what do you have planned for the future?
HMK We’re going to have a tour in Autumn in Japan. We’re going to have a festival next year in March that’s called Kazoku Fest, Family Fest, it’ll be pretty huge. And we’re working on new songs.
Q: That’s exciting. If I ever get to Japan my dream is to both go to smaller bars to hear up and coming acts but also to a music festival in Japan.
HMK: you should come.
Q: I’d definitely love that. Do you get to pick the artists for the festival as well?
HMK: Yeah we collaborated with our staff to choose the artists.
Q: Who would you love to collaborate with if you could?
HMK: For American artists, Bruno Mars.
Q: Do you think it’s a different vibe playing with US audiences that know you primarily from your anime versus Japan where they may know your music more broadly?
HMK: Human beings are universal, so it’s the same vibe.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to your American fans?
HMK: We believe no matter where you live or where you are we’re one big family, so we’re going to make a lot of new American family here, and we hope when we come back for a US tour you’ll all be there.
