[VKH Report] SHINYA INTERVIEW @ AX2015 + GIVEAWAY
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| SHINYA (DIR EN GREY) @ AX2015 |
It's been four months since Anime Expo 2015 and my interview with rockstar drummer, SHINYA of DIR EN GREY, is finally up on VKH Press! Hurrah! There's also a giveaway going on, so go on and read all about it HERE. But if you want to check out my personal thoughts about this whole experience, read on!
I guess this will be really quick since there has been a gap since AX2015 and now (because I'm barely recalling these events... but I do remember being so tired! It's not everyday you meet these kinds of people everyday and although I slowly worked my way up (first Junnyan, and the Hirooka Naoto) to finally getting to interview Shinya, it was still an experience! I think I took my job way to seriously... I kept my inner fan girl locked away and was on business mode. I guess not being able to express my constant excitement did tire me out. Shinya was definitely well taken care of (hair & makeup) and was, indeed, serious... and even though I was told that I could only have a few minutes with him, he surprisingly went in detail with his answers (whether or not it showed in the final interview post). At first, they allowed me to take pictures... but I was honestly not very comfortable with the heavy dslr I lugged with me and what seem like I was given a time limit, I used my phone for pictures. After taking a couple of shots, he went ahead to take a look the pictures with my phone on hand... and I watched him swipe away (while standing right beside me) until he picked out one he liked. My inner fan girl seem to have died at that moment, lol. Of course, I kept it very cool. But sadly, the management decided to send pictures for the article instead and asked for the phone pictures to be deleted. And that was it! I was also able to see him at the press conference with H. Naoto after and a pretty good view of him break into the runway during the fashion show the next day. All in all, one tiring & exciting day for a fan girl at heart, haha.
------ Re-post of my article here (5/23/24) -----
Back in July, rockstar drummer of DIR EN GREY, Shinya, graced the catwalk at Anime Expo 2015 to showcase the latest collection of h.NAOTO. VKH Press had the honor of interviewing him right before his cross-over into the fashion world as a model. Check it out!
VKH: Congratulations on your modeling debut! What are you looking forward to the most?
Shinya: Not only am I excited for modelling for the show, but since this is also my first time participating in an anime convention I’m very excited for that too. On the way here, I actually came through the Exhibition Hall. I was looking around to see and get the feel of it. I like the atmosphere.
VKH: How do you feel about being able to interact with your fans on a more intimate level (through panels and autographing sessions) than when you’re touring?
Shinya: I do agree that the only times I’ve been here are for the lives, and the only opportunity I get to be presented and receive reactions is through the stage. However, this time I’m looking for their reactions through the panels and autograph sessions. I’m very excited about that.
VKH: How did you and Hirooka Naoto meet?
Shinya: We’ve always had mutual connections through musicians and fashion people. We also have only had mutual acquaintances up until last year, which is when we collaborated and Naoto designed my costume.* That was the biggest opportunity for us to get to know each other.
*Note: h.NAOTO designed costumes for Shinya during HALLOWEEN PARTY during his participation in HALLOWEEN JUNKY ORCHESTRA.
VKH: Would you consider having him design your future costumes or outfits, if possible?
Shinya: I’ve actually requested personally for the costumes. You might be able to see them in the fashion show.
VKH: How do you think fashion and music work together or influence each other?
Shinya: I was initially inspired by X Japan. As we know, X Japan comes with both fashion and music. There’s a lot of movement for both their music and fashion. That’s what has been the very center of my inspiration to continue as a band member, myself. They’re inseparable, fashion and music.
VKH: What do you think makes Japanese fashion brands unique compared to American or European brands?
Shinya: I believe, not in only fashion, but in art or music as well, they have the spirit of expertise. So, they do it to the max. When they do it, it’s never compromised and they’re very detailed. You can also find that in Japanese fashion. That’s what makes them unique.
VKH: Do you intend to do any other modeling projects after this show or is this a one-time only event?
Shinya: For now, this is the only confirmed event for the time being, but I’ll have to see because I’ll have to experience it first. If I get too nervous, I might not do it again too soon. However, I’m very hopeful and I want to take the offer if there are more opportunities to come.
VKH: During your performances with DIR EN GREY you’re usually behind the drumsets and people can’t really see you, but on the runway you’ll be in the spotlight. How do you feel about being the main focus for the audience?
Shinya: I fully understand my circumstances as a drummer. And in lives, it’s actually embarrassing for me to go toward the spotlight. For this show, I fully understand the role of a fashion model, so I would like to fully enjoy the attention I will get in the spotlight.
VKH: Do you have any future plans that you would like to share?
Shinya: For the overseas attendees, our live in Mexico in November has just been confirmed, and that’s one thing I’d like to share with the fans.
VKH: I’m sure your fans in America would want to see you soon, as well.
Shinya: I’m planning to come back as soon I can.
VKH: Thank you so much for taking the time off your busy schedule to talk to us! Is there anything you would like to say to your fans as the musician and the fashion model that you are?
Shinya: As a musician, I have plans to come back as soon I can and to America, as well. As a model, I would like to do something as soon as next year if the opportunity allows me.
Special thanks to Shinya for taking the time to answer our questions and to ViSULOG and Anime Expo for making this interview possible!
VKH: Congratulations on your modeling debut! What are you looking forward to the most?
Shinya: Not only am I excited for modelling for the show, but since this is also my first time participating in an anime convention I’m very excited for that too. On the way here, I actually came through the Exhibition Hall. I was looking around to see and get the feel of it. I like the atmosphere.
VKH: How do you feel about being able to interact with your fans on a more intimate level (through panels and autographing sessions) than when you’re touring?
Shinya: I do agree that the only times I’ve been here are for the lives, and the only opportunity I get to be presented and receive reactions is through the stage. However, this time I’m looking for their reactions through the panels and autograph sessions. I’m very excited about that.
VKH: How did you and Hirooka Naoto meet?
Shinya: We’ve always had mutual connections through musicians and fashion people. We also have only had mutual acquaintances up until last year, which is when we collaborated and Naoto designed my costume.* That was the biggest opportunity for us to get to know each other.
*Note: h.NAOTO designed costumes for Shinya during HALLOWEEN PARTY during his participation in HALLOWEEN JUNKY ORCHESTRA.
VKH: Would you consider having him design your future costumes or outfits, if possible?
Shinya: I’ve actually requested personally for the costumes. You might be able to see them in the fashion show.
VKH: How do you think fashion and music work together or influence each other?
Shinya: I was initially inspired by X Japan. As we know, X Japan comes with both fashion and music. There’s a lot of movement for both their music and fashion. That’s what has been the very center of my inspiration to continue as a band member, myself. They’re inseparable, fashion and music.
VKH: What do you think makes Japanese fashion brands unique compared to American or European brands?
Shinya: I believe, not in only fashion, but in art or music as well, they have the spirit of expertise. So, they do it to the max. When they do it, it’s never compromised and they’re very detailed. You can also find that in Japanese fashion. That’s what makes them unique.
VKH: Do you intend to do any other modeling projects after this show or is this a one-time only event?
Shinya: For now, this is the only confirmed event for the time being, but I’ll have to see because I’ll have to experience it first. If I get too nervous, I might not do it again too soon. However, I’m very hopeful and I want to take the offer if there are more opportunities to come.
VKH: During your performances with DIR EN GREY you’re usually behind the drumsets and people can’t really see you, but on the runway you’ll be in the spotlight. How do you feel about being the main focus for the audience?
Shinya: I fully understand my circumstances as a drummer. And in lives, it’s actually embarrassing for me to go toward the spotlight. For this show, I fully understand the role of a fashion model, so I would like to fully enjoy the attention I will get in the spotlight.
VKH: Do you have any future plans that you would like to share?
Shinya: For the overseas attendees, our live in Mexico in November has just been confirmed, and that’s one thing I’d like to share with the fans.
VKH: I’m sure your fans in America would want to see you soon, as well.
Shinya: I’m planning to come back as soon I can.
VKH: Thank you so much for taking the time off your busy schedule to talk to us! Is there anything you would like to say to your fans as the musician and the fashion model that you are?
Shinya: As a musician, I have plans to come back as soon I can and to America, as well. As a model, I would like to do something as soon as next year if the opportunity allows me.
Special thanks to Shinya for taking the time to answer our questions and to ViSULOG and Anime Expo for making this interview possible!
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| SHINYA (DIR EN GREY) @ AX2015 AUTOGRAPH |
0 comments:
Thanks for the love! <3