umbrella, thank you very much for this opportunity!

Please introduce yourselves.

[唯 -Yui-] Guitarist and vocalist
I'm in charge of umbrella's lyrics, composition, arrangement,
and total image

[柊 -Shu-] I'm guitarist Shu.

[春 -Hal-] I'm umbrella's bassist Hal.

[将 -Sho-] I'm umbrella's drummer Sho!

As umbrella, what worldview are you aiming to express?

[-Yui-] Basically alternative,
but without being limited to something like “it has to be this way!”
We want to express a variety of emotions, like the weather

[Shu] At first glance, people might think it's a dark worldview, but I hope the band can express something that resonates with real human emotions.

[Hal] I want our music to resonate with people's inner selves.

You are a band based mainly in Kansai. Do you think that affects your worldview at all?

[Yui] Rather than living a minimalist life in Tokyo,
we've based ourselves somewhere that's easier to work in, so I feel like we can create music with a more relaxed mindset

[Shu] There's always been this idea of “Kansai bands are...” and so on, but now that the internet is widespread and we can share our voices like this through overseas media, I feel like it doesn't have that much influence.

However, from the perspective of those around us, there might be some influence.

[Hal] Personally, I don't feel there's much of an influence just from being in Kansai, but there are fewer bands here that I sometimes feel lonely.

[Sho] I don't think so, and I think umbrella would be umbrella no matter where we are.

Congratulations on reaching your 15th anniversary in March! Were there any memorable moments from that oneman?

[Yui] When COVID-19 hit, we were celebrating our 10th anniversary
The anniversary oneman that was supposed to be held at the traditional venue Ajinomoto Universe (味園ユニバース) ended up being held without an audience,
so finally getting our revenge at our 15th anniversary is huge

[Shu] Thank you very much. I'm grateful that our 15th anniversary oneman was our biggest one to date.

Right now we're selling the live DVD of that 15th anniversary show, and even I was surprised that the performance scenes were completely unedited.

It's a rare video where you can see a very real, raw live performance.

[Hal] I was truly happy that we were able to do a oneman at such a historic venue as Ajinomoto Universe (味園ユニバース). Our 10th anniversary oneman ended up being a no-audience livestream due to COVID-19, so being able to play a proper oneman in front of people this time made me genuinely happy.

[Sho] Thank you! It has been decided that Ajinomoto Universe (味園ユニバース) will be torn down, so there was a strong feeling that this was the last time we could ever hold an event there.

The visual kei scene has changed a lot in 15 years. What are you excited about in the current generation?

[Yui] Maybe it's the same everywhere,
but the trend-conscious visual kei has changed rapidly, for better or worse.

Amidst that, I'm excited to see the interesting new works that will emerge from mixing various genres in a visual kei style.

[Shu] While it's more genre-less than it used to be, I also feel like there are more bands who are clearly orthodox visual kei.

Visual kei has always had a variety of genres, but now that a wide range of styles is accepted, I feel like the number of orthodox visual kei bands has actually increased.

In recent years, I've really felt a “mixed martial arts” vibe, as visual kei bands have begun to play alongside artists from various genres.

As a member of the scene, I'm excited to see how visual kei will continue to develop in this environment.

[Hal] I feel like there are more bands now with complex musical styles.

But I also think there are fewer delinquents; I'd love to see a young visual kei band made up of delinquents again.

[Sho] I feel like more and more people today have a certain madness hidden beneath a composed exterior, so I think we'll see more artists expressing sophisticated ideas in a smart way.

How did each of you get into visual kei?

[Yui] Broadly speaking, I think it would be LUNA SEA

The sound and phrasing of LUNA SEA are still respected today as the orthodox royal road of modern visual kei

[Shu] I first saw a live video of SEX MACHINEGUNS and thought the guitar was cool, which made me start practicing guitar.

Not long after I learned to play a little, a friend showed me a live video of X JAPAN at his house, and I got hooked. Then I got into the solo work of hide-san, and from there I started listening to all kinds of visual kei.

[Hal] I liked SADS, and started buying FOOL'S MATE every month, which became my gateway to discovering a lot of bands. My favorites included MUCC, cali≠gari, GURUGURU Eigakan (グルグル映畫館), METRONOME (メトロノーム), MERRY (メリー), BAROQUE, and so on.

[Sho] When I graduated high school, the band I was in had members who loved visual kei. Even though that band was active in the rock scene, I drifted toward visual kei, and that drift is what led me to who I am today.

Your new single, rev (レヴ), will be released on October 11. What kind of sound did you aim for with this work?

[Yui] I think it's a revolutionary new sound for umbrella
We've incorporated some elements that might feel nostalgic, so please look forward to it

[Shu] The song itself is very heavy; I personally felt it needed to be the heaviest sound in umbrella's catalog so far, so I aimed for an even edgier sound than before.

I tried to create a guitar sound with a solid core that holds up even amidst aggressive sounds.

[Hal] In recent years, umbrella has placed more focus on playing with live shows in mind, so the sound has a strong live feel to it.

[Sho] I aimed for a drum sound with a nuanced, damp feel.

The release event AMAYADORI ~Kakumei~ (アマヤドリ~革命~) will be held on October 11th, 12th, and 28th. What are you looking forward to?

[Yui] I'm already excited to see how well the new song will fit into the setlist!

[Shu] We've done a fair number of release oneman lives, but it feels like it's been a while since we hosted a release event with other bands.

Unlike oneman lives, there's a certain tension in performing new songs in front of people who came to see other bands.

[Hal] I'm excited that there are many bands we'll be sharing the stage with for the first time.

I'm looking forward to seeing if we can get people who are seeing umbrella for the first time to vibe with rev (レヴ).

[Sho] I'm looking forward to performing rev (レヴ) live, as I'm sure there will be some changes in the phrases and nuances compared to the recording. I'll also be supporting Sakashimana Haguruma wo Kamen ga Warau. (逆しまな歯車を仮面が嗤う。) on the 28th, so I'll have to give it my best.

And on October 2nd, you're scheduled to perform in Canada for the first time in several years. What are you most looking forward to on this return visit?

[Yui] I've been looking forward to this day for a long time
I'm excited to see my friends again after so long
I'm a bit nervous whether the local fans still remember us... but I'm really excited to see them

[Shu] I'm genuinely looking forward to being back in Canada after so long.

Of course I'm happy to be able to see our Canadian friends again, but I'm also looking forward to reminding everyone overseas that “bands are their live performances!” even in this internet age.

And poutine.

[Hal] Getting to see everyone in Canada! Buying Canadian alcohol!

[Sho] I have a lot of fun memories from Canada, so I want to create even better ones this time. Of course I'm looking forward to seeing the friends who were kind to us before, and I definitely want to eat poutine.

How will this performance differ from your previous appearances in Canada?

[Yui] We've expanded our song lineup considerably,
and we're able to express a more aggressive side now,
which has allowed us to have more fun with the audience

[Shu] Through building up our history as a band, our groove and playing ability have significantly improved since our last performance there.

The sense of unity that we've developed over these 15 years is overwhelmingly stronger now.

[Hal] I think the band's sound has become more cohesive than before.

[Sho] I've changed a lot internally, so I'm curious to see how I'll perceive Canada now as the current me.

If you were to recommend one song to someone who doesn't know umbrella yet, what would it be?

[Yui] It's dilemma

It's one of umbrella's most aggressive tracks
Right now, it's probably our main weapon at live shows

[Shu] AMAZING (アメイジング)

I've heard people say umbrella has a lot of dark songs, but I think refreshing tracks like AMAZING (アメイジング) are also part of our appeal.

[Hal] orbit

[Sho] I'd say solitude.

I think it really encapsulates the unique style of umbrella, so it's probably the fastest way to judge us for yourself.

As umbrella, what's the next goal you'd like to achieve?

[Yui] To play live in even bigger venues and in front of even larger crowds.

[Shu] Even after 15 years as a band, there are still so many places we've never been.

There's still a lot we can do, not only in Japan but also overseas.

Playing shows in new places is both a personal dream and a goal.

[Hal] I want to go overseas again beyond Canada.

[Sho] First, to keep going. And currently, a oneman at Shinsaibashi BIG CAT.

Lastly, please give a message to your readers.

[Yui] The experience umbrella has gained over the past 15 years,
please come experience it yourself
Thank you

[Shu] These days there are so many streaming platforms that it's easy to feel close to lots of different artists.

But even so, I believe bands shine brightest on stage.

If you ever get a chance to your favorite artist live, I hope you'll go and experience it. And I hope umbrella will be one of those bands.

Thanks for your support!

[Hal] Hi! vkgy! (Ed. note: said in English.)

Whenever I find myself wondering “what was the name of that musician's previous band?” I often look at vkgy.

[Sho] I'm really happy we get to go back to Canada after such a long time. I'm truly looking forward to seeing you all!

Thank you for this interview. We wish you the best of luck!

umbrella will be performing with NANO at JMFEST 2025 in Toronto on October 2nd. Tickets are available now.

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Coordination and translation was provided by inartistic in collaboration with J-rock North Promotions Inc..

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