Explore the intricacies of Luv PARADE’s debut EP, JOKER, and prepare for a belly-aching laughter with the game we made them play
Luv PARADE, originally formed in 2009 as a session band with members from D’ESPAIRSRAY, has transformed into a fully independent original band (more info, here). With TAKA (defspiral) taking on the role of vocalist in 2011, they debuted at an event, laying the foundation for their future endeavors. Following a hiatus, Luv PARADE returned in 2022, focusing on self-covers and Western music renditions. After achieving success in three major events and two one-man tours, Luv PARADE released their first original music, NEW WORLD, in 2023. With the band reaching new heights, 2024 holds much promise. Their debut EP, JOKER, is sure to mark a significant milestone, and it’s clear that Luv PARADE shows no signs of slowing down. In this interview, we discuss Luv PARADE’s evolution, explore the intricacies of their debut EP, and wrap up with a light-hearted joker-game.
——Thank you for having me this late after today’s tour rehearsals. The tour is about to kick-off. How do you guys feel about it?
Karyu: Today’s rehearsals were fantastic. I can’t wait for the tour to begin. The rehearsals have been amazing, filled with energy and enthusiasm. I am very thrilled about showing where we are as a band now. It’s very exciting to see all the hard work come together.
TSUKASA: Same here. The rehearsals have been fantastic, and the camaraderie among us is stronger than ever. And, Mandah, look at my t-shirt (ed. shows the Doraemon T-shirt he’s wearing), I have been rehearsing in style today. I am embodying the Japanese Otaku style, ain’t I (everybody bursts into laughter)?
——Did you watch Doraemon as a child?
TSUKASA: Oh, absolutely! Doraemon was a huge part of my childhood. I have so many fond memories of watching it. It’s amazing how a cartoon can leave such a lasting impression, right? And now, whenever I mention my love for Doraemon, fans shower me with Doraemon goodies, just like the t-shirt I’m wearing today.
——That’s a nice gesture.
Congratulations on the release of your debut mini-album, JOKER. How do you feel about reaching this milestone?
Karyu: Thank you! Releasing our debut mini-album is an incredible milestone for us. It’s like a dream come true. This album represents our hard work, dedication, and creativity. It’s a reflection of who we are as artists and musicians. Our sound is a fusion of different influences – it’s primarily metal-based, but with a touch of J-rock melodies, and sometimes we even incorporate elements of punk or EDM. It’s a diverse collection of songs that showcase the range of emotions and experiences we’ve poured into our music. Personally, I’ve always wanted to compose original songs with the band right from the start, but it took some time to convince everyone. We spent about a year focusing on cover songs before realizing the importance of creating our own music. So, we set a goal to release new songs by September 9th, the anniversary of D’ESPAIRSRAY’s formation. It felt like the perfect opportunity to explore new horizons and set the stage for our future as a band.
TAKA: Absolutely, releasing our debut mini-album is a major milestone in our journey as a band. It’s a testament to our growth and evolution as musicians. We’ve come a long way since our early days, experimenting with different styles and sounds. But with NEW WORLD, we feel like we’ve truly found our voice. The response from our fans has been overwhelmingly positive, which is incredibly gratifying. Releasing this album on the anniversary of D’ESPAIRSRAY’s formation was a symbolic gesture for us. It’s a declaration of our commitment to our music and our fans. Moving forward, we’re excited to continue sharing our original music and connecting with our audience on a deeper level. The lyrics in our songs reflect our journey and experiences, with a message of hope and resilience in these challenging times.
ZERO: Indeed, releasing our debut mini-album is a significant achievement for us. It’s a testament to our dedication and passion for music. The songs on this album are emotionally charged and reflect our growth as individuals and as a band. Despite the challenges we’ve faced along the way, we’ve persevered and come out stronger. The lyrics are uplifting and hopeful, reflecting our optimism for the future. We’re excited to see where this journey takes us and to continue sharing our music with the world. Let’s keep moving forward together.
——What significance does the work joker hold for the band?
Karyu: If I am completely honest with you, it started when a contact lens manufacturer named Joker approached us. When I mentioned joker to everyone, it seemed to resonate well. It became the keyword for the tour and then, the song. The demo track we had matched the joker-theme perfectly, so we named it JOKER and wrote the lyrics accordingly. We chose joker as the main theme because it offers a complex and dynamic symbol that aligns with our desire to be seen as versatile, intriguing, and multi-dimensional artists.
TAKA: The word joker has a powerful and resonant sound. Its phonetic qualities make it memorable and impactful, which suits the band’s musical and thematic aspirations. It also evokes the image of a hero, but not in a traditional sense. It’s more of an anti-hero or a complex character, which aligns well with our identity. It also has a strong and distinctive feel that fits well with the band’s image and music style. I think it brings to mind characters who are dark, mysterious, and complex. Once the initial appeal of the word joker was established, we decided to explore it further. The title reflects their desire to be seen as unpredictable and versatile artists, constantly evolving and surprising our audience.
ZERO: The Joker, in various contexts, especially in games, has rich symbolism and versatility. In card games, the Joker can often stand in for other cards, showing its adaptability and multifaceted nature. In card games, the Joker is a special card that can take on different roles depending on the game. This makes it a symbol of flexibility and potential, able to change its function as needed. Just as the Joker can fit into various roles in games, Luv PARADE aims to be flexible and innovative in our music. We don’t want to be confined to one genre or style. The Joker is often seen as a wild card, bringing an element of surprise and unpredictability. I think this mirrors our approach to music, where we aim to surprise our audience with new and unexpected elements.
——Indeed, it has a wide range of symbolism.
The intro of the EP is signed by Kazutoshi YOKOYAMA. Can you please tell us more about him?
Karyu: Kazutoshi YOKOYAMA is a renowned sound manipulator who has worked with the band BUCK-TICK and has also supported D’ESPAIRSRAY since the early days. Currently, I am in a band called HUG with him. Initially, I asked him to create the SE for our live performances. But, when I received his first version, it didn’t quite match our vision. Since we were in the middle of creating JOKER, I thought it would be better to align it with our theme. I described to YOKOYAMA the image we were aiming for, which was something like an amusement park feel with a touch of dissonance. He adjusted the SE accordingly, and it fit perfectly, so we decided to include it as the introductory part of the mini-album. Initially, it wasn’t planned to be included, but the introduction really expanded the image of the mini-album, so we decided to keep it. Additionally, there’s a continuation of the SE intro that includes EDM elements, which is exclusive to our live performances and not included in the recorded version. For the recording, we included only the first half of a track that’s actually about two minutes long in its entirety.
——Karyu, you wrote four songs for the mini-album. What can you tell us about them?
Karyu: For the title track JOKER, I knew it needed to stand out, but I also wanted it to truly reflect what I wanted to express as an artist. Instead of focusing on making it overly melodic or catchy, I aimed to create a song that would show TAKA’s unique qualities in a way that defspiral’s current fans might not expect. JOKER was born out of my current artistic desires and aspirations, even if it didn’t follow conventional melodic hooks. It’s a piece that encapsulates my hopes and dreams. My biggest dream right now is going on a world tour. I think this song is a statement of my ambitions and where we see ourselves going as a band. Writing it with the goal of touring worldwide in mind gives it a special significance for me.
——You told me about this dream of yours last year as well. I hope you’ll get to tour the world this year. TSUKASA, could you introduce the song you wrote, INTO THE FLAMES?
TSUKASA: Sure. When we talked about composing songs together for the mini-album, Karyu suggested, “Why not create a ballad?” Reflecting on that, I’ve always found the most satisfaction in crafting ballads. They are truly my area of expertise, and I completed this one in record time. Crafting ballads is where my passion lies. When TAKA’s vocals came in, they truly struck me. Hearing how all the members’ sounds blended together was incredibly fulfilling. Having TAKA lend his voice to this ballad was a special experience. His singing is consistently impressive, but it’s those moments when his voice soars and hits those powerful high notes that really move me. I wanted to capture that essence in my composition, especially during the climactic stretches of the chorus. Initially, the melody at the start of the chorus had a different feel—it was more intricate. However, feedback suggested that it didn’t quite serve as the perfect gateway into the chorus. So, I revised it to better transition into the powerful part of the song. Apologies to everyone for initially creating the demo with a less-than-ideal sound source (laughs). But I’m really happy with how it turned out in the end.
ZERO: Personally, I found this song easy to grasp from a performance standpoint. But, what makes it particularly intriguing is that, up until now, TAKA hadn’t sung any of TSUKASA’s compositions in Luv PARADE, not even those from D’ESPAIRSRAY. This made the outcome unpredictable. I had confidence in TAKA’s abilities, but the way he brought the song to life surpassed all my expectations. Hearing him sing it for the first time was a moment of pure amazement—it was like, “Wow, this is incredible, exactly what I hoped for and more.” I think he really elevated the song beyond what I had envisioned.
——Speaking of which, TAKA, you use a lot of English in Luv PARADE. Is this an intentional choice? If so, what was the reason behind it?
TAKA: Yes, it was definitely an intentional choice. Since we started off as a cover band performing songs originally sung in English, I wanted to carry that vibe into our original music. Initially, I wrote all the lyrics in English and then modified them to include some Japanese lines. I recorded the entire song with English lyrics first and shared that version with the band. Together, we decided which parts should be in Japanese. By mixing a few Japanese lines into a predominantly English song, those lines tend to stand out and catch the listener’s attention. That’s why I made sure those Japanese lines were simple, catchy, and conveyed the song’s message effectively. The decision to include a lot of English lyrics throughout the album was also influenced by our desire to maintain a balance with the Western covers we perform live. English lyrics naturally possess a certain potency, resonance, and allure when integrated into intense musical compositions. It was important for me to uphold this dynamic and captivating atmosphere throughout the album. We wanted to create music that embodies the coolness we admire in foreign music and fashion—the kind we listened to and looked up to. Also, the melodies that Karyu writes fit perfectly with English lyrics. We believe that Luv PARADE can appeal to both Western and Japanese audiences.
——Cool!
ZERO, last year, you told me that you wished to be more consistent with song-writing. How it is coming along?
ZERO: Yeah, I did tell you that (smiles). Well, Although I have been creating some songs, I haven’t been able to delve into them deeply. I can’t start on new projects immediately, but I always have the desire to compose in my spare time, so I think I’ll continue to do my best. It’s not a failure, just a step forward. I need to make time which is a bit challenging for me at the time being.
——I hope you’ll be able to make more time for it.
What is your favorite track from the EP?
TAKA: I would say JOKER is my favorite. It’s a song filled with tension and power, making it perfect for live performances. I particularly enjoy songs that have a gradual buildup of tension, dynamic changes, and crescendos. These elements keep the audience on the edge of their seats, making the climax of the song even more impactful. I’m really looking forward to performing it live.
Karyu: I really like JOKER too but my favorite track is probably TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, which is also the song for our first music video. The reason I love it so much is because I was able to fully express my current emotions and musical style through it. I feel a deep personal connection and authenticity in its creation. This song embodies my current musical sensibilities and artistic identity, making it a meaningful piece for me.
ZERO: Personally, my favorite track is MIDNIGHT SUN. I’m drawn to its layered composition, which adds depth and complexity to the song. It carries a strong momentum, fueled by its aggressive and assertive style. The dynamic shifts and powerful qualities of the song, along with its intensity and impact, really resonate with me.
TSUKASA: Oh, I’m torn… I like JOKER… Wait! I like NEW WORLD too… I am going to pick… INTO THE FLAMES (everybody bursts into laughter). Honestly, it was a blast seeing my song make it onto the EP. Knowing that everyone enjoyed what I wrote brought me so much joy. I’m absolutely thrilled about it! I am very grateful.
——Now, with the tour starting on June 1st and five original songs included, do you think the setlist will change significantly? Will you stop doing covers?
Karyu: I don’t think we will stop doing covers. The unique balance of Luv PARADE, with its mix of originals, covers, and self-covers, is part of what makes us appealing. We want to continue offering a variety of music to our audience. While our focus will be on performing Luv PARADE’s original songs, I’m confident in our ability to maintain that balance. I’m enjoying the shift towards showcasing our own music, but covers and self-covers will still be part of our repertoire. It adds an interesting element to our setlist and helps us stand out.
TAKA: I agree with Karyu. Our roots as a cover band are something we want to honor and cherish. It’s important to explore different possibilities, whether that means focusing solely on originals or continuing to include covers in our performances.
ZERO: Personally, I think having a mix of Western covers and self-cover songs is great, but ultimately, I hope we can perform all Luv PARADE songs someday. I want to showcase the music that the four of us have created together. In that sense, I hope we’ll have more opportunities to perform our own songs exclusively at events.
——By the way, ZERO, how’s your left foot? Didn’t you recently break it?
ZERO: Thank you for asking. It’s definitely been challenging, but I’m taking good care of it. Despite my physical condition not being at its best, I’ve discovered a surprising resilience. I’ve realized that I can still manage a tour even with a broken foot. While it’s not ideal, I’m confident that my performances won’t be significantly affected. I’m determined to give it my all, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the tour starting.
——Don’t do the impossible though.
To wrap up the interview, let’s do a little game. Here are four trump cards, the one who picks up the joker card will have to answer an embarrassing question I am going to ask him. Sound good?
TAKA: Yeah, sounds spicy (looks enthusiastic)!
Karyu: Embarrassing questions (looks worried)?
TSUKASA: Hum…
ZERO: OK (laughs)!
——3, 2, 1, pick up a card (Karyu picks up the joker card).
Don’t worry, the questions aren’t that embarrassing. How much do you use your smartphone in a day?
Karyu: Phew (looks relieved)! Actually, I don’t know how long I use my phone a day. I don’t think I use it excessively. Not sure if it’s something to be proud of though… I do rely on it for work.
TAKA: Come on, don’t beat around the bush and show us your screen time usage number!
Karyu: OK (laughs and takes out his phone out of his pocket)… Look (shows us his screen time), 5 hours and a half.
TAKA: OK, next question (looks really thrilled about the game)!
——Next (laughs)! 3, 2, 1, pick up a card (ZERO picks up the joker card).
What do you think is your best quality and something you need to improve?
ZERO: The best quality… (long silence)
TAKA: You have a lot.
ZERO: Do I? let me think. I can’t think of any. Let’s say, I often lose track of time, which can be both good and bad. I don’t get bothered if someone is late, which can be a good thing, but my lack of time awareness can be an issue. I think my biggest issue is the fact that I struggle with time. I think this lack of time awareness can lead to problems such as being late for appointments, underestimating how long tasks will take, or feeling rushed and stressed due to poor time management. As for my best quality, I promise you I don’t know what to answer… I don’t know. When I drink, I become very talkative, which might be a good quality.
——Alcohol puts you in a good mood.
ZERO: It does.
——Next, 3,2,1 (TSUKASA picks up the joker card).
What was the last CD or music you bought?
TSUKASA: Arf, I don’t remember.
Karyu: How about music through online subscription?
TSUKASA: The last music I bought online was Yuuri’s Dry Flower.
Karyu: Never heard of it.
——Me neither.
ZERO: Do you guys even live in Japan (everybody bursts into laughter)?
TSUKASA: Are you for real (laughs)? It’s an incredible song that’s touched so many people in Japan. It’s played everywhere. Let me sing it for you (starts singing).
Karyu: Nope, never heard of it.
TAKA: Since everybody picked up the joker card except me, I think we should end the game here (laughs). Thank you very much Mandah for you time, it was nice seeing you.
Karyu: What are you talking about?
——There’s more. 3, 2, 1 (TAKA picks up the joker card and everybody screams in disbelief).
How lucky we are tonight! TAKA, what do you think is most important thing in others?
TAKA: Compassion.
——I agree.
Next, 3, 2, 1 (TAKA picks up the joker card again, everybody laughs).
TAKA, you are lucky tonight. What is a skill that you have always wanted to develop?
TAKA: Well, if I were to pick a skill to improve, I’d choose better time management. Lately, I’ve noticed I’ve been struggling with punctuality, and it’s something I’m not too happy about. So, improving how I manage my time would definitely be a priority for me. Also, I would like to have more time to relax and unwind mentally. I would like to become a little bit more composed and mature adult.
——Making time to unwind mentally is essential.
Final question. 3, 2, 1 (TSUKASA picks up the joker card).
TSUKASA, how old were you when you kissed a girl for the first time?
TAKA: The embarrassing question has arrived (laughs).
TSUKASA: Hum… I think it is globally considered late, I was 18 years old.
——Same here… No, actually I was 17.
Karyu: You’ve just shattered my perception of French people. Don’t French people greet each other with kisses?
——We do and it’s actually quite bothering to be honest. We kiss on the cheeks to greet, which is very different from a romantic, intimate kiss.
TAKA: I think it would be only fair if you included your answer in the final version of the article, since you didn’t actually play the joker game with us and only asked the questions. Let’s be fair–write it down (grins).
——I will, I promise.
Thank you all for your time and your cooperation.
Karyu: Thank you, I had a great time.
ZERO: Thank you very much for the opportunity again.
TSUKASA: I am looking forward to the article, thank you.
TAKA: Thanks, I had a good time. The little game at the end was a great idea.
__________________
Mandah FRÉNOT
(c) VMJ
