Moi dix mois - "Interview Mit Einem Vampir"

Magazine: Animania ~ "Interview Mit Einem Vampir" (German)
Issue: May 2005
Interview by Jens Helge Nave
Translation by Kyo

Pictures:
"Guitarist K in pink - they often had to communicate with the audience through gestures"
"An amazing look - Mana was admired for his guitar technique and his hairstyle, which was always in place"
"Mana - guitar - blood type 0"

- INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE -
Your work is very diverse and besides the music and the according lyrics, you`re also a fashion designer.
Do you prioritize??
~ No, I actually don`t.

You approach your audience visually, but also intellectually.
What`s the most important thing to you??
~ The sixth sense is more important than anything else.

It`s always said that art reflected the spirit of the age and only really great artists lived on after their death.
What`s your opinion on that??
~ What I do is everlasting and won`t be washed away by time. I hope and wish that my work will also be listened to and appreciated in the future.

Does your Japanese origin have an influence on your creativity??
~ I think that my origin has influenced me a lot. My sense for art and beauty even developed that way because I grew up in Japan.

Do the audience`s expactations play a role in composing music, writing lyrics or drawing sketches??
~ No, not at all. If anything influences me, then maybe my longing for phenomena in everyday life, like those in occult movies for example. Such things have formed myself as I am today.

You enjoyed a classical music education. Are there any musical eras and artists that have deeply impressed you??
~ I`d say that baroque music has an influence on me. And I like Johann Sebastian Bach very much.

What do you think of Western bands that take up VK and have Moi dix Mois as role models for Cosplay??
~ I`m glad when bands do so because people like the way I am and my style.

Are there any bands/artists outside Japan that you like, regardless of their music genre??
~ Yes, “Goblin“! When I was watching the occult horror movie “Suspiria” (1977, director: Dario Agent -> editor`s note) for the first time, I was so spellbound by the music. Later, I learned that “Goblin” made the movie music.
I also like Slayer. They haven`t changed their style since their debut and I like it when people consistently stick to their attitude and follow it through.

With Moi-même-Moitié, you have your own fashion label and also some shops in Japan. How far are you with your plans to open up a store outside Japan??
~ If I find a partner, I`ll maybe open up a store in Europe. Attention!! Interested business partners, please let me know!! (laughs)

Final question: Are there any anime, manga, movies or video games you like very much and want to recommend to people here??
~ Yes, absolutely!! The 26-part Anime “Yôkai Ningen Bemu” (English: “Demon-Man Bem“, only published in Japan and Italy so far -> editor`s note). However, it`s already a bit old, it`s from 1968.
Or the cooking manga “Hôchônin Ajihei” (only published in Japan so far -> editor`s note), as I generally like this genre very much.
In addition, I like playing the video game “Crazy Climber”, which is a bit old, too (from 1982, console: Atari 26oo -> editor`s note).
And if I had to confine myself to current movies, I`d recommend “The Others” by Alejandro Amenábar.

Thank you very much for this interview.