Exclusive Interview with all-female Visual Kei band, exist†trace

Visual Kei band exist†trace will make their U.S. debut this month at the Sakura Con anime convention in Seattle, Washington. They are headlining the Friday (April 22nd) night concert, and have a Q&A and autograph session with fans on Saturday (April 23rd).
tokyohive got a chance to sit the band down and ask them a wide variety of questions, from the meaning of their band, their feelings on going major, and what they expect from their first U.S. live.
Check out tokyohive’s exclusive interview with exist†trace below!
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- The Visual Kei genre has a mostly female fan base. Are most of your fans male or female? What is the biggest change you’ve seen in your fans from the time you started until now?
JYOU (Vocals): It’s 50/50 right now. We’ve been participating in a lot of different events lately, and that’s helped us find all kinds of new fans.
- How do you feel about being one of the only female Visual Kei bands in a genre that’s dominated by males? Do you ever play shows with male Visual Kei bands? Do you think that a female Visual Kei band seems normal now, or is it still something unique?

miko (Guitar): Since we started our band, we never really thought about the genders of other bands. Since we’re often part of Visual Kei events, we mostly perform with male bands. Female visual kei bands are still rare, but I think that number is increasing gradually.
- You’ve had a long career in comparison to some other artists. What is the most important thing about exist†trace that makes the band successful?
Omi (Guitar): We talk things out. Everything gets discussed thoroughly, with no limits.

- In a previous interview you did in Europe, you mentioned that being an all-female band makes a powerful statement. Some band members use a masculine style during performance. How does this style connect to the statement you want to make?

MALLY (Drums): Each of us expresses what we think is cool. It’s an individual choice for each of us. Our ideas about ourselves as women and our stage styles are really separate.
- Why is exist†trace spelled with roman letters? Were there any other names you considered when you started?

JYOU: We used English so it would be understood in the whole world, not just in Japan.
- exist†trace announced in January that you will move to a major label this year. What was your initial reaction when you heard the news?
miko: We were really happy, but moving to a major label isn’t the end goal for us, it’s just a part of our longer journey.
- What do you think will change when you have your major debut?
Omi: There will be more staff and hopefully more fans can hear our music.
MALLY: Our exist†trace family will be larger.

- JapanFiles released your latest album, “TWIN GATE”, in the U.S. What do you think about all the responses from American fans?

JYOU: Thank you! We’re very happy. We want to hear more and more of your voices.

- Have you started working on new songs? What new musical styles do you want to try next?
miko: We’re working on new songs right now. The style of exist†trace hasn’t changed, but we want to challenge ourselves with musical choices that we haven’t tried before.
- What’s your best memory about your recent tour of Europe?
JYOU: During our live shows, the fans had both Japanese flags and their countries’ flags up together.
- What are your expectations for your first American live show at Sakura Con?
MALLY: We want to hear really loud voices from the crowd. We want to see fists in the air too!
- Please give a message to your fans.
JYOU: Let’s make it an unforgettable and passionate night!