Hi guys this is Kevin (aka “Mr. Z”), from Jpopexpress.com. We’re here today with Emi and Tomo from the Japanese group RAINASH for this special interview ^__^.

JP: Thank you so much for joining us today! First of all, please introduce yourselves!

RA: Hi I’m emi on vocal.and I’m tomo on bass,hello.

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JP: Can you tell us about the origin of your band’s name, “RAINASH”? (Why did you choose that particular name?)

RA: RAINASH is a coined word.RAIN has images like lyricism,evanescence,and
more. ASH has images like darkness,hard.

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JP: How would you describe your music to people who aren’t familiar with your band?

RA: Our music is rock with our originality.Mainly we like and play hard rock sounds,and pop melodies. And our band has various sounds under the influence of
Pops,Rock,HR/HM,Industrial,Gothic,and more…

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JP: We see that you guys are pretty big fans of L’Arc-en-Ciel, Gackt, and VAMPS (I think you can especially hear this coming through on the guitar opening of your song, “Vanish,” for example What is it that you like about their music, and how would you say that bands such as these and their music have played an influence on you both?

RA: We love their sound,lyrics,and more..so we love and respect them so much.And my playing,song writing,arrangement,and more various sides are under the influence of their music.( by tomo)
I love their evanescent lyrics so much.I hope to write and express evanescent lyrics like theirs.(by emi)

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JP: Can you please describe for us what the independent rock or pop scene is like for musicians these days in Japan? (and also, would you say pretty much everything with the “j-music scene” is all concentrated in Tokyo, or are there some other really cool things going on in places like Osaka, Kobe, Okinawa…) How would you describe some of the differences between the different cities’ music scenes in Japan overall?

RA: We listen to 90s music mainly.So honestly we don’t know much things about “independent J-music scene in these days”. Also we don’t listen to it much. Sorry.

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JP: Your first single, “escape” was released on January 22 of this year (as a digital download on iTunes, get it here on iTunes!). Tell us a little bit about fans’ reaction to the single, and how it has been received so far.

RA: Our fans like this 1st digital single!Although it’s not much,they put iTunes’ review on iTunes US.
We’re very very happy! But sorry for that there are some unavailable countries.

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JP: Interest in Japanese pop/rock music (and Japanese (pop) culture in general) has grown to be ever-increasingly popular within the past few years throughout the US & Canada, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. How do you guys feel about this? ^^

[Speaking of which, do you have any plans to tour other countries outside of Japan? Of course, if so, please be sure and let us know so we can share your news with everyone!]

RA: Yes,we think so,too.Interest in Japanese pop/rock music and culture has grown.The Japanese band release CD and perform in various countries is increase. It’s great!

About plans of tour, we are unsigned any label and company. So we cannot perform even in Japan. We hope to go and perform other countries outside of Japan someday.

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JP: What are the three biggest goals you would like to accomplish in the future (either short or long-term)?

RA: First, we wish to sign any label and company in Japan. Second we wish we can reach our songs to our fans in various countries. And go and play live there! It’s a third. Our goal is this now.

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JP: Thank you so much guys / “doumo arigatou” for sharing your thoughts and your music with us and our fans here today!! In closing, what would you like to say to our readers and j-music fans worldwide?

RA: Thanks for reading! We’re making new mini album now! Please check us!! Thank you so much!!

Special thanks to Kevin and Jpopexpress.com !!
Have a good time,
From RAINASH emi tomo

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To find out more about RAINASH, please visit their official MySpace page!