Aural Vampire

Interviewer, writer: 1-5
Band Members: Exo-Chika (Vocals), Raveman (Composition)
Questions Answered by: Exo-Chika and Raveman



Rapidly growing in popularity in the darkwave / synthpop scene both in Japan and abroad, Aural Vampire have a great mix of interesting and dark lyrics and upbeat electro music. With a German tour and new CD in the midst. they’re definitely on their way up. J-Music Ignited recently inteviewed them to find out more.



Thank you for doing this interview. Could you introduce yourselves.

EXO-CHIKA: I’m EXO-CHIKA. I’m in charge of Aural Vampire’s vocals.
RAVEMAN: I’m RAVEMAN. The masked man. I create the tracks.

Please could explain the origin of the band name.

EXO-CHIKA: A characteristic sound like a vampire. That means that it’s both nasty and beautiful. Also, if it’s in Japanese. "oral vampire" and "aural vampire" look the same. Perhaps with "oral vampire" there’s a sexy atmosphere?

How and when did you first meet?

EXO-CHIKA: We were classmates in high school. But if we hadn’t done music we probably wouldn’t have become friends. RAVEMAN and myself were both looking for a band partner.

Where do your names, RAVEMAN and EXO-CHIKA, come from?

EXO-CHIKA: It doesn’t really have a meaning. I changed my real name a little.
RAVEMAN: At the time, the purpose was to bring rave and club cluture into rock and punk events.

To RAVEMAN, why do you always wear a mask?

RAVEMAN: At first, wearing a mask was a stage gimmick. Recently, I have a great interest in masks.

To EXO-CHIKA, your clothes are also interesting. Who designs them?

EXO-CHIKA: I coordinate them together with friends and Aural Vampire’s staff. It’s a really fun time.

I understand you like horror movies. What are your favourites?

EXO-CHIKA: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!!
RAVEMAN: The Toxic Avenger!!

Aural Vampire’s music is synth pop/darkwave. In the beginning, why did you want to make this type of music?

RAVEMAN: The elements of horror movies were added to my techno and electro roots and it became synthpop.

What are your inspirations when writing lyrics and music?

EXO-CHIKA: I express everyday things in slightly strange Japanese. It’s non-fictional.
RAVEMAN: What I create expands upon my inspirations from fiction.

Do your songs have a specific message or theme?

EXO-CHIKA: They’re a place where a dark, horror-like view of the world and popular interests are mixed.

Why did you choose to release "Death Folder" online only?

RAVEMAN: We thought it was the easiest way for people all around the world to hear Aural Vampire. MySpace player didn’t become the packaging of the work. Also, I wanted to make a cheap Flash animation.

Do you prefer recording or lives?

EXO-CHIKA: Although I feel the pressure to succeed in both, I’m really happy with both. It’s difficult to compare them.

How would you describe an Aural Vampire live?

EXO-CHIKA: Before you see (us live) maybe you’d have a dark image (of us), but our lives have a very tricky and fun mood.

Have there been any memorable lives?

EXO-CHIKA: We did a live at Japan’s most famous disco, "Velfarre", this Halloween. The audience were dressed up and it was the most fun.

In February,you’re going to do a tour, "Gothic & Electro Blizzard", in Germany with Sins of the Flesh and The Pussybats. Are you looking forward to it?

EXO-CHIKA: Of course! It’ll be the first time we’ve played a live for a foreign audience.
RAVEMAN: Because I have influences from techno and New Wave, Germany is the country I most wanted to go to.

Do you think it will be any different to performing in Japan?

EXO-CHIKA: Regrettably. there are various problems and we won’t be able to do the live in the style we do it in in Japan. There’s also the difference in languages. But we’ll give the best performances we can on the tour.

Are you working on any new songs at the moment?

RAVEMAN: Of course! We’re completing various styles of songs for our next album.

What does the future hold for Aural Vampire?

RAVEMAN: We want to become a band that transcends and is welcomed by everything - in Japan and overseas, major and indies, overground and underground, live houses and clubs, rock and techno.

Could you give a message to your fans?

EXO-CHIKA: Thank you always for your messages. I’m really glad (to get them).
RAVEMAN: We’ve been preparing our CD to reach people all over the world for a long time. I’m sorry that you’ve had to wait. But please look forward to it going on sale.

Music Samples

Download "Death Folder"

Additional Information

Official Site
Check out Aural Vampire’s Official Site for more information on their history, lyrics, discography, and more!


Aural Vampire @ J-Music Ignited
Click here to see J-Music Ignited’s page for Aural Vampire!

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