Black Love Fantom
Interviewer, writer: 1-5Band Members: Isawo (Vocals/Programmer), Naoyuki (Guitar), KAZ (Bass)
Questions Answered by: Isawo
A mix of new wave, electro-industrial, rock and electro-pop, and stating influences as varied as David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Kenji Sawada, Nat King Cole and Elvis, Tokyo band Black Love Fantom are certainly different. Originally called Black Phantom and then Black Fantom, the band have played numerous lives in Tokyo since they began in 2002, as well as releasing singles, the most recent of which is titled "Ikarosu no kuroi tsubasa".JMI was given the opportunity to interview Isawo, the vocalist of Black Love Fantom.
Why is the band called "Black Love Fantom"?
Though I took inspiration from "Phantom Of The Opera" at first and introduced myself as "BLACK PHANTOM" and thought to do Gothic (music), the direction gradually changed, whilst I continued performing, and I became very interested in the word "love" when I thought about the concept of the band. I wanted to put it in the center of the concept and put "love" in the middle. The spelling of "PHANTOM" then turned into "FANTOM", (because) "FANTOM" has more of an impression of speed than the name "PHANTOM.". Thus it became the current (name) "BLACK LOVE FANTOM". The current concept of BLACK LOVE FANTOM is "DEAD" "LOVE" "HORIZON" or "Romantic motorcycle gangs. An image of " running to the horizon at full speed through the interstice of love and death.
When did you start performing music?
I first came into contact with music at the age of 3. I was impressed when I heard the Francis Lai composition (which was the) theme of the French movie "Uh Homme Et Une Femme". Everything I ask for is in this music. It is gentlemanly and bewitching, with a touch of sorrow... it’s very important music in my life. I always think that I want to become the man whom this music suits. I began a piano at 5 years old and played Chopin, Liszt, Debussy willingly. At the age of 17 years old, I made a technopop band for a school festival. That was my first band performance.
How do you think your music has changed since then?
There are great bands named YMO, Complex, Buck-Tick, and Soft Ballet in Japan, and I think that my life went mad because of the impact of coming into contact with that music when I was a high school student. After that, when I went to university, I learnt a lot about New wave, Alternative & Punk, Brit pop, Techno and Electric Body Music from a senior. That senior was also BLACK LOVE FANTOM’s guitarist, naoyuki..
When you’re writing songs, what/who are your inspirations?
Though I take inspiration from movies, books and the news, recently, I have valued the words and sounds that come naturally to me. After that, David Bowie. Everything he does is exciting and challenging, and that is the best textbook for me.
What do you think is important when writing songs?
For a song with a fast tempo, the key, song name and feeling of speed are important. When comparing it to a car, the model being a number, when it’s (called) " 200 " you think the speed is slow and when it’s (called) " 2000GT " you think it’s fast. I regard that kind of sense as important. Songs with a slow tempo are solely dramatic and romantic, and then sentimental and tearful.
Which is your favourite Black Love Fantom song?
I’m thinking hard because they’re all like my children, if I were to choose one, perhaps it would be "B.L.F.". Because that song is a self-introduction and it’s the best one to play live.
[B.L.F]-Live Edit- (Promotion Video)Words and Song- Isawo, Remix- Kazta A, Picture Edit- Tokky
Watch it on YouTube
Watch it on Google Video
Which artists have influenced you?
David Bowie, Bauhaus, The Cure, Japan, Duran Duran, Braian Eno, Kraft Werk, Visage, Zaine Griff, Neu, Suede, My Bloody Valentine, Placebo, The Style Council, Joy Division, Nick Cave, Killing Joke, Sex Gang Children, The Stalin, DAF, Nitzer Ebb, Front242, KMFDM, Ministry, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson,Rammstein, Thee Michell Gun Elephant, Blankey Jet City, Kenji Sawada (He is Japanese David Bowie), Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, Nat King Cole, Francis Lai, The Carpenters, Antonio Carlos Jobim,etc...
Why is the title of your most recent single "Ikarosu no kuroi tsubasa" ("Black Wings of Icarus")?
I took inspiration from a Greek myth and wanted to write a song that applied it to us who live in the present day. The title comes from the line "his wings are scorched jet-black by the sun and he crashes".
On "Ikarosu no kuroi tsubasa" you worked with Takmi (Filter Fish, pull the plug) and Akira (custom mummy, Kwick Kick Mummy Lee). Are there any other artists you’d like to work with in the future?
Takmi and Akira and Kazta are very wonderful artists. They brought out a new side to us. I think that there are also a lot of other wonderful artists in Japan. The artists I’d like to perform with now are:
David Bowie
Daniel Ash
Bernard Butler
Trent Reznor
Serge Gainsbourg
Masami Tsuchiya
Tomoyasu Hotei
Keigo Oyamada
Hisashi Imai
Kazuhumi Miyazawa
Yasuharu Konishi
BRAIN DRIVE
GUITER WOLF
Ken Morioka
Tim Burton
Which do you prefer: live performances or recording?
Absolutely live performances. Because I think myself to be not only a musician but also an actor, the stage is everything. Also, I can feel "I’m alive" because everyone can feel the unity. One meaning of a live is "sex" D Come to watch a live because you don’t need to listen to the CD!
Has there been a memorable live?
All live performances.
Do you want to play lives outside Japan?
Of course! We’re very interested in what kind of reaction a foreign audience would have to us.
What will the band be doing in the future?
We’re releasing a new CD and want to do a tour. Of course we want to try to go abroad.
Please could you give a message to your fans?
I love youI
I want youI
I need youI
I hate you...
Music Sample:
|
Ikarosu no Kuroi Tsubasa |
Additional Information
Official SiteCheck out Black Love Fantom’s Official Site for more information on their history, lyrics, discography, and more!
Black Love Fantom @ J-Music Ignited
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