Kanon x Kanon: The Euro 2011 Tour Finale Interview
20 November, 2011 Leave a comment
On Friday 18 November 2011, visual duo Kanon x Kanon (pronounced ‘Kanon Kanon’) concluded their debut European tour with a performance at the O2 Bar Academy in Islington, London. The pair had been to Europe and the UK previously, but with their respective other projects; gothic Lolita cello-vocalist Kanon Wakeshima had performed a charity performance at Hyper Japan in London, while Kanon, the male bass-player of the popular oshare kei group An Cafe had been to Europe and the UK on several occasions with the band.
We caught up with the twosome in London for a chat about miracles, double decker buses, and their plans for 2012… and is that a hint from Kanon that An Cafe will be back next year? Read on and find out.
In the meantime, Kanon x Kanon’s digital EPs are available now in the UK, more information on these is available on our site by clicking here.
For live photos from Kanon x Kanon’s London live performance, check out JPU buddy Kevin Gilvear’s gallery of the evening by clicking here, and also by viewing our slideshow at the end of this interview.
You’ve both played and visited Great Britain before, please tell us about your impressions of it.
Kanon says:
“I love the buildings and architecture here, they’re so cute! I could walk around British towns all day long and never be bored.”
Kanon says:
“Double decker buses!
They are cool.”
What can we expect in 2012 from Kanon x Kanon?
“We want to visit more places and maybe release some new songs, but we’re doing things at our own tempo.”
After touring with the all-boy company of An Cafe, how do you find touring with a girl?
“Aaaaaaah…. touring with the An Cafe guys is great!
I miss touring with the boys…”
And how’s life on tour with a boy for you, Ms. Wakeshima?
“Yes.
It’s ok. :)”
The internet has been rife with rumours that An Cafe will be back in the summer of 2012, are these rumours true?
“An Cafe is still on hiatus…
But there’s always a chance that we’ll get back together.”
And what are your plans for your solo career, Kanon Wakeshima?
“I’ve been conducting my solo shows in Japan for the past few months. They’ll run for four consecutive months in total, and the final date of the tour will happen when I return to Japan. The tour is produced entirely by myself and the songs I play are my new songs, which I also produced. I’m hoping that these songs will go towards my next album.”
Tonight is the final date of your Kanon x Kanon x Kanon Euro Tour 2011, what have been the highlights?
“I had some technical problems with my DJ set in Moscow. It was the first date of the tour and I was worried I’d have problems for all the dates. But now the tour is over I feel relieved that there wasn’t any major problems.”
“For me, the biggest highlight was visiting new countries for the first time and having the people welcome us with so much energy. Their energy gives me the power to continue. Thank you all so much.”
On this tour, Kanon Wakeshima allowed fans to request anime themes for her to cover. Did some of their choices surprise you?
“Yes! Pandora Hearts! I’m surprised people outside of Japan know this anime, it’s kind of niche in Japan. So I was wondering how they know it.”
“‘Moonlight Densetsu‘ from Sailor Moon! There were so many requests for this song. I was also surprised, like Kanon, at how European people watch and learn about anime. There was lots of requests from K-On!, it made me think ‘hmm, is K-On! popular in Europe?'”
Were there any anime songs that Kanon secretly requested for Kanon Wakeshima to play?
“Yes! You can guess my request, you saw it when you arrived.” [when I got to the venue, I caught Kanon playing around with Miku Hatsune stuff – Tom]
Which Japanese artists do you think we should keep an eye on in 2012?
“Tom H@ck! He worked on a lot of the music from K-On! and these songs have become so popular in Japan. He’s a great musician and a great guitarist. I think 2012 will be a big year for him.” [He also works heavily with the visual kei group SuG – Tom]
“Hmm, I’m not really into current pop music so I’m not sure… but idol groups have become popular again, so maybe they will continue to be strong next year.”
It’s almost the end of the year, do you have any new year resolutions for 2012? And did you achieve your resolution for this year?
“Yes, I accomplished this year’s resolution. And next year I will be very busy, so my resolution is to work hard.”
“I can’t remember my resolution from last year…
But for 2012 I want to make miracles!”
Do you have any final messages for fans in the UK?
“As always, thank you for your support UK! I will try my best, both in Kanon x Kanon and in An Cafe, if we decide to start again. Eitherway, please support me.”
“Tom, thank you for always supporting me. And thank you to the people of Great Britain too, of course. I’m thinking of creating some new and exciting for next year, so I hope people will enjoy it.”
Here are some images of Kanon x Kanon’s London show, courtesy of Kevin Gilvear.
About Tom Smith
Japan Underground | JPU Records Ltd. 