LOILO - Interview (2024)

LOILO
Interview by Todd Nelson
September 18, 2024

LOILO is a six-piece rock band consisting of Kohaku on vocals, Ryosuke on bass, Kohei on guitar, Nana on keyboards, Mamoru on drums, and Rin on Violin. The band formed in 2022 They recently performed in Osaka and Nagoya this August, coinciding with the release of their second EP Alice and Roxanne which released on August 20th. This will all culminate with the band’s first one man live titled「CALL ME RELIGION」, which will take place at Zirco Tokyo on September 23rd.

Congratulations on the band’s second EP, Alice and Roxanne, and your upcoming live shows, it has to be an exciting time for all of you.

So how did all of the members come together to become LOILO?
If I am not mistaken from what I have seen on social media Kohaku, Rin, and Nana played together in some form prior to LOILO?

Kohaku: Before LOILO started in earnest, the three girls were working together while searching for male members. After the six of us got together, we discussed the direction of the music we wanted to make, and through trial and error, we have come to where we are now.

Rin: Before LOILO started in earnest, we worked for a while searching for members. The two of them were happy to accept my violin, which is rare in a band and would be difficult to handle.

Nana: At first, the female members gathered, and we expanded from there. Before LOILO, the three girls worked together for a while, and from there it led to the launch of LOILO relatively quickly.

How was the name LOILO decided for the band? What is the story behind it? Does it have a special meaning to it?

Kohaku: Rin decided the band name. I had thought up the names for all the bands I had been in up until now. But all of those bands broke up. So I felt a kind of fortune that if I thought of a band name, something bad would happen, so I asked the other members to think of one.

Rin: When we were deciding on a band name, we had a conversation about how “bands with a color in their name will sell,” and how “a band name that’s easy to abbreviate, or a simple, easy-to-remember name is good,” and if we were to include a color, our band’s color was black. When I was searching the internet for black, I found the color “Roiro.” “A beautiful black color like jet black,” I thought it was the perfect color for us to aim for in the future. Also, “roiro” is simple to read and easy to remember. When I suggested it to the members, they immediately decided. “Roiro,” “Roiro,” “roiro”… I tried various spellings, and the one that felt the most right was “LOILO.”

I was wondering if each of you could share with me your musical background and musical tastes/influences, and musical journey that eventually led to coming to LOILO.

Kohaku: I was originally a dancer. At the age of 18, I went to university to become an instructor, not a performer. Until then, I had no experience with singing or music. However, my music career began when a friend who was in a band suddenly asked me to become a vocalist. The band I was in at the time imitated a band called TRAPNEST, which appears in the Japanese manga “NANA,” so it is also the root of my band. I also respect HYDE from L’Arc~en~Ciel.

Rin: As for my musical preferences, I started to like more intense bands, perhaps as a reaction to having only been exposed to classical music when I was little (laughs). After I discovered the band, I also wanted to play the violin in a band, so I came to Tokyo from the countryside. It was difficult to get into a band with a violin, so I first joined as a vocalist, then revealed that I could also play the violin, and tried playing in a band with vocals and violin, and also participated in a net singer’s backing band as a violin, chorus, and keyboard player. Now, I’m finally happy to be included in LOILO as a violinist only. By the way, I’m not good at singing or keyboards.

Nana: I started playing the piano when I was two years old and have been devoting myself to classical music ever since. I also gradually dabbled in the electric organ, clarinet, bass guitar, vocals, drums and guitar, and although I was at a loss, I eventually decided to make use of the piano, which is what I’ve put my most effort into, and so I am working as a keyboardist for LOILO. The reason I chose rock over classical music is because I’m attracted to cool music.

Kouhei: I learned the piano when I was a child. I first touched the guitar when I was in junior high school. After learning about HIDE from X JAPAN, I realized that the music I wanted to express was a combination of strings, piano, and rock, and I thought that with the LOILO lineup, I could make that happen, so I joined.

Mamoru: My parents are involved in traditional Japanese performing arts, so I have been performing on stage since I was a child. I was attracted to rock music in junior high school, and started a band with a friend, and have been continuing ever since, but at the root of it all is my love of the stage. As for LOILO, I was invited by my friend Kouhei, and I thought that I could express myself in a different way from before, so I gladly joined.

Ryosuke: My roots as a bassist are in punk and hard rock, and my roots in composing and arranging are mainly in anime songs. As for how I joined the band, I wanted to try composing with a female vocalist, and I was attracted to a band with a violin, so I joined.

How would you describe the style and sound of the music that LOILO creates? In many of the songs there are elements of rock, jazz, classical, anisong, pop, etc.all blended together resulting in a pretty unique sound.

Ryosuke: When I write songs, I try to fuse genres. I create songs with things like, “Maybe I’ll mix EDM with classical music?” or “Maybe I’ll add a metal phrase to this pop song?” and I create them to create a chemical reaction that only LOILO can produce.

The band’s new EP, Alice and Roxanne, was just released and I have to say it is amazing! Congratulations! This EP seems to have a rockier and heavier sound than the previous EP, was that a point of emphasis when creating the songs for this release?

Ryosuke: I feel like the direction of the sound was decided when “The Empty Cradle” was completed. This time, I created the EP with the sound of this song as the core.

For this EP, in addition to Kohaku, Rin wrote lyrics for the first time, and Nana lyrics for her second. Music has different sounds and styles, but I feel that words do as well. I feel that is apparent when looking at the lyrics each of you wrote, the flow of the words, the metaphors, the ideas explored, and the feelings conveyed.

How would each of you (Kohaku, Nana, and Rin) describe your lyrical style?

Kohaku: I don’t really like lyrics that are just a string of pleasant-to-listen words. I write lyrics like I’m writing a novel. I want people who listen to the songs I write to be immersed in the world of the song as if they were turning the pages one by one and reading the story. Every song has a clear theme and story.

Rin: I recently wrote the lyrics for a song called “Courage”. The composer, Kohei, said that he created this song with emotions such as “jealousy and hatred” in mind, so I made the theme of “jealousy” and the theme of a girl who becomes mad with jealousy and can no longer see what’s going on around her. The melody of the song is visual kei-like, so I also tried to use words that are more like the visual kei I have in my mind.

Nana: I think my style of lyrics is “realistic and human-like”. I write about things I’ve felt in the past, of course, but I also imagine what the scenery would look like for people other than myself, as if I were inside them. I am writing this in the hope that there will be people who can empathize and feel saved by this story.

The EP starts with a surprise. “THE EMPTY CRADLE” is in English! The subject matter of the song is very sad, and something that too many people seem to have experienced. What inspired you to write this song?

Kohaku: As the literal meaning of “THE EMPTY CRADLE” suggests, there is a sad theme of “Where do the souls of children who were cruelly not born into this world go?” The reason I chose this theme this time is that I actually had an older sister who was never born. This is a spiritual story, but I have felt the presence of my older sister since I was a child and sometimes had auditory hallucinations. This experience has had a great influence on my humor and artistic side. When I first heard the demo of “THE EMPTY CRADLE”, I decided to put these feelings that I have always wanted to put into form into this song.

Was there any reason in particular for choosing English lyrics?

Kohaku: One language alone was not enough to turn my feelings that I had been keeping quiet for so long into a song. That’s why I chose English.

I have to say that the vocals on the track sound excellent and still full of emotion. Can you share with us the differences between singing in English versus Japanese? Did you receive any special training when you were recording it?

Kohaku: I took pronunciation lessons to record in English for the first time. Although I struggled with the different sensations when singing in Japanese, I think that this experience has greatly expanded my world of music.

The band has had choreography for “Supreme love for Ester” and now “Courage” for fan participation. What members in the band created the choreography, it looks very cool, and will there be more in the future?

Rin: Kohaku and I discussed and created the choreography for “Courage”. “Courage” is a song with a slightly visual kei band vibe, so I thought that adding choreography would liven up the live show and make it more enjoyable for the audience. I personally want to do more of “Courage” in the future, as it was a big hit when we performed it at a live show.

The EP has a really nice flow to it starting with “THE EMPTY CRADLE” and its tragic story and concluding with an epilogue of sorts to that story with the beautiful “My sister in heaven”. Can you expand on how those two songs are tied together and the idea behind having the story essentially in 2 parts/songs?

Kohaku: “THE EMPTY CRADLE” and “My sister is in heaven” are works that depict the same theme of “children who were never born” from the perspective of yin and yang. The last song, “My sister is in heaven,” is a song that was born from a true incident that happened to me. Alice, who was waiting for a train that never came, was me at 18 years old. I hope that you will feel those things when you listen to the song and read the lyrics.

The songs between “THE EMPTY CRADLE” and “My sister in heaven” are quite different in subject matter and musical styles from the opening and closing tracks, yet listening to all the songs as a whole it really fits together nicely. Lyrics are always open to interpretation, but I was wondering if you could give a brief description of what some of the other tracks are about. I am especially curious about “RADIO DEMON”. Who is the “equal opportunity killer”?

Kohaku: This album is a collection of unique songs that finally came together as if a chemical reaction had occurred. I think it’s a spiritually stirring album that confuses and confuses the dominant hand, yet somehow gives a sense of relief. I wrote the lyrics for “RADIO DEMON” by superimposing myself on Alastor, a serial killer, asexual, cannibalistic deer demon, a character from my favorite A24 animation “HAZBIN HOTEL.”

When it comes to creating your music can you tell me the band’s approach and process? From the start to the end result. I see that Kohei and Ryosuke are listed as composing most of the songs and Kohaku is the primary lyricist, but I was wondering if any other members are involved when it comes to arranging, etc.

Kouhei: Basically, the member who composed the song also composed the detailed arrangements for almost all parts. Because there are many instruments in the band, this is to avoid sound clashes and to clarify the parts that we want to highlight. Due to the characteristics of the guitar as an instrument, the sound range easily clashes with the violin and piano, so when I record, I often decide on the phrases after solidifying the arrangements for the other instruments. In our case, we compose the song first, and then we have each member write the lyrics based on that inspiration.

(To Kohaku) Many of the lyrics that you write are very intense, contemplative, and at times dark and filled with pain or frustration; exploring how people feel about the challenges in their lives, enduring circumstances, and matters of the heart. What inspires you to express these themes in your lyrics?

Kohaku: I have no desire to encourage or support people with the songs I write. That’s because I don’t deserve to. Even if I wanted to write lyrics like that, I couldn’t write anything that goes against my beliefs, even if they were lyrics. So, I want to express the pain, sadness, resentment, and other things I’ve felt all my life through music. I even want to turn the pain in my heart that I can’t do anything about into songs and make people uneasy. It’s a little strange, but that’s me lol

(To Kohaku) This question ties in to the previous one. Technically your vocals are superb but you also are able to convey true emotion and feeling behind the lyrics that you sing. On many songs it feels like you are pouring out your soul. I don’t know if the term is used in Japan, but do you use ‘method singing’ when you record and perform?

Similar to method-acting when an actor places themselves in the character they are playing to achieve a more authentic portrayal. Do you imagine yourself as being the person in your lyrics to enhance your performance?

Kohaku: I’ve never heard the term “method singing” before, but it’s exactly what it sounds like. I’m not good at getting the audience involved and getting the crowd excited, I want to be the storyteller of the song. I think of a live performance as a play, a musical, or a reading.

Related to the previous question, an observation I have had after attending a couple of LOILO’s live shows. The audience reaction to LOILO songs is quite different from most of the other bands I normally see. Many times, the fans are extremely vocal, yelling, and jumping around after a song is played. Even bands that performed the same night as LOILO in front of the same crowd.

With LOILO it is very apparent the fans are enjoying the band’s performance very much, but after each song the reaction is very subdued. I have to believe this is because of the content of the lyrics and the way you express yourself vocally when you sing. The message resonates with them and yelling wouldn’t seem appropriate. I am curious about your thoughts on this?

Nana: LOILO’s music often has lyrics and messages that resonate deeply in the heart, so I think our fans quietly receive and savor those feelings. It’s great to get excited, but I think one of LOILO’s charms is being able to provide a musical experience that allows you to quietly savor the emotions in the moment and leave a deep impression after the show or at some later date.

For each of you what is your favorite LOILO song to perform and why?

Kohaku: My favorite song is “You Are My Religion”. I think this song shows the worldview of LOILO from now on.

Rin: “Supreme love for Ester”. I like the sense of unity in the venue caused by the handclaps, and I personally enjoy jumping around while playing.

Nana: “In a World of Ashes”. It combines my favorite elements of up-tempo, sadness, and coolness, and it’s really fun to play.

Kouhei: “Life-size”. I’m playing it while praising myself for making a good song, not only for the arrangement but also for the guitar solo. lol

Mamoru: It’s “Storyteller”. I think it’s a dramatic song that is typical of LOILO, with both intensity and delicacy.

Ryosuke: “Will forever, I loved you”. The performance is simple, but I personally think this song is the most musical.

LOILO has been in existence for 2 years now, I was wondering if there are any memorable and or funny moments that any of the members have had with each other that each of you would like to share? It could be during recording, at a live concert, on the road, anything.

Mamoru: It was when Kouhei injured his spine and had to leave the band temporarily. I think all of us at the band realized that safety is the most important thing for musicians.

With all the experiences each of you’ve had up to now in the music industry, if you could go back in time to the beginning when you first started and give yourself some advice or wisdom what would it be?

Kohaku: I want to tell my past self not to cry because I will definitely make you happy in the future.

Rin: I guess I should not be too confident in my perfect pitch (laughs).

Nana: Have confidence and be proud of what you think is good.

Kouhei: Don’t forget to have fun, and don’t be afraid to try new things.

Mamoru: Sleep with your sticks in your hand.

Ryosuke: I want to tell myself to make sure I practice the basics properly.

So, the band performed in both Osaka and Nagoya last month. What was it like playing outside of Tokyo?

Nana: The Osaka and Nagoya concerts were so much fun. I was especially happy to be able to meet in person all the people who always support me on social media. I feel a lot of support even through the screen, but it was a special moment to be able to meet in person and express my gratitude. We all pumped ourselves up over the two days to give the best performance possible, feeling everyone’s smiles and cheers!

The band’s first oneman live concert will be happening at Zirco Tokyo on September 23rd! What does this milestone mean for each of you?

Kohaku: It’s been 12 years since I started the band, and this will be my first solo concert. The reason why I haven’t done a solo concert until now is because I “couldn’t do it”. Thanks to the LOILO members, our fans, and myself who never gave up, this dream has finally come true. I think my feelings about this solo concert are stronger than anyone else’s.

Rin: I think this is our true beginning. We’ve been searching for a concept and direction for the six of us for two years, and I think we’ve finally solidified it a little, so we’d like to use this solo concert as a starting point to show the six of us, LOILO.

Nana: This is our first solo concert, so it’s a big step that I couldn’t have imagined two years ago. I’m very emotional because we’ve reached this milestone thanks to the support of our fans. We’ve increased the number and time of rehearsals more than usual and are making thorough adjustments to even the smallest details. We’ll be performing more songs at this concert, so I think we’ll need more stamina and concentration than usual, so we’re all working hard to make sure we can handle that.

Mamoru: This one-man show is a milestone, and I think it will be an opportunity to further power up in the future. Of course, it will be a one-man show, so I will draw the audience into the world of LOILO more than usual.

Was there any special reason why Zirco was selected as the venue?

Kouhei: Zirco Tokyo is also the venue where I first worked after moving to Tokyo. The staff and venue specifications are well understood, and I often work behind the scenes with the band, so it was easy to work with the staff to create a good live show. I promise that this live show will be one where we can do many things that are difficult to achieve in normal times.

With the one man live being a longer concert than normal are there any special preparations that the band is making?

Ryosuke: I am mainly in charge of the sound in the band, so I added more songs and thought up arrangements that are exclusive to this one-man show. I hope that those who are seeing this live show for the first time, those who come to see us regularly, and everyone at the venue will see a new LOILO that is not a culmination, but an even more updated one.

Outside of music and on a more personal note are there any hobbies each of you may have?

Kohaku: Watching movies, anime, and foreign dramas! I’m usually watching them at home when I’m not listening to music or working lol

Rin: Eating ramen

Nana: I like visiting Disney resorts. I’m happy just going to Disney because I like it, and seeing and hearing about Disney-related things, but the most fun part is thinking about how to get around the attractions as efficiently as possible and then putting it into action.

Kouhei: Visiting temples and shrines. Manga “ONE PIECE”

Mamoru: Watching movies, watching kabuki, historical studies, people-watching

Ryosuke: Looking for beautiful women on Instagram

Many of our readers are into music gear so we like to ask bands we interview what gear they use. So, could each of you tell us what you use, and why it suits you?

Kohaku: I used a SHURE BETA58 microphone, and I’ve tried a few different ones, but I’ve finally come back to this one.

Rin: I use a HELIX Line6 effecter. I saw on my blog that a violinist I admire uses one, so I copied him.

Nana: I mainly use a JUNO-Di keyboard. Kohei, the guitarist, lent it to me, as I’d only ever played piano. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for live performances. (I’m not very strong.) It’s easy to use and intuitive, so it’s easy to switch between during rehearsals and live performances. I like it because it fits my musical style perfectly.

Kouhei: In LOILO, we mainly use ESP’s Antelope guitars, as well as Snapper and 7-string guitars for recording. We use Taylor AG. Recently, we’ve been using Fractal effects and Nuclear Custom Sounds cables. The reason we use these is that they’re very tight, have high resolution, and are not prone to quirks, so I think they’re a setup that can be used anywhere.

Mamoru: I use equipment from a variety of manufacturers, but my favorite is the Zildjian ORIENTAL CHINA TRASH 18-inch. It has a fast response, just the right amount of sustain, and feels great to play, so I’ve been using it for many years.

Ryosuke: I use so many basses I can’t list them all here. Lately I’ve been using upright basses and synth basses in addition to electric basses. I like the bass I use most because it can be used in all genres.

This has been a big year for LOILO, what goals does the band have beyond this year?

Kohaku: LOILO has been planning for two years since the formation, and the oneman live concert was the culmination of that plan. If we can achieve our goal with this oneman live concert, we will think about our next goal.

If invited and given the opportunity to perform at a cultural event or convention overseas is that something that the band would be interested in?

Kohaku: Of course! From the beginning, our goal was to work not only in Japan, but also overseas. We are working hard to make it to the world as soon as possible!

Thank you all so much for your time, I am really looking forward to seeing you all at the one man live at Zirco next month!