MIYAVI is a samurai guitarist, conquering the world for Japan with the only weapon he knows how to use: his guitar. But this visual kei idol turned CEO of a management company hasn’t always been his own feudal lord. Starting out in the short-lived band Due le Quartz, MIYAVI had to go through being just another struggling guitarist to a guitar ronin before he could set his sights on ruling Japan and lands overseas.
Before he launches his North American Circuit tour, MIYAVI made some time for an in-depth chat with us about the beginnings, music, business, and future of this fierce musical warrior.
Interview part 2 – Click here to read part 1
pSKY: So, you appeared alongside SUGIZO, YOSHIKI, and GACKT for S.K.I.N. How were you approached to join the band? I remember you were the last one to join…
MIYAVI: I was the last one to join. Actually, YOSHIKI just invited me. He called me and told me about the band. He said it was the last band for him. I was really impressed at how serious he was. It was really serious. He was seriously speaking to me about the band. He was really passionate.
pSKY: What did he say?
MIYAVI: He said this was going to be his last band. Of course, he’s getting old. Everyone’s getting old. So he said, “This will be my last band.” He wanted to make it the perfect band from Japan. So that’s why I was impressed and just said, “Ok! Of course I’ll say yes. I respect you.”
pSKY: Were you surprised that he wanted to debut it in the United States?
MIYAVI: No, I was not surprised.
pSKY: Why do you think he didn’t want to do it in Japan?
MIYAVI: We were planning on doing it in Japan too after the US. Something happened. (laughs)
PS: I won’t ask.
MIYAVI: (laughs)
pSKY: Why debut in the US?
MIYAVI: It wasn’t a debut. It was a pre-show. And it was the last show.
pSKY: How do you feel about that?
MIYAVI: I was cool. We all wanted to keep doing it, but there were so many difficult things, you know?