INTERVIEW ~ Vanished Empire
November 15, 2009
Just after the release of their debut album, the new goth band Vanished Empire took time to answer a few of our questions about themselves and the new album.
Please introduce yourselves and your part.
DJ Chihiro: I am DJ Chihiro, on vocals.
Dee Lee: Lt. Dee Lee on keyboard and programming.
What made you decide to start Vanished Empire?
DJ Chihiro: In 2006, the compilation album named Tokyo Dark Castle was released. Then I asked Dee Lee to write a song for this album. It was Hellfire within me and the audience liked this song. Therefore I wanted to continue to make music with Dee Lee.
How did you decide on the band name?
Dee Lee: The name "Vanished Empire" was not the band name but a song name. We never finished the song but we thought the name might be good for the band.
How would you describe your music?
Dee Lee: Our songs are very dark and have an electro sound influenced by gothic music.
What are your goals with this band?
DJ Chihiro: We are still on the starting line so we haven't thought about any goals with this band yet.
Lt. Dee Lee, you are involved in several other projects. Is it difficult to balance them all?
Dee Lee: Yes, it is very difficult for me... So I quit other projects except Vanished Empire, 2Bullet, and remix works.
How do you feel Vanished Empire compares to other projects you are involved in?
Dee Lee: For example, 2Bullet's concepts are politics and revolution. It is not goth. But I like gothic-based music, so I am happy to work in Vanished Empire and write goth music.
Do you feel being involved in so many projects inspires your music?
Dee Lee: Yes, so many artists in other projects always give me a lot of ideas.
Chihiro, you are also a DJ. Can you tell us a little bit about that? What kind of music do you play?
DJ Chihiro: I play dark electro, horror ebm, and terror ebm. I have been a DJ for 7 years.
How does being a DJ compare to doing music in a band?
DJ Chihiro: As a DJ, I always find good music. Listening to other good music gives me inspiration.
You just released your first album, Theater of Tragedy. What is the concept of this album?
Dee Lee: This album will be the first contact of Vanished Empire for a lot of listeners around the world. So I tried to make this album become the flag-ship of Vanished Empire.
What do you want listeners to feel when they listen to this album?
DJ Chihiro: I will welcome any feeling of our listeners!
You've participated in the goth event Alamode Night before. What can you tell us about this event?
DJ Chihiro: Alamode night is very good event for young people and goth beginners, I think.
Is there any fashion or style you really like from that?
DJ Chihiro: Face painted goth style. (laugh)
What do you like most about being involved in the Japanese goth scene?
DJ Chihiro: There is Goth freedom here. This is it.
What defines "goth" to you?
DJ Chihiro: I think goth is one of the method to express dark feelings like agony, despair, and sorrow.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
DJ Chihiro & Dee Lee: Anime!!
Can you give a message to our readers?
DJ Chihiro: Come to our Empire!
Dee Lee: This is my first time to talk with you. So I am looking forward to seeing you soon from the stage!
interview by Melony; photo courtesy of Darkest Labyrinth
thank you to Darkest Labyrinth for making this possible; thanks to Vanished Empire for taking the time to answer our questions
The album Theater of Tragedy is available on Darkest Labyrinth online store.
links
Vanished Empire Official MySpace
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