INTERVISTE/ARTICOLI

TRANSLATION ORICON.CO.JP: GACKT Looks Back on the “Paris Discrimination Furor” "I live by my own standards" - July 8th 2015

GACKT, who celebrates the 15th anniversary of his solo debut, has released the remix album 『GACKTRACKS-ULTRA DJ ReMIX-』. Today, in ORICON STYLE's interview with GACKT, we spoke about his beliefs and way of life as a musician who sticks to his own style, and his opinion of the rock genre. We also revisited the recent hot topic of the discrimination incident in Paris.

◆Because of this personality, starting from around me, the viruses and foreign matter will be dealt with

――Amongst the 14 people involved in this remix, there were high profile members like DJ KOO-san, Marc Panther-san, ROCKETMAN and Fukawaryo-san amongst others. Were you acquainted with them before this?
【GACKT】　That is a common misunderstanding but, I've never met with them before. The only person I was acquainted with was Marc, if we met it's more like 「It's been awhile, how're you?」, but just with that you can't say that we're really close. That's why, because this isn't an album that came about due to connections, I'm on the contrary happy that they were willing to take it on, and I was also pretty surprised with the final product. Even for my lives, in other words, I don't have any connections because I've never had a DJ do arrangements for me, I would even go as far as to say that in the first place I have few musician friends.

――Because you don't want to talk about music?
【GACKT】　Yeah, it's not interesting, if you talk about things related to music. Because everyone has their own opinion, I don't want to have drinks while talking about what's correct or wrong. If that happens, you'll definitely refute each other, and your conclusions will clash right? Especially once you start talking about music theory, since I did that before when I was younger, when you say 「that's not right」, the places where the other person is wrong becomes distinct. Furthermore, refuting each other won't make you grow closer. Frankly, if you guys are people who can come to a mutual conclusion, then there isn't any need for such a conversation in the first place. Rather it's the people who can't sell their opinion who are earnest about such conversations. Saying things like 「“Music” is ……」. Then, guys like that will say 「Isn't that right, GACKT-san! 」, and I have no choice but to say 「Hm... That's nice, if that's how you like it」 （laughs）. When that happens the speaker's position will get demolished. Also, the music industry is a vertical world but, because of my character I do things with absurdity so... ... I guess you can say starting from around me, the viruses and foreign matter will be dealt with……（laughs）.

――No way, no way, rather it's that people around you will get humbled?
【GACKT】　No~, aren't there quite a number of people who think that I'm a difficult person? Since everyone knows I'm stoic. Furthermore, right now I'm more mellow but because in the past I was quite short tempered, so because there's the risk of that, most wouldn't think of wanting to get close （laughs）. That's why, character-wise, those who I get along with are politicians or martial artists, since long ago there were also many who were in the IT industry or businessmen. That's why, often there are younger kids who ask me things like 「what's your job? 」. Although the genre is completely different （laughs）.

◆If I don't live with rock, I can't live as “GACKT” （laughs）

――With GACKT-san's way of carrying yourself, even people who are not fans will know that you're someone to be reckoned with right. Like when you mentioned in a previous blog post about the discrimination problem you experienced in a Parisian cafe. Around the world you've been asked for comments but, what do you think of that "advisory" position?
【GACKT】　For me, I'm not concerned about how the world's current trends perceive which is right and which is wrong. I live by my own standards, and even if the people 50 or a 100 years later look back and find it interesting that someone like me has been around, I'm okay with that. I, myself, don't think that my actions were wrong. Just that it can't be said that I'm 100% correct either.

――So you mean on one hand "not wrong = a belief" but "correct = valuing diversity"?
【GACKT】　Right. To me, it's like I just have a steadfast belief that I wasn't wrong. I don't think that we have to live in accordance will all the values of a diverse world. In actuality, I'm living with my own motives. So, honestly, there are times where I feel that it's hard to grow. Because I'm also an easy target for the media to attack, there are still guys who just attack right? But, I'm good. However, if I really did something that is wrong, I would have disappeared right? （laughs）. Besides, if a musician cannot express his way of life, what kind of musician is that. If you bend over and live your life hiding just stop being a musician, because that's not what rock is about. That, perhaps, is an old part of me, if you ask me 「what is rock?」, won't I be able to say「I am what rock is」?

――I see, it's the result of you expressing your way of life by sticking to your own beliefs as a musician.
【GACKT】　Because if I don't live with rock, I can't live as “GACKT” （laughs）. Because I'm thinking of entering the eyes of the world more from here on, I'm not living in Japan now. However, by doing this, looking at Japan from the outside, I know very well that the "national isolation climate" still continues on today which makes it lag behind. And, I also know that because of that Japan has missed out on many chances along the way. Since that's the case, I decided to start with myself working in the world as a Japanese, so now, I've left Japan. However, this is definitely not an easy road. If I quietly remained in Japan I wouldn't get attacked, and it wouldn't cost money either. But I will boldly choose the difficult path. That's my way of life.

Source: Oricon.co.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

© GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

[NEW PHOTOS] GACKTracks release party: Hideki Matsuda Instagram - July 4th 2015

Photos from last night's party thanks to Hideki Matsuda Instagram!

Source: Hideki Matsuda Instagram

by Erika

TRANSLATION EXCITE.CO.JP: Remix Album by GACKT & Prominent DJs Completed "Do it however you like!" - June 30th 2015

In the late May, I was blessed with material for a chance to interview GACKT for the first time in awhile. World renowned Japanese DJs have come together to work on『GACKTRACKS-ULTRA DJ ReMIX-』, which was to be released right before his birthday (4 July) on the 1 of July. On hindsight, maybe its because of his injuries or something else, GACKT mildly started responding to the interview with a nonchalant expression, all while perched on a balance ball. No matter how short the period of time, he is one who definitely won't sit idle without a goal. A few years back, even while having a shoot for a certain book, deciding not to waste the time he spends waiting for set changes, I recall the image of GACKT quietly reciting and repeating words in a foreign language, which is still superimposed in the 2015 GACKT.

GACKT, the perfectionist and wholehearted creator who is thorough with his particularities down to the details of performances, has, in this work, surprisingly revealed that he has left the selection of DJs and the songs that they take on up to themselves. To understand the reason behind this, I openly asked him for an interview. In addition, GACKT has announced that after the 【LAST VISUALIVE TOUR】 he will be taking a break from "VISUALIVEs" his signature stage shows which combines live concerts with visual expression. In all of that, what are sentiments does the multi-faceted performer, GACKT, live by these days? I ask about his current position, and understand his emotions more.

※Clothes：Vest（SHELLAC）、denim belt boots（VILLAGE）、accessory set（GEMCEREY）

"Because it exceeded everyone's expectations, I thought「it's great that we did this」, and it inspired me quite a bit."

――While listening and enjoying the music, I had an unexpected discovery that GACKT's songs, even the ballads could even be arranged to dance beats. In the first place, what made you want to create a concept like this?

GACKT： With the assumption that we're going in the direction of starting on the【LAST VISUALIVE TOUR】soon, there was the flow of wanting to speed up and get people excited. Thus, the idea was born when I started thinking, "Not only to my current fans, if I could convey the songs to people I've yet to touch...", with the songs that have created by GACKT until now. So while wondering how many of the DJs, who represent Japan internationally, will be interest in participating, I reached out to them and they took up the idea faster than expected. I intended to pick on a first-come-first-serve basis but, when rumours of this project spread, there were others who came up requesting to be involved as well. That's why, I'm confident that we probably will do another one? It's really great.

――For example, like deciding which person gets to remix which song, what was the feel of GACKT-san's direction?

GACKT： None none none! I already told them,「Do it however you like!」. This time, I didn't dish out a single order. I, myself, was initially a little worried and wondered「Is my voice suitable for DJ remixes?」, but against all odds I was surprised by the results. When listening to my voice as an instrument, I felt「Ah, so this is how it gets fit in」, and that was what surprised me the most.

――Did you get to hear the different stages during production? Or did you straight away listen to the final product?

GACKT： I did listen to the work in progress. Also, I though I might yell out「NO」in the middle of it but, in the end there was none of that, we progress with me exclaiming「This is amazing!」. My surprise was in the sense of "you can even remix this song!?". Like for「WHITE LOVERS -Shiawase na Toki-（DAICHI YOKOTA ReMIX）」and「Kimi ni Aitakute（Janzzin'park D＆B Remix）」and others. Including「Akatsukizukuyo -DAY BREAKERS-（el poco maro ReMIX）」and「Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto（TJO＆YUSUKE from BLU-SWING ReMIX）」too. I was surprised by「Koakuma Heaven（FMP EURODISCO MIX）」too.

――「Koakuma Heaven」was similar in style to new wave music, and it felt fresh.

GACKT： That's right. Furthermore, the whole thing was in minor right? I was really moved by that, I thought「This is awesome! To think the same song can become something so different」. As it far exceed my own expectations, as expect this was enjoyable. Generally because many of my songs are quite heavy, much of the time one has to really focus while listening to it. However, I guess you could say that overall, the music this time around can be listened to pleasantly. With this time's album, when I listened to it in that way, there are many songs where I can inadvertently say「This is pretty cool!」. On the whole, all the DJ's approaches are really cool but, for「WHITE LOVERS～」and「JESUS（TeddyLoid ReMIX）」,「OASIS（MITOMI TOKOTO ReMIX）」somehow, I thought「Amazing!」. When I listen to DJ KOO-san's「CLAYMORE（ULTRA DJ ReMIX／DJ KOO）」, I even got goose bumps.

――DJ KOO-san was quite heavily involved in this project, or so I heard.

GACKT： Yes, in the sense that he did a substantial amount of research. I'm happy, I' really thankful. Until this, we had nothing to do with each other besides when we happen to meet during TV programs. Amongst all the collaborating DJs this time, honestly the only person who I've met, spoken to, had drinks with, and connected personally is Mark（「CUBE（DanceFloorExperience MiX／MARK PANTHER）. However, because everyone really exceeded my expectations, I thought「it's great that we did this」, and it inspired me quite a bit. There are times when it boils down to wanting to go in the direction that you want to go in on your own but, by broadening out like this, it makes me think「Ah, so there are things like that too」. Things like that make me glad. Overall, including the song order and the music video, to leave everything to someone else's discretion, it is a first for me but, I really got to feel everyone's talent and abilities. Because if I gave out orders instead, the merits of that person will definitely be shut away. Saying「If you don't do it like this, it's unacceptable」「If you don't do it like that, it's unacceptable」right from the start will make things uninteresting. Because these guys already have their own tastes, and also when you line them up amongst other DJs they're already famous in their own right, I believe each of them are definitely hyped in their own way. They probably also have the sense of「not wanting to lose」...

――That's true. However, it's also amazing that GACKT-san can get used to the feeling of leaving it up to someone else. Because I believe that this wouldn't be possible unless you had a certain amount of respect for the other party.

GACKT： Anyway they are people who are representing Japan on the global stage with their own international activities, I definitely hold respect for them. Just that, nevertheless, there are often cases when once it comes to work, we step into another dimension. When I wonder「What's the point of showing off the talents of these people……?」, I settled down with the conclusion,「In any case, this time, it's better if I don't do anything」（laughs）.

Release information
Remix Album
『GACKTRACKS -ULTRA DJ ReMIX-』
2015.07.01リリース

【GACKT STORE Limited Edition】CD＋DVD
GLCD-00012/B / ￥5,800（without tax）
※Special LP sized jacket
※Includes lyric card in poster form
【Normal Edition】CD
GLCD-00013 / ￥2,800（without tax）

［Song list］
1.ANOTHER WORLD（☆Taku Takahashi ReMIX）
2.JESUS（TeddyLoid ReMIX）
3.キミのためにできること（TJO & YOSUKE from BLU-SWING Re-MIX）
4.REDEMPTION（STUDIO APARTMENT ReMIX）
5.CUBE（DanceFloorExperience MiX / MARC PANTHER）
6.WHITE LOVERS -幸せなトキ-（DAICHI YOKOTA ReMIX）
7.LU:NA（DJ OMKT ReMIX）
8.OASIS（MITOMI TOKOTO ReMIX）
9.CLAYMORE（ULTRA DJ ReMIX / DJ KOO）
10.小悪魔へヴン（FPM EURODISCO MIX）
11.SECRET GARDEN（Jazztronik ReMIX）
12.キミに逢いたくて（Jazzin'park D&B ReMIX）
13.暁月夜 -DAY BREAKERS-（el poco maro ReMIX）
14.忘れないから（ROCKETMAN ReMIX）
＜DVD＞ ※Only included with GACKT STORE Limited Edition
GACKTRACKS MEGA MIX Music Clip

Live information
【GACKTRACKS -ULTRA DJ ReMIX-』Release Party】
July 3 2015（Fri）Shangri-la Tokyo 27F Ballroom
※All-night event
For more details ：https://www.gackt.com/page/GACKTracks/

【GACKT's 42nd BIRTHDAY PARTY ～It seems like 2016's LAST VISUALIVE will be starting soon. How's everyone's KiAi? Are you guys revved up?? Our members are filled with KiAi and for this birthday event as well, it'll be pretty exciting. But, the thing you're most interested in is the LAST VISUALIVE right? How will this tour turn out? Since it's soon, won't everyone think about it together? Eh, really!! But if it's going to be like that, this time, you'll definitely have to come, you might even witness history in the making~!!】
4 July 2015（Sat）Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel　THE CLUB Fuji
For more details：https://www.gackt.com/news/

【Kishidan Banpaku 2015】
19 Sep 2015（Sat）Chiba Prefecture, Sodegaura Seaside Park
※Performance by「GACKT presents Camui♂Gakuen」
For more details：http://www.kishidanbanpaku.com

Related links
GACKT Official Site

Source: Excite.co.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

© GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

TRANSLATION ORICON.CO.JP: GACKT reveals the current conditions of the modern music industry "This is a moment that will go on till the death" - July 3rd 2015

GACKT reveals the current conditions of the modern music industry "This is a moment that will go on till the death"

The solo artist GACKT, after reaching the 15th Anniversary, will start the sales of the new remix album『GACKTRACKS-ULTRA DJ ReMIX-』.This time, GACKT accepted an interview with ORICON STYLE and talked about the current modern music industry's situation, about how to put the media's insults aside, and in the end, about loneliness and how you can get a more peaceful and vibrant point of view.

◆「Rock」is a way of life, it can't be controlled by anyone.

――What were the demands you made to the DJs regarding this project??

【GACKT】I've been asked several times but no, I had absolutely no demands. For this reason, I made sure DJs could choose lyrics and songs all by themselves. So I just asked that each of them would put part of their identity in it. If they had used my voice only, that same atmosphere wouldn't be created, maybe it was better like that... Once I heard the finished work I realized it wasn't a mistake to leave also my original voice, since we couldn't go without it.

――And what would happen if it won't convince?

【GACKT】If it would be unsuccessful at the end, I would close the album distribution. Cause it's not something I'm doing for me and for the DJs, but I'm doing it for all the people listening to me. If I was about to release a product that wouldn't satisfy anybody for its quality, nobody will buy it. If it were to be released anyway, it wouldn't have my name for sure. I think that also the DJs can understand that, music is not something done just for selling right? If we base on the need to sell their own albums, the music will end up to be a failure. Today, unfortunately we are noticing this phenomenon more and more.

-GACKT, there have been many "monetary issues" during these 15 years?

【GACKT】It's right. I've always thought of having to make a line of sales but I never did. For this reason every time they asked me to do that, I've always turned over the question. Anyway in any case, I kept on going on my way, so writing songs that just I could sing. Why should I sing just when my fans can listen to me? Business should be due to end in 3 or 4 years but since rock is a style of life, the more I do it the more I want to do it. For this reason I have no intention to end this lifestyle within 3 or 4 years, but I don't wan't to be controlled by anyone either. This is the belief that I created for myself so far, during these 15 years as GACKT.

◆The one who wrote that criticism should have a very low level of understanding!

――Thanks to your prowess and methodology you have been able to build an unique position for yourself

【GACKT】But lately, in the worldwide news articles with titles similar to 「How come that GACKT, even if he's not able to sell cd, is able to have such a way of life? 」are starting to cross. After seeing it, I understood that the one writing it had to have a very low level of understanding. Musician's life is not about just selling CDs. In order to improve the CDs selling, you need to go around to shake hands around is something IDOLish. CD releasing is collapsed from when iTunes was developed, artists going on selling CD and only this, for sure they have to be able to overcome difficult moments until reaching extinction. From the moment I understood this thing, I decided to create a new musical style, to live better. I'd want to tell people of the world, that maybe have not realized that yet, that the real profit is not the concert's or live's one , but it's something else.

――What do you think it was the reason which led you to a so great success and to get your own style, GACKT?

【GACKT】Since anyone is having their own mind, I have to say I have not a precise idea about how GACKT was able to achieve this success. But I have to say basically that I'm earning a lot of money in my life. I'd want to say that anyway you shouldn't definitely use a public figure as their own alter-ego . Cause of that every time I had some difficulty I have never used GACKT's ways. Actually this identity brought another result to this, meaning the understanding that I can have a profit also from other things. These are the reasons why I decided to go on having GACKT's style so far.

◆If I wasn't born into the rock, I wouldn't have to create GACKT (ahahah)

――GACKT, this style of yours has become highly sought, your fans go crazy with it too! Yesterday your racial discrimination's experience in that Parisian Coffee was still mentioned. There were comments from all over the world, so, what's your opinion about it?

【GACKT】I don't care too much about what's wrong and what's good with my climate in the world and how I'm considered. I just live according to my criteria, when people will look back at last within 50 or 100 years , and they will understand how much they entertained this guy, it will be sure a good thing. About myself, I never thought that I made a mistake. But I didn't say that's 100% sure.

――To avoid mistakes you must: believe, and to appreciate diversity is correct. Uhm, what do you mean?

【GACKT】Well, according to myself I think that if you don't want to go wrong, you should be firmly sure about something. I don't think we should live dealing with different world's values. In fact, it would be selfish. Honestly, I think that who is like that, he should feel very strong. Maybe media attacked me cause I'm a weak person? But anyway, well done. I wonder, if I made a mistake in the past, why they didn't make me disappear? (ahahah) In addition, since they couldn't point the finger against other musicians, against what you could do it? If I was forced to live like everyone is doing in some kind of prison, closed behind a lock, I would stop being a musician for sure, this is not rock at all! This reminds me of past moments, when I go back to the question「What's rock? 」, I tended to answer 「Rock, it's me!」.. Right?

――Of course I think that it expresses real musicians' way of life very well..

【GACKT】What I should say, if I wasn't born into the rock, I wouldn't create GACKT. From today on I'm willing to enter the worldwide's field of view, so I'm not living in Japan currently. For this reason, when I look at Japan from outside, I notice the damage received from the isolation period. Also, cause of that, everyone is trying to leave that country no matter what. I thought of going overseas first of all as a Japanese for this reason, but now, I moved away from my country. Anyway it's not an easy situation. If I should be in Japan, I wouldn't be able to earn money for sure. But I chose a way maybe too difficult for me, but this is my lifestyle after all.

Source: www.oricon.co.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

© GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel