Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011

By MIKE SUNDA

How was your set at the Red Marquee last night?

80Kidz: Jun and Ali& ALEXIS WUILLAUME PHOTO

Ali& (guitar, vocals): It was so much fun. It really felt like "home." After playing so many shows this year that felt more like "away matches," this set felt like coming back home.

How did it compare to your Fuji Rock set in 2009?

A: It was more fun.

Jun (guitar): Two years ago was our first experience here, so we didn't know what to expect at the time, but this time was different. The audience was great our first time as well, I think they were the same in that respect, but we definitely enjoyed ourselves more this time.

Why do you think the crowd reaction has been so good each time? J: I think it might be because there aren't many Japanese bands who are Western music-oriented like we are. Our songs are pretty simple and easy to dance to, so I think they're suited to big festivals like this.

A: We've had pretty good experiences at festivals so far.

This is your second time on the Red Marquee, would you like to move up to the White Stage next time?

A: Sure, we'd like to play on one of the bigger stages, but I think we're the sort of band that's best after-dark.

J: Especially with the lighting we use.

A: Yeah it won't work unless it's dark. We'd have to get a slot before one of the headliners, so we're going to try our best over the next two years to get to the position where that might be a possibility.

Have you noticed anything different about the festival this year? A: It seems like there are fewer people here. But in a year that has seen the earthquake and so much else happen, I think it really shows how much the people that did come this year love music.

J: I think it's also great how many artists from abroad have come over in spite of all that. I thought that perhaps more would cancel, but that hasn't been the case at all.

What's in the pipeline for the rest of 2011?

J: We're going to start working on our new album, which we hope to release early next year. We've been playing a lot of shows this year, so now we're going to shift our attentions to recording.

Other Music this week
Lesser lights shine amid Fuji Rock rains By MIKE SUNDA	THOUGHTS ON FUJI Noah & the Whale By MIKE SUNDA	THOUGHTS ON FUJI SBTRKT By MIKE SUNDA
THOUGHTS ON FUJI Best Coast By MIKE SUNDA

We welcome your opinions. Click to send a message to the editor.