SEKAI NO OWARI – Tree

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) How would you describe your sound?

Nakajin: Basically, we are making “pop” music. I can compose a variety of music, but when Fukase sings, our songs instantly sound like pop.

Q) Who are some of your music influences?

DJ LOVE: We have a wide range of influences. Some of them include Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, NOFX, Rancid and System of a Down.

Q) How did the band get their name?

Fukase: I once went through a really traumatic experience. It was such a tough time that I truly thought my world had come to an end. It took a lot of strength and support to start over and begin a new chapter. The group is named after that period in my life. SEKAI NO OWARI translates to the “end of the world” in English.

Q) What is your song writing process like when writing music? Do you need music before you can write lyrics?

Nakajin: Typically, when a melody comes to mind I record it on my voice memo. I’ll go over the dozens and dozens of memos and work off the ones that I feel are best. From there, I’ll make it full length with just guitar and vocals. Then, I’ll record it with DAW and send it to the other members. After that, we get together and play the song through. This helps to discuss the direction we want to go with in regards to arrangement. And then the process repeats itself until we have a finished product that we are excited about. I feel stronger at composing rather than writing. I prefer to come up with an unexpected melody for a lyrical idea that we are working on and then seeing where it takes me musically.

Q) Where do you get the inspiration for your lyrics?

Saori: We get inspired from certain films to random conversation. Whenever I feel something that affects my life in a strong way, I write it down.

Q) What is the feel and vibe like for your album Tree?

DJ LOVE: Fantasy versus reality. Musically, details are very important in expressing *fantasy*. For example, we set off fireworks in order for it to sound real and recorded Fukase’s heartbeat for another track as well.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

Nakajin: I compose and arrange. As I mentioned earlier, I take in the opinions and ideas from my group and then complete the songs. When we record, I’m in charge of the drums, bass, guitar, percussion, all the stringed instruments as well as computer programming. I usually give detailed requests in mixing, too.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

Fukase: I’d love to collaborate with Eminem.

Q) How did it feel having your songs “Anti-Hero” and “SOS” featured in the Attack on Titan movies?

Saori: We were so excited to have had the opportunity to write and perform the theme song for an international movie. It was an honor!

Q) You were the first Japanese act to perform for MTV World Stage Malaysia. What did that honor mean to you?

Nakajin: It was such a special and precious experience for us. It was my first visit to Malaysia. I wouldn’t say it was an easy one. it was actually the first time we performed for an audience in English! However, the crowd was great and I had a fantastic time. It was a great pleasure to be a part of the event.

Q) What can fans expect from a live SEKAI NO OWARI show?

Saori: We make sure to produce an atmosphere that take the audience’s minds off from the mundane. We put a lot of work into our stage production to make that possible.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for  you to connect with your fans?

Fukase: Social media enables us to connect with fans just like we would with friends and that is very important to us. We also are working to create an even larger international fanbase. Social media is an invaluable tool that connects us with fans from around the world.