SUGIZO: We just play our own style, but I hope our audience will love our style. I have played in the US and Europe many timeѕ, but this will be LUNA SEA’s first time and it's very important. But I love the audience’s mood in these places.
What do you hope the fans reaction will be for LUNA SEA?
SUGIZO: I think I just really want an American style reaction. They’re Americans and they like Japanese music—it’s fantastic! I had the X JAPAN show last night and their feelings were great! Of course the reaction was very different from Japanese fans. They did their best at the show and they really want to follow us. This feeling is so beautiful and I really love it. I would also love for LUNA SEA to have this sort of feeling.
In the last three years, you’ve performed twice as LUNA SEA. What was it like to be on stage with the other members after a long time?
SUGIZO: Playing with LUNA SEA is very natural to me. It was just very natural and it felt like the last time we played together.
So your feelings never changed over time?
SUGIZO: Our feelings never changed but our skill level has. It has gotten really good. For the past seven years, we all have had so many shows and made so much music that our skill haѕ been raised to a much higher level. It is really nice and comfortable now. Music skill level is so important for playing and sending our message.
Do you think that these experiences as a solo artist and with your other bands such as X JAPAN change the way you see or perform LUNA SEA songs in any way?
SUGIZO: Yes of course. My style is just my own style, but my playing style is different. I usually really enjoy different styles and I think I have the capacity for different styles of music. Of course, both my solo work and LUNA SEA’s music come naturally for me. X JAPAN, for example, is really different from my natural playing style. Their style iѕ basically rooted in heavy metal and I haven’t played the heavy metal type of music for a long time. But back then, when I was a high school student, I really loved that style of music, practised a lot and really learned that sort of style. So I already had that type of skill. It's a very good skill to have for the different sides of my guitar playing.
So you learn diverse guitar skills?
SUGIZO: Yes! I can learn any type of guitar skills. This is a very special thing. I am not a beginner now; I have been playing guitar for 25 yearѕ, but I still have so many challenges and difficulties. I am a very lucky guy, but I think I should learn more. I am still a student!
Are you still learning the violin?
SUGIZO: Yes of course. I have been doing shows where I have played just the violin for the past few years and I think my skills have been getting better recently. When I played with LUNA SEA during the 1990’s, my violin part was very little. I didn’t need any practice. Recently, however, I needed to play the violin more and more! It's very good for my violin skills. I play it better in certain aspects. For example, in improvisation, playing the violin iѕ better for me. I don’t know why, but the melodies are freer for me. When just playing, or when I need something more rhythmic, the guitar iѕ better. It is very different. I should play the violin more, especially in X JAPAN. All of a sudden, I must play more and play new songs I have never played before. And suddenly, I must learn. Anything in X JAPAN’s schedule can suddenly be changed!