interview ~ auncia: July 4, 2009
Anime Expo - Los Angeles, CA
auncia made an appearance at Anime Expo. We sat down to learn a little bit about the lives of this young band.
Please tell us about the name "auncia."
Hikari: Yes, the name auncia means "chain" in Spanish. We picked it because it had a meaning like connecting bonds. We found the meaning in a spanish dictionary.
Auncia went major recently. What was the most exciting prospect of going major?
Hikari: Going from indies to majors is the key to coming to America, so it's important.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
TATSUKI: Marilyn Manson, and I love Hakuei from Pencillin.
Hikari: Tommy Lee from Aerosmith, SUGIZO, and L'arc~en~Ciel.
Jin: Motley Crue, Metallica, Kiyoshi of Machine and hide with Spread Beaver.
Yosuke: I like Zebrahead, and the bassist of Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Also Maximum the Hormone! They are good!
How would you describe auncia's sound?
Hikari: Rock! Positive rock!
Where do you see yourselves in ten years?
TATSUKI: Hmm I want to be positive and young for the rest of my life. I want to be on stage all the time!
Yosuke: Anything as long as it's related to music!
Hikari: Maybe not in ten years but I'd like to produce, but maybe by then I might be too old for it!
Can you tell us about auncia's future plans?
Hikari: Yes, we're hoping to have a new album out by next year and our solo concert the beginning of next year.
Let's talk clothes. What are your favorite styles?
TATSUKI: Black and white, and then... tight and stylish!
Hikari: I like being casual.
Jin: I like being naked.
Hikari: I like brands but whatever looks best on me is more important.
TATSUKI: Design brands are important.
How about favorite food? You must have noticed how big food in America is.
Hikari: Yeah, the size of the food is HUGE! But we like hamburger of course.
TATSUKI: I like anything my friend cooks!
Yosuke: Cornwrap.
Jin: I like spinach...and eggplant...and broccolli.
What place in America would you like to visit?
Hikari: Hard Rock Cafe! We all want to go.
Hollywood?
Hikari: Maybe! I want to leave my handprint on the Chinese Theater. Can I make an appointment? (laughs)
This venue is an anime convention. What anime shows do you watch?
TATSUKI: Dragonball. I like Vegeta. He's cool.
Hikari: Bleach!
Yosuke: Bleach! Zombie Powder.
Jin: Muscle Man and Crayon Shin-chan.
Hikari: Actually...Yosuke draws pretty well.
Really? He should draw future covers for you.
auncia (minus Yosuke): No, we don't want him to! (everyone laughs)
What do you think of the cosplayers at this convention?
TATSUKI: I've been watching them actually.
Hikari: They are very complete.
TATSUKI: They have a lot of details so I can tell they really studied.
Do you note any differences between American and Japanese fans?
Hikari: They came for entertainment and they are full of energy. In Japan with the audience we have to work for their affection.
We still have much to learn about you, so please say something about the person on your right!
TATSUKI: (on Hikari) He talks a lot! But at the end of the day he's a very a good leader.
Hikari: (on Jin) Naked. He's always naked. He likes guitar very much. He's very quiet but he has very good manners.
Jin: (on Yosuke) He's the mascot, also the peace-maker of the group.
Yosuke: (on TATSUKI) He's bisexual. He's my roommate now, like in the hotel. Sometimes he looks at my butt. (everyone laughs) He's a perfectionist and is very honest. He puts that effort into everything so he's very straightforward. (laughs) He's selfish but it's OK.
OK! Thank you. Now say something about the person on your left.
Yosuke: (on Jin) He's cool! Like, an older guy, mature. He's quiet too. But once he talks about something he likes, he talks a lot.
Jin: (on Hikari) Leader! He's the mood maker of the group!
Hikari: (on TATSUKI) He regrets very harshly and is always looking for perfection. He used to be late often, but now he's on time.
TATSUKI: (on Yosuke) He has a good relationship with everyone. And he’s cute!
What places would you like to visit?
Hikari: Just visiting?
Yes, just leisurely visit.
TATSUKI: (looks at Hikari) He probably has a lot of answers for this.
Hikari: Yes, I love traveling. I'd love to visit Greece because I wanted to be a Social Studies leader. Also London, England. Maybe not Africa. (laugh) I also want to go to Australia because of the Great Barrier Reef. But where I really want to go is the Pyramids. Actually I want to record a PV on top of the Pyramids.
TATSUKI: But instead of the Pyramids it's just going to be his head because he’s so tall! (laugh) The whole PV with his head!
What would you like to say to current and future fans of auncia?
Hikari: "auncia" means connection. More than words, we want to connect with the fans through the music. While you’re reading this you get to know us more, but we want to be together with you at the end of our lives.
And where do you specifically wish your music to reach?
Hikari: We'd love to be everywhere. Stage, in CD stores, even classrooms. Wherever there are people!
What can people expect if they go to one of auncia's lives?
Hikari: My MCs are funny! Also, CDs and lives are completely different. You can't really get the same experience that you get from a live on a CD. The wildness of the performance can only be experienced live. The energy and being one with the audience.
interview by Sarah and Antonia; photo copyright auncia
Thanks to auncia for taking the time to answer our questions; thanks to CURE for making this possible
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