Cibo Matto is wasting no time in their comeback. A mere three months after touring the country, they’re back on the stage this Thursday. This time, they’re celebrating their Japanese heritage by performing at the Japan Society with R&B artist Yu Sakai. Miho Hatori (vocals) and Yuka Honda (keyboards, backing vocals) describe their new album, their interest in charity efforts, and the “Occupy Ambiguity” movement.
Five years ago, you two participated in a joint panel in which you said Cibo Matto was unlikely to unite again. What changed over the past five years?
Tide, wind, moon, the position of the sun. Impermanence.
Is there any symbolism in your performing at the Japan Society, after that panel?
The greatest significance right now is that Japan Society has been doing a fantastic work with the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.
How did you come to decide to perform at the Japan Society, after hitting up mostly clubs on the “Yeah Basically, Cibo Matto” tour?
Their artistic director, Yoko Shioya, contacted us and asked to play. Not only has she been curating fantastic shows, she also put together a powerful benefit concert for Japan Rescue Fund. Of course, we said yes.
How is performing in a theater-like venue different from performing in a club?
The audience in a theater-like venue is sitting down, which provides them comfort but prevents them from swaying to the rhythm.
Of the two new songs Cibo Matto debuted over the summer, “10th Floor Ghost Girl” particularly intrigued me because the lyrics sounded quite different from the usual Cibo Matto. Can you tell us more about the song’s conception and theme?
The song is a preview of our new album which is in the making right now. While we live in this instant communication world, we hope that you can enjoy the slow unfolding of our new concept.
Have you performed with Yu Sakai before?
No, this is the first time we’ll get to hear him.
What do you think of Mr. Sakai’s music?
His music is new to us. We hear that he is extremely talented. We look forward to seeing his show.
Cibo Matto occupies an interesting space. In America, you’re often viewed as a Japanese band, but in Japan, your sound isn’t perceived as sounding Japanese. What do you make of this, and how do you handle it?
“Occupy Ambiguity”(!)–haha, joking.
We like being this presence where we are sending you question marks and exclamation points. What is a Japanese band? for example. Is it a band that plays Japanese music? Or is it a band which consists of Japanese people? What is Japanese music? What if the band has some Japanese and some others?
We think that these categorizations round off who we really are as individuals and are therefore meaningless.
Can you tell us more about the upcoming Cibo Matto album?
It involves a ghost girl. It involves floors, a downstairs bar, rooms and a building. Green luminescent drinks and of course, love.
Ms. Hatori, I know you were working on a solo album. Is that still in the works?
Yes, coming up.
Cibo Matto performed a few charity concerts for Japan earlier this year. Will you continue your charity efforts?
Yes, definitely.
Cibo Matto and Yu Sakai will perform at 8 pm on October 20. For tickets and more information, visit Japan Society’s Web site.
Tags: cibo matto, japan society, miho hatori, yu sakai, yuka honda
I have been telling people for years that there is a wide open ghost girl, floors, downstairs bar, rooms and building market just there for the taking. Thank god Cibo Matto had enough sense to inhabit that vacancy! Fun interview. Their answers read like a snarky parody of Yoko Onno.
[...] For more on what’s new with Cibo Matto check out this recent invertiew via Rose Tegami Media: http://rosetegamimedia.com/2011/10/17/interview-with-cibo-matto/ [...]