Translated from Japanese by Google

March 18, 2011
The Tanuki Project
Exclusive interview by nino
The Tanuki Project is an electro-rock band consisting of female vocalist Nady and programming/bassist Legyl. They participated in Canada's biggest music festival, Canadian Music Week (CMW), on March 12, 2011. We interviewed Nady about CMW and Japan.

Nino: How was the CMW concert?

Tanuki Project: It was a great experience to be able to participate in Canada's biggest music event. It's a place where you can discover new and exciting music from all over the world. But to be honest, I was so shocked by the Great East Japan Earthquake that had just happened that I couldn't stop thinking about the people and friends in Japan and couldn't really enjoy and concentrate.

Nino: What was the most important thing you learned at CMW? Any interesting stories or memorable experiences?

Tanuki Project: I think the most important thing was meeting other musicians. In particular, we are planning some interesting collaborations (remixes, performances, etc.) with the bands Hippy Mafia (Canada/UK) and Spaceships are Cool (UK), who appeared in the same show.

Nino: What is the meaning behind the band name "The Tanuki Project"?

Tanuki Project: My life partner Legyl and I decided on the band name. We are both manga lovers, especially fans of Studio Ghibli works. We fell in love with tanuki after watching the anime "Pom Poko". After watching the anime many times, we began to empathize with the theme of the movie (environmental protection vs. big corporations). We feel like we are tanuki in our daily lives, composing music, going to parties, and living our lives!

Nino: Have you ever been to Japan?

Tanuki Project: Not yet. Our biggest dream right now is to go to Japan.

Nino: You have a Japanese website, don't you? Can you speak Japanese?

Tanuki Project: Not yet. We are going to Japan in November and will be taking a Japanese language course soon.

Nino: Why are you interested in Japan?

Tanuki Project: (Nady and Legyl are from France) From an early age, we had a traditional image of Japan through Japanese movies, such as samurai, tea ceremonies, flower arranging and Noh. But after studying Japanese culture more, we liked the food, manga, bustling Tokyo, hot springs, Japanese music, Hokusai and tattoos (we both have them). And we heard that Japanese music fans are the best in the world!

Nino: Is there anything you want to do in Japan in particular?

Tanuki Project: Everything! Since it's my first time, I want to taste the food, take cooking lessons, visit Tokyo and other areas, stay at a ryokan, meet Japanese musicians, perform with them, etc.

Nino: Will the Great East Japan Earthquake affect your plans to go to Japan?

Tanuki Project: People around us are worried, but we are going to go. We want to participate in Japan Music Week in November 2011 and show our love and support to everyone in Japan.

*That month, proceeds from CD sales at the Montreal concert were donated to relief efforts for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.