SCANDAL’s Haruna Holds Release Event for Her First Photo Book ‘SOMEWHERE’

21.August.2018 | MUSIC

Lead vocalist and guitarist Haruna of all-female Japanese rock band SCANDAL turned 30 on August 10, and on this same day, she released her first ever photo book titled SOMEWHERE.

 

To celebrate and promote the release of the collection, an event was held on August 18 on the 6th floor of HMV&BOOKS in Shibuya, Tokyo which the singer attended in person.

 

Haruna joined SCANDAL in her late teens and has spent her entire twenties as the frontwoman of this immensely and internationally popular rock band.

 

Her photo book, entitled SOMEWHERE, was compiled at the end of the band’s Japan tour. The photos were taken by Japanese photographer Tsutomu Ono.

The book includes a long interview covering the self-confidence Haruna has acquired as being part of the band, her determination to never feel down when she’s frustrated, her forward-facing gaze in any situation, her girly smile, the band, work, love and more.

Pre-orders sold out the moment the book went up for sale, so additional prints are in the works. The number of people wanting to attend the release events in Tokyo and Osaka also far exceeds the scheduled amount. It’s clear to see the fans’ love and support for Haruna.

Before the event at HMV&BOOKS on August 18 began, 16 media companies were sat in attendance. Haruna confessed that she was nervous being surrounded by reporters for something other than music.

 

I’m a little relieved. Additional prints are being prepared for pre-orders. I was overjoyed at seeing all my fans kindly puchasing the book before my eyes,” Haruna expressed in regards to releasing a photo book.

 

She also recalled a particular episode during photoshoot: “There’s a photo with the setting sun behind me. The colour of it changed ever so rapidly. It was such a dramatic sight and left an impression on me. I’ll never forget that shoot.”

Interview

――How was the event?

I was even more nervous than I thought I would be [laughs]. The angle of the questions and the feeling of distance felt completely different than during the CD release. I think it was a very good experience. So many people kindly came to the event. There were people who had already bought and looked at the book. There was event a woman the same age as me who said, “Let’s do our best  in our 30s.” I was also so happy to hear someone say, “I became even more of a fan after reading the book.” I talk a bit more personally than I show at concerts in the interview in the book, so I’m glad I put it out even if it’s that part of myself I included that made people like me.

 

――What are your thoughts on releasing your first photo book?
I’m a little relieved. It was my first time releasing something by myself other than music so I wasn’t able to picture how many people would read it, but I was so happy at there being reprints made for pre-orders and seeing people buy it in front of me after it was released.

 

――What made you want to release a photo book?
My manager had spoken to me about it, but during that time I said to him, “I’m already going to be 30 soon.” He said, “You look like you’re having fun even when performing. You’re shining. I think the Haruna you are right now is amazing.” So I gained a bit more confidence and reached a decision to release the book.

 

――How was it shooting on Cebu Island?
It was a tight schedule, just 2 days, but it was a lot of fun. The thing I remember the most is on the page at the end of the book. There’s a photo with the setting sun behind me. The colour of it changed ever so rapidly. It was such a dramatic sight and left an impression on me. I’ll never forget that shoot.

 

――Which is your favourite photo?
It wasn’t that one. The one I really like is the one we took in the pool at night. It was my first time having a photo taken of my whole body while wearing a swimsuit. I had absolutely no idea how the photo would turn out because there weren’t any lights at the pool. I never thought it would look so striking. I think it’s really mysterious how it took so well, even the water. I’m very satisfied we were able to take an artistic photo.

 

――How did the other members react?
They said, “It’s amazing that you can put out something like this having turned 30.”

 

――What do you think about expressing yourself in the photos?
Honestly, I thought people would express doubt about a band member putting out photos, but we’re a band that has come to have self confidence in breaking down things with certain meanings, like “You’re band so you can’t do this and that” and “You’re a band so you should be like this.” So I upheld my confidence in some way that a band vocalist can put out a photo book. I feel like right now is the most fun time in my life, so I hope that people can see that simply.

 

――Did you have any resistance to the swimsuit photoshoot?
I went to the gym and trained my body for it, so I was able to have more fun than be against it. Even when the photos were taken I learned that I like having my photo taken, so it was a good discovery.

 

――Will the photo book release tie in with anything in the future?
I feel like there won’t be anything too scary.

 

――What do you rate the photo book?
Is it okay to give it a full score? It’s 10/10. I ship it with confidence.

 

――What are your aspirations turning 30?
Even after having turned 30 my goal hasn’t changed, I will remain active musically. I am to continue music after marrying and having kids. I think I would like to do both of those things before I’m 35.

 

――What do you want to challenge yourself to outside of music?
I’ve grown to like travelling in recent years. I’ve been on trips even on my own. I like things like that. I’m not like Another Sky though [laughs]. I’d like to do a travel show like that.

 

――One last time, please tell us your outlook for the future.
I think it’s somewhat a miracle that SCANDAL has continued for 10 years. I think it’s extraordinary for four girls to do music for 10 years. There’s a lot of bands who split up in that time frame, so I have confidence in having come along 10 years. My outlook for the future is for us four to go as far as we can together.

 

Haruna’s photo book SOMEWHERE has many people hooked right now. Be sure to pick up a copy for yourself if you’re interested!

 

■Information
SOMEWHERE
Available: Bookshops in Japan, online, Book Pia
Released: August 10, 2018
Price: ¥2,500 (+Tax)
CDJapan: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEODAI-43984?s_ssid=e440d15b7accab5f29
Book Pia: http://piabook.com/shop/g/gZ9784835638768/
7-Net Shopping: https://7net.omni7.jp/detail/1106909205
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KTs48r

RECOMMENDED ENTRIES

  • MMN Interview: SCANDAL look back at their overseas performances since their debut and going from “anime characters” to a “band” (Part One)

    23.February.2018 | FEATURES / MUSIC

    In 2016, SCANDAL toasted to ten years since their formation, and this autumn, they will celebrate their 10th anniversary since their major debut. The band released their eighth album HONEY this month which peaked at number one on Japan's iTunes album charts on the day of release and ranked number one in iTunes J-pop charts across the globe including Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Peru. Last year, 3 of the band members - Haruna (Vocals/Guitar), Mami (Guitar/Vocals) and Tomomi (Bass/Vocals) - became the first Japanese female artists to sign an endorsement agreement with Fender. It is evident for all to see that SCANDAL are building and fortifying their career as an all-girls band representing Japan in both name and reality. In this interview, the four members looked back at their overseas activity and told various stories from their perspective as an all-female band.

    Interview & Text: Mami Naruta / Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

    ■"I think people overseas felt that we were performing anime characters"

    ――In the "HISTORY" column of your 10-year anniversary website, you have a timeline for your music activities for both Japan and the rest of the world lined up side-by-side. I felt that this was a reminder of how your band are enthusiastic about activities overseas. Your first overseas action was an American tour across six cities before your major debut in 2008. That's amazing.

     

    Rina (Drums/Vocals): Yes, our first tour was in America, wasn't it? We did all of that despite being an independent band who hadn't even toured Japan yet. Back then we went forward with finishing everything we did to the end like crazy every time, but we had a strong connection overseas at the time, so from that year onward we went there every year without fail. At first, we felt like we were just children without a cause, but we gradually became something that couldn't be ignored. Bands would cover our songs overseas, and the number of people who came to like us after watching us on YouTube went beyond our imaginations. Our fundamental stance is to go and perform in places where there are people demanding for us, so we focus on performing live without creating borders around the world.

     

    ――I see. Looking in detail, your first few years saw you perform at a lot of Japanese culture festivals such as "Japan Expo" and "AM2." That was a time when you performed in uniform-style costumes, wasn't it?

     

    Mami (Guitar/Vocals): It was.  The "Age of Uniforms" (laughs). That was a time when we did theme songs for anime, so the uniforms were part of it. We were also called to perform at a lot of festivals that promoted Japanese culture too.

     

    Tomomi (Bass/Vocals): In our early days, we even had an animation kind of thing of us all on our official MySpace page. And we received a lot of attention from people overseas, so it felt like "animation" was spreading across the world as part of Japanese culture.

     

    ――From your experience having stepped onto the international stage, have you felt a desire for Japanese culture overseas, and by extension a culture for Japanese girl bands?

     

    Haruna (Vocals/Guitar): We were also unaware of it at the time. We were simply happy with the demand and could feel the joy of being able to perform live in lots of places, so that's why we went. It might have only been recently that we became conscious of looking to overseas seriously as a girl band.

     

    Rina: I think that awareness strengthened when we came to perform solo shows. And our overseas fans also changed with it. At culture festivals, there were many people there simply out of curiosity who weren't our target goal, and there were a lot of people who were also interested and felt Japanese culture in the seifuku costumes. I think from the point of view of people overseas, it felt like we were like anime characters performing.

     

    ――In 2015, you held a huge world tour where you performed 41 shows across Japan, France, the UK, Germany, America, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

     

    Rina: There were more people who had watched our music videos on YouTube than those who knew us from anime on this tour. I felt that people came along to support us as a band. The atmosphere was totally different in the venues too compared to our early days.

     

    Mami: I believe there's something historical about being in a position where people know your existence from social media and video-sharing websites. When we began our career, social media still wasn't being used all that much in Japan, and YouTube as it's used today wasn't a thing. I feel the change in times with regard to our connection overseas.

     

    ■"Our world tour made me feel that 'SCANDAL' had come to be seen as a band in and of itself"

     

    ――Having toured 9 countries, please tell me about any impressions that have been left on you, on or off stage.

     

    Rina: We've had the opportunity to do a lot of interviews, but I've noticed that the content of the interviews have changed from place to place. Before, we'd get asked a lot of questions related to anime like "What do you think of anime?" and "What kind of anime theme song do you want to do next?" But now the questions are focused on the band itself. It made me feel that "SCANDAL" had come to be seen as a band in and of itself, without anime.

     

    Mami: Mexico and South America in particular are places where the way in which Japanese bands are viewed on YouTube are different from other countries. In other countries, anime and manga take priority. How people find us derives from there most of the time. But in South America, "Japanese bands" are an established cultural genre. They search for Japanese bands from the get-go, they find their favourite and share it with friends. That's how we're introduced over there. I was really happy that they viewed us in that way.

     

    Rina: Something I remember from on-stage... The way people enjoy live performances. I saw how each country really does have its own unique culture. In Japan I don't think we have that style of support where we hold up our country's flag, but there are places where people have fun by waving their own country's flag and drink and dance.

     

    Tomomi: For example, football is really popular in Mexico. When we turn the lights off in the venue, people chant "Olé, Olé, Olé" like a sports match.

     

    Rina: Right? When we toured Europe, there was someone on stage [to introduce us and] get the crowd excited. They'd say something like "Here's SCANDAL!" and the sound effects would begin playing (laughs). I noticed how the beginning of shows was different in each country and location.

     

    Haruna: In Asia, there were a lot of times where everybody sang together. It happens a lot in Japan too where people sing the chorus together, but elsewhere they sing the entire song from start to finish, don't they?

     

    Rina: So much so that everyone's voices become even louder than Haruna's mic volume (laughs).

     

    Mami: Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore were just like that, weren't they? Usually people listen and are just there in whatever way they like. Their love really got through.

     

    Tomomi: Something I find different from Japan are people's interests. There's a real diversity in the people that attend, from older people who look like fans of that venue to the edgy punk type. I'm super interested in how they came to know SCANDAL. Well, I know social media is big, so if it was 10 years ago, I think the people who we couldn't meet will come to our world tours now.

     

    Rina: It's precisely because we can look up and find our favourite things that our interests are so broad.

     

     

    ■"It doesn't matter how we're perceived, what's most important is that people can enjoy us"

    ――Have your perceptions changed in relation to performing?

     

    Rina: Strictly speaking, we've made a lot of changes to our sound and equipment, but our songs are all sung in Japanese, and I feel that wherever we go to perform I want to do everything the same without any changes. What does change is how we communicate with fans on-stage. We're working hard to be able to speak in a country's language as much as possible.

     

    Mami: People really get in the music easily, so if they're excited, they'll join us. I feel people come to the shows and have fun, so there are no worries there.

     

    ――This is a simple question, but do overseas music fans know the difference between idol groups and girl bands? Regardless of the use of instruments or not, do you think that there are people who perceive Japanese girl groups as "idols"?

     

    Mami: I think their understanding of the word "idol" is different from that in Japan. In Japan, it's a single genre, but overseas, it's someone who has an influence on you or someone you love. It's someone you yearn for and someone whose existence is like that of a star. I think that grasp of the word is much stronger, so there might not be a lot of people who do make that distinction.

     

    Rina: Don't get me wrong, but I think either is fine. We don't go out of our way to say "but we're not idols." Being seen this way means not giving special instructions and just have people come to like and enjoy our music. Because I think idols and bands are both cool. I find idols to truly be multi-players. They can sing, dance, act and have variety, and are really outgoing in a human way. Even in a band set-up, an idol's nature can become their weapon of choice - their charm. I want us to be a group that can be enjoyed as humans, so even if there are people who see us as idols, I can say in all honestly that it doesn't make us feel uncomfortable in terms of motivation. If people can enjoy us and say "They're an interesting bunch," then that makes me the happiest.

     

    <Continued in Part Two>

     

    Release Information:
    SCANDAL – NEW ALBUM “HONEY”
    Released February 14, 2018 (Physical Version)

     

    ▼Limited Pressing Edition (CD+T-shirt)
    [ESCL4957-4958] ¥5,278 (tax excl.) ¥5,700 (tax incl.)
    Comes with an original photo t-shirt produced by AMIAYA!

    ▼First Press Limited Edtion (CD+DVD)
    [ESCL4959-4960] ¥3,426 (tax excl.) ¥3,700 (tax incl.)
    DVD: Footage of 11th anniversary concert “Storytellers: SCANDAL”

    ▼Regular Edition (First Press) (CD)
    [ESCL4961] ¥2,963 (tax excl.) ¥3,200 (tax incl.)

     

    Official Album Website: http://www.scandal-honey.com/
    New Album “HONEY” Digital Download: https://erj.lnk.to/-gqrHWN

    Tour Information: http://www.scandal-4.com/live/archive/?43093

    SCANDAL Official Website: http://www.scandal-4.com/

    SCANDAL Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/scandalSMEJ

  • MMN Interview: SCANDAL want to live coolly as Japan’s representative all-female band (Part Two)

    26.February.2018 | FEATURES / MUSIC

    In 2016, SCANDAL toasted to ten years since their formation, and this autumn, they will celebrate their 10th anniversary since their major debut. The band released their eighth album HONEY this month which peaked at number one on Japan’s iTunes album charts on the day of release and ranked number one in the iTunes J-pop charts across the globe including Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Peru. Last year, 3 of the band members – Haruna (Vocals/Guitar), Mami (Guitar/Vocals) and Tomomi (Bass/Vocals) – became the first Japanese female artists to sign an endorsement agreement with Fender. It is evident for all to see that SCANDAL are building and fortifying their career as an all-girls band representing Japan in both name and reality. This is part two of the interview, in which the four members look back at their overseas activity and told various stories from their perspective as an all-female band.

     

    <Click Here for Part One>

     

    Interview & Text: Mami Naruta / Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

     

    ---

    ■“We want to be cool so our listeners throughout the world can be proud”

     

    ――When SCANDAL head out across the globe, “Japan’s representative girl band” really is an is appropriate catchphrase in reality and in name.

     

    Rina (Drums / Vocals): We’re not quite there yet. But that makes me happy.

    Mami (Guitar / Vocals): But if we’re asked whether we’re placing focus on our overseas activities, that’s not the case. It’s just the way things pan out. We go with it without intending to separate Japan and everywhere else. It isn’t the case that from the beginning we were conscious of wanting to become Japan’s representative girl band or become popular overseas, so to have that said to us now makes me really happy.

     

    Rina: I have an increased awareness for us to be cool so that people think to themselves things like “I’m glad I supported them” and “I, who support SCANDAL, love who I am” for the very fact that we have listeners all around the world. I’ve taken in the fact that lots of different people listen to us, so I’ve truly come to think that I don’t want to let the fans down. I want to live cool, so much so that listening to SCANDAL’s music becomes people's confidence.

     

    Haruna (Vocals / Guitar): Yeah. We’ve done this for twelve years, so I want to have confidence in that.

     

    Rina: I feel that our fans’ minds are the same regardless of what country they’re from. I haven’t asked each of them individually, but when I look at things like the atmosphere in a venue, although people’s ages, gender, race and religion are different, I really feel that everyone holds the same mindset. I think that’s where the world ties together.

     

    Haruna: Overseas fans come to our tours in Japan, and vice versa Japanese fans come when we play overseas. I’m happy that there’s an interaction.

     

    Tomomi (Bass / Vocals): There’s an unofficial international fan club called “SCANDAL HEAVEN.” Groups of people on there from each country get together and post photos of themselves eating together on social media.

     

    ――Fans that have transcended national borders and connected through your music have left a happy impression on you, haven’t they? Also, I think within the female band scene, you have your own unique values.

     

    Rina: I think girl bands are accepted as one part of Japanese culture. There are very few girl bands overseas. It seems difficult for them to last a long time. I hear stories of bands disbanding soon after their debut. That’s why, in contrast with us who’ve been together for 12 years, there’s a lot of people interested in what a long-lasting girl band is like. There are people who feel culture and appeal in our existence, so I’ve felt we’ve moved forward.

    ――It’s true when you mention overseas girl bands. Nothing springs to mind immediately...

    Rina: If we’re talking recently then HiNDS are really cool, and they have a unique feel that I find great. If the number of girl bands increases from country to country, the music scene will become more exciting. I’d like to support them.

     

    ■“Japanese girls are skilled at creating their own personal ‘cute’”

     

    ――By the way, what do each of you find to be the charm point of Japanese girls?

     

    Rina: They’re allowed to mix together the things they like. They’re skilled at creating their own personal “cute.” Even ordinary school girls. They create a world that they love on their Instagram pages, don’t they? This is found in Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s style too, but for example, adding a little spice to something that isn’t just cute. Their ability to self-produce is strong.

     

    Haruna: Everybody knows what suits them. Whether it’s make-up or different fashion styles, they skilfully incorporate what looks good on them and create something original. I think that’s wonderful.

     

    Rina: In our recent album HONEY too, I think we’ve been able to create songs that mix together sweet and bitter. The album is centred around songs we wrote in 2017. This time we reconsidered “Japanese rock” while keeping them sung in Japanese, so when people overseas have listened to it, I think they’ll see it’s a record that conveys today’s Japanese girl rock. In that sense, I think we’ve created an album that compiles 10 years of a SCANDAL that has taken influence from many things, sweet and bitter.

     

    ――In 2017 you released your 10-year anniversary greatest hits album, toured Japan’s 47 prefectures and went on your first taiban* tour. It was a substantial year for you.

     

    Rina: Last year we put on tough, masculine-like performances, which made us wonder what kind of songs a girl band should perform. It was a period where we re-evaluated things like our position and status. We had strong thoughts that “We’re girls, so we really should be doing the kind of rock that girls can do, otherwise it’s not interesting,” especially during our taiban tour.

     

    [*Translator’s Note: A taiban is a concert where several bands perform.]

     

    ――The bands that joined you at the taiban were UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, 04 Limited Sazabys and BLUE ENCOUNT, right?

     

    Rina: We toured with 3 big bands at that festival, so it was something I mulled over. So I think we’ve been able to create an album that shakes off those thoughts in a girly way.

     

    ――Your album cover was produced by AMIAYA, twins who are active in Tokyo as fashion icons. How did that collaboration come about?

     

    Tomomi: We’ve actually been close with AMIAYA ever since we were introduced to them by Mizuki (Masuda) of [music group] Negoto. We knew that the album contained a lot of personal things. It’s filled with events that have happened in our daily lives, our favourite words, smells, colours and things like that. It came about because we thought since the album is so personal, it would be good if we made it together with a close friend. We were also crazy about how perfect the album colour and AMIAYA’s character went together.

     

    ――All things considered, I think that how you’re all able to write your songs together is really your strong point as a band.

     

    Rina: Hehehe (laughs). The four of us are individuals so songs are born left, right and centre, but when performing as a band, they become SCANDAL’s songs. It’s strange, isn’t it? Even though we do it together we never grow tired, and even now my heart is always racing. I think right now is the most fun time ever.


    ■SCANDAL recommend their favourite spots around Tokyo

     

    ――You’ve just released your new album. What mode is SCANDAL in right now?

     

    Rina: We’ve once again been able to create something that shakes free the kind of rock that seems good, in 2018, the 10th anniversary of our major debut, so the sense of accomplishment having completed HONEY is amazing (laughs). We’re taking this album on a hall tour, our first in three years, so I hope to put on the best performance we can now.

     

    Haruna: We also have an Asia tour after our tour in Japan! We didn’t have an overseas tour last year, so this time we’re going to the Philippines and China for the first time. I’m really excited. We’ve received messages on Twitter for years of people saying “Please come to the Philippines,” so we’re finally going. I think they’ll be fully charged for us (laughs).

     

    Rina: Asia have welcomed us with a “Come back!” so we’re always at ease there! Fans bring along their friends to the airport. I get the feeling the number of new people increases every time.

    Mami: Yeah. There might even be places where the audience has completely changed. I’m interested to see how people will listen to this album.

     

    ――To wrap up, can each of you recommend some spots in Tokyo?

     

    Tomomi: When my friend visits from my home town, we’ve boarded the Yakatabune at Sumida River several times. You can eat traditional Japanese food like tempura, and you can see places like Odaiba and Skytree in one go while you go down the river. It was so much fun. I recommend that course!

     

    Mami: If you’re coming for a good time during spring’s cherry blossom season, then how about Shinjuku Gyoen or Meguro River? Since I don’t think you can easily see cherry trees lined up like that overseas. It’s not something flashy or gaudy, and this is a simple way to look at things, but you can kind of feel Japan with just one glance of them. It might be fun to visit and have fun enjoying the four seasons.

     

    Haruna: As for me, I’ve been filling up by goshuincho*. For foreigners, it’s kind of like a stamp rally? Well, it’s not as simple as that, but I think if you’ve made the effort to come to Japan it could be fun to spend your time doing it. I started by purchasing a goshuincho at Sensō-ji. If you go to Sensō-ji, you also have Nakamise-dori just before you reach the temple which is a lot of fun. You can enjoy the so-called essence of Japan.

     

    [*Translator’s Note: A goshuincho is a book used for collecting goshuin, which are stamps or seals you can receive when you visit temples and shrines in Japan. Each place has their own unique stamp.]

     

    Rina: For me... Tower Records in Shibuya. CD shops are dying overseas. I think Japan has the most CD shops in the world, but out of them all I think that’s the biggest. They have everything there. I see photos people have taken that have come from overseas of the Tower Records building, and I think to myself “so that’s how they view it.”

     

    ――Even when you actually look at things like the stock and floorspace, it’s the world’s biggest CD retail store.

     

    Rina: It’s true. It’s a valuable place. There’s a documentary movie called “ALL THINGS MUST PASS” that covers the history of Tower Records. After I watched it I went to Tower Records in Shibuya and was really moved! I don’t know what the future has in store for record shops, so I hope people enjoy it while it’s there. It’s the coolest CD shop.

     

    ■Information

    Release Information:

    SCANDAL – NEW ALBUM “HONEY”

    Released February 14, 2018 (Physical Version)

     

    ▼Limited Pressing Edition (CD+T-shirt)

    [ESCL4957-4958] ¥5,278 (tax excl.) ¥5,700 (tax incl.)

    Comes with an original photo t-shirt produced by AMIAYA!

    ▼First Press Limited Edtion (CD+DVD)

    [ESCL4959-4960] ¥3,426 (tax excl.) ¥3,700 (tax incl.)

    DVD: Footage of 11th anniversary concert “Storytellers: SCANDAL”

    ▼Regular Edition (First Press) (CD)

    [ESCL4961] ¥2,963 (tax excl.) ¥3,200 (tax incl.)

     

    Official Album Website: http://www.scandal-honey.com/

    New Album “HONEY” Digital Download: https://erj.lnk.to/-gqrHWN

    Tour Information: http://www.scandal-4.com/live/archive/?43093

    SCANDAL Official Website: http://www.scandal-4.com/

    SCANDAL Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/scandalSMEJ

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    21.February.2023 | MUSIC

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    SCANDAL embarked on the WORLD TOUR MIRROR 2022 from March to September 2022, performing in Japan, North America, and Europe. While the girls faced difficulties performing in the U.S. due to the pandemic, they have continued to tour Japan and abroad, celebrating 15 years of musical activities. The new live video was produced using select scenes from each show on the world tour. Prism shows off the individuality of the four members, filled with confidence and a trailblazing spirit.

     
     

    Starting April 7, the SCANDAL TOUR 2023 unlimited UTOPIA will begin, visiting seven cities across Japan: Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka. The group’s new song Line of sight is currently being used as the theme song for the arcade card game Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE.

  • Rock Band SCANDAL Writes ‘Line of Sight,’ Theme Song for Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE

    28.January.2023 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC

    On February 22, the popular rock band SCANDAL will release the documentary MIRROR on Blu-ray and DVD. In April, the artists will embark on the SCANDAL TOUR 2023 - Unlimited UTOPIA, performing in seven cities across Japan.   The new song Line of Sight was written by the band to serve as the theme song for the arcade card game Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE, scheduled to release in late February. Read SCANDAL’s comment below!  

    Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE〈LINXTAGE SEASON:01〉PV

    --- “We’re pleased to announce that we’ve been put in charge of the theme song for Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE. This summer, SCANDAL will celebrate our 17th anniversary. What a great time to get this incredible offer! We met with the team behind Arsenal Base and shared our thoughts and feelings before starting production on the song. In the game, music is played during battle scenes, where players’ emotions are heightened. Considering that, we wrote a fast-paced, danceable track. In the end, we combined our own thoughts and feelings with the world of Gundam. Be sure to listen to the lyrics closely! Please enjoy our music as you play Arsenal Base! --- Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base is a real-time strategy arcade card game in which players take on the role of a commander in control of five mobile suits and five pilots fighting to destroy a collection of enemy battleships. Found in many arcades across Japan, players place pilot cards on the terminal in dedicated boxes. The terminal then reads a QR code on each card. The series will soon introduce tons of new content including the LINXTAGE BATTLE system, in which two players can enter battle at the same time. Be sure to listen to a snippet of Line of Sight in the new PV!
  • SCANDAL Wraps Domestic Tour, Starts North American and European Tour in July

    16.June.2022 | MUSIC

    Following the release of their 10th album MIRROR in January 2022, all-girl band SCANDAL began their world tour in March of this year. After successfully performing 11 shows in 10 locations around Japan, the girls will be heading to North America and Europe starting in July. The final Japan performance took place at the famous Nakano Sunplaza on June 11.   Celebrating 15 successful years in 2021, the ten-track 10th original album MIRROR includes popular singles like eternal and ivory. The album includes songs written, composed, and sung by each member, and is beloved by longtime and new fans alike. The group’s previous world tour was canceled due to the pandemic, and this will be the first time the girls have performed abroad in four years. During the group's final show in Japan, SCANDAL performed 22 songs from both their new album and past releases, delighting longtime fans and newcomers alike.The concert at Nakano Sunplaza began with the title song MIRROR. The audience’s excitement only increased as the members began playing Flashback No. 5 and EVERYBODY SAY YEAH, two classic tracks. The band continued to perform songs from the new album, with some written and sung by specific members. Tracks from the beginning of SCANDAL’s career also appeared in the setlist, including Instant Sentimental, Take Me Out, and A.M.D.K.J. The show fittingly ended with one more time, the last song on MIRROR. SCANDAL will travel to North America in July and to Europe in September, so keep an eye out for when the girls come to your town!   SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2022 - MIRROR in JAPANhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/65LIl0fhilWNrU7SgfMsDk?si=Fm31NSFKROyqjZMYDU3OSg
  • SCANDAL Releases Music Video for 10th Anniversary Title Song ‘MIRROR’

    10.February.2022 | MUSIC

    SCANDAL’s 10th original album MIRROR was released on January 26, 2022, and ranked #5 on the Oricon Weekly Album Chart. Every album the group has released has ranked in the top five. The music video for the album’s title track, MIRROR, has finally been released!   The song, composed by MAMI on guitar and RINA on drums, is an epic rock anthem and a perfect symbol for the album. The music video was directed by Motherfucko, who previously directed the music video for Ai ni Naranakattanosa.   MIRROR Music Video
      MIRROR is on sale now.
  • Additional North American Dates Added to SCANDAL’s World Tour

    02.February.2022 | MUSIC

    All-girl rock band SCANDAL is celebrating 15 successful years in 2021. Their ten-track 10th original album ‘MIRROR’ was released on January 26, 2022, and includes popular singles like eternal and ivory. ‘MIRROR’ includes songs written, composed, and sung by each member, and is already beloved by longtime and new fans alike.   The music video for the love balled Ai ni Naranakattanosa has also been unveiled. Written and composed by guitarist MAMI, it’s a song that realistically describes the sad feelings of a woman in unrequited love. The video was directed by motherfucko, who also directed the videos for Fuzzy and one more time. It also features young actors Miyu Nakamura and So Morozumi telling the story of a woman who realizes that her feelings for her boyfriend aren’t love.   Ai ni Naranakattanosa Music Video
      SCANDAL has also announced additional shows for the North American leg of their 2022 World Tour, which is scheduled to start in March. There will be nine shows in total: Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Anaheim, Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Vancouver, and Seattle. The setlist will include songs from the album as well as popular songs from the group’s history. 
  • Popular Love Song from SCANDAL’s New Album ‘MIRROR’ Now Streaming

    26.January.2022 | MUSIC

    All-girl rock band SCANDAL is celebrating 15 successful years in 2021. Their 10th original album ‘MIRROR’ was released on January 26, 2022, and the track Ai ni Naranakattanosa has become a major topic on social media. The love song is now available on music streaming platforms!   The song was written and composed by guitarist MAMI. A song that realistically describes the sad feelings of a woman in unrequited love, the track was first performed live during the Christmas concert held on December 24, 2021. It immediately received a slew of sympathetic comments on social media, and a teaser trailer for the song’s music video has been unveiled ahead of its January 26 premiere.    Ai ni Naranakattanosa Teaser (YouTube Shorts)
      Those listening to the song on Spotify will be able to watch each member of SCANDAL performing on the app’s Canvas screen randomly.    MIRROR is now available to stream on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. Those who preordered the album received an original wallpaper.   Those purchasing SCANDAL’s new album at participating stores will be entered into a drawing to win an autographed poster! A special exhibition will also be held at Tower Records Shibuya, Shibuya TSUTAYA, HMV&BOOKS Shibuya, Joshin Nihonbashi, and Tower Records Kyoto. TV screens at each location will display the lyrics to certain tracks on the album, bringing fans even closer to the meaning behind each song.