Original subtitles

THE GLOBALLY ACCLAIMED GIRLS BAND YUKINA AND MATSURI DISCUSS 'WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE TOURING OVERSEAS'

interfm "TOKYO MUSIC RADAR"

Tonight's guests are from the Tokyo-based girls' loud rock band Hanabie,

vocalist Yukina and guitarist/vocalist Matsuri!

Thanks for having us!

This is our first time meeting!

I think you performed at

TIMM's YouTube showcase live back in 2022?

I usually perform with a group called Nagie Lane,

and we were there the same day

in the studio.

So we've actually met before.

We probably didn't get a chance to say hello though.

Right.

That's true.

We were switching on and off constantly.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It was pretty hectic.

Couldn't really watch each other.

But I watched you on YouTube!

So yeah.

Thank you so much.

I'm really happy we finally get to meet today.

Thanks for being here.

Thank you.

Let me give you a quick introduction.

Based in Tokyo,

the four-piece band consisting of Yukina, Matsuri, Hettsu, and Chika

creates loud rock that fuses screaming with melody.

They successfully completed a European tour in 2023

and have performed at numerous overseas festivals.

So from 2023 onwards,

you've really been all over Europe!

Yes.

How's it been?

We'll talk more about Europe in detail later,

but right now you're really

traveling all over the world.

I'd love to hear more from you two about your European experiences.

We'll get into that later,

but first, Hanabie is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year!

Congratulations!

Thank you!

How does it feel?

Looking back, what kind of 10 years was it?

Has it really been 10 years already?

The beginning was

we formed this band when we were in high school.

So,

we went through our student days,

college days, working part-time jobs on the side,

and now we've gotten to make our major debut, tour overseas...

There have been so many different phases.

But looking back, it all went by so fast, right?

Looking back, yeah.

We've been through a lot, but it really feels like it flew by.

And since you've been together since high school,

your relationship

probably hasn't changed much? Still that same vibe?

That's right.

Exactly.

It honestly feels like we were just going to school together yesterday.

Sometimes it really has that energy.

Like "Oh, Matsuri likes this too!"

We just get each other.

That's wonderful. 10 years with that relationship.

Even though time flew by, I'm sure a lot happened during those 10 years.

The vision you had for Hanabie

10 years ago compared to now, how does it match up?

Were there differences? Or maybe opportunities to perform

in places you never imagined you'd be standing?

Any discoveries like that?

I don't know if Matsuri remembers this,

but back in high school I had this notebook where I wrote

all our goals down.

Like "I want to share the stage with Maximum the Hormone"

or "I want to play tons of Japanese festivals."

Among all the things I wrote,

I had "I want to become the queen of Japanese loud rock."

That's still a dream we're working toward,

but the things I wrote down back then,

like performing with Maximum the Hormone,

SiM, coldrain,

all these senior bands we looked up to,

we've been fortunate enough to perform with them more and more lately.

Speaking things into existence, you know?

Writing it all down like that,

now I look back and think "Oh yeah, I wrote that!"

We were fearless back then.

At the time.

We thought we could do anything.

True.

But we never thought we'd go overseas.

Honestly, we barely even talked about it.

We couldn't picture it at all, so we were all focused on Japan.

So we're really experiencing something incredible.

When staff first told you "You're playing live in Europe,"

what was your reaction?

"We can actually go?"

"Really?" Like that.

"Are you sure?"

"We don't have many English lyrics..."

Most of our lyrics are in Japanese.

Right.

"Will they even listen?"

Like, "Huh?"

"Will they actually get it?"

We definitely had those worries at first.

Even on social media back then, most of the reactions

were from Japanese fans, right? That was your main audience?

On YouTube comment sections though,

we were getting messages

from people in all kinds of countries.

They were talking about us, but we'd never met them

or played shows for them,

so it didn't feel real at all.

It was just like "Wow, the numbers keep growing!"

Yeah.

Plus we had to translate everything

to understand what people were saying in different languages.

So you had to translate it all.

Going through each comment like "Oh, they're saying this!"

"That's so nice."

But it kind of ended there, right?

Just "that's nice."

Never imagined we'd actually get to meet them.

We were so happy when we could go.

When we finally made it.

That's your skill!

Your staff definitely believed in Hanabie's ability

to make it work over there.

That's real talent, no doubt.

Thank you.

And on May 28th, 2025, to celebrate your 10th anniversary,

you released a new single "Spicy Queen" digitally!

Congratulations!

What kind of song is it?

We released it for the 10th anniversary,

but actually

we didn't start making it

specifically for the anniversary.

Right before this, in March and April,

we did an American tour,

and the inspiration we got from that

became this song that we realized was perfect for the 10th anniversary.

It captures that initial drive,

remembering the old days before we went overseas.

We really poured our hearts into it.

All four members have deep feelings for this track.

It really came together beautifully.

We were actually on tour

and tours mean shows every day,

but when we had two days off,

I'd go all-out shopping,

but Matsuri would be like "I want to write songs."

Do you bring your equipment?

I bring it all.

I'm not good at forcing creativity when I tell myself "let's make something!"

I see.

I have to act when inspiration hits.

You need to be ready right away.

I don't make progress otherwise, so I bring everything,

and during that tour, I suddenly felt like creating something,

so that's when I made it.

So that became the foundation, and everyone built on it together?

Did you discuss it during the tour?

Like listening to the song together?

We did.

Talking about what kind of song we wanted it to be.

At that point it was just the music,

no lyrics yet,

but I explained the direction I wanted,

and when I told everyone,

they said "This is perfect for the 10th anniversary!"

Everyone agreed immediately.

That's how it happened.

That's wonderful.

At first you weren't thinking of making it the 10th anniversary song,

but after all that inspiration you got from being there,

all four of you unanimously agreed this was the perfect fit.

You created something we could all stand behind.

Amazing! That's fantastic!

Now, this show's concept is "Bringing Japanese Music Overseas,"

This July,

at the end of this month,

you're heading out on tour across America and Europe!

It's finally here!

How are preparations going?

Well...

We just talked about going to America in March and April,

so it's becoming a regular thing.

It feels like

going to Nagoya now!

Wow!

That's not quite right, is it!?

I said it, but

it's like going to Nagoya or Osaka.

We've gotten used to it.

That's how comfortable it feels.

At first, those long flights

15, 16 hours from Japan.

The environmental differences,

things we weren't used to,

but in the third year, you get accustomed to it.

Amazing!

The shows are exciting, but

the food!

So excited!

I love buying clothes,

often going with everyone.

I love shopping so much.

It's the best!

Right now I'm checking where to go and which stores to visit.

Planning what to buy!

Thinking it all through.

Got to make the most of it!

Since you're visiting so many places.

Actually, I lived in Vienna, Austria when I was little,

I think you have been to Vienna too.

Specifically,

have you ever had Wiener schnitzel?

It's called Wiener schnitzel,

Vienna's cutlet.

We probably haven't had cutlet.

Please try Wiener schnitzel!

Vienna's schnitzel,

it's veal cutlet.

I want to try it!

It's so delicious!

Really!

I think I've heard of it before.

Yeah.

Do you know about Heurige?

Heurige is a type of restaurant

in Austria and Germany too.

Usually terrace seating where everyone can drink beer together.

Wine too, any alcohol really.

In Vienna, you can usually get

Wiener schnitzel with a huge stein of beer!

That's the vibe.

Who cares about calories!

That kind of combo

is pretty common,

so please try that if you can!

It definitely pairs well with beer!

It's great!

I want to eat it!

Please make some time off!

That's quite a packed schedule!

Where are you touring this time?

This time,

well, the summer festival tour,

the European festival tour,

Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Spain,

Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Netherlands.

That's incredible again!

Basically crossing all of Europe!

Pretty much.

Yeah.

What about you, Yukina?

Which stores do you want to visit?

Like specific places in certain countries?

My favorite is

"Urban Outfitters" in America.

They have lots of different types of clothes,

and various goods.

They even sell records!

The clothes there

are totally my style.

In Europe, there's MANGO.

I love MANGO!

What's MANGO again?

It's kind of like ZARA,

but more unique than ZARA.

The patterns are more distinctive.

Colorful ZARA!

I know what you mean!

Also local places, not chains,

vintage shops in the cities, I want to visit lots of those!

Nice!

Matsuri, are you focusing on anything specific?

In Europe, when I went to France before,

there was this street with

adorable little shops lined up!

I don't remember the store names,

but it was pretty close to the Eiffel Tower.

I want to go back there and buy all kinds of cute things!

I want to go!

Their goods are definitely adorable!

Last time I only bought a coffee cup saucer and came home.

Now I wish I'd have bought the cup too!

The matching set.

Just the saucer for now.

Using the saucer for small items.

You can put rings on it!

But I really want the cup too.

Maybe they'll still have it when you go back?

Please check that place out!

And since you all manage your own social media,

fans are probably getting to know

not just your music, but also the countries you visit.

They're probably learning more and more,

like "Oh, Yukina wants to go here!"

That place becomes a "Yukina spot."

It might turn into that!

Actually, once on social media, that Urban Outfitters store

I mentioned before,

someone sent me photos of it,

like "This is Yukina's favorite store!"

They're totally keeping track!

Fans are amazing!

It's really getting through to everyone!

Actually, today I'm wearing Urban Outfitters from head to toe!

So cute! Really cute!

With the tiger detail!

Everyone better buy lots!

Really!

Nice!

It's scary though!

Excited but also scared to go!

You might come back with an extra suitcase!

Thank you!

So those are the off-day activities,

but actually performing overseas,

is it different from Japan?

Any particularly memorable moments?

I'd love to hear about that too.

Were there specific countries?

Reactions really differ by country.

Europe, America, Japan,

Australia,

and we've been to Asia too,

but especially within Europe,

Italy is so passionate!

The energy level!

It was amazing!

Like fire's coming from somewhere!

That level of heat?

Just like "WOAH!"

Poland was kind of like that too!

Surprising, Poland too?

I found it surprising too, but it was like a sauna!

Seriously intense!

Europe has a lot of sauna-like venues!

Really?

Hot and humid, everyone's energy

stays in the room even after they leave!

That level of intensity!

Germany, for example,

they love heavy music,

so everyone's really hardcore.

Those intense songs really hit with them.

Different songs for different tastes.

The vibe varies by place!

So in Germany you'd include certain songs?

The setlist changes?

It changes quite a bit!

Really? That's interesting!

Even in America, east coast and west coast feel different!

Do you all plan the setlist together each time?

We do it ourselves!

Yes! That's right!

So depending on the country,

MC timing, making decisions and changes. Interesting!

After touring multiple times,

we're gradually

starting to figure it out.

The first time we went,

both the audience and us were kind of feeling each other out.

Like 'Ohhh!' that kind of vibe.

Now, even though reactions differ by song,

it feels more similar to Japanese crowds actually!

I feel that too!

How they get hyped, maybe they watch videos of our Japan shows?

They might be doing that.

In Japan,

what's the most characteristic way crowds get hyped?

Japan has tons of crowd surfing!

Really?

People swimming over the crowd,

heading toward the stage.

I see!

Compared to Europe and America, Japan probably has way more!

That's surprising!

And more than anywhere, everyone's facial expressions

are intense!

In Japan?

So desperate!

In that sense, Japan's passionate too!

Japan too!

Incredibly so!

That's unexpected!

You often hear that Japan's a bit, how do I say,

a shy culture.

People say that!

More reserved, right?

In terms of national character.

But at live shows,

everyone goes wild!

That gap is amazing!

The contrast is really something!

Unexpectedly!

Europe's energy, the cheering,

the volume is just incredible!

Reactions are really big!

They sing along too!

I performed in Germany once,

and Germans sing along the moment they know a song!

In Japanese or whatever!

Like 'Is this it?' and they're singing along!

That attitude!

Yes, absolutely!

Group sing-along parts,

and even my super fast rap sections!

The really fast parts, girls

and guys too,

everyone singing along!

'Wait, you can rap that!?'

And they're actually nailing it!

Exactly!

Not just going with the flow!

Moving like crazy!

Perfectly saying it!

In Japanese? That's right!

My Japanese rap parts,

they're performing them perfectly!

Wow!

We were so shocked!

That's really impressive!

So different by country!

Totally different!

But most importantly, starting in October,

starting in October,

you have a 22-show headline tour coming up!

I have the schedule here,

and this is quite the touring itinerary!

Starting October 31st in the UK,

exactly one month later,

ending November 30th in Spain.

UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany,

so back to Europe again!

And Austria too!

That's right.

Incredible!

This time there's a heavy focus on the UK.

On our first tour, the UK, we only did a bit as a headline show,

as the final show maybe.

But, last year we only went to UK festivals, so it's been a while!

Ireland is our first time, Hungary too!

I think Hungary's a first!

Hungary is a wonderful place!

I have one personal recommendation, it's a food item.

It's called pogácsa!

I need to write that down!

It fits in your palm, maybe even smaller,

like a little muffin!

Sounds delicious! You can find them at bakeries.

They're mainly made with cheese.

Some people call them biscuits,

but they have this perfect balance of salty and sweet!

Nice!

Like a scone?

Yeah, that dense texture that absorbs all your mouth's moisture!

Those heavy flour-based treats! I love those!

Different shops make them slightly different,

some are fluffier.

It's definitely got that scone quality!

I want to try it!

When I was little, my best friend was Hungarian,

and she introduced me to them. I ate so many I gained weight!

Just be a little careful about that,

but they're so small you can eat plenty!

Definitely try them if you can!

Thank you!

Sorry for my little side story!

We appreciate it!

For these 22 shows, what kind of tour do you want to create?

Like Yukina mentioned,

this is our first time doing a proper UK tour,

so we're both excited and

curious how the crowds will respond.

We haven't done headline shows there since 2023,

so we're really looking forward

to seeing what the reaction will be.

Definitely.

Actually,

at first, you were reading comments on social media

from overseas fans

and just felt grateful people were listening.

That's what you said before.

But now, looking at your YouTube,

there are comments in so many languages,

all kinds of comments!

Tons in English especially,

and I literally saw a comment this morning

saying 'Come to the UK!' so everyone's definitely

waiting for you!

That last UK show

on our first tour sold out,

and it left such a strong impression.

Since that was our first overseas tour in Europe,

that final UK show had this sense of accomplishment

mixed with feelings I'd never experienced before.

It was super hot too.

I know right.

Even the stage floor was

I don't know how to describe it,

soaking wet.

Just moisture everywhere.

Almost slipping on the stage!

The energy in that room was massive!

That memory really sticks with us, so we want to top it this time

in all the other countries too!

Sounds exciting!

Looking forward to it!

Thank you!

We're already running out of time,

but Yukina and Matsuri will be back next week too!

We'll continue our conversation then!

Thank you!

Finally, any announcements from Hanabie?

On August 25th,

Hanabie's first artist book will be released!

Congratulations!

We decided to make this for our 10th anniversary.

It includes photos of us that we haven't posted on social media,

behind-the-scenes tour moments,

and Hanabie's complete history.

It'll be packed with information!

Plus we're including sheet music for the first time!

We've never released scores before.

Also makeup tips, costume details,

so hopefully different types of fans can all enjoy it!

That sounds like such a special book!

Just hearing about it gets me excited!

Girls especially want to know, right?

Absolutely!

Your makeup today is gorgeous!

That blush is so beautiful!

I was definitely noticing!

I'll be using that as reference for sure!

Everyone, please look forward to it!

Tonight's guests were Yukina, vocalist of Hanabie,

and Matsuri, guitarist and vocalist!

Thank you so much! See you next week!