Interviews: Evraak

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Rock band Evraak from Japan. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Our Band name is very unique because this is a coined word we made. We got the idea from the old PC game however that game only sells in Japan so I think nobody knows. About the pronunciation of Evraak[íːv lə'ːrk]. It appears to be a combination of “EVE” and”Lurk” or”Lark”. We're Japanese, so we've never really thought much about pronunciation. So you can read it however you like.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Hayawo(Guitar): I've loved progressive rock since I was a teenager, so I tried to make my own, but it didn't work out. So I kept trying, hoping to make my own progressive music someday. By the time I had my own progressive music that I was satisfied with, I was 40 years old, but that's how Evraak began. Koji(Bass): Progressive rock is one of my musical roots, but I also like funk and electronica. Other members also like avant-garde, jazz, and contemporary music, so when the pieces blended together, it inevitably became progressive rock. This is the very spirit of progressive rock.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Koji Kawashima(Ba) and Hayawo Kanno(Gt) is friends since junior high school. Takeshi Yoshida(Ds) played Pop-Rock music in another band before. Marina seo(Vo) and Miki Hasegawa(Key) were already playing music together. They also found out about us through a member recruiting website. Tengoku Imagawa(Sax) He plays jazz professionally and teaches at a music school. Koji Kawashima had been in contact with him and asked him to join the band. So we didn't know much about each other's previous musical activities. However, the members understood Koji and Hayawo's project very well.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Marina Seo(Vo): CAN, THE STALIN(Japanese Punk Band)

Miki Hasegawa(Key): Bojan Zulfikarpasic, Yann Tiersen

Takeshi Yoshida(Ds): Chick Corea, Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet

Tengoku Imagawa(Sax): Bob Berg, John Coltrane

Koji Kawashima(Ba): Art&Mestieri, Quarter to Africa

Hayawo Kanno(Gt): Anekdoten, Deep Purple

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Hayawo: As for music, I don't get inspiration from others. Koji: I‘m inspired by a variety of music, but never listen to that music again in order to compose. I just output the various music I have stored in my head as much as I can. If I may say so, I am now interested in folk music from the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

6. Where was your last gig?

“Shinjuku Crawdaddy Club” In Tokyo

7. Where would you like to act?

Worldwide, I'd love to visit Italy, especially since there seem to be a lot of avid prog-rock fans there.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Respected Prog-Rock giants. However, many Prog Rock masters have passed away and we will miss them.

9. Whom not?

None, but I don't think we perform with a hip-hop-style group.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Koji: Yes, I will still be nervous on every stage because I did desktop music and bed room recording for a long time so I almost did not stand on the live stage until now. So I have sessions with various players at small live bars to overcome that.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Hayawo: YES

Koji: King Crimson

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

We have been asked to work without changing members for at least 10 years. Of course, We intend to do so.

13. What do you think of your fans?

It is very very important. We don't want to let them down. So We will continue to create good music.

14. What do you think of our site?

Great! I think your website is best for all music lovers. Really awesome!

15. Something to add?

We are a fledgling band. So We want more prog rock lovers around the world to know about us. Thank you.