Hello Dear Reader, we'd like you to meet
Chai, a four-piece Japanese punk band who write songs about body image, housework and loving your family. They also wear matching outfits at all times and really, really like food. In the course of Dork's interview, they talk about how to stay sane on tour ("sleep a lot and eat a lot!"), what they miss about when they're away from Japan ("sushi, miso soup, kimchi, all we miss is food") and their favourite thing about the UK ("That's tough, but we love Nando's chicken").
The band, made up of Mana on vocals and keys, Kana on guitar, Yuuki on bass and Yuna on drums, do have a more serious goal than eating though. Their music is centred around the concept of ‘Neo Kawaii' – roughly translated as ‘New Cute' - breaking down the narrow definition of beauty in Japan and celebrating everyone, no matter their shape or size. Speaking through a translator (and a 9-hour time difference), we caught up with Japan's most ambitious punks.
Hey Chai, how's it going? Let's start with a bit of background on how you formed…
Mana: Growing up, myself and Kana always dreamt of becoming singers. We would eventually join our school's music club, where we met Yuna, and later Yuuki, and started off doing covers and random jam sessions.
We officially formed what is now known as Chai in 2015, and from here we began writing our original music, and it organically grew from there. We played on our strengths: Kana picked up the guitar and is great at arranging, Yuna was the best drummer in our school's music club, so that was a given, and Yuuki picked the bass, but really the bass picked Yuuki! Yuuki is also the most creative in the group and is the brains behind all the lyrics and album illustrations.
What would you say is the one key message of what you do?
Yuuki: Self-love! That your insecurities or complexes are your allies. These insecurities are your charm. Our music reflects our experiences and personal insecurities that we've been able to overcome by looking at them in a positive way. For example, in our upcoming album, PUNK, we've got a song called ‘
Curly Adventure', based on having curly hair. Some people may feel insecure about having a certain hair texture or style, but we wanted to explain how amazing it is to have it.
Can you explain your concept of ‘Neo Kawaii'?
Yuuki: The values and definition of beautiful in today's society are very narrow. You have to be skinny; your eyes have to be larger in size, your skin has to be of a fairer tone, your nose has to be pointier.
As a female, I've always felt uncomfortable and out of place with these ideals. I feel like everyone, and anyone is beautiful and cute from birth. This is what we call Neo Kawaii. We use this word to spread the message that everyone is cute and that "kawaii" has no definition. You are perfect the way you are and the way you want to be; everyone is Neo Kawaii!
