Known for their energetic performances and flamboyant, Harajuku-style fashion, Tokyo four-piece Broken Doll are a 1980s-inspired Japanese punk-rock band with an ever-growing following as street-fashion icons.
Members of the band also manage a fashion label and store in the trendy Shimokitazawa district of Tokyo. With the girls to make their debut Australian tour later this month, we interviewed member Kensuke.
You're headed to Australia later this month for your debut tour; excited to make the trip?
I'm so exited! I can't wait!
On stage, you're known for your energetic performances... how do you normally prepare on the day of a show?
I imagine the latest Japanese pop-fashion styles, and make it. And at same time, I imagine the latest Kawaii rock and write!
Part of the tour is playing the 'Future Beauty: 30 Years Of Japanese Fashion' at GOMA in Brisbane... do you girls consider yourselves fashionstas?
I love unusual style! And vivid colour! I love ‘80s Cyndi Lauper fashion. The title of her first album is ‘She's So Unusual’. So, I love that word! Haha.
You own and operate a fashion store in Tokyo... is it important to have another creative outlet for your creativity?
Sure! I love making music: lyrics, recording the band's songs myself, mastering myself, designing the clothes for our concert and hanging out on Tokyo streets, and making unusual, fashion styles. I love D.I.Y everything.
The Harajuku style – what do you find attractive about this type of fashion?
The people who love Harajuku-Kei are cool and cute and also crazy, sick, a little Otaku. I love them all! It's hard but so fun!
What's the favourite item of fashion/ clothing you own?
I love Heart Switch necklace and ring. It's my handmade design. I think it is the latest style that has mixed Akihabara otaku style and Harajuku Kawaii style!
You've released a special, Australia tour edition promo CD... the cover art was done by Brisbane artist Cherie; how did that collaboration come about?
I love her art. She is my friend. We met on Facebook and Instagram. I check her art on Facebook everyday. We had hung out in Tokyo when she came to Japan last year. She had done the cover art for our single EP, ‘I Miss You’. Finally my dream came true that we would perform in Australia . We have a lot of fans in Australia. It's amazing!
How does that tour CD introduce Australian audiences to the sounds/ style of Broken Dolls?
The sound is Japanese-Kawaii rock! There are no bands playing Kawaii rock in Japan. It's only Broken Doll!
Are you working on another album at the moment?
We have spent a year touring this EP. But we also work making songs every day.
Do you listen to a lot of other bands?
I love indie music. It's too difficult to get indie-music CDs in Japan. Because, I find out on YouTube everyday. YouTube surfing every day. Haha.
In July you travelled to London to perform at Hyper Japan... how was that experience?
It was a great experience for us. We have a lot of fans and friends in UK and Europe. They had come to Hyper Japan to meet us. Thanks kindly. I love you! We hope for the same things in Australia!
Broken Doll Tour Dates
Fri 21 Nov - GOMA (Brisbane)Sat 22 Nov - The Factory Floor (Sydney)
Sun 23 Nov - Ding Dong Lounge (Melbourne)
