HITT is a multi-instrumentalist solo artist, who basically is a one-man-band because of that talent. Despite starting his career as a bassist, HITT now takes the stage with a multitude of instruments, as well as his own voice. His cheerful, high energy personality surely makes for an entertaining stage presence.
Before his show in P60 in Amstelveen I sat down with HITT to ask him some questions about the European tour, but also about himself as a musician. Because it's not every day that you hear someone say they're a multi-instrumentalist...
View More HITT // “I wanted everyone to aim their eyes at me since I was born.”
雪 (Yuki)
雪 (Yuki) is the owner and driving force behind Arlequin.
She originally started the project in 2009 as a photographer under the name of Arlequin Photography, but developed an interest in journalism and translation ever since. Because of these interests interviews and reviews were added to the project, until it eventually hit the limits as a "photographer" in 2021, and Arlequin Magazine was added to the mix.
雪 (Yuki) is a native Dutch speaker with a graphic design degree, which means she is also the main person behind Arlequin Creations.
After all these years, she's still the one responsible for the interviews and most of the live photography you see here at Arlequin, but the majority of reviews and behind-the-scenes work is also done by her.
The reviews she writes are from the viewing point of an overseas fan, and thus written in English before being translated to Dutch, Spanish and Japanese. In the English versions she also tries to explain the meaning behind certain kanji or song titles to the readers, but what you don't see here is that these explanations are omitted in the Japanese versions in order to appeal to these readers more.
She speaks Dutch and English on a native level, but also understands Japanese and German.
She originally started the project in 2009 as a photographer under the name of Arlequin Photography, but developed an interest in journalism and translation ever since. Because of these interests interviews and reviews were added to the project, until it eventually hit the limits as a "photographer" in 2021, and Arlequin Magazine was added to the mix.
雪 (Yuki) is a native Dutch speaker with a graphic design degree, which means she is also the main person behind Arlequin Creations.
After all these years, she's still the one responsible for the interviews and most of the live photography you see here at Arlequin, but the majority of reviews and behind-the-scenes work is also done by her.
The reviews she writes are from the viewing point of an overseas fan, and thus written in English before being translated to Dutch, Spanish and Japanese. In the English versions she also tries to explain the meaning behind certain kanji or song titles to the readers, but what you don't see here is that these explanations are omitted in the Japanese versions in order to appeal to these readers more.
She speaks Dutch and English on a native level, but also understands Japanese and German.
-OZ- // “A FACT OF LIFE” Europe tour 2011 at Tivoli de Helling
During their “A FACT OF LIFE” Europe tour -OZ- stopped at Tivoli de Helling in Utrecht on January 25 to play their show for the fans who had been waiting outside for most of the afternoon already.
We also went to check out their performance, and took some photos while we were there. You can find these photos
-OZ- // “We just want our passports to be full of stamps!”
Starting in 2004 under the concept of “美と大敗” (Bi to Taihai) (or "Beauty and Decadence"), -OZ- have a darker and heavier visual presentation than the other bands signed to LOOP ASH RECORDS, but you won't hear their audience complaining about that.
The group released their very first album "VERSUS" in 2009, followed by "Rouge" in 2010. The latter is also the reason they're currently touring here in Europe.
This tour is their very first time outside of Japan, and we really wanted to know more about their impressions so far - among other things, of course!
View More -OZ- // “We just want our passports to be full of stamps!”
The group released their very first album "VERSUS" in 2009, followed by "Rouge" in 2010. The latter is also the reason they're currently touring here in Europe.
This tour is their very first time outside of Japan, and we really wanted to know more about their impressions so far - among other things, of course!
View More -OZ- // “We just want our passports to be full of stamps!”
the fool // ~Crazy frogs hunting the world~ at P60
After their last visit in August for the “Jap-Ro Festival”, the fool returned to The Netherlands once more for their “~Crazy frogs hunting the world~” tour, this time stopping in Amstelveen on December 2nd, where we managed to take some photos of their live show.
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More the fool // ~Crazy frogs hunting the world~ at P60
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More the fool // ~Crazy frogs hunting the world~ at P60
Guren // ~Crazy frogs hunting the world~ (support) at P60
the fool didn't come to Amstelveen by themselves. This time being supported behind the scenes by Râmen Events meant that there was a support act to accompany them during their live show on December 2nd: Guren.
While there we also managed to take some photos of their live show.
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More Guren // ~Crazy frogs hunting the world~ (support) at P60
While there we also managed to take some photos of their live show.
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More Guren // ~Crazy frogs hunting the world~ (support) at P60
the fool // Three crazy frogs on a roadtrip around the world
It has been a mere 4 months since the fool last came to Europe, since last August they were on the stage in Utrecht and Bonn together with Luzmelt.
Our first interview with Gunji from the fool included vocalist yuhma from Luzmelt due to time constraints, and some questions from that list had to be cut on the spot.
Unfortunately I can't redeem myself with yuhma at this point in time, but I can with Gunji and the rest of the fool!
So let's go!
View More the fool // Three crazy frogs on a roadtrip around the world
Our first interview with Gunji from the fool included vocalist yuhma from Luzmelt due to time constraints, and some questions from that list had to be cut on the spot.
Unfortunately I can't redeem myself with yuhma at this point in time, but I can with Gunji and the rest of the fool!
So let's go!
View More the fool // Three crazy frogs on a roadtrip around the world
Guren // A Belgian “family” inspired by Visual Kei
In all honesty, this interview wasn't planned at all. Until we got to the show for the fool in Amstelveen, we had no idea that there would be a local (Belgium is local to us, at least) artist supporting the three frogs from Japan.
Because of how enjoyable the three members of Guren were on stage, we decided to request an interview on the spot to learn a little more about them, writing the questions for this interview while the band was still on stage.
View More Guren // A Belgian “family” inspired by Visual Kei
Because of how enjoyable the three members of Guren were on stage, we decided to request an interview on the spot to learn a little more about them, writing the questions for this interview while the band was still on stage.
View More Guren // A Belgian “family” inspired by Visual Kei
El -Ethnic Legist- // Four mummies combining Egyptian music with heavy metal
What do you get when you combine ヴィジュアル系 (Visual Kei) with Egyptian elements like folklore, fashion and music? You get El -Ethnic Legist-!
The four mummies are currently touring Europe to deliver us their music and stories.
We managed to get a hold of them in Liege (Belgium) for an interview, in which we talk about their choices for the band's concept and name, as well as their music influences. Are you ready for some Egyptian influence?
View More El -Ethnic Legist- // Four mummies combining Egyptian music with heavy metal
The four mummies are currently touring Europe to deliver us their music and stories.
We managed to get a hold of them in Liege (Belgium) for an interview, in which we talk about their choices for the band's concept and name, as well as their music influences. Are you ready for some Egyptian influence?
View More El -Ethnic Legist- // Four mummies combining Egyptian music with heavy metal
El -Ethnic Legist- // Europe tour at Le Tipi
El -Ethnic Legist- came to Europe for their "Europe tour”, tour, and during their stop in Liege (Belgium) on September 19 we managed to take some photos of their live show.
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More El -Ethnic Legist- // Europe tour at Le Tipi
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More El -Ethnic Legist- // Europe tour at Le Tipi
ダウト (D=OUT) // “We draw inspiration for our songs from each other.”
I have a bit of a confession to make with this interview. This interview is actually heavily backdated, as it was not posted in 2010 originally.
In fact, this interview was done before Arlequin even launched officially. At this point in time I was still a student, which means that the questions aren't the same depth as they would be today.
Regardless, I did want to share this interview with you, since ダウト (D=OUT) were so incredibly nice and helpful, and they even liked the reason this interview was created in the first place. So, here you have it. Arlequin's very first interview, before it was even an official project!
View More ダウト (D=OUT) // “We draw inspiration for our songs from each other.”
In fact, this interview was done before Arlequin even launched officially. At this point in time I was still a student, which means that the questions aren't the same depth as they would be today.
Regardless, I did want to share this interview with you, since ダウト (D=OUT) were so incredibly nice and helpful, and they even liked the reason this interview was created in the first place. So, here you have it. Arlequin's very first interview, before it was even an official project!
View More ダウト (D=OUT) // “We draw inspiration for our songs from each other.”
the fool // Jap-Ro Festival at Tivoli de Helling
the fool came to Europe for their "Jap-Ro Festival”, tour, and during their stop in Utrecht (The Netherlands) on August 1st we managed to take some photos of their live show.
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More the fool // Jap-Ro Festival at Tivoli de Helling
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More the fool // Jap-Ro Festival at Tivoli de Helling
Luzmelt // Jap-Ro Festival at Tivoli de Helling
Luzmelt came to Europe for their "Jap-Ro Festival”, tour, and during their stop in Utrecht (The Netherlands) on August 1st we managed to take some photos of their live show.
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More Luzmelt // Jap-Ro Festival at Tivoli de Helling
These photos are hosted on our photography portfolio, Arlequin Photography.
You can find the link to their page there in this post!
View More Luzmelt // Jap-Ro Festival at Tivoli de Helling