Interview: Having performed at the CBGB festival and currently gaining international attention, just who are “Cheeky Parade”?

20.October.2016 | FEATURES / MUSIC

Cheeky Parade is part of the Avex idol label “iDOL Street”, the second idol group to come out of the label. The group have gained attention both within Japan and overseas for their great vocals and energetic live performances, having performed even in Paris and LA. We interviewed for of the Cheeky Parade members, including Yuriya Suzuki, Yuna Sekine, Seran Mizorogi, and Momoka Kodakari, about two of the members going to study abroad, their latest song “Hands up!”, and their thoughts on their overseas performance.

・First of all, please tell us a little about the group “Cheeky Parade”.
Sekine: “Cheeky Parade” is a nine member group that have been together 4 years this year. Two of the members are currently studying abroad in Los Angeles so we are working with seven members for the time being. Just as our name suggests, we are “Cheeky”, always being mischievous and high energy on stage. If you’re able to come and see us live, I think you’ll know what we mean.

・What kind of songs do you play the most live?
Mizorogi: We perform a lot of songs that everyone can enjoy together! If you hear our music, you’ll be able to forget all the bad things.

・What are the members of the group like?
Mizorogi: We have a lot of very energetic and loud members (laughs). I think the music studio is quiet once or twice a year!
Suzuki: And that energy really comes out on stage! All the members are really lively, and it’s the same on stage. It’s a lot of fun.

・The other groups that are with the idol label you are on are accepting new members, but it was decided that Cheeky Parade wouldn’t accept new members and continue with who you have. What’s the reason for this?
Suzuki: I think because we have ties with each other and we all really get along, and because we’ve been able to come as far as we have together, so it wouldn’t really work if it wasn’t the 9 of us.

・Cheeky Parade seem to be really keen about performing overseas, having gone countries like America and France.
Kodakari: Of course we’d be active in Japan, but going overseas has always been our dream! We were able to go to New York, France and Los Angeles last year and the year before. We were able to learn how people overseas do their thing during performances. I’ve really come to want to spread Japanese culture even more overseas. There are so many Cheeky Parade fans in France that support us, and it’s that which makes me want to return the favour to our overseas supporters.
Suzuki: There really is a Cheeky Parade fan community in France. There’s a French music program that ranks the most popular Japanese songs. Lots of French Cheeky Parade fans voted for us and we placed 3rd in the rankings!

 

Two of our members, Marin Yamamoto and Suzuki Mariya, are studying abroad in Los Angeles, but once they come back having studied English, I think we’ll be able to become an even stronger group overseas.

・What do you think will be the secret weapon that determines your success overseas?
Kodakari: Music that will get everyone going! When we went to New York, nobody knew who we were, so I wondered what would happen, but as soon as our music came on everyone people came over to watch and were really enjoying it. Even though they didn’t know the lyrics, I feel like it really resonated with them. Music can connect with anybody in the world. Even though the song is in Japanese, if the melody and rhythm are good then it can bring together that many people. I was really happy.
Suzuki: Cheeky Parade have fun choreography and we all jump together a lot during performances, so performing overseas made me want to come up with more fun songs that foreign people can enjoy too – songs that get your body moving, even if you don’t understand the words.

・Are there any songs you’d like people to remember when you perform overseas again?
Mizorogi: I wonder… (laughs). Our new song “Hands up!” is a rock song that even people who don’t like idol music can enjoy, so if there are any people overseas that don’t know about idol culture, I think they’ll be able to have fun with that song. There’s a lot of parts where we dance together, so if they keep listening to our songs, watch our live performances and music videos and learn the dances I’ll be very happy.

・It’s impressive that you wear pajamas in “Hands up!”
Suzuki: Pajamas are popular in the overseas fashion world at the minute, so we tried adopting the latest fashion. On the other hand, with regards to spreading Japanese culture overseas, when we go there we go wearing kimono.

・Finally, please leave a message for your overseas fans.
Sekine: Even if you don’t understand what we’re saying during our performances, you’ll be able to forget anything and everything and have fun just by watching! I want to start going overseas more, so it’s fine if you don’t know our songs, just come and see us and I have confidence that you’ll love us!
Kodakari: We haven’t been overseas wearing these pyjamas yet, so we will perform wearing them, so I’d like all of you to wait for us wearing your pyjamas (laughs).
Suzuki: “I love music”, “I love having fun”. These are feelings that everyone feels and that connect with anyone in the world, so I would be grateful if you can have fun through Cheeky Parade. If you’re someone that likes to have fun, I’d most definitely like you to come and see Cheeky Parade!
Mizorogi: We plan to make Cheeky Parade become bigger and also to become famous overseas, so please be sure to keep an eye on us!

Cheeky Parade Official Website
http://cheekyparade.jp

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■Related Article: Lucky 7s all round — Cheeky Parade’s new formation of 7 celebrates Oricon Daily Ranking of 7th place achieved by their new single released on 7th September!

■Related Article: MOSHI MOSHI INTERVIEW: Cheeky Parade

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