Getting to Know… Ginger May | Interview 🎤

In the 294^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from multi-national, Japanese electronic/industrial rock band, Ginger May.

“The most unique thing about our band is that we are mostly foreigners in Japan.” That is certainly intriguing, 🎙 Ginger May! In response to our first burning question, the multi-national, Japanese electronic/industrial rock band also shares more that makes them distinct: “The other distinct thing is melodies, perhaps… Catchy melodies and heavy guitars and bass make the audience flow with the rhythm.” Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on the band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… Ginger May: Interview No. 294!

Starting things off, for those who may not be familiar with Ginger May, what would you say makes you/your band distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

🎤 The most unique thing about our band is that we are mostly foreigners in Japan (lol). But if taken seriously it is like playing euro taste rock in Japan which is full of visual kei and idol bands. It doesn’t mean we are the only band here, Tokyo, for example, has a few bands with west style and foreign members. The other distinct thing is melodies, perhaps. We pay a lot of attention to the melodies of our songs, we want them to be memorable, but at the same time, we like rock arrangements. Catchy melodies and heavy guitars and bass make the audience flow with the rhythm.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Ginger May form and what were some of the goals or visions you had as a band early on?

🎤 Funny fact, first we (🎙Tanya Schneider and 🎙 Satoshi Higashida) met on the internet and were collaborating remotely (with some other musicians of course). Sometime after the project began a new life in Tokyo, Japan. Ginger May today is the collaboration of four passionate musicians who came together because of the need to write and perform original music in different genres.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

🎤 Tanya: I think the goals didn’t change. The music has changed, and it is totally fine. The goal still remains – to make music. Probably one thing is different: to make our music sound better.

🎤 Satoshi: Basically, nothing has changed. I just like to see people’s happy faces through music and by our performance, even momentarily I provide songs like Latin, rock, funk, and blues, but foundationally, I am the same as a sole player for listeners

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

🎤 Tanya: It is almost impossible to list everything that influenced me. I love classical music and then I like pop music from the 50s and 60s, rock’n’roll, this music is in my daily playlist. You can consider this as my musical influence. As for more modern music, my tastes and views change very often. For example, a couple of years ago I listened mostly to Norwegian rock. Maybe to some extent it all affects my music. The only band I listen to all the time or more than usual is RHCP.   

🎤 Satoshi: My music career has begun with classical music. Vivaldi taught me rock, study tempo, and a touch of music colors like hard and soft/fast and slow from Brahms. Sensitiveness from Chopin, and Dvorak made me crazy, like that. Then I got a classical guitar and electric-guitar.

After that, I thought I could be a great composer like them. Anyway, after that my guitar heroes were rock-wise Van Halen, Steve Vai, Matias Eklund, Paul Gilbert, Randy Rhords, Michael Schenker, and for blues Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Gary Moore, and so on. They are amazing guitarists obviously.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

🎤 Once we played in a small club with no stage. More precisely, the stage was at the level of the audience. The drums were placed on a rubber mat. And our drummer at that time had a very strong hit. So strong that every time he hit the kick it slid forward on the rubber mat. Therefore, he constantly had to hold it with one hand or move it towards him. It was tense but funny at the same time.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

🎤 All songs mean a lot, really. It is impossible to choose one or even two. But, for example, we like to perform 🎵 “Cocoon”. Somehow, a lot of people can relate to this song. We even have feedback about how this song could help some of our fans to cope with depression. Another one is perhaps 🎵 “Mesmerizer” – a beautiful ballad about the changes. Can’t explain why. Just it is a deep song and sounds beautifully live.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Consider the band we pay a lot of attention to the live show. We are trying to create that unique atmosphere all the time, depending on the event. For example, different costumes and song lists. And we often collaborate with different artists, dancers, and other performances. So, when we play live it is the show. Even a small one.

🎤 We can say the same about our music videos. Since Tanya is partly an MV director we are taking a big part in the creative process of our videos. Because for us Music Video is the continuation of the song. Besides in our opinion nowadays music is very closely connected with visuals.

Closing things out, what is Ginger May currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

🎤 We released a new brand-new single, 🎵 “Me and You” with an amazingly sweet music video just a few weeks ago. You can check them out everywhere. We are happy that this song found its way. And so far we are very preoccupied with it, so we are not ready to reveal any news. But we are definitely going to be back to the studio to practice a few more songs. And we hope you can hear some new stuff from Ginger May in the near future.

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

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Getting to Know… Ginger May: Interview No. 294 [📷: Alfred Derks from Pixabay, Brent Faulkner, Darkmoon_Art from Pixabay, Ginger May, The Musical Hype]