Japan Suicide is an Italian post punk band that has garnered a lot of attention with their 2015 album 'We Die In Such A Place' released on Unknown Pleasures Records. 'We Die In Such A Place' made several top lists for the year's best releases. It's time to get to know a little bit about the band making all the buzz.

When I first saw your We Die In Such A Place CD advertised, I wondered about the name, Japan Suicide. How did you arrive with that name? Were there other names you considered?

Japan Suicide: The name came after much time; we didn't have others in mind. Then Matteo found it reading Mishima and others things on Japan. It's a symbolic approach; what was an ancient ritual is today a modern alienation. Our music is well anchored to the past, but we believe that it still has a pulsing strength.

Japan Suicide has been releasing music since at least 2010. What brought all of the members together to the point where forming a band was a real possibility?

Japan Suicide: Playing music, it's an activity that all of us like very much, but playing music together makes this special. What makes this possible and continuous in the time is a state of unconsciousness and determination. Most of all is the fact that you realize that this is the best thing that you have done in your life.

We Die In Such A Place has made several top 10 lists for best post punk albums of 2015 and the reviews have been solid. How did the band come up all the concepts to making such a well-received album? What were the motivating or driving factors that fostered the creativity musically, lyrically and personally?

Japan Suicide: We have tried to be more concentrated and tight to what we feel and to be where our album is in that moment, developing the songs in a manner the more coherent and possible than in the past and most of all from the point of view of the sound, taking care of the details. The principal motivation was to publish a work that was the most possible representation of what we wanted and a sort of firm point from which restart. It's an album that contains our listening, and in a certain way it's a remark, however not conclusive.

While listening to your debut album, Mothra from 2010, there is a different feel from that album to 'We Die In Such A Place'. I know a lot can happen in 5 years. We Die In Such A Place feels darker. Was this the result of what you wanted? What changes did you make from 2010 to 2015?

Japan Suicide: There are various differences. The principal is the different approach, following a direction. 'WDISAP' sounds darker because we wanted it like this. In the time we have understood better what we wanted, although we already had many great models to follow, and how to obtain this, also in understanding what we don't like of 'Mothra' and what could be better of that album. Two new members joined the band and that helped us in this route for the composition and for the live performance.

The fans that want to connect with you or stay up to date with all that is Japan Suicide, your Facebook seems to be a great starting point. There are a lot of videos, pictures and other information. What is your favorite way to connect with the fans?

Japan Suicide: Facebook seems to be perfect... beyond the practical aspects that we know; there is this sensation of direct contact that makes it more pleasurable. Sometimes it is inebriating.

How often do you play live? Also where have you played and where would you like to play? I vote for NYC.

Japan Suicide: We play more often day by day. We'll come back to Germany and we'll be in UK for several gigs. Then in September we have to get organized to reach Portugal and so on. Go NYC!

How awesome would a vinyl release of 'We Die In Such A Place' be? Is this something you have thought about? Does format matter to you? Do you think it matters all that much to the fans?

Japan Suicide: We think about it. Many people appreciate this format. It has a charm bigger than the cd, outside the debate on the quality of the sound.

What's on the horizon for Japan Suicide? When can we expect more new music and merchandise? If money was not a huge factor, what would be your dream release? How would you put everything together for this release? I know sometimes when I buy an LP, I get super excited to find a lyric sheet, artwork or even a poster. Sometimes due to financials, that is not possible.

Japan Suicide: We are writing a new full length, for the next autumn. Meanwhile we have recorded some new tracks in Italian. We continue to find contacts, also for the live than for other music projects. As well as for the vinyl, it would be certainly good to have a rich production for the music lovers, but is not always possible. But we are very satisfied for the artwork of WDISAP, for its essentiality.

What albums do members of Japan Suicide hold close to their hearts influentially and personally?

Japan Suicide: "Closer" (Matteo), "Disintegration" and "154" (Leonardo), "Californication" (Stefano), "Loveless" and "Daydream Nation" (Saverio), "Insomniac" (Tommaso).

Unknown Pleasures Records is currently your label. They specialize in and promote many different styles of music from minimal wave to EBM. How is it working with Unknown Pleasures? They seem have good taste with the artists and projects they promote.

Japan Suicide: Working with UPR is very simple and pleasant. We have found a label with which we have feeling and which has helped us to reach a good number of people around the world interested with this genre of music.

Aside from playing in Japan Suicide, what makes the members happy?

Japan Suicide: Playing soccer, books, movies, The Simpsons, South Park, bullshit, hugs and kisses.
Japan Suicide interview

Luke Jacobs https://www.brutalresonance.com/interview/japan-suicide/ April 27, 2016 April 27, 2016

Brutal Resonance

Japan Suicide

Apr 2016

Post Punk, Darkwave