Japanese acts Suzuki Konomi (鈴木 このみ) and MYTH & ROID (ミスアンドロイド) returned to Malaysia and performed at the Comic Fiesta concert held at Plenary Hall. Fans had the time of their lives at the show and we too were simply blown away by their performances.
Before the joint concert, we had the opportunity to sit down and chat with both artists on Day 1 of the two-day event. From their experiences in Malaysia to their songwriting process, here’s what we learned about these talented acts.
1. Could you explain to us the writing process for each anime song? Did you read the source material or were you simply briefed on the storyline?
Suzuki Konomi: I will always read the source material. I will read the manga from start to finish to fully grasp the series so I can incorporate the story into my music. For example, in the “Re:ZERO” series, there’s a very specific message, “Kimi to Tomo ni Mirai wo” that translates to “Into a future together with you.” which is an important and strong message in Re:ZERO. The series has been a huge part of my history, and will continue to make the future together with “Re:ZERO.” I also take into consideration the thoughts and feelings of the writers as well as the production team before writing the tracks.
KIHOW: Similar to Suzuki Konomi, we also read the source material. We paid attention to not just the story but also the characters’ emotions and developments so we could come up with a song that reflects those things.
2. Suzuki Konomi, you recently released the music video for “Reweave”, which is also featured in “Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World”. Unlike your previous videos, you did a lot of acting in this one. What was the experience like?
Suzuki Konomi: For this song “Reweave”, I wanted to try something fresh and new. That’s why I decided to bring acting into the latest music video. Since I’m inexperienced in acting, when it came to the day of the shoot, I was so nervous that my heart was basically pounding out of my chest. However, I was pleased with the results because I was able to give fans the chance to see this other side of Suzuki Konomi that they’ve never seen before.
3. For MYTH & ROID, could you share with us about the new song “NOX LUX”, which is also featured in the “Re:ZERO” series, and what does it mean to you personally?
KIHOW: It was the first time in a while that MYTH & ROID collaborated with the “Re:ZERO” series, however, this was actually my first time as I was not the vocalist previously. Since this was my first endeavour, the band came together and discussed the direction we wanted to go with the music. We wanted to preserve the mythical themes and vibes that were established with the music before and to find a way to tell the story of the new season through our new song. So, those were some of the things we had to consider and keep in mind; the sort of feeling that was put into making “NOX LUX”.
4. Since both of you have worked on songs for the “Re:ZERO” series, how has the anime impacted your career?
Suzuki Konomi: For me personally, the series has had such a strong connection with my journey as an artist. When I was recording “Redo” for the first season, it was during a time when I had to decide whether to pursue music or continue my studies. I chose the former, and having the courage to follow this singular path paralleled the main character Subaru’s journey during the first season.
When I was working on “Realize” for the second season, I had health concerns with my vocal cords. As a singer, this was a huge obstacle to overcome, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue on the path I had chosen. The experience also mirrored Subaru’s doubts about the road he was taking. In the end, he made the decision to move forward with his journey, which inspired and motivated me to face my own problems and overcome the issues I had with my vocal cords. Now, here I am, still singing, and I’m excited to announce that I have concerts planned for every weekend in 2025!
KIHOW: My journey is different. I’ve been a huge fan of “Re:ZERO” from the very beginning. After I was recruited as the new vocalist for MYTH & ROID, I always try to perform the previously released songs with as much emotion and sincerity as the former vocalist. When I was given the chance to finally write a song as the band’s current vocalist, I felt this new range of emotions like a door had opened up for me. I was no longer just performing songs written by and for someone else, I was actually becoming my own artist.
I finally got to experience what it’s like to pour your heart and soul into your music. It was definitely an awakening for me and made me realise that this is how music should be performed, especially when you are heavily involved in the creative process. I’m also truly grateful for fans who accepted the work I contributed to the band and the new music we put out together. It’s something I will forever cherish and I get very emotional whenever I think about it. This whole experience has pushed me to be better and has made me even more passionate about making music.
5. For both artists, was there a performance in your career that was particularly memorable or moving for you?
Suzuki Konomi: I truly mean this from the bottom of my heart: one of the most memorable performances I had was actually in Malaysia a few years ago, towards the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. Back home, any concert held in Japan had to follow very strict SOPs, including mask-wearing and social distancing. Because of this, fans weren’t allowed to cheer or project their voices, making the concerts eerily quiet at the time.
By the time I arrived in Malaysia, the Covid-19 SOPs here had already been lifted, so I was able to hear the fans cheering loudly and singing along with me during my performance — something I hadn’t experienced in Japan for a long time. It really left a deep impression on me coming out of the pandemic.
KIHOW: I truly mean this from the bottom of my heart as well: I always think back to our performance in Malaysia in 2018. Whenever someone asks me about concerts overseas versus those in Japan, Malaysia is the first place that comes to mind. I remember vividly that as soon as I started singing the first song, I could hear the crowd singing along with me. I could barely hear myself or the music but it was amazing.
Not only were they loud but it was also the fact that they knew the lyrics to every song from our setlist. Everyone was singing along throughout the entire concert. So now, whenever I’m on stage anywhere, I’m reminded of that energy from Malaysian fans and I gained a lot of courage and confidence from that performance. I’m truly grateful to the audience back in 2018 for the experience.
6. Anything you’d like to say to your Malaysian fans?
Suzuki Konomi: I always express myself through my music. For me to truly express my gratitude to the fans is by performing and singing my heart out whenever I’m onstage. I appreciate everyone who has come to support me and I hope you enjoy these shows cause I will continue to do them and put out more music for as long as you are willing to give me the chance.
KIHOW: Thank you to all the MYTH & ROID fans in Malaysia. Thank you for the love and support you’ve shown for our music. Also, when you’re feeling down or having bad days, I want you to remember all the good times you’ve had. Whenever I’m having those days, I remind myself of our show in Malaysia in 2018. The experience will stay with me forever, and I will never forget the cheers and the faces of the audience who came to watch the performance. Thank you so much.
