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As you may have heard by now, SCANDAL's documentary film, 「SCANDAL “Documentary film『HELLO WORLD』”」, is hitting movie theaters in Japan this weekend. This film will give fans an insider's look at SCANDAL's amazing HELLO WORLD Tour, which had 41 concert dates in 9 countries. To commemorate this special event, SCANDAL HEAVEN sat down with the group for an exclusive interview to talk about their experiences while on their world tour.
――Many of SCANDAL's songs have a positive and uplifting message. Does the band choose to focus on those things, or is it a reflection of the member's personalities?
RINA: It's both for us. We have hopes as individuals that we want [songs] to be a certain way. As a band, the members are always talking to each other about continuing to send out positive messages.
――In the "Image" PV, the band members are heroines, using their powers to help people. In reality, SCANDAL's music inspires and brings together people from around the world. What is it like knowing you have such an impact?
HARUNA: We're proud that our music is reaching not only Japan, but overseas as well.
RINA: Although our languages may be different, I'd be very happy if the messages in our lyrics are being conveyed and touching the hearts of those who listen to our songs. We want to keep conveying them.
――Having the chance to perform in new cities and cities you've played before, are there performances which are especially memorable from this tour?
TOMOMI: Mexico was the country that, in a good way, had the biggest gap between the image I had of it before going there [and how it actually was]. The power of the people impressed me, and we were able to exchange energy at the concert as well. The World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan was also very inspiring.
――What are some surprising things about performing worldwide compared to performing in Japan?
MAMI: Regarding surprising things, it has to be the different colors of each country.
RINA: Unlike our solo lives in Japan, the people who come to watch our concerts aren't just our fans; there are also people there who have come to see us, with harsh looks on their faces, as if they're evaluating us. That's worthwhile.
MAMI: This time, in the countries we visited in the past, such as France, the impressions we had of the fans that were there during our previous visits were different. I'm looking forward to the next time as well.
――With the band doing so much traveling for HELLO WORLD, can you give us some of your tips on how you deal with jet lag?
MAMI: You indeed cannot win against jet lag.
RINA: But, the timing of the meals and sleeping on the airplane makes you aware of the time at the place of arrival as you're watching movies and getting adjusted.
TOMOMI: Even if you're jet lagged, you naturally get sleepy at the time you should sleep because you're worn out from traveling.
――We hear that during your time off you went shopping. What's your favorite thing that you bought during the tour, and in which country did you find it?
TOMOMI: The flutes we bought at Teotihuacan [in Mexico].
――We see that many fans give you gifts at your concerts. What's the most memorable gift you received while on the HELLO WORLD Tour?
TOMOMI: In Hong Kong I was impressed by the papers with birthday messages written on them that the audience was holding up.
HARUNA: It made me happy that the audience wrote messages on national/city flags at every venue, and that there were people who wrote in Japanese too.
――SCANDAL has become an ambassador for Japan and has encouraged many people to come to Japan to see your concerts. Can you recommend a few places for your international fans to visit while in Tokyo, such as a favorite restaurant?
RINA: Tsurutontan. It has Japanese-style decor and all different kinds of noodles. Above all, the size of the bowls is surprising.
HARUNA: We too go there often.
――Fan accounts from SCANDAL HEAVEN members have been pouring in online during the tour. Do you have a message for the fans from SCANDAL HEAVEN?
RINA: I don't think of it as the start of us being such good friends; we've always been greatly encouraged by all of you.
MAMI: You don't simply support us; you interview us and help us spread out even further.
HARUNA: To an extent I think they watch us with an intense perspective, so I think that's why we can be true to ourselves.
TOMOMI: Everyone on SCANDAL HEAVEN, thank you as always! Would you like to be part of our staff? (laughs)
――Since SCANDAL is always pursuing a new horizon, what is next in store for the band?
HARUNA: We'll go beyond the next horizon again.
RINA: The nearest goal that we have is wanting to produce an album solely of songs that we've written, which we're currently preparing for.
MAMI: We'd like to go on another world tour carrying that album, so please look forward to it!
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