#also yay new waka art!

[feliciadraws]

B R O K E N

Inspired by that 'broken doll' trend I saw going round here a little while ago, and naturally I did a thing of it with Waka hehe, symbolism go brrr

[putschki1969]

Translation of Kalafina’s appearance on the radio show 「Takeshi Washizaki’s YORU NIGHT×YORU NIGHT」

I thought I’d provide a rough summary [scratch that. This thing turned out longer than expected >_>] for yesterday’s radio appearance. This is dedicated to @sangaella who was kind enough to capture the whole thing. In case you haven’t seen the link she provided, go HERE (inactive)!! The interview can also be downloaded HERE on my google drive + the extra few minutes that were only available for subscribers of the channel (slightly better quality)!!

Disclaimer: Take this with a grain of salt. My Japanese listening comprehension SUCKS. T_T I tried my best though. And I might come back to this post and edit things later when I am not so tired >_<

Translation starts behind the cut! Enjoy ^_^

They start with their usual introduction and then they are saying it’s been a long time since they have last been on the show. Washizaki-san is sorry that it took so long and he also apologises for the late hour. The girls say it’s all right because he is always super hyper and they are having loads of fun. They also mention that he likes to play on his guitar which is quite entertaining. He asks if Wakana wants to try and Wakana is all like, “yeah, sure, I wanna try”. He adds whether she would sing too, Wakana is up for it. Washizaki goes on to ask if they would sing in an izakaya (= Japanese pub) and Hikaru is all like, “nope, we don’t sing there” *in a monotone voice* Washizaki is thrown back by her cold reply and Keiko explains that Hikaru is now a grown-up, she doesn’t do stuff like that anymore.

Then Hikaru goes on to bluntly ask Washizaki to sing some of Kalafina’s songs for them but they all end up agreeing that he would probably suck since he can hardly produce a three-vocal harmony . They start talking about their upcoming Live Tour and apparently some of the ticket sale for the Tokyo venue will be conducted by “Cultural Broadcasting = the channel they are on” [or something like that o.O] The girls are like, “YAY, that’s great!!!” Seems like they didn’t expect that, they are quite surprised.

Washizaki explains the details regarding the Tokyo concerts at Tokyo International Forum and on how to get the tickets. The girls are laughing at how he is saying the number for the ticket application because he is doing it all seriously like he is some sort of voice actor or something. They love his voice though. And YAY, the application period is officially starting for their listeners! Everyone should be calling since it’s first come first serve. Next up they talk about their 「9+ONE」 tour in detail. How it is a “hall” tour and how they will perform in many different areas (read out by Keiko). Washizaki seems quite surprised by the last venue [probably because it would make sense to finish a tour in Tokyo] and asks Keiko to repeat it, it’s the concert hall in Fukuoka. Wakana explains they chose it as their final stop because that’s where she grew up, she wasn’t born there but she spent her childhood and youth there. Washizaki wants to know if that’s their first live in Fukuoka, “it surely isn’t, right?” Wakana replies, “no, it’s not our first time there”. Washizaki then wonders if Wakana’s childhood friends come to see her whenever she performs in her hometown and yup, they all come and cheer her on, every time. They are incredibly happy to see her perform. Keiko is imitating her friends’ reactions by being all like, “ahhhhaahha” and she says it’s great when the audience is this lively. Washizaki mentions the Coming of Age Day celebrations in Fukuoka, apparently they are a bit special there and it’s become quite popular (they are even in the news).I guess the outfits, hair and accessoires are a bit more flashy than usual or something. Washizaki wants to know what Wakana wore for her ceremony. Her ceremony and outfit were completely normal though, nothing out of the ordinary. Keiko is like, “That’s because Waka-chan is so innocent!” However, seems like people told her her hairpiece looked like seaweed. Awwww... Keiko thinks Wakana is too cute.

Washizaki wants to know if Wakana was a “bad girl” in her student days. Wakana is quite shocked by the assumption, “Do I look like I had a bad image???!!” Washizaki has to admit that, no, she really doesn’t look like it. Wakana is trying her best gangster/yakuza imitation, “horahh, horahh!!” LOL But no, she was a totally normal student that liked to hang out with her friends. And they were all members of the art club. Washizaki asks the other two what kind of students they used to be. Hikaru took her studies very seriously and she was the type to be elected as class representative. But she didn’t stand out at all, she always wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible. As for Keiko, she always stuck to her older sister and she would do everything she did (which was mostly sports). She spent her student days playing soccer and tennis. Washizaki asks if Keiko was a class representative as well and Keiko replies in husky voice, “no, I wasn’t.” Washizaki is like, “oh, such a sexy voice!” Keiko says that at this time of the night her voice tends to become quite husky and she likes to talk in a lower voice to give her throat some rest (because they have been singing a lot). Washizaki keeps saying that it is quite sexy and I guess he starts to flirt a bit with Keiko (who is quite embarrassed).

Wakana comes to the rescue and cock-blocks him, “Topic change, next topic!!!” => Next up is the meaning of their tour name, 「9+ONE」. They go on to explain that it is because this year is their 9th year and they wanna dedicate this year to work towards their 10th anniversary. They would like to create this tour together with all their fans, they wanna make it special. Washizaki talks about some ideas and how it would be great if they did some roller skating on stage. The girls are totally up for it and wanna try XD Keiko in particular

Wakana thinks that she might not be able to, she will probably be super shaky. Then she goes on to explain what they mean by creating the tour together with the fans. Seems like they will include a lot of the wishes that fans wrote in their questionnaires (the ones that are always handed out during lives). They will also consider some other input like the wishes that are mentioned on their blog or in the emails they receive on their radio show. They collect everything. Washizaki goes on to say something about a “lounge voice” and Wakana mutters something but meh, no idea what’s that supposed to mean. Next topic is their Arena Live Bluray that was recently released. Hikaru says that they tried a lot of new things for that concert. Washizaki then asks if there is anything they notice when they watch super old recordings of themselves, if there is any change. Keiko jokingly replies, “Our faces were so round!!”

Washizaki is like, “What? Round faces!!! Kalafina dango-siblings!!”  Keiko, “Yup, we were dumplings!!” Next up is a break where they are playing “blaze”. After their break we return to see Keiko leaning close to Wakana. Wakana is Kalafina’s official heater because she always radiates a lot of warmth and her temperature is always high. [Note that this part is NOT in the youtube video, they probably forgot about it] Another break where some girls read out some emails or something. Then we return to Kalafina and Washizaki playing the guitar.  

They are having their own little party XD Washizaki then reads out an email by someone who attented Kalafina’s anniversary live at the Shibuya O-EAST and they mention something that Keiko wrote in her recent blog post. About live houses being amazing because you don’t just see the audience, you are literally locking eyes with each and every person. The person then continues to say that they also perform a lot in arenas and halls and whether or not live houses are very different to those venues. And yup, Wakana says that concerts at live houses are much more intimate, it’s almost like their situation right now, sitting in a booth across from each other. In halls on the other hand, their lives have a further reach. Wakana goes on with some weird train station metaphor, I don’t really understand it. The others seem to find it weird as well. Her point is though, that their hall lives can reach more people. Washizaki wants to know if live houses are more fun and Hikaru says that all venues have their perks but at the live house there’s always this awareness of each other. Everyone’s eyes can meet. Another question for them (from another mail). Is there any private challenge they wanna tackle?

LOL at Wakana’s thinking face....For Keiko it’s trying out new kinds of training. Every year, she will change her work out and focus on different parts of her body. She will also get another trainer at the gym. It’s important for the body not to get used to the training. Washizaki wonders if there is any part of Keiko’s body left that still needs training. Washizaki then asks about oily food and Keiko outright shouts at him that she doesn’t eat oily food, “NAI/NO, I don’t!!!” She doesn’t like it. However, as we all know, she loves candy. I think Washizaki then asks about Keiko being chubby. Not sure if he asks if she used to be chubby or if she tends to be chubby or something else. Something along these lines. Anyways, she once again replies with, “NAI/NOPE” [her “nai” is so cute] Washizaki says something about her dango-past when her face was still round but Keiko clarifies that aside from her round face, she wasn’t particularly chubby. [I think... I am not too sure about this part, my listening comprehension sucks] Washizaki wants to know if they are active together and if they sometimes go for runs together. Both Keiko and Wakana reply with a clear, “NAI/NO!” Wakana’s body is just too weak for these kinds of activities and Hikaru is only active on stage XD Typical Kalafina style! Keiko =>”That’s Kalafina for you!!”

Hikaru wants to watch more anime. DUH :P She talks about some anime called Yowamushi Pedal. She is very passionate about it and she has been very invested ever since she watched the first episode. Apparently it makes her cry a lot. As for Wakana, she wants to try diving. To avoid misunderstandings she clarifies, “...in the sea. The sea!!” Keiko is like, “Eh? I can’t imagine Wa-chan doing that!” Apparently Wakana has a lot of trouble with her ears when she is in the water, she can’t get her ears clear or something. She will have to work on that if she wants to go diving. She really wants to go. Why? Because she wants to see some sharks of course! She wants to swim with them. Her older brother lives in Australia and apparently there’s a place near his home where a lot of sharks and crocodiles come out regularly. Swimming is obviously not allowed in that area but still, Wakana wants to go there! She would like to continue talking but Keiko gently makes her aware that she has talked enough about sharks XD

Keiko is like, “she always does this. She always strays from the topic and keeps on blabbering away.” Next question is whether or not they watch their own live footage. And yes, of course they do. Usually each of them will watch it immediately afterwards, on the day after the concert. They get special footage for that. Washizaki asks if they ever do live commentaries on their Blurays. The girls say no, they don’t and they are not even sure what that is supposed to be. Washizaki goes on to explain and they seem quite intrigued by this idea. The more they talk about it the more they are into it [PLEASE DO IT!] A last message to their listeners since their time is over. Mostly info about their upcoming live tour and their single.

Now we get to the extra part that was reserved for subscribers only. They are back!! BANZAI!! Party!!! High FIVE!!

They talk about alcohol and how Wakana has recently started to drink white wine. Usually she is more into red wine (which she would drink with her meat and so on) but she thought she would try some white wine for a change. She is trying different kinds right now. Hikaru only drinks Japanese wine. Washizaki is having some wild ideas of Hikaru sitting in Japanese pubs and drinking sake. He is going on and on about being drunk and such and riding a bike. As for Keiko, she says she doesn’t really drink alcohol. During all of this Washizaki managed to fall under the desk. I guess he was laughing too much due to his crazy story about getting drunk. Keiko comments that at such a late hour, something like this probably can’t be helped. She then goes on to explain that she will sometimes have teeny tiny bits of sake with her meal but that’s about it. She can’t deal with too much alcohol. Washizaki wants to know how Wakana and Hikaru act like when they are drunk. Keiko says they are completely normal, they don’t act overly drunk and they don’t walk wobbly or anything. She believes it’s because they grew up in Fukuoka and Toyama respectively (they are hardened countryside people). Wakana is just more talkative and Hikaru doesn’t change at all. She has never thrown up or had diarrhea due to drinking (it’s funny how she sugarcoats this by using an euphemism :P she says “kirakira” and Washizaki is like, “what?” and then she has to explain what she meant). Anyways, she says that her behaviour doesn’t change at all when she is drunk. And she will usually only drink when she has eaten a lot. Wakana can drink a lot, she is quite strong in that regard, she is saying something about having bear blood o.O She got that from her mother. She can drink a whole bottle of wine all by herself. And she gets very cheerful when she is drunk. Washizaki says he usually drinks by himself and he doesn’t really go outside, he is a hikikomori. Keiko is like, “Ah, Hikaru is one as well!!”  Not sure what they are talking about next, it’s more about Washizaki so meh... For some reason, Wakana is posing and calling it a “narcissist-pose”

Keiko and Hikaru are very amused. Suddenly Wakana and Washizaki start singing, no idea what they are singing but I am sure it’s just some reference I am not getting. Now Keiko and Hikaru seem to be embarrassed. Keiko says jokingly “Let’s go home NOW!” Wakana is having fun though. Another question by Washizaki. Do they ever harmonise in private? If I understand correctly, Keiko is talking about their wrap parties and other official events and how they used to have certain difficulties growing accustomed to that atmosphere. She thinks it’s easier for solo artists because they just go around and accept all the well-wishes and congratulations. But for some reason they never knew what to do, what to say, who should do or say something first etc....but ever since their 7th year, they seem to have become used to it or at least, they are trying really hard. [Not sure if I am understanding this whole part correctly o.O] Washizaki is like “YAY, great job for putting so much effort into it for the past two years!” They shortly talk about some other artists like Angela’s Atsuko. And then of course they also mention their live with LiSA. YAY two-man live with Ri-chan!  Everyone is waving at Ri-chan! Some talk about May’n as well. Washizaki hopes they will be all right at Lisani in the waiting area/lobby (due to their difficulties they mentioned previously). He offers some advice on how they should introduce themselves and such. And then it’s pretty much over...

[empireintheair]

To celebrate our 5 years in the game, we are throwing an anniversary party and we want you to be a part of it! For the past 5 years, Empire in the Air has taken part of the Bay Area community through its clothing and events. We strongly believe that we’ve made it thus far because of the love from our supporters. Mile5tone, our 5 year anniversary party, will take place on June 3 in Berkeley, CA. Save the date and purchase your tickets here!

Leading up to June 3, we will be highlighting our vendors and different members of the Empire in the Air team. Next up we have Jelyn@Empire.

What do you do for Empire in the Air?

Hi y’all my name is Jelyn (jah-lean) and I am one of EITA’s product designers. I help Cheech with coming up with our dope collections every season by contributing what I believe will be the next top trend that our customers would love.  On top of that, we at EITA love to upcycle old clothing! We thrift jackets and shirts and put a little brand DIY loving to these pieces. Yay for being sustainable!

What is your favorite moment working with Empire in the Air?

Aww jeez there are lots of moments these past years. I don’t have a specific moment, but it’s a combination of all the moments when I am behind the scenes during events. You’ll usually see me behind the vendor tables chatting it up with y’all about our current collection and holding down the fort. I get to step back and see how all the events turn out. Seeing people enjoy the art, music, and all our hard work that we put into our events is the most humbling feeling.

What is your favorite empire piece?

You guessed it, the tagged cropped tee! This shirt is seriously my baby. Not only do I love this tee because it is timeless and you can wear it with basically anything, this was my first clothing piece that I helped create with EITA. Story behind this was that originally, these tees were only for our team. When I got my t-shirt I kinda just looked at it and thought, “Hmm this would be cute if it was cropped.” *grabs scissors* Then the rest was history. We got so much positive feedback that we had to make it available to y’all and eventually made them in different colors!

Why are you excited for Mile5tone?

As what Waka Flocka would say: “It’s a paaaarty it’s a partyyy it a partyyyyy!” Not only is it a celebration for all of our accomplishments throughout the years but also a big thank you for all the continued support for 5 years! I can’t wait too see all of our supporters and well as our new ones! Although we are celebrating the past, we also have new things in stored for you on June 3rd so what are you waiting for? Buy your ticket right meow!

What do you wish to see for the Empire in the Air for the next 5 years?

Having our homebase store front so we have a constant place to have our products readily available for you all as well as having an open place we can share with our community for creatives. I would also love for us to be featured on a major streetwear style blog like Hypebae or even have a major celeb be seen wearing one of our products. I mean this is quite a lot for this short amount of time but hey, a lot can be accomplished in fives years right?

Mile5tone – EITA Team Highlight: Jelyn To celebrate our 5 years in the game, we are throwing an anniversary party and we want you to be a part of it!

[feliciadraws]

I’ve been meaning to try drawing more semi-realistic stuff again, so I went ahead and drew a semi-realistic Waka! I low-key suck at this kind of thing and pencil shading is NOT my strong suit but it was fun to try!

Also I blame @bamboorocket for this, thanks a lot m8 haha