INTERVIEW: Marina Seo (Evraak)

Japan’s rock and metal scene is more alive than ever, and the guest of this interview comes exactly from the Land of the Rising Sun. Evraak‘s lead singer shared with me her influences, her memories and her love of music.

Hello Marina! How are you doing?

Hello! Thank you for this opportunity. I feel happy.

With your band, you have just released your debut album, “Evraak I”. What was the most difficult part of creating music during a global pandemic?

Personally, it has been hard for me to have fewer opportunities to play live. The inspiration I receive from live shows is quite significant for me, and I often complete the performances I record in my works through concerts. However, I am glad that I was able to spend that time concentrating on the creation of my work.

Your genre is very distinctive and yet is full of influences: how would you describe Evraak to someone who hasn’t heard of you before?

I hope each listener will be able to perceive and express the music freely, so I don’t want to explain it in words. I think the term “progressive rock” gives a specific image, but if the music is “music that can be imagined with the term progressive rock,” then it is not progressive.

Let’s go back in time a little bit… What was your favourite game when you were a kid?

I liked to play video games. I especially liked the “Megami Tensei” series. However, this game included religious content, so I’m not sure if this game is popular or not around the world… This game has influenced me and is reflected in Evraak’s lyrics.

Do you remember who has been your first (or one of the first) musical influences?

The first person I became clearly aware of as an influence was “Michiro Endo” of the Japanese punk band “Stalin”.

Music is, of course, your life and job. What hobbies do you have?

I enjoy watching horror films. I have been paying attention to increasingly good Asian horror and fake Japanese documentaries, and the Japanese horror drama “Psychic Master Tape EYE” was really great in 2022. I dream of being in a horror film someday (As an actor who surprises, if possible).

What is your favourite movie of all times?

Japanese psycho-thriller film “CURE” directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.

Being a woman in the metal industry is certainly not easy. Have you ever been treated with sexism or discrimination?

I myself have not faced many situations where I feel I have been sexually discriminated against. Maybe there have been, but I think I have been helped a lot by the people and places around me that don’t condone such things. I hope that situations that are difficult to express or not fair can be improved little by little, regardless of gender. However, it is very difficult to be fair…

Let’s play a little game: if you were an Olympic athlete, what sport would you compete in?

I am not good at sports, so I admire people with high physical ability who can break through a point, like track and field athletes. I think the view that pole vaulters see must be amazing.

Thank you very much, Marina, for taking the time to do this interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add to FemMetal’s readers?

Thank you. I’m so glad if it reached our music to many listeners. I am also happy if you listen freely.