SUPER EIGHT's Shota Yasuda and WEST's Tomohiro Kamiyama are on the cover! A conversation with GLAY's TAKURO, who saved Travis Japan during their LA days, also takes place

The third issue of music and entertainment magazine “Depth” (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.), “Depth EDITION 03”, is set to be released on July 10th. This time, SUPER EIGHT member Shota Yasuda and WEST. member Tomohiro Kamiyama will be collaborating for the first time on the cover and front page of a music magazine, going beyond group boundaries, and MIYAVI will be adorning the back cover.

■ Cross talk between SUPER EIGHT’s Shota Yasuda and WEST’s Tomohiro Kamiyama, who are deeply involved in the song’s production

The cover and opening page feature Yasuda Shota (SUPER EIGHT) and Kamiyama Tomohiro (WEST.), who are both main vocalists and guitarists, are deeply involved in songwriting and other aspects of song production, and both lead their groups musically.

This year marks the 20th anniversary for SUPER EIGHT and the 10th anniversary for WEST.

Both were born and raised in the Kansai region, and have worked in the entertainment industry in close relationships. What do they think about this milestone anniversary year? We asked them to look back on the history they’ve each experienced.

What were the true feelings they had throughout the journey they have walked? This is the first collaboration between a music magazine and we will be publishing a 16,000-word interview.

SUPER EIGHT’s Shota Yasuda and WEST’s Tomohiro Kamiyama’s collaboration cover “Depth EDITION 03”

■The back cover and end feature is “Samurai Guitarist” MIYAVI

The back cover and end feature focuses on MIYAVI, the “Samurai Guitarist” whose one-of-a-kind guitar playing has enthralled many fans both in Japan and overseas.

He has created stage performances in a variety of ways up until now, but what kind of entertainment is he ultimately aiming for?

The end of the issue’s special feature delves into the type of entertainment MIYAVI aims for, and includes a 12,000-character interview.

“Depth EDITION 03” back cover features MIYAVI

■What are the highlights of “Depth EDITION 03”?

This issue also features a super-dense long interview, as well as a detailed live report from the perspective of a music magazine. It gives a glimpse into the artist’s passion for entertainment and their humanity. Details are as follows.

EXILE TAKAHIRO + EXILE SHOKICHI (EXILE THE SECOND)

On September 22nd, 2006, TAKAHIRO won the position of EXILE’s new vocalist out of approximately 10,000 applicants at the final battle of “EXILE VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION 2006 ~ASIAN DREAM~” and joined EXILE.

SHOKICHI was selected as a member of the second generation of J Soul Brothers in 2007, and joined EXILE as a vocalist and performer on March 1, 2009.

What are these two people, who have each lived their own lives, thinking now that they are standing on the same stage?

How do these two, who have two different faces as group vocalists and solo artists, perceive the differences between their entertainment styles? We bring you a special conversation between the two of them in a volume of 15,000 characters.

Tanaka Itsuki (SixTONES)

Tanaka Juri is an active MC at live shows and on television, a mood maker on drama sets, and serves as the “gateway to SixTONES.”

While he is proud of his position as an “idol,” he is also armed with a unique rap style that is loose yet strong and exudes a distinctive melancholy, making him the central figure in SixTONES’ music.

What does he think of the entertainment group SixTONES now?

In this 17,000-character interview, we also spoke about his latest single, which features two A-sides: “GONG,” an insert song for the TV drama “ACMA:GAME,” in which he starred, and “Come Back Here,” the theme song for the film “I Can’t Say Anything Secret,” in which Kyomoto Taiga stars.

TAKUYA∞ (UVERworld)

TAKUYA∞ says that UVERworld, a place filled with encounters with music, bands, and friends, is his life itself.

What is TAKUYA∞ thinking, and what feelings has he had as he approaches music and the band?

24 years after discovering music, in this 15,000-word interview he talks about the existence of the band UVERworld, the meaning of life as TAKUYA∞ of UVERworld, and the behind-the-scenes story of the production of his latest single “MEMORIES of the End,” which was also the theme song for the TV drama “ACMA:GAME.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Funk, punk, rap, metal, hard rock… Red Hot Chili Peppers incorporates all kinds of music genres and beats, weaving together an absolute individuality with their own sense and exquisite balance. It is no exaggeration to say that they are the band that started the creation of the Japanese-English term “mixture rock.”

May 18th and 20th, 2024 at Tokyo Dome. Here is a report on their Japan tour, featuring the ironclad lineup of Anthony Kiedis (Vo), Flea (Ba), Chad Smith (Dr), and John Frusciante (Gu).

Kroi

“We’re just doing what we love and what we want to do,” say vocalist Uchida Reo and guitarist Hasebe Yuuki.

The band remains completely natural, and their new album “Unspoiled”, released on June 19, 2024, is on a larger scale than ever before, giving the impression that they are entering even newer territory.

It is no exaggeration to say that this album is their best work to date. Now, we decided to take a closer look at the background of the band Kroi. What kind of entertainment does Kroi aim to provide?

WANIMA

WANIMA is a three-piece band born in Kumamoto, Kyushu.

Now that they have discovered music, moved their base of operations to Tokyo, and are pursuing their own sound, where are they directing their music, who are they shouting their songs to, and where are they heading? What is the form of “WANIMA entertainment” that they are committed to, as they are loved by many musicians and have a wide circle of friends?

“EIGHT-JAM FES” 6/21 at SAITAMA SUPER ARENA

“EIGHT-JAM FES” was a collaboration with the best artists that only SUPER EIGHT could bring together.

We report on the first day of “EIGHT-JAM FES”, which was held over three days on June 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2024, and the first two-man live show where WANIMA and SUPER EIGHT seriously collided.

Ryuji Imaichi (Third Generation J SOUL BROTHERS)

Ryuji Imaichi released his new album “R” on June 26, 2024.

What is the meaning behind this work, which is the “R” of Imaichi Ryuji and the “R” of RED?

It’s been 14 years since he debuted as the vocalist of J SOUL BROTHERS III, and six years since his solo debut. How does Ryuji Imaichi approach the entertainment world he is now in charge of?

TAKURO (GLAY) + Kaito Miyachika, Kaito Nakamura, Genta Matsuda (Travis Japan)

Starting in late March 2022, all seven members of Travis Japan went to Los Angeles, California, USA to study abroad for an indefinite period, living together and undergoing training.

Travis Japan happened to meet TAKURO from GLAY at a restaurant in LA.

For Travis Japan, who was anxious about moving to America with no one to rely on, TAKURO’s gentle and embracing presence was a huge help.

Up until now, the two have been vaguely aware of their interactions, but this is the first time they have been involved in a public setting. This long-awaited 15,000-character interview is full of “deep and meaningful stories” that could only be heard in this conversation!