Article 14AUG / Interview with MILLENNIUM PARADE
“A collective which merges tradition with visionary“
Dive into the vibrant world of Millennium Parade with our exclusive interview, packed with stunning images that capture their unique style. Be sure to grab the print edition of Lumen at the end of September for a full spread of this iconic feature, captured by photographer Philip Blythman!
In this interview, Daiki Tsuneta, the visionary behind Millennium Parade, delves into the creative journey and evolution of the collective. Along with collaborators Cota Mori and Shu Sasaki, Daiki Tsuneta shares insights into their artistic inspirations, the process of blending music, visuals, and culture, and the challenges they face in pushing boundaries. They discuss the significance of Japanese identity in their work, the role of technology, and the importance of fashion in shaping Millennium Parade's unique aesthetic.
インスピレーションとビジョン (Inspiration and Vision)
LUMEN: What inspired you to form Millennium Parade, and how has the vision for the group evolved since its inception?
Daiki Tsuneta: The idea behind this project is simple. I wanted to step into more complex expression of art in my music career. So, I started the original project pretty casually by myself. After establishing a clear direction, the current collective was established. But the vision / the objective have not changed since the beginning. There are many outstanding art formats in Japan, and I wanted to express myself in connection with them.
創作のプロセス (Creative Process)
LUMEN: Can you describe the creative process behind your music and visuals? How do you blend different artistic elements to create a cohesive work?
Shu Sasaki: It naturally all makes sense by incorporating the inspiration received from the recording, and the short trip for the production, into the work. The harmony within the work is also incorporated by displaying the Japanese identity from many different angles from each member.
Cota Mori: There are many ways to proceed with the production, but we always come up in conversation about ‘“combinations” no one has ever seen before. We are working towards our goal while keeping this in mind. I think we are good at mixing up stuff and it is because we are of the generation that grew up with the spread of the Internet. Most importantly, we have a common understanding that we’ve built up together for 8 years. That is our core point for the creative process.
Daiki Tsuneta: It’s about drawing out what each person thinks is the best and combining that energy into one.
影響 (Influences)
LUMEN: Which artists, genres, or cultural elements have most significantly influenced your work with Millennium Parade?
コラボレーション (Collaborations)
LUMEN: How do you choose collaborators for your projects? Can you share any memorable experiences or lessons learned from these partnerships?
Daiki Tsuneta: It really depends, to be honest. Definitely, I get new inspirations in recent years from meeting and creating with various artists in various countries. Especially because I’ve lived in Tokyo for most of my music career.
コンセプトとテーマ (Concepts and Themes)
LUMEN: Your work often explores deep and complex themes. What are some of the central concepts you aim to convey through your music and visuals?
Daiki Tsuneta: It’s not the concept but I just wanna say ‘Please keep eyes on Arts in Japan because it is interesting’ 🙂
Shu Sasaki: Tokyo and Japan have many layers of untapped potential in the entertainment and art scene, and we are more than happy to make people recognize/ interested in these aspects of Japanese culture through the music and visuals coming out of MP.
Cota Mori: Our theme of “Tokyo Chaotic” is messy, yet uniquely beautiful, frivolous, and tolerant. Tokyo is a city that can be gentle and kind, or cold and violent, but I also believe that this is a duality that we all have. I would be happy if I could give birth to an opportunity for people to affirm themselves and live happily through the fun, beauty, and silliness of the city.
Shu Sasaki: Rather than being influenced by a single artist,
we are influenced by various artists and genres in a multifaceted
way. For example, in terms of cultural elements, I feel that
the unique youth culture that emerged in a particular era in
Japan, such as Para-Para dance featured in M4D LUV’s
music video, plays a major role in presenting the Japanese
identity of the group.
Cota Mori: I feel the same as Shu. On top of that, there is one
point I would like to add. I am very conscious of acknowledging
the Japanese cultures that have received attention as well
as the ones that have been forgotten and are disappearing.
I tend to apply the inspirations from the culture on the work
by combining them into one to make them more exciting and
interesting. For me, the influence of Japanese culture has
become greater than when I was younger.
geometric coat Shek Leung ; white jeans jacket Fubu Vintage ; olive green trench coat Burberry Vintage
hoodie (di)vision
coat Balenciaga
技術の統合 (Technological Integration)
LUMEN: How do you incorporate technology into your creative process, and what role does it play in the overall experience you want to provide？
Shu Sasaki: As we continue to diversify our CG animation workflow, it is inevitable that the normal workflow will take too much time when applied to the production time of the music business. We are always thinking about what kind of technology can be used to streamline the workflow. And I am always dealing with technology from the perspective of how it can be effectively used in the production process.
Cota Mori: I try to keep up with new technologies, but the more I experiment with them, the more I feel my trust in the rambling and passionate nature of making things by hand grows.I also feel that AI technology is getting to a level where I can use it to quickly share the images I mix in my head.
ファッションとスタイル (Fashion and Style)
LUMEN: Fashion seems to play a significant role in your presentations. How do you approach the fashion aspects of Millennium Parade’s identity?
Cota: I don't think too much about it.
ライブパフォーマンス (Live Performances)
LUMEN: What can fans expect from a live Millennium Parade performance? How do you translate your intricate visuals and sounds to a stage setting?
Shu Sasaki: I can only say “please look forward to it”.
Cota Mori: As you can see from our previous shows, this will definitely be a different experience from the usual music live shows.
進化と成長 (Evolution and Growth)
LUMEN: How has Millennium Parade evolved over the past, and what do you see as the next steps in your artistic journey?
Shu Sasaki: We are still on the road to completing the album, so we don’t have a specific next step in mind. It will be very important to see how far we can expand our stance and expression to new audiences before the album is released.
Cota Mori: Surprisingly, I think we are continuing to make changes in a muddy way rather than evolving. We just have to keep moving forward step by step, firmly stepping forward as a team.
Daiki Tsuneta: Anyway for now, I would like to complete the full picture of this massive project we are on now. When I have completed it, I believe the current interpretation of Tokyo will be updated with a new vision and sense of values.
necklace Karl Lagerfeld
sunglasses and blazer Saint Laurent
課題 (Challenges)
LUMEN: What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced with Millennium Parade, and how have you overcome them?
Shu Sasaki: There are a lot of challenges.
Cota Mori:: Exactly. There is no moment without challenges.
文化的影響 (Cultural Impact)
LUMEN: Millennium Parade has a unique cultural footprint. How do you view your impact on both Japanese and international music and art scenes?
Cota Mori: I don’t know that yet. However, I hope I can change the norm of going out into the world from Japan is not a “challenge” but just an extension of where you are based. And I want to make a strong impact in order to make it happen.
Daiki Tsuneta: I am not so sure about it yet. But I do want to be the one who can provide a positive
今後のプロジェクト (Future Projects)
LUMEN: Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about? Can you give us a sneak peek into what’s next for Millennium Parade?
Daiki Tsuneta: There are a variety of things happening and in progress, but still secret.
Cota Mori: I am really looking forward to revealing many works we’ve done with the artists we met
during this journey
trousers Vetements
blazer Balenciaga
個人的なつながり (Personal Connection)
LUMEN: On a personal level, how has your work with Millennium Parade affected you as an artist and individual?
Shu Sasaki: I used to be a multi-tasking artist but now I am only spending time on Millennium Parade. What I am doing right now is fresh, hard and a different approach that I keep putting myself into one worldview deeper over a long period of time.
Cota Mori: The complex and proud of being Japanese is growing bigger inside me. In a good way. It is quite hard to explain in words… But while I am facing what to do as MILLENNIUM PARADE, it gets more clear day by day and little by little why I chose the way I am right now as well as what to express.
Daiki Tsuneta: I’ve got an unknown feeling similar to when I was a teenager since I started meeting more people from different backgrounds through this project.
新進アーティストへのアドバイス (Advice for Emerging Artists)
LUMEN: What advice would you give to emerging artists who are looking to create their own multidisciplinary projects?
Daiki Tsuneta: Trial & Error
Shu Sasaki: Not just make but complete what you have. Show it to people. Get feedback. And keep doing that.
Cota Mori: Please be the person who can scold you the most and love you the most.
遺産 (Legacy)
LUMEN: Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope Millennium Parade will leave behind in the world of music and art?
Daiki Tsuneta: A time people dance their little hearts out.
Shu Sasaki: I want to be at the forefront of the moment when the Japanese and Asian art scenes are going crazy all over the world. And I want to see more Japanese young people
chasing their dreams.
Cota Mori: I want to drop a huge surprise to the world once again and make Japan cool again. Then give hope and enthusiasm to the young generation as I want to do my job as a cool adult.
LUMEN: We would love to see that happening
jacket and trousers by Adidas Original
Coat Sanna Patrick
Photo Philip Blythman
Creative Direction / Style Sayuri Bloom
Set/ Styling Assitants Meghan Hetherington and Wendy Yu
Light Assistants Fredrico
Hair Masa Yoshi
Grooming Maho Moriyama
DAIKI TSUNETA . COTA MORI . SHU SASAKI Management Olivia Warnford and Rew Kubayashi