[Honey's Anime Interview] ZAQ (Shokugeki no Soma: The Third Plate, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, High School DxD New)

10:15 PM November 7, 2017

Music / Anisong, Honey’s Anime Interview

ZAQ-photo-700x467 [Honey's Anime Interview] ZAQ (Shokugeki no Soma: The Third Plate, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, High School DxD New)

We feel so honored to have the opportunity to meet ZAQ, she is the mind behind the music composition and lyrics for many of the coolest OP and ED theme songs for anime series like Flip Flappers, Hibike! Euphonium, Non Non Biyori, Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou, Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!, Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai and many more.

Today, ZAQ is releasing her latest single, “BRAVER” which is the OP for this fall 2017 anime Food Wars!: The Third Plate, in where we can hear her most powerful voice and an evolution of her composition skills. Bee-kun and Honey-chan in a magical encounter with ZAQ asked her questions about how she takes care of her powerhouse voice, her current activities, her favorite music, and more.

About Your Music

It’s been a year since your latest album, No Rule My Rule, was released, and you’ve been busy creating videos and performing live for the album. From its release until today can you tell us what were the parts you enjoyed the most of releasing an album and making the songs? Shooting music videos? Performing live?

It was something that happened on my “NO RULE MY RULE” tour. Even though there were so many issues, I was extremely happy when I was finally able to perform for my fans who had been waiting patiently.

You have a very powerful voice that stands out in the anisong industry. Can you tell us about your voice training routine or do you take care of your voice before performing live?

Before a live show, I do fitness training. As for a routine for my throat, while being careful that it does not dry out, I get massages for it as well so that I can sing more powerfully.

What personal experiences in your life have been the most inspiring to write songs? Do you have any particular story you would like to share with us?

Whenever something has been lost is when I write sharp, cutting words. For example, when people are separated or when something is lost.

About Yourself

When you are not making music or on tour, what others activities do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy playing games and watching foreign dramas. Recently, I have been watching The Walking Dead and Empire.

Fans would like to know what are your favorite bands or artists? Do you have someone we should listen to?

As for Japanese artists, I like fox capture plan and Nulbarich.
As for artists from other countries, I like Alicia Keys, Iggy Azalea, Young M.A. Craig David, Jason Mraz and more.
The range of the genres of music that I like is very wide.

About BRAVER

ZAQ’s latest single “BRAVER” is the OP for the anime series Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Third Plate. Can you tell us about where the ideas for the music and lyrics came from?

I read all of the manga for the series as well as watched Seasons 1 and 2. So, while writing the lyrics, I thought about “what is this manga trying to say?” and “what sort of goal is it trying to achieve?” I was then able to create a fiery, tempestuous arrangement.

We went to Youtube and searched “ZAQ braver.” We found countless videos of people around the world making covers of this song (piano, bass, guitar, vocals, and more)! How do you feel when you see your songs being learned and performed by your fans?

My songs are not simple at all, so when I see someone trying something so difficult, I get all fired up and think “I can’t lose to them!” I know that there are people overseas listening to my music, so it encourages me and makes me very happy!

ZAQ / BRAVER -Music video full size-

About Your Upcoming Projects

What are your activities or projects for next year? More singles? New album? Tour? Fans are wanting to know what’s next for ZAQ, can you tell us a little about it?

I am preparing to go on tour in December. I am also preparing for the theme song for “Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! -Take On Me-” set to go on sale in January!

Here is the opportunity to greet and send a message to all your fans around the world who are looking forward to listening more music from you.

I am going to keep developing my music in order for even more fans to be able to listen to my music around the world. So, please continue to support me and cheer me on!