Boldness is Violet Tree‘s watchword. Making their debuts in the music industry in 2014, Violet Tree offer a sense of uniqueness and musicality and sensitivity. With their electronic splashes performed by a gifted violonist, Violet Tree give rise to a rock with electronic inclination, trendy nowadays. Their strength fit with the bond between the singer Jiwon, the drummer Wonggyu, the violonist Hyujin and the bassist Seowoo, overwhelmed by their music creativity which leaded them to a european tour last month, followed by a loyal and curious public ! The team had the opportunity to meet them and to relish their kindness and their love with music. Enjoy !
First of all, can you please introduce yourself ?
Jiwon : We are Violet Tree from South Korea. I’m the main vocal Jiwon.
Wongyu : I’m Wongyu, the drummer.
Hyunjin : Hi, my name is Hyunjin.
Seowoo : I’m the bassist and the composter Kim Seowoo.
What is the meaning of Violet Tree ?
Jiwon : Actually, there is no meaning. When we chose our band name, I just said my favorite words. Red, blue, violet, black, and cloud, tree, cars. And then, they chose Violet and Tree. Let’s do it !
Can you tell a little bit about your paths as musicians ?
Hyunjin : In my case, I’ve always played the violin since I was three years old. I then majored in classic music and then I was feeling a little bored in the class, and I found out Violet Tree and that is how I’m here now.
Seowoo : When I was a middle school student, I saw some video clip of rock bands. That day I decided to be a rock musician.
Jiwon : In my case, Violet Tree is my first career.[ I’ve been told] ‘How do you think about making a new band’ and [I thought] Really, me ? Ok, I will. So this was my first scene.
Wongyu : When I was young, I started playing drums through rock music “Hotel Love”.
Your style is quite authentic, rock vibe with electronic sounds, can you describe your whole universe ?
Jiwon : Our lyrics are about broken love. We only want sad emotions, we did mixed rock music and powerful drums, and unique item was violin. Everything is mixed.
Who is the lyricist ?
Jiwon : Seowoo !
How do you chose the themes and the feelings you want to convey through your music ? Where do you get the inspiration from ?
Seowoo : At first, from books, movies and dramas but now we are talking about ex-love stories, that is my best experiences.
About the violin, how do you feel about being in a rock band ?
Hyunjin : It is really difficult to me, but they gave me a lot of help so now I’m okay.
How do you share the composing process ?
Jiwon : First, Seowoo writes the lyrics.
Hyunjin : He send these to us.
Jiwon : Then, everyone is doing the arrangement.
Is there one of your songs which is particularly meaningful for you ?
Seowoo : Our song ‘Red Moon’ because I think the song is Hyunjin’s first song with us. I think Red Moon is a symbolic song.
Hyunjin : I like ‘Phantom’ because its melody is really good.
Jiwon : For me it’s ‘After”, because it was our first single so I can’t forget.
Wongyu : I like ‘Ready’ because my love story is the same.
Hyunjin, Jiwon, Seowoo : Ohhhhhhhhh ! (laughs)
Jiwon : We’ve never heard of that !
Hyunjin : This is our first time !
You are also doing covers, how do you manage to keep the balance between your own music and the covers ?
Jiwon : Actually, our genius composer do almost [all the job]. Then, we just put our emotions. Both are hard but kind of easy [at the same time]
Hyunjin : Everytime we have concert, we make our own setlist and there are moments for those situation.
CKJ : So you do chose some covers and then your own songs ?
Jiwon : Yes !
How do you feel about being able to say ‘It’s my own album’ ?
Hyunjin : Of course it is a sure thing, but in my case I always play famous songs. But when I play our own songs, it feels like a dream.
CKJ : Was your first dream as a child being a violonist ?
Hyunjin : Yes, always !
The indie scene is quite competitive, how do you stay true to your authenticity ?
Jiwon : This is so difficult. Being an independent rock band is actually a hard thing but we just never give up. It is our motto.
Seowoo : Yes !
Jiwon : We just do our best, which is the most important thing !
Do you have projects on the road for this year ?
Jiwon : No, this is our last plan, we will take a rest.
What are your craziest dreams as members of a rock band ?
Hyunjin : I want to play our music in Times Square, in New York.
Jiwon : Wembley !
CKJ : Assuredly, the eldorado for rock music.
“Bloom Tonight”, a mysterious name full of poetry for the tour, how did you chose it ?
Hyunjin : Our lastest song is ‘like a flower’ so we wanted to make our tour name [related] to flowers. So ‘bloom’ and our last tour was ‘last night’, so we mix.
This is your second time in France, how do you feel about travelling around different cities of France ?
Jiwon : Of course, it is an honor because France was my dream country, everyday is really awesome for me.
Hyunjin : I feel that every city is very different, they have different mood, atmosphere.
Can you describe these different atmosphere ?
Hyunjin : Ahh, for example, Lyon was peaceful, and Paris is really busy, like Seoul.
You are quite popular in European East Countries, how do you feel about performing there ?
Hyunjin : Of course, it is like a dream ! There are different emotions in every country. Their feelings, their culture, the audience. European people are really fashionable.
Jiwon : I like traditionnal food.
Wongyu : The food is really good.
Do you have some little behind stories to tell about your tour ?
Seowoo : In Russia, we went for dinner after the show. That day, we waited for one and a half hour, for food. It was way too long, too slow. They were really shocked. I was starving. Of course I respect their culture, but sometimes it is a little difficult.
Jiwon : It is hard for Korean. (laughs)
What are you expecting for tonight’ stage ?
Jiwon : Tonight stage ? Crazy people ! It is the most important thing for us.
How do you make each performance unique ? How do you reinvent yourself ?
Hyunjin : Our setlist is almost always similar, but we do our best to be different in each city.
Seowoo : We don’t have rules on stages. Sometimes if there is a small audience, we can be more crazy ourselves. But sometimes, even [with] a greater audience, they make us crazy. So everyday is crazy !
Do you have a message for your french fans ? Try in French !
Hyunjin : Merci beaucoup.
Jiwon : Je t’aime.
Seowoo : Zineddine Zidane (laughs). He is the best !
Wongyu : Thank you ! (laughs)
CKJ : And in English ?
Jiwon : It is an honor. Please enjoy our show. I hope to see you again !
Hyunjin : Thanks for coming and even if you did not come to our show, please let’s meet next time !
Seowoo : French have really nice bread, so enjoy, you can be proud.
Wongyu : Thank you so much, see you again.
We deeply thanks AA Events and Violet Tree for this wonderful conversation.
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