Vicke Blanka is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and singer/songwriter from Japan who has just finished his first North American Tour. The tour launched in Vancouver and ended in New York. Vicke is currently best known overseas for his opening theme songs for the anime series Black Clover. I was able to see his concert in his stop in LA at The Belasco Theater.
I first heard about Vicke Blanka’s music from the rebooted anime series Fruits Basket that aired in 2019. I have loved the series ever since its first original airing in the early 2000’s. With that being said I’m always attentive on the musical aspect of Anime, being that I’m a Jpop music artist myself that has worked in the Japanese and Anime Entertainment industry for years now. Vicke’s ending theme song “Lucky Ending” for Fruits Basket really spoke to my soul. The beautiful piano, lyrics, and melody really embraces the warmth and tenderness you get from watching the series. Blanka’s song writing is meaningful and true to his heart. I was very happy to hear “Lucky Ending” live at his concert in LA. It will be a memory I will always cherish.
For his North American tour, he rearranged all of his tracks so he could be able to DJ, play guitar, and piano all by himself on stage while interacting with the audience in English. He was very funny and expressed much gratitude in between each song while he jumped from guitar to piano with ease, which really showcased his musical talent all the more. The audience was also highly impressed while they sung along to all of his tunes, even the ones that had no connection to any Anime.
I had the honor to meet up with Vicke Blanka after his concert where he was everything I anticipated him to be and more.
Here is my interview with Vicke:
Stephanie: I wanted to say your show in Los Angeles at The Belasco was phenomenal! How was it performing for the first time in LA?
Vicke: My performance in LA was great! I felt so comfortable on the stage because the audience in Los Angeles kept shouting during my whole concert. If I asked them what song they wanted me to play next, almost the whole crowd answered. So, I was really happy to communicate with them. Yeah, that was great!
Stephanie: During your concert the entire time you were speaking in English! How did you learn English?
Vicke: Yeah, I tried to speak English but I guess it’s not perfect of course. Right now I’m on the way to developing my English skills to a higher level. I want to speak or MC in English with the same feeling as when I speak or MC in Japanese in Japan. So, I tried to speak in English because conversation is important! I just learned English in junior high and high school. At that time I put in more effort in studying English.
Stephanie: What made you decide to become a music artist?
Vicke: My parents always told me in elementary school “Hey boy, you need to find your ability and you better find the thing that you will never lose to anyone!” I used to think to myself “What is my ability?”, “What is my best talent?” So, in elementary school and junior high school, every grade I was in, I would be the greatest person in school for music only. I would lose at running and school exams, but with music I didn’t lose to anyone! So, I decided to become a music artist and I think it was the right choice for my life.
Stephanie: What music artists are big influences in your life? Sometimes when I listen to your music Queen pops up in my head. Did you listen to Queen growing up?
Vicke: Yeah, I use to listen to Queen of course, but my musical star is Micheal Jackson. I used to mimic his dancing and singing. The first time I created my own music I mimicked Michael Jackson’s arrangement, chorus and panning. He was my star and right now he is still my star. I play piano on stage, so I also look up to Ben Folds and Billy Joel. They give me a lot of ideas for piano phrasing. So, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, and Ben Folds are my three influences!
Stephanie: As a fellow music artist and knowing all too well the highs and lows of touring, what is the best thing you look forward to and the worst?
Vicke: I want to feel the difference between each city. Each city has a different energy so I really want to feel that. You know every kind of atmosphere is great because it’s all new to me. I’m a stranger in a new land! Everything is brand new to me! Everything is fresh, you feel me! I don’t feel like I have any hard things to do in this North American tour. What might be tough is my very busy schedule which feels like a traffic jam. It’s a jam packed schedule, so it can be tough but not too bad. My North American tour is filled with much happiness and pleasure. So, I’m a really lucky guy!
Stephanie: Where can people find you online?
Vicke: Of course, you can find me on any SNS:
Instagram: @vickeblanka
TikTok: @vicke_blanka
Primary YouTube: @VickeBlanka
Gaming YouTube: @vickeplays
Twitter: @VickeBlanka
I post new content regularly, so you guys better check it out. Please subscribe to my primary YouTube channel for music videos and live concert videos. I also have a second YouTube channel for gaming @vickeplays. I plan to livestream on that channel practicing English and also gaming. I typically play Fortnight and League of Legends. I plan to stream my gaming with English speaking only. So, you better subscribe to my second YouTube channel as well!
Thank you so much Vicke Blanka for meeting up with me and for this interview! I also want to say thank you so much to the Avex staff as well. I’m looking forward to when Vicke returns to the U.S. again!
『JAPANESE POP CULTURE NEWS THAT YOU MUST KNOW!!!』
Writer: Stephanie Yanez
Instagram @stephachu
Website https://direct.me/stephachu
(2/26/2024)
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