It's been a long time since we last performed in Hokkaido. I hope to see you at the live in Hokkaido, where you will be able to see her matured figure and her performance of "I can finally meet you".

--The "Reco first & 4th anniversary tour" is now underway, pulling down 3 such songs!　The last time you were in Sapporo was in 2021, do you remember that time?

Kiyohara: The venue last time was very close to Zepp Sapporo. I remember how excited we all were. I also remember Yubaba ...... (laughs).

(Laughs) -- That Ghibli?

Kiyohara: I was so rowdy at the concert that my hair elastic flew off. Then, my hair style became like Yubaba's (laughs). When we played "Monster of Love," I made a gory mistake on an important note. ...... You don't remember that at all, do you?

Ohno: The impact of Yubaba was so strong that maybe that's all I remember (laughs). (laughs) However, that time was a live performance at the Corona Disaster, and I remember it was very exciting even though I could not speak.

--I think that each of us has a different role on stage.

Kiyohara: I was impressed by each other. I think we are learning new songs in the midst of our busy schedules, and you are always very quick to learn new songs. And at a live concert, you can't go to the front of the stage, so it is difficult to respond to each and every fan. Even so, she is always thinking about what she can do to make everyone happy. I respect that kind of attitude. But I think I am a "flower" just by being there (laughs). I think that is totally different from me, so I always think it is wonderful.

--How about you, Mr. Ono?

Ohno：I think I am the opposite of Rio-chan. Rio-chan has great explosive power!　I always try to give 100%, but in a bad way, I have emotional ups and downs. But Rio-chan always gives 100% on every stage. There is never a bad time, and I think it's amazing that she always comes back with the right results. But from this tour, Risa got her own "stand" and can move around more than ever before. Risa-chan's performance is attractive, but I want Rio-chan to be the best performer! I want her to shine on stage with more dignity.

Kiyohara: Until now, Risa-chan couldn't move much because of her position, so I was the only one running around. But from now on, both sides will be able to move around, which I think will be visually pleasing to everyone. That is why I think it will be a great stimulus for me if Kara can break through with this single and Risa-chan can also perform.

--You are still very passionate about performing on stage, aren't you?

Kiyohara: Of course it is important to perform well, but I think it is important to leave a visual impression on the audience. I often get comments like "that was a cool move" or "the expressions on the faces of the four members were great," so I would like to continue to be more violent without wavering from that axis!

Ohno: For the Sapporo show, we asked them to set up a special drum stand. I felt that I had to perform with responsibility since they put me there. I think everyone who comes to the show will be able to get a good look at me, so I want to give a strong visual performance as well as a musical one.

Kiyohara: This will be our first live performance in Sapporo in three years, so we are excited to finally be able to meet each other. We want to share the feeling of "great fun" with everyone, and we want to give our all in our live performance so that everyone can feel that feeling!　I want to share the fun with everyone in Hokkaido.

Ohno: I think that some people come to see me as if I were a "gravure artist. That is why I put my life into it!　I'm giving my all to the band!　That's why I want to make it an enjoyable time for everyone.

--By the way, is there anything else you are looking forward to in Sapporo besides the live show?

Kiyohara: There are many things!　I will be here for about 4 days this time, so I want to enjoy myself to the fullest. The last time I was here, we went to various restaurants and had a heated discussion about the future (laughs). I hope we can have a hot time again this time while eating delicious food!

Ohno: There is a favorite restaurant that I go to every time I come to Sapporo, and since I have time to stay there, I will be able to eat a lot this time as well. I want to make sure I eat all the seafood and Genghis Khan I can find (laughs).

--Thank you very much for sharing your stories with us. Finally, do you have a message for your fans in Hokkaido?

Kiyohara: I am sorry it has been so long. Whenever I go to see you, I am always warmly welcomed with "I've been waiting for you for a long time! I am glad to hear that you always greet me warmly. We are also supported by the people who usually support us through SNS, etc. And now that we can finally go see them, we will be able to show them how we have grown even more as a band. We are really looking forward to it. We hope to perform even more passionately than last time, so please continue to support us! We look forward to seeing you there!

Ohno: I apologize for making you wait so long for our first live performance in about 3 years. Hokkaido is a big place, so I know there are many people who take a long time to come to see us. That is why I am filled with "Thank you for coming! I am so glad that you are waiting for us. We will make you feel happy that you waited for us, so let's have a good time together!

--By the way, will Yubaba make an appearance this time? (Laughs)

Kiyohara: We would like to, but we have recently reinforced the hair bands to prevent Yubaba from appearing (laughs). It would be a miracle if she appeared (laughs).

Kimi to band

A four-piece girls' band consisting of Maori Ohno and Rio Kiyohara from Ehime Prefecture, Risako Morita from Fukui Prefecture, and Yukitan from Saitama Prefecture. The band started under the name "Kimi to Band" to express their desire to grow together with their fans "Kimi" (the name of their fans). In 2022, the band performed a one-man live concert at Zepp Haneda TOKYO, the largest live house in Japan, in the fastest time ever for an indie girls' band, and successfully sold out and packed the venue (Corona capacity of 2,000 people). Currently, they are aiming for the first "Nippon Budokan" solo show in the history of indie girl bands and a nationwide tour of Zepp.

Maie Ohno
Maori Ohno is known for her visual appeal and has been described as "the most beautiful drummer in Japan. She is active as a drummer, influencer, model, and actress, and her crowdfunding project for a gravure photo book in 2023 became a topic of conversation when it exceeded 14 million yen, the highest amount ever for a crowdfunded photo book. She is a daily topic of conversation on the Internet news, and has over 1.1 million followers on social networking sites.

Rio Kiyohara
An early member of "Last Idol" produced by Akimoto Yasushi, Kiyohara formed a band after graduation. She is also highly regarded for her expressive and acting skills as an actress, starring in movies and on stage. She is also an MC at live performances, and her radio show "Kimito Radio," on which Kimito and her band are the personalities, is popular for the light-hearted talk she shares with comedian Bike Kawasaki Bike, who is also a personality.

Kimito & Band's first reco & 4th anniversary tour

Date：October 13 (Sun.)
Venue: SOUND CRUE (2-15-1-2 Odori Higashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
Time: Doors open 13:00 / Concert begins 13:30
Fee: 3,500 yen (advance sale) (2,000 yen for women)

For more information, please check the official SNS below.
■Official X: @with48263996

Interview: Kyohei Yamashita