Kitsun̩ РGildas and Masaya Interview

Pedestrian recently e-interviewed Gildas and Masaya the head honchos of music/fashion label Kituné and though English might not be their first language it’s certainly better than our French or Japanese.

We decided to post the interview unedited as it’s got that “English is my second language” charm and they create a few new words that we’re seriously considering sending to Websters. So to find out more about their infectious new compilation, the crazy kids of Osaka or how the two met read the interview below. Remember, let he who is bilingual cast the first stone…

How did you guys meet?

G: long time ago , i was running a record store and masaya was a customer

M: yes long time ago i was a customer and he was a record seller

What were your first impressions of each other?

G: i doubt i can remember, i remember he was having some blond hair ,he was having some friends into mangas too;.

M: well, i remember he was really skinny, long hair and sleepy eyes

How did Kitsune form?

G: kitsuné is a simple idea , a music label and a clothes label -growing together simultaneously we ‘ve been to Japan together in a business creative trip with Daft Punk and there in Japan we found that a bicephal company was possible- that the market was ready for that kind of fresh concept.

What are the main difference and similarities between Tokyo and Paris?

G: Main difference is more into the landscape, paris is museum, Tokyo change all time- you can get back 2 month after and the street has been renew- the main similiarities is the love for food , there is great restaurant in both cities;;

M: yes i think the main difference is the rythm of everyday life, everything is going so fast in tokyo, and the similarities is i think japanese and french love their own country cultures

Music and Fashion have been hit pretty hard by the Global Financial Crisis how have Kitsune fared? Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs?

G: yes it isn”t the best time, i’m not sure i will advice the music business; music is kind of free now- after passion is sometimes stronger than reason why we keep follow music business we are tottally passionate as well by clothes and music – so we’ll make it

M: for the apparel business, today i think we should to focus more and more about the fabric quality and manufacturing location, to realize a product with good balance of price/quanlity

Why do you think music and fashion are so closely linked?

G: that pleasure,joy – both are a great source of idenditication and inspiration you need to look like the artist you love -, music is part of everybody life

M: and clothing is one of the way to express our attitude to enjoy more the music

What future projects do you have planned?

G: on the clothes side develop our Parisian store at 52 rue richelieu- , ,betterize the clothes line proposal- on the music side we are signing bands more and more, we get from a music label doing single and compilation to a recordlabel developping long relationships with artists; we are working with Digitalism now but we signed Heartsrevolution too , a great american trio, then Two Door cinema Club , some kids from North Ireland the most melodic songs ever and this month AutoKratz album is out, try to see them live it is so great..

What is your selection criteria for the compilations? How do you find new music/bands?

G: We love pop music, we love songs, to find bands it is a global things, we got the chance to be quite established now so artits, managers are sending us music, but obviously we go to festivals, show-,

Our compilation are like bi annual magazine, we are trying to feature on them the music to be listened tomorow modestly..

What is the craziest thing that has happened during a DJ set?

G: In Osaka , it was so pack once that all the dj booth falled down on the pressure of the crowd yes it is kind of pretentious to write it, but definitly the case; kids are nuts in Osaka

What kind of person does the Kitsuné brand represent?

G: not sure i get this questions well, i think Kitsuné fit well for people wich are curious and forward thinking-

M: yes people with open mind!

How does the music inform the fashion and vice versa?

G: Fashion and music are walking hand in hand , but not all time in the same direction Myself i’m mainly taking care of the music,masaya mainly take care of the clothes line- i think we are really tied up but both got also their own distribution network kitsuné is transversal

Besides the Fox what would be your power animals?

G : the tanuki, look like a ratoon, in japan kids are always joking saying Kitsuné is the new tanuki, in the japenese folklore the tanuki is the drunk version of the kitsuné;

Check out the preview video for Kitsuné’s upcoming album release Kitsuné Maison 7: The Lucky One below or
BUY THE ALBUM HERE.

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