Soooo the panel! Was rather fun!


They started off with an ~exclusive~ video introduction... which the first time around got some laughs from experienced fans because "Oh hey, this has been on YouTube for months!" The coordinator put in the wrong DVD, haha~ Buuuut once they got it rolling it turned out to be a brief bio of Yuki and the girls... nothing amazing in the footage other than some hilariously cute subtitles, as it was more like a clip-show.

Our panel host, Ai, asked a few questions to the girls to start us off. I'll try to go word-for-word as best as I can, but because recordings were prohibited, the ladies all spoke very quietly into the microphones, and from my knowledge of Japanese the translations were occasionally rather paraphrased, I may not be perfect.

Ai: So, to Ms. Kajiura-- Why Keiko, Hikaru and Wakana? How did you choose the three girls?
Yuki: In Kalafina, each of the three members have very different voices. In their differences they are able to blend together and create harmony, and add an energy power-up. (Note: I don't think that the translator used "power-up", but in Ms. Kajiura's speech I could clearly hear the term. ;3) If any of you happened to ask these questions and can give me the word-for-word to sub in, go for it! ♥

Ai: Now to Kalafina-- this is your first concert in the US-- how do you feel about coming to Boston?
Hikaru: Nervous...
Keiko: I'm happy happy~! (The audience nearly died from the cute here, I think. ;w;)
Wakana: I am excited!

After that, questions moved to the audience. I'll post a few that I remember.

TO KALAFINA:

Audience Member: Is Stevie Nicks one of your influence?
Translator: (After a moment of the girls looking confused.) They ask, who's a Stevie Nicks?
Audience Member: A famous musician.
Translator: ...They say, "no."

Audience Member: How strong is your English? Since this is your first panel appearance in America, did you study exclusively for this?
Hikaru: *laughing nervously* A little. I did study English in school, but I am not very skilled at it.
Keiko: (Mid-question she started covering her face with her hands and doing a nervous giggle, and then nodded as if to indicate that she had only recently picked up some English. Dear, that woman is adorable.)


Audience Member: The first PV that I saw by you was Sprinter, and I really love the elements of gothic lolita fashion. How much time did it take to make it compared to your other videos?
Keiko: Sprinter was the first video we made, so we really put a lot of passion and extra effort into it. We paid extra attention to details on outfits.
Kajiura: The PV itself was filmed in just one day.

Audience Member: What other bands do you listen to?
Keiko: Pink.
Wakana: Celine Dion.
Hikaru: Beyonce.
Kajiura: Radiohead.

Audience Member: First of all, you three are the most beautiful women in this city.
Keiko: *looks embarrassed*
Audience Member: And my question is-- You have a new single, "Storia", coming out this July. Could you tell us a bit about how it will sound?
Kalafina: It's different this time in that it is a love story-- it will be very romantic and has a refreshing sound-- please check out the three part harmony once more!


Audience Member: To Wakana and Keiko, who are also members of FictionJunction, are you happy to be working with Ms. Kajiura for another project? How are the two different?
Wakana: FictionJunction is... a totally different mindset from Kalafina. With Kalafina, three people work together and create harmony, while FictionJunction was a set of soloists. We enjoy working with Yuki Kajiura very much.

TO KAJIURA:

Audience Member: Why did you set out to become a composer?
Kajiura: My father was a musician.

Audience Member: Where do you find inspiration?
Kajiura: I draw inspiration from things that have no sound at all. I love to read, and think of words and what feelings the inspire.

Audience Member: Do you have one book that you would read over and over to inspire you, or just because you enjoy it?
Kajiura: There are far too many!

Audience Member: Do the girls record separately or together?
Kajiura: Separately.

Audience Member: What will be your next project?
Kajiura: I plan on sticking with Kalafina. (YESSSSSS♥)

Audience Member: Game or Anime, which soundtracks are harder to work on?
Kajiura: They're the same! Both are interesting and challenging!

Audience Member: Do you have one word of advice for an aspiring composer? If you have just one word...
Kajiura: One word? *laughing* *pauses* Keeping trying! ...You're cute!

Audience Member: What would be one word you would use to describe the sound of Kalafina?
Wakana: *looks thoughtful*
Kajiura: ..."Wonderland."

Audience Member: How are you inspired to write songs in your own unique language? (For a moment it was unclear to some who hadn't heard well what this question meant, but Kajiura instantly picked up that the asker was referring to the "Kajiuran" vocals.)
Kajiura: I would focus on the sounds of words and how they feel... I'd compose the melodies and then Kalafina performs it.

With that, Q&A ended and we proceeded to a few words from Kalafina, a group photo, and some goodies being given away♥ The ladies encouraged all of us to attend their concert and check out their album and upcoming single "Storia", and thanked us for coming.

Here's the group photo that Hikaru had taken and later shared on her blog:



Here's the "goody" that some lucky audience members won (either through rock-paper-scissors or being the fastest up to claim extras~):


And finally, a few shots from their autograph session, where photos were actually allowed:


Here's the signing table~


And here's my new treasure~♥ Yuki couldn't find room to sign on the same page (D:) so her signature is on the credits page♥


Wakana being lovely and composed. She really is a beautiful woman♥


Keiko was so happy the whole time♥ I nearly melted when she grabbed her own piece of magenta hair and pointed out that mine was "same!" and "kawaii!" (I have the front portion of my hair that color.) She seemed rather pleased about it, and I certainly treasure what I had thought was a questionable dye job a lot more. XD


Hikaru's smile really does shine♥ She's so sweet.


The lovely Kajiura herself♥


Keiko and Wakana signing away~


Aaaand one last shot of Keiko and Hikaru together. It was very difficult to get nice photos from the side wall with a flood of people at the table getting autographs and all of the ladies diligently looking down and signing, but the line was managed well by several very pleasant con-volunteers... other than one incredibly cranky woman who was inefficient in that she yelled too loudly to actually be comprehended. :/

That's all! Sorry if there are any typos lurking around in there-- it's getting late and I'm still suffering from some pain due to my already damaged shoulders getting a good deal of work during the concert. ;)