Interview with BETTA FLASH at Japan Expo

The young female duo BETTA FLASH came to France to perform at the Japan Expo, their first performance in Europe. Before the show they talked to us about their concept, musical background and motivation.


First of all, could you please introduce yourselves?

Cyua: My name is Cyua and I'm the singer.
TAMAYO: Me, I'm TAMAYO and I'm essentially the composer.

BETTA FLASH music is described as intellectual tribal techno, could you explain to us what this means?

TAMAYO: First of all, I'd say the reason is pretty straightforward; we love techno music a lot and also world music. And we thought it would be awesome to mix these two, which lead us to this name.

And intellectual?

TAMAYO: I didn't think of it as some kind of "intellectual" music, it's simply an in-depth research.

So regarding world music, you listen to music from other continents for example?

Cyua: I'm deeply interested in several musical instruments from different parts of the world, and to several musical styles, and these instruments from different countries allow me to see sceneries and to travel across the world. It prompts me to travel and to take people along with us.
TAMAYO: For my part, I really love Arabic music, but it's more of a personal taste. I don't try to do something personal in the band. I try to discover music from all over the world because I don't want to get myself struck in a certain style.

On stage, in photos, Cyua you're often seen with a feather headband, does this have some kind of special meaning?

Cyua: No, it doesn't have one; I love it, that's all, because I love feathers. I also have other accessories that I create myself.

You create them yourself?

Cyua: I also find it entertaining to make accessories for something other than hair, sometimes I design our stage outfits.

Don't you think about opening your own shop for your creations?

Cyua: Of course (Laughs)

TAMAYO, what made you become a composer?

TAMAYO: If I were to tell all of my story it would be too long. In Japan, very often children are given a musical background. So, as early as kindergarten my mother encouraged me to learn music, I didn't have a choice. And I kept doing it so when I had to choose a profession I realized that it was the only thing I knew how to do, so I did it.

What influenced you?

TAMAYO: Well, I was very influenced by classical music, and Bach in particular. I also love baroque music a lot. And there is also a composer that left a big impact on me, it's Hosono Haruomi who conducts Yellow Magic Orchestra. It's techno, so...

And Cyua, did you also study music?

Cyua: I didn't take music classes but the influence mainly comes from my mother, because during my childhood my mother gave shamisen lessons and sang, so since my childhood, from when I was very young, I heard her sing and I followed her steps naturally.

Both of you have an official blog, do you think it has become essential to communicate with your fans?

Both: Definitely!

What is the main theme of your songs' lyrics? What kind of message do you want to convey to your audience?

TAMAYO: The message that I wish to pass on to our audience - it's not one message per song, but for me there is only one global message: the message of peace. So, I write lyrics and music about peace.

Could you give us one word about each other?

TAMAYO: I won't comment on Cyua as a person but instead I'll make an observation about the importance of our unity. We're both essential to make BETTA FLASH. If one or the other is missing, it's impossible. It's a unity, a common identity that's made of two essential people.
Cyua: For me, TAMAYO is a very important person. But we are very different and what interests me is creating a common universe by looking for a meeting point. I'm totally committed to peace, and we're both very motivated to carry this message. It is essential to compose something together and that's my challenge.

You're going to give a concert at the Japan Expo this afternoon, what are your expectations? Are you nervous?

TAMAYO: I expect a lot from it and I especially want to have fun, of course.
Cyua: I'm very anxious, in a happy way.

Have you had time to visit around France?

Both: Not at all.

I hope you'll be able to.

Cyua: (in French) Yes.

To conclude, do you have a message for your fans?

TAMAYO: I think our music is unique; the more you listen to it the more you feel impacted by this universe, and I wish that more and more fans listen again and again to the BETTA music.
Cyua: Each song has its own unique universe, the more you listen to it the more you discover the BETTA FLASH universe and we hope the fans come along with us there.


We'd like to thank J-Music Live, Emiko for the translation and Tak for their helpfulness and their availability.