【Interview】NIPPONGAKUTV#5 KAITO (Paledusk)
PALEDUSK: “This album is a reflection of life, existence and humanity itself”
As part of the “What is Paledusk?” tour, NIPPONGAKU had the opportunity to speak in Madrid with KAITO, vocalist of PALEDUSK. During the interview, we talked about the origins of the band, the growth of the project, the impact of “HUGs” as the opening theme for GACHIAKUTA, KAITO’s approach to writing lyrics, his childhood dreams, football, the music he has been listening to lately, and some of his personal preferences.
NIPPONGAKU: Hello everyone. Today we have PALEDUSK with us. Please enjoy. First of all, could you introduce yourself?
KAITO: Yes, hello. In English or Japanese?
NIPPONGAKU: Japanese is fine.
KAITO: Ok! I’m KAITO, vocalist of PALEDUSK. We’re really happy to be in Madrid today!
NIPPONGAKU: This time you’re here with the “What is Paledusk?” tour. So, what is PALEDUSK?
KAITO: Do you mean the meaning of the name, or why we chose it?
NIPPONGAKU: Yes, the name of the tour, the band, what kind of band it is…
KAITO: Ah, I see. PALEDUSK started in Fukuoka 11 years ago, in 2015.
Fukuoka is Japan’s fifth major city. There’s Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Fukuoka… So it’s a little more rural and quite far from Tokyo.
At first, I wanted to make metalcore, and that’s why I started the band. So, the reason behind the name is… Well, it has already been 10 years, but how should I put it? First of all, when people ask us what kind of music PALEDUSK makes, we don’t really know what answer to give.
At the beginning, I thought it wasn’t metal, hardcore or pop. And, once again… In Japan, when a band grows, it doesn’t really share shows with many other bands. It also doesn’t headline a tour in the usual sense, but goes alone to different cities as the only artist.
When we achieved that, we started asking ourselves what PALEDUSK really was, and where it would take us. That’s why we chose this name.
NIPPONGAKU: Thank you very much. PALEDUSK is not a new band. From what moment did you feel that the project had become something more serious than just a hobby?
KAITO: Well, from the very beginning I never thought about quitting.
The truth is that the first members of PALEDUSK have been friends since the beginning. Well, this isn’t the answer itself, but at first, when DAIDAI joined, he was producing for Bring Me The Horizon and writing music for Fortnite. That made me think that the band had to become bigger.
When we did our first solo tour, I thought… We are all friends and we all have the dream of touring all over the world. But when we actually made it happen, the fans, our friends in Japan and the band itself couldn’t believe it.
So what I mean is that now that we are travelling all over the world, fans and newer bands in Japan also want to do it. It’s amazing to play good music around the world, and that’s why we came all the way to Spain.
NIPPONGAKU: Incredible. Thank you, really. If PALEDUSK had to do a cover, what song would it be?
KAITO: If it were up to me, something by Linkin Park or Slipknot, for example. They’re great and I love them.
Well, we would also choose a song by a Japanese band. Like THE BLUE HEARTS, which is a famous band in Japan. Even when I write lyrics, I’m influenced by their vocalist, Hiroto. That’s why I’d like to sing his lyrics someday.
I also really love the band Refused. I’d love to play their song “New Noise” with PALEDUSK. Yes, that’s right, I’d like to do that.
NIPPONGAKU: Thank you. If you had to describe PALEDUSK with one word… What word would it be?
KAITO: The album or the band?
NIPPONGAKU: The album.
KAITO: Well, this album. I would like people to listen to it from the first song to the last because of the emotions.
There are parts that talk about fun moments, difficult moments, happiness, sadness… Every song on this album has a message. So, if I had to describe this album in one word, it would be “life” or “humanity”.
That’s it. Human beings are full of emotions. That’s why I think this album is like a reflection of life, existence and humanity itself.
NIPPONGAKU: Wow, thank you very much. One of your new songs became the opening theme for an anime, right? Congratulations on that!
KAITO: VAMOS GACHIAKUTA! Everyone, watch GACHIAKUTA!
NIPPONGAKU: Since the opening was released, have you been able to meet new fans at your shows?
KAITO: Well, even in Japan we noticed it a lot.
Before, we were a little more underground. When we started playing festivals, more people began listening to us. But now, on this tour too, we can really feel that some people came because they listened to “HUGs”, especially overseas.
Today is the seventh date of the tour, but at the previous shows we saw many fans of anime, manga and Japanese culture. And, of course, also people who come looking for aggressive music.
The truth is that both kinds of fans enjoy the show in the same way, without any distinction. PALEDUSK has an incredible ability to create a live atmosphere, and there are all kinds of people there.
Yes, more than anything, the fact that more people have started watching the anime has made it even better. How can I put it? The atmosphere on the floor at a PALEDUSK show has become special, and it’s different from other concerts.
VAMOS GACHIAKUTA!
NIPPONGAKU: Thank you very much. In PALEDUSK’s music, there are brutal parts.
KAITO: BRUTAL!
NIPPONGAKU: And also emotional parts. Where do the ideas come from?
KAITO: Do you mean the lyrics?
NIPPONGAKU: Yes.
KAITO: In PALEDUSK, ever since DAIDAI joined, he composes the music and I write the lyrics.
His songs are great, that’s obvious. But beyond a good sound, things in life and the experiences he has lived through also matter. The background, the feelings…
I try not to include too much fiction. I usually base things on real experiences. Since writing songs is my main activity, if he writes a song because he went through something difficult, I might think: “Well, we haven’t lived the same life, so I don’t understand the exact same feeling, but I’ve also been through difficult moments, so I understand how he feels”.
I usually write based on my own experiences, which are different from his, but they can help us connect with similar emotions.
There is a very popular song in PALEDUSK’s setlist called “Slay!”. It’s a party song: you would listen to it with friends, drinking shochu with green tea, or a shochu cocktail with tea called Green Tea Shochu. It’s like drinking that and partying with your friends.
I used to write about that, but now it’s about emotions. In fact, I often take inspiration from my everyday experiences. So, in that sense, yes.
When I write lyrics and sing songs about bad experiences, I think about them. As for the emotional side, I think that if I manage to immerse myself in the song, it will be easier for the audience to connect with it sincerely. That’s why I worked hard to write the lyrics from the heart, especially for this album.
NIPPONGAKU: Thank you very much. Very interesting. Apart from music, do you have any other hobbies?
KAITO: Well, I really like football.
Maybe it’s a little awkward to say this while being in Madrid, but I support FC Barcelona. I also like the Premier League and support Liverpool FC.
And well, I also like fashion. I’m always thinking about that.
This time I couldn’t go to a Liverpool FC match, but on our day off in London, it happened to be a Sunday, so I was able to go to an Arsenal FC match. I had gone to Liverpool alone before. But this time I’m glad that Ryo from KNOSIS, DAIDAI, our sound engineer and the cameraman all went together.
I like football quite a lot.
NIPPONGAKU: When we are children, we all have a dream. Did that dream change, or do you still have the same dream now?
KAITO: This is also related to football.
When I was a child, I played football. I wasn’t very good, but I loved it. Then, in junior high school, I injured my back and couldn’t play football anymore, so I formed a band. But even as a child, I used to watch foreign leagues.
Well, I always thought it would be great to move abroad or work overseas. And I’ve already achieved that with the band.
Another dream was to get support from Adidas. My wardrobe also includes an Adidas tracksuit, and I wear that jacket with our logo embroidered on it.
Also, last year, during the big tour with ONE OK ROCK in 2025, we used a huge flag with the Adidas logo right in the center. We got sponsorship and support for the tour.
Normally, that’s not something you can get unless you’re a top athlete. But since we achieved it, I feel proud of it.
NIPPONGAKU: Thank you very much. What music have you been listening to lately? An artist or a song…
KAITO: Yes, well, lately on this tour I’ve been listening to Foo Fighters and Nickelback.
Before, PALEDUSK was only a band with screamed vocals. Well, especially in “HUGs”, the melodic parts have increased. Little by little, these kinds of parts have become more frequent, and I think the music sounds cooler than before.
Originally, I liked hardcore and metal, so I was a vocalist who only screamed in the songs. It’s not that I didn’t like singing, and I thought it would be great if I could do it. But, well, I wasn’t good at singing. At first, I didn’t like singing.
Little by little, these kinds of parts have increased. When I hear powerful voices that are also emotional and soft, I’m really impressed.
I’ve liked Foo Fighters for a long time, and since they also released a new album… Well, I’ve been listening to them a lot for a long time. They’re famous, so people will know them.
I really like the song “Best of You”, although I don’t think there are people who don’t know it. I can understand that with PALEDUSK, but everyone knows Foo Fighters. Well, if you don’t know the song, I recommend it.
NIPPONGAKU: Let’s play an A or B game. Ramen or tsukemen?
KAITO: Difficult, but do you mean eating it right now?
NIPPONGAKU: Yes, right now.
KAITO: If it’s right now, since the weather is nice and it’s hot in Madrid, ramen is too hot. So I choose tsukemen.
NIPPONGAKU: Wine or beer?
KAITO: Beer.
NIPPONGAKU: Countryside or city?
KAITO: City, city, city. The city is better! City.
NIPPONGAKU: Why?
KAITO: Well, if I spend three days in the countryside, I get bored. But sometimes the countryside is great too.
NIPPONGAKU: Of course!
KAITO: I still feel young. So I can still handle the city.
NIPPONGAKU: The next one is about sweets: the bamboo shoot-shaped sweet or the mushroom-shaped sweet?
KAITO: Are there people who choose the mushroom? I prefer the bamboo shoot.
The bamboo shoot is big and has a lot of chocolate. The mushroom is small, right?
NIPPONGAKU: Well, the last question: words you know in Spanish. Anything.
KAITO: On the EP “Palehell”, there is a song called “Tranquilo!”. I know that word too. “Vamos” as well, and… “cabrón!”.
And also… brutal!
All of you… sois brutales!
NIPPONGAKU: Incredible! Well, that’s all. Thank you very much!
KAITO: Thank you very much!
NIPPONGAKU: That was PALEDUSK. Thank you very much!
KAITO: Thank you very much! Come see PALEDUSK tonight!
