SacAnime Winter 2017 Guest Interview: Dancing Dolls & MIREI

Last weekend, we at A-to-J Connections were lucky enough to conduct a short interview with the music guests at SacAnime Winter: Dancing Dolls and MIREI, before seeing them perform two nights in a row. Originally found through their popular dance covers on both Niconico and YouTube, Dancing Dolls are an ensemble that combine hard style dance with vocals inspired by genres such as R&B and Hip Hop. They made their US debut at Anime Expo 2016, performing their smash “Ring Dong” and a cover of “Jinsei Reset Button” dance track. Singer-songwriter MIREI is a solo artist who has been inspired by American Pop and R&B. She has won first place at the legendary Amateur Night at Apollo twice, and has scored #1 on iTunes R&B/Soul chart with her major debut release “Fallin’ Out/I Wanna No feat. SHUN” from Sony Music.

A-to-J: Hi! Please introduce yourself and tell us one that you really like about America?
All: Hi, A-to-J Connections, we are Dancing Dolls!
Misaki: I’m Misaki!
Mii: I’m Mii!
Hono: I’m Hono!
Mii: I like American cartoons; I like Powerpuff Girls the best, and Barbie, and cute American stuff.
MIREI: Hi my name is MIREI and I’m so happy to be here! My favorite part of America is... there’s a lot actually, that’s why I went to America when I was in eighth grade. For the most part I like the very sweet cakes here.
Hono: Fifth Harmony, the American artist.
Misaki: Hard gummies?
 
A-to-J: How would you describe your style to someone who has never heard your music?
Mii: We are often called something like idols from idol groups, but we’re a little bit different. We dance very hard and dance to more like rock-age songs. So please check out our music especially for the dancing part.
MIREI: I’ve been thinking of it; I will call my music “emotional dance music.” Why... I wrote all of the lyrics there and it’s all really sympathized lyrics. I also love dance music so some of them are hip-hop and some of them are EDM and there’s kind of a lot. But it’s all dance music so if you like that then I’m sure that you will enjoy my music.
 
A-to-J: Are there any other places in America that you really want to perform?
Mii: We performed at Anime Expo last summer (2016) in Los Angeles, so next we would like to perform in New York hopefully.
MIREI: When I was studying abroad in New York, I went to see Rihanna’s performance in Barclays Center at Brooklyn, and it was so, so fantastic. I really want to perform there too someday.
 
A-to-J: What do you feel is your biggest achievement of 2016 is?
Mii: Our biggest achievement was being a main guest at Anime Expo.
MIREI: I released my first album last year and it was the biggest achievement of my career.
 
A-to-J: What kind of music do you like to listen to?
Mii: R&B and K-Pop.
Hono: R&B and something like Fifth Harmony, with dance ensembles.
Misaki: Hip hop.
MIREI: I listen to so many kinds of music! I listen to Rihanna, I listen to Lady Gaga, but I listen to also Love Live! and also K-Pop… it’s a lot; I love it.
 
A-to-J: And lastly, do you have any messages for your fans in America?
Mii: We would like to come more often to the US, so please help support us!
MIREI: I want to be like the bridge of Japan and America because I studied English a lot, and also I can speak Japanese so please check my music and if I come to America please come and see me!
 
These talented young ladies are pursuing their entertainment careers with full force, and we hope that they continue to share their music internationally with us. If this interview has you interested, then check out the full video below!
 
-Danny

For More Information on Dancing Dolls:
Website: http://dancingdolls.jp/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancingdolls5/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dancingdolls/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DancingDOllsVEVO

For More Information on MIREI:
Website: http://touyamamirei.com/
English Website: http://touyamamirei.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teammirei
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TeamMirei

Dancing Dolls & Mirei Interview @ SacAnime Winter 2017