Welcome back to SIFF and the Battle of the Bands. It's great to see you back. Temari: In the name of our group members, Thank you, Newt Nanami: *stares at Temari* What’s that?! So formal! Momoko: Temari is always so formal and cold Matsuri: *giggles*
What made you return for round two in the Battle of the Bands? Momoko: We saw the number of participants increasing and wanted to try the fresh blood Temari: So dramatic… Nanami: But really, we are very excited to participate this time too!
I watched your video for Missing You. Other than it not being punk rock, it's really well done. I find it weird that a KPOP band would release something in Spanish. Can you explain this for me?
Nanami: Thank you Temari: About that… The truth is, we have a huge Latin fan base Momoko: That’s right. I have a half Ecuadorian cousin, and they live in Sapporo at the moment, and she showed me many pages. Matsuri: We didn’t expect to have such a big Spanish speaking fan base Nanami: I thought it’d be nice to do something for them. I too have Latino family, so I spoke to the manager about this, and he told us later that President A. had agreed to translate one song and see how it wen Temari: Because it was Nanami’s song that was being promoted at the time, it was chosen. We do plan on making another one, though! Matsuri: I’m a little nervous because I can’t speak Spanish Temari: Me too, but Nanami and Momoko can help us Momoko: We’ll help you! You’ll do fine Temari: You better, brat! You still owe me a juice from last time!
As one of the first KPOP bands to enter SIFF, what do you think of the number of KPOP entries this year? Why do you think KPOP has become so popular? Temari: To be honest…. I’m a little amazed… Nanami: When we debuted, we were one of the first kpop groups… Our group’s making was inspired by ErujieProductions “The Chiclettes”, a very old school girl group
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Temari: President A. must have thought: “Hey! This has not been done in a long time!” Momoko: Me and Matsuri only joined after “It Hurts”, so we don’t know much about that, right? Matsuri: Right! We were trainees at the time Nanami: We’re proud to say we are one of the leading girl groups… It’s strange to see so many kpop bands popping almost out of nowhere
Let's talk about the history of 4 Leaf Clover. Why did you choose not to keep the name New World? Where did the name 4 Leaf Clover come from? Temari: It’s because… We didn’t want to feel as if we had replaced the former members… they are very present in our lives still Nanami: I’m still friends with Risa Temari: Likewise, we didn’t want Momo and Maa-chan to feel as if they had to fill a big space Nanami: We wanted to show that they don’t have to live up to Risa and Megu, because they’re different people
How and why did each of you get into music? Temari: In my case, I’m sure you know already that I’ve been dating Eternity’s Shikamaru; If not, you just got headlines. But he and I have liked rapping, even before we met. I love the energy the rappers portray Matsuri: So you met rapping through the person you love? Temari: … You could say that… Momoko: Can we all agree we’ve all been inspired by Beyonce? Nanami: That woman is dynamite Matsuri: We like hearing Ailee too Nanami: The funny part is that she too is inspired by Beyonce
How has the group changed from it's earliest inception? Nanami: Well, at first... Temari: at first Nanami: You say it Temari: Okay. At first, our concept was somewhat childish and cute. It was like “Oh, no, oppa! I love you!” How stupid, right? And “Please notice me!” and now… Momoko: Our concepts are very mature Nanami: We’re women now, we want to be taken seriously Matsuri: Very strong concepts
Tell us about your CD. There are only 6 songs on it. Is this a "sampler"? Do you plan on releasing a full length CD later? Matsuri: It’s a mini album! We are so excited, because it compiles our best singles Nanami: Big sales are expected Temari: Our manager is very excited for us, and something big is coming up for the band
Has Nanami's solo career affected the band in any way? Nanami: ….. I don’t know… has it? Momoko: It’s not really us that have been affected, but our fans Temari: They fight, because they stan for each one of us, so for example, Momoko fans will say “Nanami has been on the spotlight too much!” and “we want more Momoko!” Matsuri: I’m worried that they’re gonna fight, we don’t want that Nanami: We are one as a group, we don’t want to see our fans divided Temari: Some fans even go as far as insulting one or other member, and saying it’s unfair, even if we don’t feel like it is unfair Apart from Nanami, none of us are interested on going solo at the moment Momoko: Maybe Temari Temari: Not right now, though! Momoko: but me and Matsuri were trainees not for long, so we still have to work hard to catch up
What was it like working with Demeter from B.A.D.A. Bing? "We Were in Love" was supposed to debut at SIFF last season. What happened that delayed it? Nanami: It was great! I’ve been friends with her ever since before debuting, and we are really close, so working was very easy! What was hard for us was to act like we hated each other and send cold glares. We’ve never done that… Temari: We get jealous sometimes Nanami: You do? But we spend a lot of time together! Momoko: We do… anyway, why was it delayed? I forgot Nanami: Oh yeah… Many things happened that made us delay the song! I got a sprained ankle, and we had production issues; mine and Demeter’s schedules never coincided, because we were all so busy, so the decision was made to delay it
What future plans does 4 Leaf Clover have? Temari: We want to do a world tour! Nanami: We want to re-debut in Japan as well, we’ve been asked about somebody in our band making a solo debut, but we can’t answer those kind of questions Matsuri: Yet….. Momoko: Also, we’d like to show to the world our new single soon Nanami: When it comes out, everyone please watch it!
Now for some random questions sent in from our fans. Would you put your name into the Goblet of Fire? Temari: Yes. Nanami: Really? I wouldn’t! Matsuri: Me neither Momoko: I would! I love action Nanami: You do realize you could die, right? Temari: You couldn’t put it anyway, unless you’re that creepy guy who put Harry’s name and screwed his school year
Favorite children's breakfast cereal? All: CINNAMON Nanami: Cinnamon... brunch? Temari: It’s cinnamon toast brunch, right?
If you lived in Panem, what district would you be from? Nanami: FOUR! of course. My name means Seven seas Temari: I’d be from four too. I like watching the sand Matsuri: I would like to not live in Panem Momoko: I would live in eight. BRING IT ON PEACESUCKERS
PC or Mac? Matsuri: PC Temari: Pc Nanami: Pc Momoko: Mac Nanami: Really? Momoko: Yes. I like the smooth appearance
What is your favorite book and why? Nanami: “It’s kind of a funny story”… I don’t think I’m comfortable explaining why… Temari: “Pride and prejudice”. To quote a beloved character, “He has too much pride; she has too much prejudice… it just works!” Momoko: I don’t like to read much
Matsuri: I like Murakami Haruki’s works
One last question, and this is for my own understanding. I'm asking everyone I can think of and since you are here and I am asking questions...can you guys tell me three differences between N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys Temari: …… One of them has Justin Timberlake, right?