With critically acclaimed first and second album, a mega-hit tune part of the soundtrack for 2012's Nameless Gangsters, and with fantastic collaboration with Infinity Challenge in 2013 - Kiha & The Faces are probably the hottest band in Korea right now. I posted about their upcoming American tour earlier this month which I was really excited about (along with many others who were planning on attending, I'm sure), but I am deeply sorry to announce that all their American shows have been cancelled due to visa issues. Shaking my fist at America and its immigration!
Initially I interviewed the band mostly about their American shows, which I was planning on posting last week. However, as with each cancellation update I had to push off on posting the interview because a lot of it had to do with their American tour. Now that it's completely cancelled, I thought about not posting it at all because it was too damn sad. But I still wanted to share some more information about the band with the international fans out there and decided to post parts of the interview that has to do with their music and their upcoming third album in particular.
Check out the interview below for some information on their upcoming third album, Kiha's side activities, and their plans for the future.
Hello! First of all, please introduce yourself for the international fans who may not be familiar with Kiha & the Faces yet.
Hello. Kiha & The Faces is a psychedelic folk band that sings in Korean. We were formed in 2008 and have two official albums out. Nice to meet you!
안녕하세요. 저희 장기하와 얼굴들은 한국어로 노래하는 사이키델릭 포크 밴드입니다. 2008년에 결성되었고 두 장의 정규 음반을 발표했어요. 만나뵙게 돼서 반갑습니다!
I have a couple of questions about Kiha & The Faces' music. It’s already been 6 years since you released “Cheap Coffee”. Your music seems to have changed a lot since then, and is this something that you are aware of? Do you constantly pursue different sounds when it comes to your music?
We want to be consistent in harmonizing the rhythms of Korean language and rock’n’roll, but we are always trying to diversify our musical style. Our third album will also hold various sounds that weren’t present in our first and second album.
한국어의 운율과 로큰롤을 잘 조화시키고 싶다는 생각은 늘 같지만 음악의 스타일에는 자꾸 변화를 주고 싶어합니다. 앞으로 나올 3집도 1, 2에서는 들을 수 없었던 사운드가 많이 포함되어 있을 겁니다.
Personally I think one of the biggest charms of Kiha & The Faces’ music is the witty lyrics. With that said, how do you feel about the international audience not understanding the lyrics?
When Koreans listen to rock’n’roll music in English, they may not understand all the lyrics but they must feel many things through the music. We believe that the international audience may go through the same experience when listening to our music.
한국인들이 영어로 된 로큰롤 음악을 들을 때, 그들은 가사를 다 알아듣지는 못하지만 거기에서 많은 것을 느끼고 즐길 수 있습니다. 해외에 계신 분들이 저희 음악을 들으실 때에도 같은 일이 일어날 것이라고 생각합니다.
When will we get to hear that promised third album?
This year for sure!
올해 안으로는 꼭!
What was the most difficult while working on the third album? The most fun?
The hardest thing was how we had to keep delaying it because of our busy schedules. For me (Kiha), I’ve been acting in a sitcom since last autumn, and the whole band participated in a variety show (Infinity Challenge) for a month, working on a song. But working on the album was always fun. Since it’s been 6 years since we formed the band, we work really well together. We were managed to arrange and record like we were hanging out.
힘들었던 것은 바빠서 자꾸 일정이 미뤄졌다는 것입니다. 저(장기하)의 경우 작년 가을부터 시트콤에 출연하고 있기도 하고, 밴드가 다 같이 예능프로그램에 한 달 동안 출연하며 곡을 만들기도 했지요. 하지만 일단 작업을 하는 동안에는 모든 게 다 재미있었습니다. 밴드를 결성한지 6년 정도 되다보니 밴드의 호흡이 잘 맞게 되어 편곡도 녹음도 놀듯이 재미있게 진행할 수 있더군요.
I’m curious to see what kind of sounds you’ll be showcasing in the third album. Any hints, perhaps?
You’ll be able to hear a stronger but simpler rock’n’roll sound.
예전보다 더 강력하고 단순한 로큰롤 사운드를 들으실 수 있을 겁니다.
The addition of Yohei (guitar) and Jongmin (keyboard) definitely made a difference in the second album. Can we hope for some great performance from Iljun (drum) who officially became a member for the third album?
Of course. Iljun’s drumming is really powerful, which made it perfect for the third album’s straightforward sound. He’s been a good engine for the band.
물론입니다. 전일준군의 드러밍은 아주 파워풀해서 특히 3집의 직선적인 사운드에 아주 적절합니다. 좋은 엔진이 되어주고 있달까요.
You’ve already released the first album on limited LP. Do you have any plans to release the second and third album on vinyl?
Yes. The second album LP is already done with mastering done at the Abbey Road Studios in London, and we will also be releasing the third album on LP.
네. 2집 엘피는 런던의 애비로드 스튜디오에서 마스터링을 마친 상태고 3집 역시 엘피를 낼 겁니다.
MV for "I Almost Had It", released with Blank Check Project, a pay what you want payment system which let listeners decide on how much they wanted to pay for the mp3. It was the first time that the pricing strategy was used in the Korean music industry.
2013 must have been such an experimental year for Kiha & The Faces. There was the Infinity Challenge music festival, but you also released “I Almost Had It” as part of an innovative system called Blank Check Project. What kind of new challenges will we see Kiha & The Faces doing in 2014? If there’s something you really want to try in 2014? We want to release the third album in a new and unique way that hasn’t been done before, but we’re still discussing the specifics. 3집 음반 발표를 전에 없던 재미있는 방식으로 해 보고 싶은데, 구체적인 방법은 의논중입니다. Other than the band’s music, Kiha in particular is currently a radio DJ, acting in a sitcom, and you recently became a model for a men’s clothing brand. The press for your latest modeling gig put you at the same level as Lee Jongsuk and Kim Woobin. Do you have any plans for a weekend evening drama or movies? I do want to appear in a movie. But of course someone will have to cast me first. 영화에 출연해 보고 싶다는 생각은 가지고 있습니다. 물론 찍자는 사람이 있어야 되겠지만요.
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