An Interview with VERJ

Words by JUSTINE MORROW

Blending a multitude of different aesthetics and cultural influences from around the globe, YUKIRO and VERIK have created VERJ, an electronic band based in the dark depths of drama and Visual Kei. Covered in glitter, leather, and kink, they are Lords of Acid meets Paris Is Burning nestled in the perfect underground of Japanese nightlife. Not just fashion and music extraordinaires, VERJ is deeply devoted to expressing and celebrating their beautiful oddities in hopes of sparking some greatly needed positive social change. Though Japan can often be a place of homogenous identities, both Verik and Yukiro are using their work to embolden the queer community of Tokyo, and beyond, to fly their fabulous freak flags for all to see.

JUSTINE: Can you each talk a bit about your personal background? How did you get into creating music, electronica, drag, and the performing arts?

YUKIRO: I grew up in Sweden and moved to Japan in 2007 because of my passion for Visual Kei music. I have always been obsessed with villains in books and movies leading me to be interested in the dark and macabre at an early age. Due to that I later created my drag persona Die Schwarze Frau. She is a gothic, evil drag diva from hell who will devour your children.  When it comes to electronic music I got hooked on Schwarz Stein which led me to a lot of other dark electronic bands.

VERIK: Similarly to Yukiro I also developed an intense interest in the Japanese Visual Kei scene and bands like Malice Mizer and Schwarz Stein heavily informed my style. I began creating music as a solo artist under the name Zealous Veil at age 14 and my first band, Surgyn, which started in 2010 was my first foray into live performance. Surgyn allowed me to tour extensively both in the UK, my homeland, and overseas. I moved to Japan in 2016 to pursue my dream of collaborating with the artists who inspired me in the first place.

JUSTINE: How did the two of you meet and why was VERJ an important project for you to create?

VERIK: We met randomly at a Halloween party in Tokyo.  We were both dressed in drag and lived for each other´s looks. We knew immediately that we existed in the same strange universe. I was looking to start a new band in Tokyo and, at a Schwarz Stein concert, asked Yukiro to join me to create VERJ.

YUKIRO: I was happily surprised to be asked to join Verik´s new project. So far my band attempts in Tokyo had been more on the Visual Kei side and they ended sooner than they started. This was exactly what I needed. VERJ has been a way for us to express feelings and emotions that we normally couldn`t and reach out to people.

JUSTINE: How has your aesthetic and style evolved over the years? What is the story behind the Kabuki-esque make-up you wear during your performances?

YUKIRO:  Actually, the kabuki makeup was only for one show and was inspired by a Japanese holiday called Obon during which people remember the passing of their ancestors whose souls they believe return to Earth during this period, similar to All Hallows` Eve. We like to experiment with different looks and styles, all of which are high-impact and striking.

VERIK:  When we started in 2017 we had the intention of essentially becoming a drag queen band, but over time our concepts developed and evolved organically, encompassing both high-camp and serious elements. Visually, I have started to take on a slightly more masculine appearance. This contrasts well with Yukiro`s more feminine  approach, creating a duality that allows us a vast palette of expression.

JUSTINE: Who are your style icons? What music inspires you to create?

VERIK:  Stylistically and musically, I was heavily inspired by 90s Visual Kei bands and also 80s bands, including Depeche Mode, Soft Ballet and style icons like Klaus Nomi, who I have tattooed on my leg. Other influences include a slew of electronic bands like Hocico, TR/ST and Soft Cell. I also love trance music. Basically anything atmospheric and melancholic-sounding with a big beat and/or soaring melodies.

YUKIRO:  Its funny how similar our tastes are. As for my style icons Ive always been inspired by Mana and Közi from Malice Mizer. Im also greatly influenced by the synthetic sound of 80s music which I use a lot in my drag shows as well. Just like Verik I`m also a huge Klaus Nomi fan and I think we both connect with him as an extraterrestrial being who was unapologetically queer.

JUSTINE: Why did you choose to have your base in Tokyo, Japan? What was it about that place, in particular that you both felt drawn to?

YUKIRO: Visual Kei.

VERIK: What she said.

YUKIRO: We are both in Japan because there are a lot of opportunities here to express ourselves in the way we like to.

VERIK: However, sadly, in terms of actual LGBT rights Japan is still very much behind the times, at least compared to Western countries.

JUSTINE: Can you talk a bit about the queer and drag community in Tokyo? What is it like being so different in such a homogenous country and culture?

VERIK:  Despite a lack of representation in general society, there is a bustling community of people who are fighting together to bring LGBT minorities to peoples attention. In preparation for the 2020 Olympics, Japan has gradually been taking measures to open peoples minds. As one of the few openly gay artists/bands in Japan, we hope to contribute positively to that.

YUKIRO: Ive been deeply involved in both the goth and gay scenes in Tokyo. Tokyo Pride is still very small but each year its great to be part of such a good cause. I´ve both performed in and done charity work for the Pride Parade for many years. One of our goals with VERJ is definitely to bring more awareness to the LGBT community.

JUSTINE: What is your philosophy behind creating music? What do you hope to say to your audience through your music or performances?

YUKIRO: We are now taking a more theatrical approach to our performances, embedded with important messages such as embracing your differences and darknesses with confidence and without fear. It`s not just okay to be weird and/or gay – it should be celebrated.

VERIK: Absolutely. We strive to create an atmosphere that will transport the audience into our world and allow them to escape the humdrum, if only for a moment, and fully embrace themselves.

JUSTINE: What are your hopes for the future?

VERIK: We definitely want to keep pushing our shows to the limit, or should I say… the verge?

YUKIRO: 2019 is set to be a big year for us – we already have some plans up our sleeves. Watch this space, darlings!

VERJ: Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp

JUSTINE MORROW is writer, artist, and producer for Tattoodo and Beautiful.Bizarre. She has a BFA in Fashion Design and Art History from Pratt Institute, as well as a Master of Arts Education degree from the School of Visual Arts. She adores travel, learning new things, and sharing her time with those she loves. Ursula K. Le Guin and Thoreau are her two of her favorite heroes.