A Quick Chat with PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE

How has your first time in Australia been?

REN: I’ve been learning so much! During our first performance in Australia, I was able to learn a lot about how to get the crowd excited and how the audience reacts while performing.

KOKORO: Australia has always been one of the countries I’ve really wanted to visit, so I was so happy when it was confirmed that we can go! This time, we came for SXSW Sydney, but next time I definitely want to come back for our own concert. I want to learn more about Australia!

Now tell us a little more about PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE, how did the band come together, and did you know each other before?

RYOGA: We were formed from members who were selected out of students attending “EXPG,” a dance/vocal school run by our company LDH. Some of us had been attending the school for more than ten years before finally becoming part of the group. We’ve known each other since our junior high and high school days, so we’re like family. Because of that, we don’t really struggle with communication—we’re always able to share our opinions smoothly and work together as a team.

You’ve been performing for a little while and more recently all over the world. What have been some of your favourite moments?

TSURUGI: Performing “Just Like Dat feat. JP THE WAVY” around the world has been an unforgettable experience! I truly felt that this song helped us gain recognition globally. Hearing people not only dance but also sing along in Japanese was a huge step forward for us as artists. I want to keep sharing our music with people all over the world!

KOKORO: Every country and region we’ve performed in has left a deep impression on me. I really love seeing everyone dance, sing, and have fun together during songs like “JLD.” At our SXSW Sydney stage, I could really feel the energy and joy from the crowd—it made me so happy to see so many people enjoying our performance even more than I had imagined!

WEESA: The International Stage at SXSW Sydney was our very first performance in Australia, and I was so happy that even more people than I expected were singing along to our songs.

Your music has a mix of styles in it. Where do you draw your inspiration from, and when can we expect new music?

RYOGA: Our music is primarily based on Hip-Hop and R&B. We are especially influenced by the music and culture of the 2000s, and we try to update and express that in our own way. This month, we’re planning to release a new song called “SWISH DAT,” and we’re also preparing for an album release next year.

JIMMY: As a team, we focus on creating music rooted in R&B and Hip-Hop. We also aim to blend each member’s individuality, our new interests, and current trends to create music that’s uniquely PSYCHIC FEVER. On October 24, we’ll be releasing the new song “SWISH DAT,” and next year, we may have an even bigger tour and an album release, so we hope everyone looks forward to it!

You’ve performed at SXSW Austin, how does it differ from the Australian one?

JIMMY: Since it was our first performance in Australia, it felt really fresh. In the U.S., the audience’s excitement is intense—everyone dances and sings along the entire time. In Australia, however, while the crowd was energetic, many people also really listened to our songs with genuine interest. I felt a bit closer to a Japanese audience, which gave me a sense of familiarity and warmth.

WEESA: The local culture and the artists performing are different in each place, so even at the same event (SXSW), the atmosphere is completely different. It was also really fun to interact with so many local artists.

You connected with some Australian artists recently at Music Matters like Yorke. Have you been able to catch up with them here?

TSURUGI: We were able to reunite with Yorke in Australia, and we also did some Australian content shooting! Now, we have interactions with many Australian artists, which makes us really happy! Please look forward to what’s coming next!

RYUSHIN: Yes! It happened! We were able to shoot content in Australia and connect with her, too. We want to deepen the relationship with Australian artists even more, and hopefully collaborate someday, so we’ll continue to expand our interactions and connections!

Are there any other artists you’re looking forward to checking out?

REN: The artists at SXSW Sydney were amazing, but among Australian artists, I especially want to check out The Kid LAROI! I’ve been listening to his songs for a long time and really love them, so I’d love to collaborate or perform on stage with him someday.

WEESA: I also want to see The Kid LAROI live. There are many people in Japan who listen to his music, and now that we’re actually in Australia, I really want to experience his live performance in person.

What have been some of your highlights in Australia so far?

KOKORO: Being able to do a live performance and visit the Opera House were highlights for me. I wanted to experience the atmosphere of Australia firsthand through a live performance, and the Opera House was something I had always wanted to see at least once in my life, so it really became a wonderful memory. Next time, I definitely want to come back for our own concert.

RYUSHIN: Of course, it was our first performance! Performing in a new place for the first time was nerve-wracking, but also really exciting. I kept wondering how the local audience would react and how many people would come to see us, so it left a really strong impression! We’ll keep working hard to improve so that someday we can hold our own solo concert there again!

When can we expect you back?

RYOGA: I want to come back as soon as possible!! We really felt the energy from the audience in Australia, and since our goal next year is holding a world tour, we’ll do our best so that the next time we meet fans in Australia, we can hold a solo concert.

JIMMY: We don’t have any confirmed plans yet, but the response this time was so great that we want to come back soon for another event or tour.