Interview with Jean-Ken Johnny, the leader of Man With A Mission - MWAM

Congratulations on this world tour! It has been 13 years since you were sent to Earth, and you are still among us! You are adapting well, and more and more humans from all countries come to see you. How do you feel?

It feels like it was a long way but also time flies so fast sometimes it feels like yesterday. But anyway so far this journey with you guys has been beautiful and amazing. Thank you so much.

How do you collaborate as a band when writing and arranging new material/track?

 Kind of figure out what my opponent wants and requires and at the same time try to put in the elements that I have genuinely and also find and figure out what we have in common. The key I believe is to amplify and balance and also enjoy the chemistry.

What are your musical inspirations these days? You said in a previous interview that you really like bands like :  Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins or Rage Against or British Rock Band. 

I guess the bands I’ve mentioned before still inspire me even today. Talking about recent artists, Inova Twins really caught me. I also love the work of Holly Humberstone.

This is your first tour since 2019, we had a world pandemic that force us to stay at home. During this time you composed and now, released a 30 songs double album (Break And Cross The Walls I & II). Did the pandemic and this never-before situation inspire you ?

I believe it did. During the pandemic, not only the problem we had with the plague, but I believe conflicts due to it also rose everywhere. Racism, Conflicts of ideology, all the problems that we’ve had all the time again. People, human beings are very good at breaking and destroying the old to develop the new, but sometimes I guess that’s why we face the same problems again and again. Maybe we shouldn’t just focus on breaking things but have to bear in mind to cross and get over it together.

Which kind of themes or concepts do you explore through this album ?

The album is combined with many themes but I guess all songs have and represents the energy and emotion to strive and struggle and move forward with hope.

You have several dates in Europe, and a consequent tour in UK. Do you think the audience and the wolves from Europe are different from the Japanese audience, or US audience?

  Everybody in the world who love music doesn’t differ that much, but you people in Europe definitely know how to enjoy music and express it.

What do you expect from the audience that comes to your concerts? a change of scenery, a journey through your music? Having a blast?

You said it all.

If you could do a featuring, who would it be with? International or Japanese band/musician?

 That’s a pretty hard question to answer. It always has to be a surprise.

Any recommendations of an album or artist you like these days?

Nova Twins, Wet Leg, Holly Humberstone

It's quite common to feature or compose songs for Anime. You have done a lot of work in this area, such as Boku no Hero, Seven Deadly Sins, Gundam Orphan, and most recently Demon Slayer. Is it considered a significant achievement in your career to write an anthem for a popular and beloved franchise, knowing that it will be listened to by youth from all around the world?"

It was an honour to be a part of this animation and indeed it was challenging but above all we’re thankful for this opportunity. I’m proud and confident of what we have created.

Let’s have some “light’ and fun questions : 

What food did you enjoy in Europe ? 

Sri lanka Food in England

Which country would you like to visit ?

 Croatia. I have to see that beautiful sea side which was the model of that Jiburi animation “Kiki’s Delivery Service”

Which country has the highest wolf population? 

Never thought about it. Please Google

(edit : It's Canada ! 😁)

Our team arrives in Tokyo for a few days of vacation. Which places, food, do you advise us ?

 Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza for shopping. Talking about food, try some Japanese Ramen. 

Any last words for the European and French wolves ?

  France is the first country we held our one man show overseas. We can’t thank you more for all of your support and we miss you guys already. Hope we visit your beautiful country again as soon as possible. Merci beaucoup!