On Saturday, March 22, 2025, the Japanese band Esprit D’Air will kick off their spring European tour, showcasing tracks from their upcoming album Aeons. Led by Kai, the band has built a strong presence on the independent music scene and is known for its unconventional approach to music creation. Their Prague concert is scheduled for April 21. Esprit D’Air boasts numerous achievements, including the prestigious Best Metal/Hardcore Album award at the Independent Music Awards in New York for their debut album Constellations (2017). We had the honor of speaking with Kai, the band’s multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, who granted us an exclusive interview.
Do you remember the moment you realized you wanted to fully dedicate yourself to music? Was there a specific trigger behind that decision?
When I was young, I struggled in school and was heavily bullied because of it, which led to severe depression. It got to the point where I started skipping school because I just didn’t see the point anymore. I ended up staying away for about a year. That’s when I picked up the guitar and started listening to more heavy metal. For the first time, I realized I was actually good at something. I became obsessed and practiced for ten hours a day.
Eventually, I went to music school, and it was a complete shift – I went from being at the bottom of my class to achieving top marks. That experience proved to me that I wasn’t incapable; I just needed to be doing something I truly cared about.
As you prepare for this tour, what are your hopes and goals for your European experience? Is there anything specific you want to achieve as a band?
For this tour, my main goal is to put on the best possible show every night and make sure everyone who comes to see us has an unforgettable experience. Touring isn’t just about playing music – it’s about connecting with people, creating moments, and leaving an impact.
In 2023/2024, we completely sold out our European tour, which was a huge milestone for us as an independent band that’s doing this without a record label, management, booking agent, or promoter. This time, we want to take things even further – reach new audiences, play bigger venues, and to go to more countries.
Your music blends various genres. Is there any genre you would never incorporate into your work, or do you set no boundaries when creating music?
I don’t like to place our music inside a box. I’ve always believed that creativity shouldn’t have limits, and that’s why Esprit D’Air blends so many different genres. If something feels right and fits the emotion of the song, I’ll use it. That being said, I don’t force genres into my music just for the sake of it. It has to come naturally. The music has to be honest, above all.
Is there a specific reason why you chose the DIY approach over signing with a record label? Was your main motivation a greater sense of freedom or having more control over the final product?
What I love about what I do is that I don’t have to compromise or answer to anyone else’s vision. Of course, it’s a lot of work, but I’d rather build something on my own terms than be limited by industry expectations.
That said, I’m not against working with the right people. I collaborate with a team of musicians, engineers, and professionals who help bring the vision to life. But at the end of the day, Esprit D’Air exists because I made the decision to do things independently, and I wouldn’t change that.
Given the intense energy of your performances, how do you prepare for live shows, both physically and mentally? Many musicians have a ritual before going on stage. Do you have any pre-show routines or superstitions?
An hour before the show, I make sure to focus on nothing except the performance. My mind has to be completely there – no distractions. It’s important to get in the zone, or else, my mind will be all over the place.
And right before we go on stage, my band and I have a tradition – we huddle together and do a big „Kamehameha!“. It started as a joke, but now it’s part of our routine. It gets us hyped up and reminds us to just have fun and give it everything we’ve got. Yusuke and Takeshi, especially, are big Dragon Ball fans, like me.
What are your goals or plans for the future? Can we expect a new album in the near future?
Yes, we are working on our fourth album Aeons, and we have just released two singles from it in the past two weeks – Lost Horizon and Shadow of Time. We hope fans can have a listen to our new sound and direction. We are planning to release the album later this year, so after this European tour, we will be completely focused on this. Many of these new songs will also be played at the Prague show.
We are so excited to see you here! Have you ever been to the Czech Republic before, or will this be your first time? And don’t forget to try our traditional beer. It’s delicious! 🙂
It will be my first time in the Czech Republic, but I have visited Slovakia before. When I joined The Sisters of Mercy, I actually just missed my chance to play at Prague’s Lucerna Music Bar because I joined their European tour halfway through as their guitarist. So I’m really excited to finally perform in Prague. I don’t drink alcohol, but I have tried Kofola in Slovakia, so I will probably have it again there!
Tickets and information
When: April 21, 2025
Where: Rock Café Prague
Tickets for the concert can be purchased at GoOut.
Source: Author’s text, Esprit D’Air Official, Kai from Esprit D’Air Official
