"I feel the vibes -- to me that's a spiritual spot," Miyavi,
whose birth name is Takamasa Ishihara, told Reuters before going
on stage at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on Sunday night for
a concert promoting the release of his new CD, "The Others".
"Every time I go to Nashville, I always pray, in just the normal
streets, (with) cars passing by," Miyavi added.
"I look like a kind of weird strange Asian guy praying on the
street, but for me I felt the vibes. And that experience in
Nashville is so precious to me."
Although his main career is in music, Miyavi may be better known
outside his native country for his role as a brutal prison guard
in the Jolie-directed film based on the true story of the
Australian airman and Olympic sprinter Louis Zamperini, held
captive during World War Two.
The movie contains scenes in which his seemingly psychotic
character repeatedly beats and abuses those under his charge --
but Miyavi said he wanted to act more, enjoyed playing the bad
guy and could even see himself as a Bond villain.
"I enjoyed to hear that people hated me in the film. That's a
compliment," he said when asked if he could see himself as a
possible nemesis for 007.
Known as the "Samurai guitarist" for his slapping style without
using a guitar pick, the 34-year-old has played more than 250
shows across 30 countries including America, Asia and Australia.
Explaining his "stripped down" on-stage style, which sees him
play guitar with only a drum accompaniment, he said: "Only two
people on stage, it's simpler and (more) solid. You know it's a
really kind of intense performance, so, more freedom and a low
budget."
(Writing by Michael Roddy; Editing by Alison Williams)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.![](column_spacer.png) |
|