#mincho

I have very recently become entranced with a musical group called "Band-Maid". Yes, before you skip this essay, please hear me out. Band-Maid is a group of five women who write hard rock music...all while wearing maid outfits.

(L to R: MISA, Akane, Miku, Saiki, Kanami)

They are generally applauded by rock fans for their catchy melodies and complex arrangement.

I have found myself particularly interesting in Band-Maid's lead guitarist Kanami Tōno. She is also the main composer and arranger of Band-Maid songs.

If you see her on stage, she is very confident, full of life. She dances her fingers across the fret board with ease, creating magnificent solos. Her PRS sings out in full voice.

This is contrasted greatly with her off-stage persona. She is quiet, shy and quite meek. She doesn't speak much.

With that being said, many BM fans call her "odd," "unreadable," "strange," etc. I myself find her a mystery. Many of her actions are a little funny. For example, when she is happy or enthusiastic she will do two fist hand shake. Hard to explain, but reminiscent of this:

During an interview she started to get drawn away into her own world and act...perse a bit oddly. Constant swaying, hand movements and exaggerated emotions. (MISA and Akane are just wondering what the heck she's doing).

Some fans have noted she has a wide arsenal of emotions which are constantly changing. In one interview, you can see her express a large range of feelings in a small period of time (happiness, fear, admiration, etc)

Additionally, she seems very sensitive to people's tone of voice. For example in one interview, the interviewer makes a rather raucous joke. While everyone else is laughing, she looks very uncomfortable, distressed or fearful.

In some cases, Miku, one of their vocalist and general spokesperson, spoke loudly and it appeared as if Kanami had to take a second to reorient herself.

Others in the group have said that it seems like Kanami has multiple personalities. She is can be quiet, bold, submissive, bossy, silly, and focused. The members describe her as someone who has no idea about her surroundings or situations (affectionately known as an airhead).

Kanami is a fascinating girl. She started off as a classical pianist when she was 5 years old. I've heard some people say she was a child prodigy and started composing as well at a young age. When she started senior high school she joined the Light Music Club and picked up guitar (apparently to impress girls LOL). In college she majored in Economic and Business instead of music to satisfy her family, but the love of music still stayed with her. When Band Maid began to form in 2013 (courtesy to Miku) she was a singer-songwriter on YouTube.

After Band-Maid slowly began to gain popularity, Kanami eventually began to get the opportunity to show her composition talent. Her first work, "Alone" was released in February 2016 to a great success. Rock fans appreciate the creativity and complex layering she uses while arranging the songs, while fans from a pop background (like me) appreciate the catchiness of the hard-hitting lyrics and melodies.

Original Mincho : @dragqueen2001

Lost hope tale : by me

Lost hope!Mincho : by me