A fantasy came true: Seba’s band DNR — Dreams Not Reality was the first in history to open for Versailles, the Japanese Visual Kei legends!

Dying to hear what happened behind-the-scenes with DNR and Versailles, at the Cavacon Italy concert? Keep reading for the juicy details.

As you may recall, Seba recently joined DNR, the Euro-Visual rock band, as vocals and keyboards. Incredible: his very first live performance… was right before Versailles! (Here’s how he looked before and after becoming a Dreamer.)

The five members took a road trip to Salerno, close to Naples. There was lots of joking and fun along the way. DNR laughed when they saw this billboard for a child’s Communion, erected by an over-bearing papa and mamma.

As soon as they arrived at the hotel, the rockers took off their clothes and jumped into the swimming pool. (Wish you were there?)

Seba was also Versailles’ translator, so he stayed with the Jrock giants for most of the time. We can’t post the snap photos with Versailles, for privacy reasons. But Seba can assure you that Hizaki, Kamijo, Teru, Yuki and Masashi were sweet and gracious in person. He and Versailles also knew many of the same people in the Japanese music industry.

Time to get Visual, and dress up for the concert. Do you think Seba’s pants are sufficiently tight?

As always, DNR’s performance was full of passion and energy. The band played seven songs and won over the crowd, many of whom had lined up for hours.

Exhausted but euphoric, Seba poses with Axia (vocals) and Kira (bass) afterwards.

When the event was over, Seba’s band spent time talking to fans, and then shared pizza with Versailles. The Japanese V-rockers told them they love Italy, and are psyched to embark on a world tour this year.

Elephant-sized news: DNR and I are collaborating on a top secret musical project, taking place in Rome this month! Stay tuned for more info — we’re doing something unexpected and exciting, I promise.

What do you think DNR and La Carmina are planning? Got any questions about Versailles, or the historic concert? I welcome you to leave a comment, and share/Like this blog post.

Song of the Day: Dreams Not Reality – Breakout and Live

Off to Italy in a few days! Who would have thought that this little blog would turn international? Dreams do become reality — like Seba’s band, DNR, opening for Versailles tonight. (Keep reading for the story.)

While La Carmina blog has spread its wings, we’re staying true to our roots: firsthand reports from Japan’s Gothic underground. I’ll hope you will enjoy upcoming posts from my trusted friends, including a concert review of Moi dix Mois in Tokyo.

Perhaps you remember Cotton Bale’s Tokyo birthday party from last year (sushi, purikura and karaoke in Shinjuku). This year, she went to the event Death Disco Funeral: Tokyo Mutant Wave. Here’s her review.

Tokyo Decay is the Tokyo branch of Decay Promotions, the company that organizes the deathrock festival, Drop Dead. (The lovely lady is Miwa, who provided these photos. And I’m sure you recognize the infamous Kenzo-A.)

Death Disco Funeral was mainly a live music event, with DJ sets between the bands. Gothic trip-hop band *microscope* had a stand-out percussionist. She played a xylophone, a cymbal with saw, and a saw with a violin bow.

New Wave three piece Nu-coordinator totally rocked. They wore visor shades, and the singer had a vocoder. They reminded me a lot of the Talking Heads.

As always, 13th Moon put on an amusing show. I can never quite tell if they are being serious or not. Sometimes they seem like a death rock parody band. Their guitar player Amuck-A is super-adorable, though. (That’s charismatic frontman nAo12xu on the right.)

The Plasticzooms get better every time I see them. They have really started to develop their own sound in the last year or so, and the singer, Sho, is a sweetheart. He even gave me a triangle necklace he made as a birthday present.

As for the DJs, nAo12xu played an amazing set including White Ring, the Sixteens and the Soft Moon. EyescreaM also played a pretty good set with lots of New Wave classics. The guest DJ was Asami of Black Triangle Design.

Asami had a booth at the event, and I bought a black, shark skin, triangle necklace with gold pyramid studs from her. There was also digital art by Cre Izu. For my birthday, I also got a special hand made present, a black patent hexagram t-shirt to match my Docs.

Back to La Carmina’s voice… sighing because I wish I were there! Recently, several people have asked me if it’s safe to go to Tokyo alternative clubs alone. Readers, you can’t find a friendlier group of Goths than in Japan. I urge you to nightcrawl — many people speak English, and I’m certain you’ll have a great experience.

All the info you require is in my Tokyo club listing, which chronicles Japan’s best alt and Gothic nightlife.

Where’s Sebastiano Serafini right now? Traveling with Visual Kei legends Versailles, as their translator. Tonight, his band DNR will open for them in Italy — what an honor! Soon, he will share stories and photos with you on this blog.

I’ll be with Seba and DNR soon — being flown to the Luisa Via Roma event in Florence. The organizers put us in this spettacolare hotel near the Duomo… we’ll document every minute of the Italy trip for you!

Are you a deathrock fan? Would you have the courage to go to a Japanese Goth event like this alone? Trust us: the parties look scary, but in fact, they’re fun and accessible.

Song of the Day: The Plasticzooms – Witch

As promised, we have groundbreaking news… Versailles, the Visual Kei legends, are embarking on a short Europe tour in early June. And guess who’s opening for the Italian concert?

Seba’s band DNR — Dreams Not Reality! They will be performing before Versailles on June 4th in Salerno (Area Mercatale, Cava de Tirreni, Italy). What an incredible honor to be chosen out of all the bands that applied for the opening spot.

If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll come to see Seba play keyboards live. He will also be translating for the Japanese band members. The other Versailles tour dates are June 1st (L’Autre Canal, Nancy, France) and June 3rd (Uppsala Konsert och Kongress, Uppsala, Sweden).

Seba and I have insane travel schedules, as I’m sure you’re aware. We’re currently in Hong Kong; you can follow our updates about mod fashion and panda theme restaurants on my Twitter (please follow).

Next, Seba will be in Tokyo for a few days. He’s a special guest at New Lex Tokyo’s 4th Anniversary party, the evening of May 28th. You’re welcome to celebrate with him at the Roppongi club; full info here.

Did you faint when you heard DNR will be opening for Versailles? Is there anything you’d like to ask Hizaki, Kamijo and the other members? Maybe Seba can share stories about hanging with the Jrock giants!

PS: I’ve been to multiple Versailles performances in Japan. Click to read the Jrock concert reviews.

Song of the Day: Versailles – Destiny, The Lovers

La Carmina blog is always full of surprises and sharp turns… and here’s one that will knock your socks off. I’m tickled to announce that Sebastiano Serafini is the fifth member of DNR (Dreams Not Reality), the Italian Visual rock band! He will be performing as vocalist and keyboardist in DNR’s upcoming concerts, in Eastern Europe and the 10,000+ audience festival Notte Rosa.

DNR was formed on May 2, 2008 — ten years after the death of HIDE, legendary guitarist of X Japan. The band describes its sound as “Euro-Visual KEI,” a genre that mixes Visual Kei / Jrock influences with American 80s metal and Gothic; electronics and melodies meet powerful riffs. (You can hear tracks on DNR’s MySpace.)

☆ DNR has toured around Europe and been featured in many magazines, including All Star and Bravo in Russia.
☆ The band is recognized by Mr. Seiichi Hoshiko, called the “father of Visual-kei”. DNR is currently ranked fourth on Visualog.
☆ Guitarist Kira uses Hide’s signature guitar in the Beyond The World music video (see above). The song is available in English and Japanese on iTunes.
☆ DNR collaborates with Luminor from Cinema Bizarre, who will be touring with the band and Seba next month.

And… there’s a collaboration between DNR and La Carmina in the works! Seba and I will be in Italy soon, working on this secret musical project. (Can you guess what it might be?)

We’re currently tearing up Hong Kong and Macau. Tons of coverage and photos coming right up.

PS: Thank you to Sandi of Wearable Art Blog for interviewing me about Harajuku DIY fashion and crafts.

PPS: Agepoyo gyaru blog wrote a funny post about me and Sebastiano. How random!

Have you heard of the Italian Visual Kei band DNR? What’s your reaction to Seba joining them? Surprised? Excited?

Song of the Day: DNR – Beyond This World

I know many of you are fans of metal band Cradle of Filth. I had the opportunity to whip my hair back and forth at their Vancouver, Canada concert — as well as take photos, and interview guitarist Paul Allender for a video!

Watching Paul Allender’s fast-flying hands up close is a spellbinding experience.

Cradle of Filth are true professionals, when it comes to musicianship and performance. They played tracks from their latest album, Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa, as well as fan favorites like Her Ghost in the Fog and Nymphetamine.

Lumbering giants amidst a mad scientist set.

Vocalist Dani Filth raced around the stage with the enthusiasm of a little kid.

Rose and I hung out with band members Paul and David before the show. They’re good-natured guys, very chill…

Then they put on the makeup and spikes, and deliver a skull-crushing metal show!

Cradle of Filth is touring Europe until July; I hope you’ll catch one of their upcoming concert dates.

But wait — here’s the kicker! Rose and I interviewed Paul Allender about Cradle’s music, genre labels, and his horror photo manipulation project The Vomitorium. What does the metal guitarist think about Steampunk? Watch and be surprised.

My interview video is above and on YouTube. There are more Goth, metal and Visual Kei concert reports on my channel.

PS: Thanks to everyone who watched my Blog TV video stream yesterday. Wasn’t Basil Farrow a cutie-pie? I’ll do more live chats soon.

PPS: I recently got a request to interview Emilie Autumn. What other musicians would you like me to feature? Here’s a compilation of all my previous concert reviews, including Gackt, Moi dix Mois and Versailles.

Song of the Day: Cradle Of Filth – Babylon (If you liked this post, please press the blue Like button below.)