Rolling Quartz: A Return to The USA

Rolling Quartz are returning to rock the North America once more – including a local performance at Catch One in Los Angeles on May 17th! Fans of acts such as Halestorm and The Pretty Reckless will be over the moon and into the stratosphere when discovering what this amazing Southern Korean all girl band has to offer this great big world at large. Highwire Daze decided it was time to catch up with Rolling Quartz to find out the current happenings of the band and to discuss their excitement for seeing the Diadem (their very special name for their fans) here in the USA!

Where is Rolling Quartz based out and what is your local music scene like there?
Iree: We’re based in the indie scene of Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, and we have bands and artists of various genres. They’re not in high demand, but many musicians are sending out their messages, and we hope that many people will give this place their attention.

Jayoung: It’s small compared to the large and active K-pop scene. That’s why there’s this atmosphere where artists show up and support each other. And recently, band music is getting more popular in Korea as well.

What are you looking forward to the most about your upcoming tour here in the States?
Youngeun: There are so many cities we added to this tour that we didn’t go to during our first US tour, so I’m really excited to meet more American audiences.

Iree: The first one is, of course, meeting our fans. I’m curious to know how the fans have been doing, and I’m sure it’ll be great to meet other fans for the first time. Second, you can try out various types of performances in different venues, so I think that’ll be interesting.

Arem: I can’t wait to visit new cities and meet new fans.

Jayoung: It’s our first time visiting so many cities in one tour, and I’m excited to see the different ways I’ve grown after the tour is over.

Hyunjung: It’s probably the audience. This time, the thing I’m looking forward to most is, “How can we have the most fun possible together?”

What could one expect from a live Rolling Quartz show?
Youngeun: We prepared a new cover song for the US tour.

Arem: Dynamism and liveliness.

Hyunjung: Please look forward to the new guitar solo song!

What were the highlights of your previous tour here in the States?
Youngeun: It was our first tour, so it was fascinating because everything was new, and I was touched and happy to meet the American fans in person.

Iree: Chicago pizza!

Arem: The most memorable thing for me was going to Hollywood.

Jayoung: It was amazing that there were fans who came to the shows in each city!!

Where was your favorite and most exciting place on the recent European tour to play?
Youngeun: I actually liked everything because each city had different charms. I think I remember Poland more because we stayed in Poland for a longer time. In other cities, we had to leave right after performing, so that was a bit of a shame. But in Poland, we had a little time to be tourists, so I have a lot of memories other than the performances.

Iree: Milan! It was the middle of our European tour. The venue in Lyon that had just opened was also impressive.

Arem: All the cities were good, but I can’t remember the performance in Copenhagen because I was in such bad shape in Denmark. It’s such a shame, and I really want to go there again next time.

Jayoung: In fact, all cities have their own charms, but from the perspective of the audience’s roar, Polish fans’ roar was heard the loudest, especially in terms of decibels.

Hyunjung: It was amazing that the audience’s reactions were different from country to country even when performing the same repertoire. From the band’s point of view, it is fun to experience and understand the different way in which they watch a concert in each country, although it is fun to enjoy performances with loud cheers.

Is there any overall story or inspiration behind your recent RE.BOLD single?
Jayoung: Actually, this song was made at the request of a health supplement company. We received a collaboration offer and got the meaning and direction of RE.BOLD, and I mixed the draft I made with the members’ ideas and finished it with the CEO, who is our music producer.

Youngeun: It’s a song for everyone who has lost their confidence. It shares the message, “Let’s be bold again.”

What is the inspiration behind your previous Victory EP and song?
Iree: We tried more diverse things in this EP. For Stand Up, which was pre-released as a digital single before the album’s release, the motif was the similarity between the shuffle rhythm of Western music and the gutgeori rhythm of Korea. To help understanding with the visuals, we made the music video with a fusion of Western modern dance and the Korean Bongsan mask dance.

Jayoung: For Victory, I was inspired by Parkway Drive’s performance at the Philippine Rock Festival Summer Slam in March last year, and I wanted the music video to have a cyberpunk style, so I gave a lot of opinions. Working on the song, I had a simpler pattern at first, but I think that after working with the members and producers, the upgraded version came out much better than I expected.

Arem: Red Wine came from a draft I made a long time ago and was finished by working with the members and producers. Red Wine metaphorically expresses the love between lovers using the motif of wine.

Hyunjung: One was the main theme of an E-Sports competition. While the sound we released at the time focused on pop-friendly synth sound, this version was rearranged for live concerts, adding a few more rock elements.

Your song Blaze has nearly 3 million listens on Spotify! What does a number like that mean to you?
Youngeun: We can feel Diadem’s love, and we’re so happy and grateful.

Iree: I think a lot of people have heard our story.

Arem: It’s a happy number.

Jayoung: It has more meaning because it’s our debut song.

Hyunjung: I think it’s something I’m grateful for. We ask for your continued interest and love!

Any new music on the horizon?
Youngeun: We plan to work on some after the U.S. tour.

Jayoung: There are songs that I made. 🙂

Hyunjung: It’s a secret! Please wait, with excitement.

Do you have any messages for Rolling Quartz fans here in the States
Youngeun: I’m so excited to meet American Diadem soon! I’m so grateful to be able to go to more cities thanks to Diadem! I’m a little worried because we’ve never been to such a large number of cities, but I’m more excited than worried, so I’m joyfully preparing, and let’s meet soon!! Let’s make unforgettable memories with each other again this time.♡

Iree: For those of you who have been supporting us for over thousands of miles, thank you always and I support your life, too! We are also glad if we have been a joy in your lives, even a small part of it. Everyone! Remember patience, tolerance, and sacrifice. In one word, it’s love. Other times, it is called strength. You are strong! You are not alone! Rolling Quartz is with you!

Arem: We are working hard for the U.S. tour. Please wait just a little longer and we will be there soon. Please wait for us.

Jayoung: I’m sorry to have kept you waiting for so long!!!!!
As much as you’ve waited, let’s get excited, let’s be happy, let’s have fun!!

Hyunjung: I’m spending every day excited to meet you soon
This time, we are even more excited to meet many Diadems in the U.S. and from around the world with 34 performances! We will work hard to get ready so that we can show you great performances! See you soon!!

(Interview by Ken Morton)

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