A few weeks ago, as Saboten Con 2024 wound down, Yurapico was gracious enough to join us for a chat. It had proven to be a significant weekend for Yurapico. Not only had she achieved her dream of debuting in America, but she had also performed live on stage playing guitar for the very first time.
Our conversation covered a lot of territory as we asked about experiences across her 10+ year career as an idol: from her early days with the legendary punk unit Guso Drop, to the challenges of leading the self-produced unit BURST GIRL, to her current solo career as “The Most Passionate Idol in the World.”
Please enjoy our interview with Yurapico, Keeper of the #Yurasmile.
Special thanks to Chaotic Harmony for coordinating the interview.
Also, a big, big “Thank you!” to our translators: Layceerose and Melissa Goldberg (Chaotic Harmony) and, as always, Monsterpanda.
I loved Guso Drop and Burst Girls. They were my first introduction to Japanese Punk. As an 80’s Punk myself it was interesting how the movement translated to Japanese culture. IMO Punk is a reaction to the constraints of the existing culture and a willingness to breakthrough to new forms of self expression.