Articles
Katrin’s answers on formspring.me
(Translation by Igor Kovalenko) Formspring.me is a popular web-resource where thousands of people can communicate with each other, asking open or anonymous questions in order to learn something new and interesting about the interlocutor or about themselves.
The popular manga-pop singer Katrin has answered questions of her friends, admirers and casual visitors. We represent to your attention the most interesting questions and answers.
Why the manga-pop?
Katrin: It’s cool to illustrate the texts of the songs with comics! By the way, this term exists in the West for a long time.
An interesting person for you – what he (she) is like?!
Katrin: Unlike others, having an opinion based on personal experience, creative, impressive, charismatic... Probably there also should be something that I personally don’t have.
Owl or skylark?
Katrin: Owl.
How do you feel about negative statements in your address in the Internet?
Katrin: If it’s a constructive criticism with the well-founded point of view – I lend my ear to it, and if it’s just a stupid abusing of the thing that you for any reasons don’t like or with the only purpose of asserting oneself – for me it doesn’t matter. The dog barks, the caravan goes.
Describe yourself in a few words :)
Katrin: A cheerful adventuress.
What’s the maddest act in your life?
Katrin: Single parachute jump from 800 metres.
What is in the forefront for you: creative work, fame or money?
Katrin: Certainly, creative work takes the first place! Though it does not mean that I despise money or write only for myself, as they say «to the table». Any work should be adequately paid; any creative person dreams to be heard and estimated.
Hi, Katrin! I like very much your works, and I wish to become a singer too. Would you give a hint on how songs record is passing (the stages) and in general how and where it is better to record a song for it to become as fantastic as yours?!
Katrin: As I understand, you write songs by yourself? If it’s true, it’s a huge plus!
As for recording, I advise to visit a large sound recording company at once and to record a single. It is desirable, that the company has its own label. Recording will be several times more costly, but I don’t see any sense in recording in home or semi-basement studios – there are many of them now and they possess themselves as very good and prestigious. Frequently, they have the most mediocre equipment, and some kind of dabbler instead of the sound producer, who somehow will make you a song in a day. It refers neither to quality, nor to creativity. I can advise, for example, «Ton Studio» at Mosfilm. Good masters, that have everything necessary, and at desire, it is possible to come with your musicians and director...
And the stages are simple. Vocal and musical instrument recording (if those are available), combining, mixing and mastering.
You assert that «manga-pop» music exists for a long time in the West... And could you give any examples of the western stars working in the given role?
Katrin: I consider Mika as the brightest representative of this genre, and if to talk about the bands, it’s "Ozon", for example.
And are there any manga-pop singers among the Japanese groups?
Katrin: Разумеется. Sure. The most known are "Cornelius" and "Pizzicato Five"))
And why do you conceal your age?
Katrin: Simply it is the commercial information which is not subject to disclosure. Besides, the image of the actor, his creativity is important, not his passport data. Isn’t that?
Greetings, Katrin! I have a typically girlish question: do you like shopping? And where do you buy, for instance, dresses for shootings and concerts? How much does your image in a life differ from the one on a scene?
Katrin: I buy clothes basically by the Internet and as for the scenic suits – they are custom-made by the professional designer under my sketches. In whole, I prefer spontaneous purchases, especially in Europe when it is possible to drop at some interesting shop when walking.
Images on a scene and in a life often differ greatly. We’ll begin with that in a usual life, I almost don’t use any “make”, preferring simple and convenient things like jeans and bright T-shirts instead, I love print and cotton dresses in a baby-doll style)) On a scene the actor must be bright and he should draw attention to himself, the special make-up, surroundings are necessary...
Is there an anime (manga) character with whom you could fall in love, having met its double in a real life? I mean not only appearance, also character^^
Katrin: If you mean men's characters those are nice to me, they are: Kuran Kaname from «Vampire-Knight» and Morita Shinobu from «Honey and a clover». Meeting an absolute double of the virtual character is almost impossible, the person can be a wonderful cosplayer, but he’ll have a unique character, besides, even being the professional actor, it’s awfully boring to play the same role all life long, and what for?!
Did you study at a musical school?
Katrin: Yes, but I haven’t finished it, unfortunately.
What guys are pleasant to you? Both romantic and modest or pragmatic and persevering?
Katrin: Romantic and persevering)) In any case, I do not love amoebas, home-boys and womanizers, I like strong, self-reliant, but at the same time sentient young men. And yes, those who are able to take the initiative.
The most remembered travel?
Katrin: Studing in Barcelona! It was really great! My friend and I, we have literally turned a city upside down, have made a heap of friends with who I communicate up till now, have visited many interesting places and have gotten together greatly! Also we’ve been laughing all the time there)) The air is so... unimaginably enamored, happy... Something joyful and magic always associates with this city in my mind; it has a warm atmosphere and, it seems, that only something great may occur to you there. Generally, it is a hundred percent my place!
Have you ever tried smoking?
Katrin: There was a case. But I have understood in time that the hoarse voice and a short breath badly match variety singing and in general smoking is out of fashion for a long time.
Do you have bad habits?
Katrin: Mm... I’m a sweet tooth)
Katrin, and do you participate in high life? Do you love hanging out?
Katrin: No. I feel ill at ease on those actions(( Besides, I do not see any sense in hanging out with unfamiliar people who came in order to amuse their feeling of difference. My «party» is close friends and just good people of creative trades...
Do you dream to wake up in the morning world-wide known? As well as Madonna, for example!
Katrin: Glory, fame, crowds of mad fans – that’s for sure not about me. In general, I have noticed for a long time, that it depends on the person greatly – 2 be or not 2 be)) Let’s consider Bryan Adams – enough known rocker, writes all songs by himself, plays several musical instruments in a fantastic way, there is an enchanting sound at his concerts (I convinced that personally), and at the same time, he without any ceremony goes for a drive on the underground, walks in unfamiliar cities and takes pictures of celebrities in the capacity of (who would you think?!) paparazzi!!! It’s just his hobby. And no one pursues him! When he mixes up with a crowd of people, he becomes the one of many – the same simple dude in a vest and jeans, absolutely imperceptible. No black glasses, wigs and bodyguards. But when he steps on the stage, it’s some other person, other condition, other energy!
Do you like cooking?
Katrin: Well, when I have a) mood and b) time for cooking something exclusive – yes. But, alas, these two points seldom coincide.
Can you list favorite animes?
Katrin: Shure!
Miyazaki («Haul's moving castle», «Spirited away», etc.), all masterpieces by Makoto Shinkai («Five centimetres in a second», «She and her cat»), «The Little Girl Who Conquered Time», serials «The Melancholy and The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya», «Strawberry panic», «The Chobits», «Vampire-Knight», «Oran host club», «Azumanga Dajoh», «Rozen Maiden», «Loveless», «Great teacher Onidzuka», «Honey and a clover», «Fruits basket», «Rumbling Hearts», «K-ON» etc...
Do you agree with the statement, that one of the two loves, and the other allows to love?
Katrin: I think it is not related to the TRUE LOVE.
What are your goals in life?
Katrin: As for talking about desires and the purposes, I concern it skeptically, preferring to do at first, and then to talk.
It is sung in your song: «As a window to Paris in Marc Chagall’s picture»... About what concrete picture is the text?
Katrin: Yes, there is such picture «View of Paris from the window»(1913)
How do you feel about model trade? Could you act in advertising or show clothes?
Katrin: Actually my growth is not model; therefore I hardly could participate in displays. I had an experience of advertising shootings, till now my photos hang on one of advertising sites, but I do not consider myself so photogenic to make it a trade.
Besides, to be model, it is necessary to be a chameleon in a way, to be able to play different roles and to try on different masks, and I somehow prefer to be myself, always remaining natural and recognized in the creative role.
Autobiography in a word)
Катрин: Genius))
Did you have a problem awkward age?
Katrin: I have not raised it up till now.
What supernatural ability would you like to possess?
Katrin: Levitation.
Who’s your favorite writer?
Katrin: Max Fray, Haruki Murakami, Vladimir Nabokov, Lewis Carroll, Tuve Janson, etc.
Would you agree to be bare pictured for some man's magazine?
Katrin: No.
If you had a whole day off, for instance while New Year holidays, how will you carry it out (friends and relatives are not counted)??
Katrin: I would roam about an unfamiliar city, find some interesting museum (for example, of ancient dolls or chocolate), go out to some darling cafe with stained-glass windows and multi-coloured small lamps, drop in a book-store, dig out there some ancient volume and drag it off to the hotel – reading!
Have you ever seen prophetic dreams?
Katrin: Yes. Many times.
What song do you assosiate with yourself?)
Katrin: My own – «My mentor». For me it’s very personal.
What can force you crying?
Katrin: Treachery of the person whom I sincerely trusted and considered as the friend. Death of the family or friends. A strong physical pain. Loneliness.
Are there any people whom you hate?
Katrin: No, because hatred destroys, first of all, the one who hates. Besides, it is a destiny of the weak and poorly developed people. I would tell that there are people who are simply unpleasant to me, but I try not to communicate with them and not to pay attention to them, as like as to annoying mosquitoes which are the collateral factor of resting on the nature))
Who did you dreamed to become in the childhood?)
Katrin: The singer and the poetess.
Are you impressive?
Katrin: Yes. Too much!
What are you waiting for the coming New Year?
Katrin: I hope my CD will be relised! And I plan lots of traveling!