We had the opportunity to meet the Korean rock band Rolling Quartz during their stop in Geneva for the final concert of their European tour and to ask them a few questions: what follows are the insights and reflections of five talented artists whose passion, dedication, and infectious energy left a lasting impression on us.
Before we dive into the interview, let’s find out how each member describes herself in just two words.
Purple, effort : Hello, I’m Yeong Eun, the drummer of Rolling Quartz.
I am Irie and free, playing guitar in Rolling Quartz!
hello, I am guitarist Choi HyunJung: principled and sincerity express me well.
Free spirit : I’m Arem, the bassist of Rolling Quartz.
Energizer Bunny !!! I’m the vocalist, Jayoung.
Rolling Quartz started as two separate bands that came together and became one
Jayoung: Yeong Eun and I were high school classmates, and because our musical tastes matched well, we decided to form a band together. After that, I found Hyunjung on social media, and the team « Rose Quartz » was formed. A school teacher introduced us to our current company, where « Rolling Girls (Arem, Iree) » belonged, and that’s how the two teams met.
Arem: Although we are a band formed by combining two teams, we didn’t have overlapping positions, so from the very beginning, it felt like a team that fit together really well.
Iree: Each of our preferred music styles was a bit different, but strangely, there was a part where we melded into one. When Jayoung brought a vocal melody line, the process of each of us adding our own parts flowed very naturally.
Jayoung: The personalities of the five of us are so different that, rather than fitting perfectly, we have been getting along by being considerate of one another up until now.
K-pop dominates the Korean music scene both at home and abroad but you chose rock?
Arem: Many people might think that promoting as a rock band in a K-pop-centered market is not an easy choice. However, we started the band because we truly love it, and on the contrary, we think the fact that we can show a more distinct color unique to a band is an advantage.
Choi HyunJung: Our rock band seniors, who continue to promote, treat us kindly and guide us, and many new rock band juniors are also emerging, so I believe the rock scene will gradually step out more in front of the public in the future.
Jayoung: I think our path is completely different from K-pop, so I’ve never compared it negatively; rather, it feels more fresh and special.
Yeong Eun: Because rock music isn’t mainstream in Korea, it is a bit disappointing that it receives relatively less attention. However, because of that, I want to work harder to contribute to making rock music loved by many people in Korea too.
You clearly love rock music from around the world. Which artists or bands inspired you the most when you were growing up?
Yeong Eun: I like Bring Me The Horizon and One Ok Rock.
Iree: I was heavily influenced by the British Britpop band Oasis, whom I listened to endlessly during my high school days. After that, I also drew a lot of inspiration from American emo/pop-punk, from artists like the band My Chemical Romance and Avril Lavigne.
Choi Hyung Jung: When I was young, I listened to a lot of K-pop, and among them, I listened to Big Bang and IU‘s music a lot. As for guitarists, I like Julian Lage.
Arem: I received a lot of influence from our seniors, Lazybone.
Jayoung: One Ok Rock, Jessie J, Ailee.
What is the unique charm of Rolling Quartz that attracts people to K-rock?
Yeong Eun: I think it’s our energy-filled performances and a wide variety of charms, just like our different hair colors.
Iree: I think the realization that we aren’t just rough or harsh just because we are a rock band is what allowed people to approach us. I wonder if we first drew people in with visuals (outfits) and a vocal color that are compatible with K-pop, and then captivated them with a rock sound that filled the emptiness they felt in K-pop… I think…
Choi HyunJung: I think Rolling Quartz’s charm lies in the powerfulness and girl crush vibe that the members, each with different personalities show on stage, and our image off-stage being like close friends, which contrasts with our intensity on stage.
Arem: I think it might be our free energy and the intense atmosphere that comes out on stage.
Jayoung: I think they love the feeling where a heavy sound and bright energy coexist.
You have covered so many different songs from K-pop to classic rock. How do you choose which song to cover next? Is there a song you have always dreamed of covering but haven’t done yet?
Yeong Eun: We have already decided on the next cover song, but it won’t be fun if I tell you in advance, so please look forward to it.
Iree: The standard for selecting a cover song is divided by how many people cheered for that song. Even if there is a song we personally like, we choose a song with more mainstream appeal. There are many songs I personally want to cover, but if I have to make a choice as Rolling Quartz, it would be Queen’s « Bohemian Rhapsody”.
Choi HyunJung: Usually, our music producers make a lot of recommendations. When they ask how it would be to try a certain song, we discuss it with the company and the members to make a decision. As for a song I’d like to cover someday, I think it would be fun to play a fast-tempo song like an anime theme song together with the members.
Arem: We choose songs while placing importance on whether it’s a song we really like and whether we can express it in a new way using Rolling Quartz’s own style. I want to do a cover where fans can feel: Wow, this song can change like this!
Your very first music video was Blaze. Looking back at it now, what is the biggest difference between that version of Rolling Quartz and who you are today? What is the biggest thing that has changed? Not just musically, but as people.
Yeong Eun: Actually, it feels like nothing has changed drastically. However, because we have more fans cheering us on now, I think more determination and a sense of responsibility to work harder have been created.
Choi Hyung Jung: My guitar skills have changed the most!! These days, there are so many people who play the guitar so well that I can’t say I’m great at it, but I think my skills have definitely improved a lot compared to when we debuted. Personally, I also think my actions and poses during filming have developed a lot.
Arem: Actually, I don’t think much has changed. The heart that loves music is still exactly the same, and the passion for the stage is also the same. If I had to pick something, I suppose it’s just that we grew a little more as time passed, and we all aged together.
Jayoung: Now, compared to our debut, there are actually much more things to worry about on stage and I get more scared. I’ve been putting in a lot of effort not to let that show.
A word about your last song Roll the Dice with Lee Siyeon from ChRocktikal (and DREAMCATCHER): what is the story behind this project?
Choi HyunJung: « Roll the Dice » is a song given to us by senior Yoon Do-hyun of YB (Yoon Do Hyun Band, aka. Yoon Band or YB, is one of the most renowned Korean rock bands). While performing together in Croatia for about two weeks, it started with him saying, I’ll give you a song. and it progressed after we returned to Korea. During the recording process, senior Yoon Do-hyun directed us in person and even participated in recording the chorus, so there were many honorable and grateful moments.
Jayoung: When I first received the song, I liked it so much, but it was quite difficult to sing alone.
YeongEun: While we were thinking it would be great to collaborate with another artist, we reached out to Siyeon-onni, whom we usually like, and thankfully, she accepted.
Jayoung: And this combination was a collaboration that fans had been longing for since our debut. Thanks to that, the fans were very happy.
Is there one fan moment that you still think about? A moment that reminded you why you do this?
Yeong Eun: When I see the fans looking happy during a performance, all the hardships I faced until then are completely forgotten. Also, I’ve heard many people say they receive comfort through our music, and when I think, « Our music can be a source of comfort and happiness to someone, » I gain the strength to keep moving forward. I want to make them smile more and give them comfort and hope.
Iree: I think one of the important elements of music is ’empathy.’ When I was young, seeing audiences become one through a single song at a big festival made me decide that I should do music too. Every time I receive courageous words and letters from fans saying they empathized with our music, felt energy, and felt the joy of life, I am also happy, and I think their support and empathy are the driving forces that allow us to continue making music. Especially when I see fans cheering me on when I am struggling with mental pain like depression and panic disorder, it makes me think, ‘Ah, I am doing music to gain strength from the fans as well.’
Choi HyunJung: It feels truly fascinating and wonderful when I actually meet fans whose names I only knew online. There are fans who cry while watching the performance or at fan signing events. when I see those fans, I think, « Who am I for them to… » but at the same time, it makes me think, « I must work even harder, harder, harder! » I also feel a sense of accomplishment when people tell me that listening to Rolling Quartz’s music became a comfort in their lives.
Arem: The fans who shed tears while listening to ‘Romantist’ remain in my memory. I recently received a letter saying that they shed tears because they recalled the online concerts we did together during the COVID-19 period and the times they spent with Rolling Quartz. Reading that letter reminded us of the moments when we first started the band, and it made me think, « We are truly making music that we do together. »
Jayoung: There are fans who cry while watching our stage or when coming to events. Since I used to be someone’s fan too, I know that feeling so well. And when I read the words written with all their heart in handwritten letters, it makes me cry even more.
If the five of you could play anywhere in the world, any stage, any city, any festival, where would it be and why?
Yeong Eun: An anime festival tour: We have performed at anime festivals a few times. We carried out various schedules from fan meetings, fan-signing events, to performances, and it was so much fun that I want to do an anime festival tour across various cities.
Iree: There is an emo/pop-punk festival in America called ‘When We Were Young’. It’s a festival where bands from our memories, the ones that were responsible for our childhood and that we listened to a lot when we were young performers. We don’t exactly fit that genre, but if another big festival that summons nostalgic bands is created, I definitely want to stand on that stage. Like 10 or 20 years from now. Even as time passes and everyone grows older, I hope many people won’t forget us and will come find us. Meeting with longing people who once spent a part of their lives together isn’t that romantic?
Choi HyunJung: I would love to stand on a massive stage, but I also want to perform surrounded by grand Mother Nature with incredible natural scenery! Just imagining it makes those moments feel overwhelming. I think it would be an incredible, unforgettable memory that feels hard to believe is reality
Arem: I want to perform again at ‘Club Heavy’ in Daegu. It’s the place where I first started a band, so it’s a place of great personal meaning to me.
Jayoung: Coachella !!!!!!!!!!! It won’t be easy to sing in the middle of a desert… but it would be so, so, so much of an honor.
Not sure you already have experience about Switzerland, but how do you feel here?
Yeong Eun: Switzerland was always a place I wanted to visit if I ever traveled abroad. I really wanted to visit at least once in my life, and I think I will be truly happy if I can see the perfect pictures, beautiful natural scenery with my own eyes.
Iree: This is my first time visiting Switzerland. The Switzerland I know is a country full of beautiful mountains and lakes, and a country of brave guards who protect the Pope. It’s also very famous for luxury watches. It has a cool image that possesses both delicacy and a rugged side at the same time.
Choi HyunJung: Switzerland is a country I have strictly wanted to visit if I were to go on a trip since a long time ago. I’ve seen many photos of Switzerland’s beautiful natural scenery. I wanted to go enjoy it as a trip, but I didn’t dare to because of the brutal cost of living. I’m glad to be able to visit this time.
Arem: It is a country where beautiful nature comes to mind first.
Jayoung: I haven’t been there even once yet. It’s a place always picked as a beautiful country, so I’ve only looked at photos and felt envious. Since we perform there, I am so, so excited!!
Before their concert in Geneva, we asked the members of Rolling Quartz if they had a message for their Swiss fans. Here is what they shared with us before their visit to Switzerland.
Yeong Eun:
« We are finally going to Switzerland! Just the thought of meeting Swiss Diadem makes me so excited and I can’t wait. Please wait just a little longer—see you soon! »
Iree:
« Hello Swiss fans! Just thinking about visiting Switzerland, a place I’ve only encountered through photos and text, makes me excited. Get ready to have a blast with Rolling Quartz! »
Choi HyunJung:
« I am spending day after day feeling excited at the thought of meeting you soon. I am always grateful to the fans who show interest in and support Rolling Quartz, and I will prepare diligently during the remaining time so we can show you a wonderful performance. Please continue to support us, and I will be waiting for the day we meet our Swiss fans! »
Arem:
« We are finally meeting next week! I’m really looking forward to it. See you soon! »
Jayoung:
« I want to meet the beautiful nature and all of beautiful you as soon as possible! Let’s spend a happy time together! »
Looking back after the concert, it’s heartwarming to read these messages again. The excitement was clearly mutual, and Rolling Quartz’s first Swiss performance created unforgettable memories for both the band and their fans.
Article in collaboration with KPOP SCHWEIZ
Many thanks to Rolling Star Entertainment and WAV Company, Envol Prod, Akiba Production and Alhambra Genève.
We sincerely thank Choi HyunJung, Arem, Jayoung, Yeong Eun, and Iree for the time they have taken to answer our questions, as well as Rolling Quartz staff for their help and kindness.