On 7th March, Re:O will take the stage at The Jericho Tavern, hoping to win a slot at Bloodstock Festival. For the UK’s only Japanese x British band, it would be a moment that validates everything they’ve been building since vocalist Rio Suyama left Saitama, Japan, and arrived in Berkshire alone in 2022 with nothing but a solo project and a hunger to push his sound darker and heavier.
Based across Berkshire and London, Re:O have spent the last few years pulling together dark pop crossed with alternative metal, influenced by Japanese culture. Their 10th single, ‘Reverie’, recently dropped, and it marks a significant shift. It’s their first track written fully in Japanese since 2021, a deliberate choice that suits the emotional weight of what they’re exploring: the ache of missing someone who once filled your everyday moments. Not necessarily loss through death, but through the natural drift that happens in relationships and friendships.
The band put it beautifully: “Like snow falling on your hand, melting without a trace. Human connections can be just as fragile, just as temporary.”
We sat down with Re:O to talk about ‘Reverie’, their journey so far, and why a bassist playing an entire set with no sound might actually be a compliment.
Who are you and where are you from?
We’re Re:O from Berkshire, UK.
Rio: I’m Rio, the lead singer, main songwriter and lyricist. I started this project in Saitama, Japan.
James: I’m James, the bassist and lyricist alongside Rio.
J: I’m J, the drummer.
Alex: I’m Alex, the guitarist and the only band member based in London.
How did the band form?
Rio: I started this project in 2020 as a DIY solo project. At that time, I was making dark pop and dream pop, like Grimes and The Cure. The more I made music, the darker and heavier I wanted to explore. Then I moved to the UK from Saitama, Japan, in 2022 by myself to pursue my music career. I met James when I went to a studio to record songs. He was interested in having another project at that time, and I wanted to create something with cyberpunk vibes, so I asked if he wanted to join my band. We started finding other bandmates, and luckily we found J and Alex, who both joined us.
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you?
Rio: Each member is influenced by different genres of music, so our sound is composed of a lot of different elements. I’d say dark pop crossed with alternative metal, influenced by Japanese culture.
What bands have shaped what you do?
Rio: I listen to all sorts: dark techno, nu metal, alternative rock, metalcore, pop techno. But my biggest influences are Nine Inch Nails and REZZ when it comes to composing and producing. When it comes to singing, I don’t really draw inspiration from any single place. I honestly just write melodies I love the sound of and then sing in a style that suits the type of emotion I’m trying to get across for the story I’m trying to tell.
James: Interesting question. We have such a range of different influences per member and that really comes out in our music. I’m really influenced by Mark Klepaski, Breaking Benjamin‘s original bassist. He was extremely clever in how he utilised the bass within the band and made it stand out whilst keeping the groove and song locked down. I also take a lot of inspiration from genres like nu metal, alt rock and metal, and quite often bassists such as James Jamerson.
Alex: Personally, I’m mainly influenced by hardcore, nu metal, punk, and 90s groove metal and alternative rock. In the last few years, I also got into less guitar-driven genres. Before joining Re:O, I worked with rappers, DJs, electronic music producers and drum and bass, dub, EDM collectives and bands.
What’s the one song of yours people should hear first?
Rio: ‘Ronin’ is the first song we made after this project became a band. It’s a mixture of Japanese and English lyrics, super powerful and energetic. I think it became a Re:O anthem due to its popularity with our fans.
Tell us a funny story about your band?
Rio: We played at Bedford Esquires last year. It was a lovely venue and the audience was amazing. We kicked off the show with no issues until the second song. James accidentally turned off his pedalboard and his bass stopped working. He was playing the bass but it had no sound. I realised that our sound had less low end, which made me wonder if something was wrong. But I thought I might be wrong, so I didn’t say anything. Then, when we played the second song from last, he realised that his pedalboard was turned off. Everyone told us that the bass sound was really amazing after the show. That was actually hilarious.
James: For context, we have quite a lot of tech we rely on for smaller venues, so previously we’ve had issues where we weren’t able to hear ourselves through our in-ear monitors but the audience still could. I assumed this was a similar situation. It wasn’t. The fact that there was no bass for most of the set, and I had people complimenting my playing and bass tone… I wasn’t sure if people were being genuine or sarcastic, and whether or not I should be offended that apparently when I’m not playing, I’m sounding incredible. Looking back, it was hilarious.
What’s been your best gig so far?
Rio: All the shows we have played have been amazing and we really enjoyed every moment, but I’d say Horsham on 13th December was our best gig. It was a challenge as there was no proper stage like other pubs or venues, but the audience was super fabulous. I could see them enjoying our set and there were a lot of interactions from the crowd. We would love to go back again!
What’s the music scene like where you’re based?
James: It’s a mix. Most of our fan base is based in London, so that’s where we spent a lot of our time in the early days of this band, and it’s incredible whenever we go back and see familiar faces in the crowd along with new ones. London has a decent music scene, but like all underground scenes, it’s tough.
Rio: There are a lot of lovely venues in London and I think the music scene is still vibrant. Compared to Japanese music scenes, even if your band is still new, people come and watch and want to support you. There are so many talented musicians in London, so it’s a joyful experience to see new bands emerging every day. It’s a great place for musicians and music lovers, but also a challenge.
Tell us the story behind your track ‘Ronin’?
Rio: Let me tell you about ‘Ronin’. I’m glad so many people like the song, but we did not expect that at all. I was almost giving up on music when I wrote it. I had an experience where people I trusted eventually betrayed me and took advantage of me. There was a time when I didn’t know who to trust because everyone looked like an enemy to me. I was depressed and devastated, but I kept telling myself not to give in and that I’m not that weak. If I gave in, I’d just play into their hands. I wouldn’t let them do that. I wouldn’t let myself fall into their trap. This song was a rallying call for me to fight and not give in, even when I felt lost and betrayed.
Tell us about your new song ‘Reverie’?
Rio: ‘Reverie’ is not a love song, but it is a song about wishing those that have been in my life well. Since I moved to the UK, I have been enjoying every moment. I found it joyful meeting new people here, but at the same time I realised there are some people I stopped talking to or lost connections with for no reason back home in Japan. They disappeared from my sight and we stopped talking, but those memories I have of them, and the memories we made together, remain in my mind.
These moments are fragile, like snow falling on your hands. In seconds they melt away, but you can feel the textures, smells and figures, and sometimes those moments feel like a lifetime even if they are only for a few seconds. When one snowflake melts, many others take its place in a constant cycle of moments passing and new experiences being made. These memories are fragile and breakable, like human relationships, but we hang onto them. It is a bittersweet and nostalgic song about these memories, hoping those I was lucky enough to share them with are doing well, and that hopefully I may see these people again someday.
What’s next for you?
James: We’re continuing to drive forward and we’re trying to get as many shows around the UK as possible. A lot of fans have given us towns they want us to play in, and we’re trying to get those shows. We’re writing more songs all the time, so there’s a lot of new surprises everyone can look forward to.
Rio: We keep pushing forward with writing new songs. A lot of people want us to come to the North of the UK: Scotland, Nottingham, Birmingham, Sheffield. We would love to go further north this year. That would be amazing!
Where can people find you?
You can find all social media links at https://linktr.ee/reo_o
All songs are available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music. Just search Re:O.
Anything else you want people to know?
We are going to play at The Jericho Tavern in Oxford on 7th March! This is an opportunity for us to win a slot to play at Bloodstock Festival. We would love you to come to the show and party with us! Tickets are available from our Linktree, so grab yours and we’ll see you there!
