ROLLING QUARTZ: the band which went viral in Italy

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Rolling Quartz is a South Korean rock-band under Rolling Star Entertainment. The group consists of Ja Young (vocalist), Iree (guitar), Choi Hyunjung (guitar), Arem (bassist), Yeong Eun (drummer), and debuted with “Blaze” on 30th December 2020.

“Charismatic, beautiful, talented” are the first words which come to mind when I think of Rolling Quartz; on stage they make thousands of sparks, have an infectious energy, a strong and powerful sound that is also reflected in their fashion. Rolling Quartz definetly knows how to bring out their beauty even more: they have so many iconic outfits that both dark and feminine, elegant elements. Combined with their long coloured hair, and impeccable make-up looks, they just look like the queens of rock.

The group was born as a cover band during their school years, where they met thanks to their teacher. Today, however, they focus mainly on their music, reaching the United States where they recently concluded their tour. Their talent is undeniable, and has not gone unnoticed in Italy. Their name will probably sound familiar, in fact a year ago they published a cover of “Zitti e Buoni” by Maneskin almost entirely in the original language, surprising Italians on social media, and on the national TV news. If you’re looking for a new cool, strong and charismatic band, you should definitely check them out!

Hello Rolling Quartz, my name is Morena, welcome to The Soundcheck. Congratulations on your first USA tour! How do you feel and did you expect to reach this important step?

Ja young: We thought we were going to do our tour in the U.S. a lot later in our career. But it was amazing that we were able to do it sooner than we thought. I still can’t believe we did it.

You debuted during covid, what were the difficulties you encountered at the time?

Iree: The hardest thing was that there were no places to perform. Practice without a near goal exhausted us.

Choi Hyunjung: There were difficulties, but I think we were able to use the difficulties as an opportunity to promote Rolling Quartz not only in Korea but also in many countries through Youtube online concerts and SNS activities.

How did you start making music?

Iree: When I was in high school, I happened to watch a video of the British band Oasis performing at a rock festival on YouTube, and I saw countless audience members gathered there, and the scene was very impressive to me. That’s the reason why I started learning how to play the guitar.

Arem: I wanted to tell people my story.

Ja Young: I wanted to express the feelings I felt when I listened to my favorite music. So I started making it because I wanted people to listen to the songs I made and feel how I felt!

Yeong Eun: I happened to see a band performance when I was in middle school and I felt a strong energy through that performance. I felt my heart beating and fluttering at the sound of drums, so I wanted to do it.

Choi Hyunjung: At first, it was just fun to play the guitar. Then I started making my own music when I got in a band.

Do you feel connected with your instruments?

Iree: Not yet. It’s complicated, but it seems like my guitar and I are still getting to know each other more.

Arem: I don’t feel it.

Ja Young: I don’t use any instruments, but music is my life.

Choi Hyunjung: I’m trying to get closer 🙂

Yeong Eun: I think my heart is similar to the drums, with my heartbeat.

How do you get inspiration, and who/what inspires you the most?

Arem: When I hear a good song, when I see a video of a great performer, or from a dark night or a dim dawn.

Ja Young: From favorite artists, anime, and movie soundtracks (OST)

Choi Hyunjung: There are various situations. Sometimes it’s all of a sudden, or maybe while playing the guitar.

Yeong Eun: Our fandom “Diadem” is my biggest inspiration and power.

Iree: From everything. Movies, books and music, or anything I feel with my senses.

In which ways are you involved into your content creating process (lyrics, arranging, music videos etc…)?

Ja young: When it comes to making a song, I make a kind of first draft with the chords, melody, and lyrics, and then I arrange it with the members. And with our producer (our boss), we arrange the songs again.

Iree: I usually participate in composition and arrangement. And someday, I want to plan and shoot a music video.

Choi Hyunjung: I am participating as a composer and a guitarist.

Arem: After Ja young makes the melody and the basic chords, I write my part.

Yeong Eun: After the music video concept is decided, we choose our outfits.

At first you girls were divided in two different groups, but then thanks to a teacher you met and became Rolling Quartz. Did you immediately get along with each other or did it take some time to reach the synergy you have now?

Ja young: I felt like it was fate from the beginning.

Iree: I think we’ve gotten to know each other more deeply now.

Choi Hyunjung: It didn’t take much time for us to get close to each other.

Arem: It was good from the beginning because everyone’s favorite music had similarities.

Yeong Eun: We needed each other so much that we were happy to be together. The more we worked together, the more comfortable we became as we got to know each other.

Your performances are so energetic and powerful that I’m wondering, how do you manage the after show feelings?

Ja Young: After the show, I always eat delicious food. And sleeping for a long time is the most important thing!!!

Iree: Alcohol!

Choi Hyunjung: I work out.

Arem: Massage.

Yeong Eun: After the performance, I eat fruit and relax by taking a bath or getting a massage.

What is the fashion/beauty item you can’t live without?

Ja Young: Under-eye cream for dark circles

Iree: Black eyeliner and eyeshadow for smoky makeup!

Choi Hyunjung: Hair spray

Arem: Hair spray and a belt.

Yeong Eun: Earrings.

Last but not least, this is a question that I specifically asked Angelica to prepare, which is the admin of Rolling Quartz fanbase in Italy!

“Many women look up to you, and you are such an inspiration for all the goals you’re reaching! Do you think that it was more difficult to achieve your goals as a girl group doing a male-dominated genre, such as rock, which is also not as mainstream as pop?”

Ja Young, Iree, Choi Hyunjung, Arem, Yeong Eun:

First of all, thank you for that question and for the respect you show us.

There are two sides to everything. It’s really hard to do some things as a woman. But I think it’s easier to get attention if you do something difficult as a woman. In fact, it is so hard to survive in the K-pop market as a rocker in Korea. But these difficulties make us proud. Actually since we have not really “succeeded” yet, we would like to answer this question after our success!

Thank you Rolling Quartz for joining me in this interview, I’m absolutely sure that you will reach all of the things you’re wishing for! 화이팅!