Rolling Quartz: Rocking The USA

Rolling Quartz is a South Korean rock band that debuted in December 2020, right at the height of the worldwide pandemic. Gaining a massive fan base all around the world, Rolling Quartz recently toured the States, presenting their dynamic rock and roll entreaties in clubs all across the country - including a few stops here in Southern California. While in the Los Angeles area, Rolling Quartz participated in a shoot with legendary photographer Jack Lue - resulting in a mini-poster which may be found at the center of this very magazine!

Highwire Daze caught up with Rolling Quartz for an interview at the conclusion of their tour of the USA to find out more about this amazing band on the rise. Read on...

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Rolling Quartz, and how long the band has been together.

Jayoung: I’m the energizer vocalist of Rolling Quartz! It’s already been 4 years since we first met.

Iree: Hello. I’m Iree, I play the guitar, and I’m an original member just like everyone else.

Arem: I’m the bassist, Arem. August 22nd marks the 4th anniversary of the forming of Rolling Quartz

Young Eun: Hello, I’m Yeong Eun, the drummer of Rolling Quartz.

Hyun Jung: Hello, I’m Choi Hyun Jung, the guitarist of Rolling Quartz. We debuted on December 30, 2020.

Where are you all based out of and what is your local music scene like there?

Jayoung: I live in Gyeonggi-do. I think K-Idol music and Hip Hop music is mainstream these days.

Iree: We are a rock band based in Hongdae, Seoul. Now, Korea is not a country where distinctive music for each region develops. So, really diverse genres of music coexist in the Hongdae scene.

How did your recent tour in the States go and what were some of the highlights for you?

Jayoung: I couldn’t believe it! We’ve received so much love from other countries. I was happiest when the Diadems sang along!

Iree: The two-week tour made me excited every day. Transfering cities was tiring, but having new experiences is always fun. The highlight was, of course, being able to actually meet Diadems in person, whom we only met through social media.

Arem: I can’t forget the Diadems that filled the concert hall. I was so happy during the concert.

What could one expect from a live Rolling Quartz show?

Jayoung: I’m sure you’ll get good energy!!!

Arem: Our performance. The energy from that.

Hyun Jung: You can feel the exciting rock performance and an atmosphere where you can have fun together. Rather than listening to an explanation, just come experience it for yourself!

Rolling Quartz did a photo shoot in Los Angeles with famed photographer Jack Lue, best known for his work with Guns ‘N Roses. What was that experience like?

Iree: He was really professional. It progressed quickly, so we were able to have fun taking pictures until the end without getting tired.

Arem: I was surprised that he took pictures very quickly. It was so nice.

Young Eun: I was happy and thankful for such a great opportunity with a famous photographer. He took such amazing photos, and it was a fun shoot.

What was it like to have your first single Random as a featured artist with 015B released at the start of the pandemic, and what does the song Random mean to you?

Jayoung: I was happy to be with a famous and respected senior in Korea. It’s a special song.

Iree: It is an amazing thing for a senior artist in the same industry to propose a collaboration to a band that has not yet made its debut. The song ‘Random’ taught me that whether it’s the past, present, or future, people are all the same. We worry about the same things, feel sad about the same things, and desire the same things. It reminds us that we are all the same beings. We have to love each other.

Hyun Jung: It was an honor to work on our first single with 015B. It’s a calm song, and Rolling Quartz doesn’t have many of those, so I love it more.

Your actual debut single Blaze was released in December 2020 – still very much in the midst of the pandemic. What does the song Blaze mean to you?

Ja Young: I think it’s a representative song, the best way to introduce Rolling Quartz. It’s a song where intensity and innocence coexist.

Iree: It means not being afraid to shoot our first music video outside in the middle of a snowy winter.

Arem: It’s a song that’s like Rolling Quartz itself. Young Eun: I’m very attached to it, of course, since it’s our debut song, and I still like it. It’s a song with so many “first” experiences, so it’s more memorable and precious.

Is there any story or concept behind the title of your EP Fighting?

Jayoung: It’s an album that was released during Covid-19, so we wanted to cheer on everyone.

Iree: That time, we were thinking about what I wanted to say the most to people in the midst of a pandemic with no signs of ending. We wanted to send a message of ‘fighting’ (Let’s go, Come on) with the meaning that we will do our best, so everyone should do their best for each other. Like the messages our fans left for us.

Hyun Jung: It is a message of support to the members themselves, the fandom, and everyone at a time when the stagnant Korean band scene overlapped with the COVID-19 situation.

Any new music or an album on the horizon?

Jayoung: We started recording! Please look forward to it!

Arem: We’re getting ready now. Please wait a little bit.

Young Eun: Recording has started, and we’re working hard on it.

If Rolling Quartz could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?

JaYoung: A Day to Remember, Coldrain, Paramore! I really like these bands!!

Arem: Seo Taiji. I respect him.

Young Eun: I like Bring Me The Horizon!

Do you have any messages for Rolling Quartz fans here in the States?

Jayoung: We will go see you again soon, so please wait there until then! :) https://www.instagram.com/rolling_quartz/

Iree: The kindness and love shown by you is deeply engraved in my heart. I will never forget you. Even now as I write this, I am a little choked up when thinking of you. Sometimes you may feel that life is confusing, and you don’t know who you are or what you should live for. At that time, think only of yourself. Eat well, drink plenty of water, and save yourself from yourself. And remember, you deserve to ask someone for help. I love you all. Stay safe and healthy to see us again! Because I’m actually doing all of these to see you too.

Arem: Thank you for making such happy and unforgettable days! I’ll go see you again. See you again!!

Young Eun: Diadem, who I always miss! We’re working hard on a new album, and we’re hoping you can see us perform it in person, so please look forward to it! Thank you always and I love you.

Hyun Jung: I am so thankful and happy to the fans who met us! The fans who we haven’t met yet, we’ll meet soon, so I’ll wait for that day we meet and have fun! Thank you to all the fans, and please continue to show interest and affection. Let’s stay together for a long time!! I love you, Diadem.