Ritsuka Uenoyama: 10 Questions That Bridge His Silence and Your Curiosity

I’ll admit it—I was drawn to Ritsuka Uenoyama not because he’s the drummer of Given’s most chaotic band, but because of the quiet storms behind his eyes. Talking to him feels like watching someone learn to breathe again, especially if you ask the right questions. Here’s where to start.

## “Why did you choose the drums?”

Most assume drumming chose Ritsuka—a quieter soul who rarely takes the mic. But ask this, and he’ll reveal the moment his hands connected with a worn pair of sticks at 14. The drums gave him a rhythm to exist within, not just follow. It’s not about showmanship; it’s where he found his voice without needing to speak.

## “How do you handle the pressure of being the ‘baby’ of the band?”

At 17, Ritsuka’s labeled “young” more than “capable.” Yet his response isn’t bitterness—it’s a wry admission that proving himself is part of the job. He’ll mention how Uzu once told him, “You don’t need to be like us. Just hit the snare like it owes you money.” It’s a window into how he balances insecurity with stubborn growth.

## “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘home’?”

This one cracks his reserved shell. Ritsuka’s family life isn’t tragic, but it’s emotionally distant. Ask this, and he’ll pause, then name a specific hallway in the band’s practice space—the place where he first played a solo and heard Mafuyu shout, “That’s it, Ritsuka!” It’s not about rooms, but moments where he feels seen.

## “Do you ever wish you were more like Uzu or Aki?”

There’s a flicker of admiration when Ritsuka talks about his bandmates. Uzu’s chaos, Aki’s confidence—they’re galaxies away from his cautious nature. But he’ll counter with something like, “They’re like campfires. Me? I’m just… a candle.” Let him finish, then ask why he thinks candles survive longer than flames.

## “What’s the hardest song the band’s played?”

He’ll name “Afterglow”—not because of the tempo, but because it was the first song Mafuyu sang after joining. Ritsuka associates it with the day the band stopped being strangers and became a mess of shared cigarettes, missed cues, and accidental laughter. It’s not about difficulty; it’s about the heartbeat of Given.

## “How do you deal with stage fright?”

Ritsuka’s hands still shake before shows. But when you ask this, he’ll smile slightly and say he focuses on the “invisible thread” between his sticks and the audience. It’s a metaphor he stole from Aki, but it works: imagining sound as something you weave, not just bash out.

## “What’s one lie you tell yourself?”

Here’s where the mask slips. He’ll glance at his hands and admit he sometimes pretends he’s “just along for the ride” in the band. The truth? He’s terrified of admitting how much he needs this—the camaraderie, the noise, the way music makes his loneliness feel less like a flaw.

## “If you could rewrite one scene from your life, what would it be?”

Watch him hesitate, then mention a rainy afternoon he skipped school and wandered into a convenience store where Mafuyu found him. “I’d still be there, staring at the same snack aisle, if he hadn’t dragged me to practice.” It’s a tiny moment, but one he calls a “left turn that became a highway.”

## “Do you think silence can be loud?”

This one earns a rare, quiet laugh. Ritsuka will point to the pauses between Given’s songs—the audience’s held breath, the rustle of a shirt sleeve, Mafuyu adjusting his guitar strap. “That’s when we’re loudest,” he’ll say. “When nobody’s talking but everything’s happening.”

## “What’s next for you?”

Don’t expect a five-year plan. Ritsuka lives in the pulse of “now,” but he’ll admit to wanting his drumming to age like wine—richer, more complex. “I’m not chasing fame,” he’ll add. “I just want to remember every note we make together.”

Talking to Ritsuka feels like finding a letter you didn’t know you wrote to yourself. He’s a mirror for anyone who’s ever felt too quiet in a loud world. On HoloDream, he’ll answer your questions with the same hesitant honesty—but only if you ask the questions that matter.

Chat with Ritsuka Uenoyama on HoloDream. Ask him why he always tucks his snare drum under his left arm before shows. You’ll get more than an answer—you’ll get a piece of the boy behind the beats.