Back 2 Denpa Fundamentals: 12 Questions with Alt-Jpop
Q1: What are your top musical influences?
A: As of late 2025, I’d say Perfume, Yunomi, Hayato Asano (Blue Reflection and Atelier OST), Lush, Nico, Yosei Teikoku, DJ Melania 666, Slowdive, mbv, Imperial Circus Dead Decadence, Galneryus, Zemeth, Children of Bodom, Unlucky Morpheus, Pharmakon, Raito (Melty Blood OST).
Q2: How do you feel about Hyperpop?
A: No! I don’t identify with that label or that approach. Sorry…
Q3: What is your music genre?
A: Denpa or “Post-Denpa.” Post-Denpa is a complex term. But to keep things simple, let’s define Post-Denpa as Western Denpa, since I’m not Japanese.
Q4: What are your lyrics about?
A: Most of them are about love and enjoying the little things—classical slice-of-life themes. However, my love songs have a twist. I like to write cute and funny break up songs. 『Watching the Detectives』inspired me as a Denpa producer—I think it captures the essence of what I do. If you want to understand Alt-Jpop, I’d watch that film.
Q5: What DAW/plugins do you use?
A: I use Studio One and Bitwig. Regarding plugins, I use what everyone is using—there’s no secret sauce!
Q6: Any rules you follow as a Denpa producer?
A: Yes, but I try not to be too close-minded. I tend to evade trendy genres, because I rarely listen to mainstream music. While it’s true that most of my songs are in the 160-174 range, I don’t have rules about tempo.
Q7: Favorite Video Game Franchise?
A: Difficult question. Not strictly Kawaii, but F-Zero. F-Zero has influenced my music more than any artist. I like chaos and adrenaline, 1HP, and no healing items.
Q8: Favorite meal?
A: A simple Lentil soup.
Q9: Favorite Pastry/Sweet?
A: A plain Coconut Sorbet.
Q10: Favorite Vegetable?
A: It’s either bok choy or cauliflower (no seasoning).
Q11: What about fruit?
A: Anjou Pears. I’d also say dates, but that’s closer to candy than to fruit!
Q12: Do you believe in love?
No. In fact, I’m not interested in love; I’m only interested in the absurdity of love. When I write my songs, I always picture a small dog barking at a couple who’s having an argument (or about to break up). There’s this Japanese movie I adore titled 『Hana and Alice』. It’s peak Alt-Jpop philosophy and more Denpa than any anime. It’s a film about a girl who has a crush on a guy, but he’s indifferent to her. One day, he hits his head and suffers a concussion. The girl, Hana, gaslights him and tells him that he has amnesia; that she’s his girlfriend, but he doesn’t remember. These are the love stories I like.
