In many ways, kenda sperow is the exact kind of new artist I get excited about. He has a unique sound, and an important message to share with his music.

By Graeme Smith

I’ve just discovered him through a collaboration with the world’s most famous Vocaloid, Hatsune Miku, Divine Glitch, and wanted to know more about how his music comes together.

“I have a lot of influences, and I believe originality comes from combining ideas from many different sources,” he says. “Some of mine include video game music, jazz fusion, and the wider Vocaloid scene. For this track specifically, I drew inspiration from Tame Impala’s Lost in Yesterday, HoneyWorks’ Inokori Sensei, and even the Team Plasma theme from Pokémon Black/White. That said, I don’t think of this as ‘my sound.’ It’s a sound. I’m always experimenting, and this is just one stop along the way.”

Experimental feels like the right word for what kenda sperow is doing. Divine Glitch is frenetic from the start, with a jagged, looping guitar riff setting the early tone. When the vocals come in, they provide a bit of warmth which, ironically, gave me goosebumps.

A bright swagger feels glam rock-esque, cutting through the many electronic layers. They come together almost in conflict before resolving in pleasing patterns. Things rise and fall, giving us quieter interludes to catch our breath. The overall composition reminded me a little of one of my favourite artists, Anna Meredith.

The addition of Miku’s distinctive vocals gives it a fresh yet familiar feel. I was intrigued to know what it was like working with her.

“It was a really unique experience,” he says. “I’ve never had vocal training, so I didn’t want to sing my own music, but I did have something to say. Vocaloid gave me a conduit to express that. I actually wasn’t that deep into the Vocaloid scene when I started, but when I finally felt ready to add a voice to my music, Miku was there. Her popularity wasn’t my main reason for choosing her, but I’m definitely glad I did. There was a steep learning curve, and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of what she’s capable of.”

Beneath it all is a personal story. Kenda sperow has schizophrenia, a condition that he feels isn’t talked about enough.

“Sharing my experience with schizophrenia helps me reach others who might be struggling,” he says. “It’s an enigmatic and elusive illness. No two people experience it exactly the same way. I believe everything in life is meant to be understood, not feared. So, for me, writing this song was about reframing mental illness, showing people that it’s okay to talk about it, and that art can be a powerful way to process the unknown.”

Many reading this may be new to the Vocaloid world, and to modern Eastern pop movement altogether, so I asked him to share some other artists we might be wanting to get into. He mentioned Vocaloid producers like Kairiki Bear and Yuuyu. “Some tracks I love are Villain by Teniwoha, BUG by Kairiki Bear, and GALACTIX by Yuuyu,” he adds. “I’m a music theory nerd, so I gravitate toward songs with great melodies and interesting chord progressions.”

We’ll also have more kenda sperow to listen to soon, with several songs in the works and expected to be released over the coming months. A video for Divine Glitch is on its way too.

“I hope listeners connect with the music,” he says. “There’s plenty more to come. And one last thing: be yourself, always. You can’t go wrong with that.”

Divine Glitch is out now, and you can listen to it below.