Interview with the popular VTuber, Mori Calliope, known for her rap which intermixes English and Japanese, and writes her own lyrics and composes!
First, could you tell us what got you started with music?
When I was a child, I loved drawing and dreamt of becoming an animator or manga artist. While pursuing this dream, I started listening to various kinds of music. I listened a lot to American rock bands like Linkin Park (Note 1) and My Chemical Romance (Note 2), as well as rap. As I got immersed in Japanese manga, anime, and other cultural things, I also became a fan of Japanese internet rap (Note 3). However, back then, I never thought of creating music myself.
Why did you choose to become a musician instead of pursuing a manga artist's path?
A friend suggested, "Why don't you try making music?" So, I started music production from scratch. While continuing my creative activities like illustration, manga, and music, I felt that "maybe I can make a career out of music using my talents", and that's why I decided to become a musician.
Can you play any instruments?
I can play the bass a bit. Interestingly, my parents met during their college band activities and got married. My mother is a singer, and my father is a pianist.
So, a musical environment nurtured you at home. By the way, what got you into becoming a VTuber?
A friend shared information about Hololive's audition in our group chat. But it seemed like the information wasn't intended for me but for another friend in the chat. I secretly clicked on the link, and upon checking it out, it looked fun, so I applied. I thought it might lead to a professional path, so I prepared and luckily got selected.
That's quite a backstory! Why did you decide to make music your profession?
Before becoming a VTuber, I often created animated music videos as a hobby and job. During that time, I dreamt of "making an animated music video for my own music". With a mindset of pursuing what I love, even if it doesn't earn money, I've been working hard ever since.
Wasn't the journey of following your dream tough?
One of my senior life mentors advised, "Your daily life is important. You should have a job to sustain yourself and then spend time on your hobbies like music." Following this advice, I diligently managed my time to focus on creative activities, and I was able to realize my dream. If my work occasionally goes viral, I should spend more time on music or illustrations. Those who have dreams like me might want to follow this approach.
That's quite prudent! Now, I'd like to ask about music production. How do you get inspiration for lyrics?
I draw inspiration from manga, anime, and games. Initially, I often wrote lyrics about myself, but when I ran out of ideas, I started drawing inspiration from characters in entertainment works. My recent favorite is "GachiActor" (Note 4). When making a song, I avoid listening to other artists as much as possible. I don't want to seem like I'm copying others. Of course, I do pick up themes and worldviews, but I try to keep it minimal when composing.
How did you feel when you received the request to produce the official theme song for "ONE PIECE" volume 10, "Future Island"?
I was thrilled to be involved in a work I love! By the way, I like Doflamingo as a character. Despite his utterly horrible personality, he's stylish! I liked his tragic past. I also adore Uta-chan!
Thanks for the passion! What kind of song did you want to create?
I wanted something with a retro-futuristic vibe. I didn't think rock, hip-hop, or rap would fit, so I went with EDM (Note 5). To commemorate the release of volume 16, a live performance was held on the big screen at Shinjuku Unicavision, making it a song with special significance to me.
Apart from this song, are there any other tracks of yours you'd like people to listen to?
From my 1st album "SINDERELLA", I recommend "Wanted, Wasted". When I heard the demo, I thought, "This is the coolest song ever!" It's a song that fits perfectly for someone who loves rock and rap like me. Also, the music video for "Black Sheep" from my latest EP "JIGOKU6" was handled by me in terms of animation and illustration, so I'd love for you to see it.
I'll make sure to check out the MV that shaped your dream! Do you have anything you want to try in the future?
I want to create anime OP and ED songs. I'd also like to handle music for anime and games.
Lastly, could you share something that teenagers should do?
Once you enter society, the time you can spend on hobbies decreases, and it becomes harder to truly enjoy them. Just have fun with the things you like to do!
