Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Shōtaka 少鷹

Introduction of the project Shōtaka (少鷹) is a conceptual “Virtual Idol” project that explores the intersection of classic J-Pop aesthetics and modern generative technology. The name is a play on my real Chinese name (Xiupan) and Japanese imagery. While I serve as the creative director and producer, Shōtaka is the digital persona that delivers the vocals and visual identity. The project focuses on high-energy, anime-inspired pop and emotional ballads, utilizing AI-driven tools to synthesize the music while I curate the themes, lyrics, and overall direction.

What is your earliest memory connected to music? My earliest memories are rooted in piano lessons as a child—something of a rite of passage in my Asian upbringing. To be honest, at the time, it was a source of stress; I remember the pressure of recitals and playing for trophies that were mostly for my family’s bragging rights. But looking back, it shaped me in a unique way.

I actually never learned how to read sheet music. I would mimic my teacher and memorize entire complex pieces strictly by ear and muscle memory. It was a fragile way to play—if I made a single mistake, I couldn’t just pick up in the middle; I had to start the whole piece over from the beginning! However, that experience gave me a distinct “musical ear.” I developed a strong sense of melody and composition, even if I lacked the joy for the mechanical practice. Shōtaka is in many ways the result of that history: I use technology to bridge the gap between the music I hear in my head and the execution.

How did your passion for creating music begin? It started as a curiosity about technology and sound. I have a background in lofi and instrumental music under my own name, Alan Hong. However, I’ve always loved the energy of J-Pop. My passion really ignited when I realized that modern technology—specifically generative audio—had advanced to the point where I could act as a “conductor” for a digital orchestra. It allowed me to take the melodies in my head and materialize them without needing a full studio of session musicians.

What’s the story behind your current music project? Shōtaka began as an experiment. I wanted to see if I could create a convincing, emotionally resonant J-Pop artist that existed entirely in the digital realm. I was inspired by the culture of “Virtual YouTubers” and vocaloids. I wanted to see if an AI-assisted artist could still connect with real humans. I released two albums and a single, treating Shōtaka as a distinct personality—almost like writing a character for a story, but the medium is music.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before? Shōtaka’s sound is nostalgic yet futuristic. It leans heavily into the high-tempos and bright, melodic structures of 2000s and 2010s anime openers, blended with modern electronic pop production. It’s energetic, vocal-forward, and very polished. Even though the vocals are synthesized, the goal is to convey genuine longing and excitement.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music? Learning to let go of “perfection” in the traditional sense and embracing “curation.” When working with generative AI, you don’t control every single note like a guitar player does. Instead, you guide the vibe. I learned that my role is less about dexterity and more about taste—knowing when a track creates the right feeling and when it needs to be scrapped or reworked.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process? This project is born from the bleeding edge of generative tech. I use Suno as my primary audio synthesis engine, acting as the instrument and vocalist. I also utilize Large Language Models (LLMs) to help brainstorm and refine lyrical structures that fit the Japanese/English crossover style. My “studio” is essentially a suite of AI tools that I direct to achieve a cohesive sound.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now? I am heavily inspired by YOASOBI. I actually modeled a lot of Shōtaka’s sonic identity off their high-energy, piano-driven pop sound. I also really admire Ado, not just for her incredible voice, but for her persona. She operates entirely anonymously using an illustrated avatar. Seeing how the industry and fans embrace her shadowy identity validates what I’m trying to do with Shōtaka—proving that the art can stand on its own, even if the “face” of the artist is virtual or obscured.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision? Working remotely and living a very digital life influences the project heavily. We live in an era where we form real connections with people we’ve never met in person. Shōtaka is a reflection of that—a digital entity that can still be part of someone’s playlist and daily life. It mirrors my own experience of navigating the world through screens and digital interfaces.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work? I hope they feel a sense of wonder about what is possible. I want listeners to enjoy the music for what it is—catchy and emotional—but also perhaps think about the blurring lines between human and machine creativity. Ultimately, I want the music to bring high energy and positivity to their day.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far? That authenticity is a feeling, not just a manufacturing process. Even though Shōtaka is a virtual persona created with AI, the enjoyment people get from the tracks is real. It taught me that if the music sounds good and makes you feel something, the origin story becomes secondary to the experience.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at? Since Shōtaka is a digital entity, my dream venue would be one that fully embraces the “Virtual Idol” culture, likely in Japan. The Japanese music scene has paved the way for this with the Vocaloid phenomenon and Hatsune Miku. I see my role as similar to a Vocaloid producer—I am the creator behind the curtain. A dream performance would be a venue capable of high-tech projection, allowing Shōtaka to be “brought to life” as a hologram or on a massive screen, sharing the stage with real human energy.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why? Reply: I would love to collaborate with Ado. She famously works with various producers who compose the music and lyrics while she brings them to life with her incredible vocal range. Since I view my role similarly to a “Vocaloid Producer”—but using generative AI as my engine—it would be a dream to compose a track specifically for her voice. Merging my digital production with her raw, human power would be the ultimate realization of this project.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website, Spotify, IG, links) You can find Shōtaka on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms. [https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZzVPdEtQfWMZAZNSklPPl?si=ZBq9bRR0SzG2_jL0TP7Ftw]

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey? Right now, Shōtaka is an auditory experience—we can hear her, but we can’t see her. My dream for the next chapter is to collaborate with visual artists to create a true “visual persona” for the project. I want to move beyond just static album art and perhaps develop a Live2D or 3D model that can embody the music. While I’m continuing to release music at a steady pace, the goal is to eventually give Shōtaka a face that matches the voice.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way? I hope they discover that “Alan Hong” (the creator) and “Shōtaka” (the creation) represent a new way of being an artist. I want them to see that you don’t need to be a traditional vocalist to bring a musical vision to life in 2025.