Virtual Singer KAF Collaborates with Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso) for 14th Song in ‘Suite’ Series
‘Suite’ is a series of collaborations between virtual singer KAF and real-life artists and composers. For the 14th entry in the series, KAF's collaborator is MONDO GROSSO, the solo project of Japanese artist Shinichi Osawa. Osawa is a musician, composer, DJ and producer who has worked with numerous domestic and global artists as a producer and remixer, as well as producing music for commercials, installations and soundtracks, and even producing a music bar focused on vinyl records.
Osawa has continually electrified the music scene with his many masterpieces and varied collaborations, such as his hit song ‘Labyrinth’ featuring vocals by Hikari Mitsushima, while KAF has ceaselessly sent messages from the virtual world to the real one through her unique voice, making this ‘Suite’ collaboration a truly special encounter.
The title of the song is ‘My Voice’. It was written by Osawa, reflecting on the heavy weight of choosing to live life in the service of sound, in a world where nothing can be taken for granted. The story expresses the feelings felt by KAF as she crashed through her teenage years with the help of music. The song was released on download and streaming services on Wednesday, September 6.
A teaser video was published ahead of the release, giving a glimpse of the sense of reality that sets it apart from past works in the ‘Suite’ series. The full music video will be released soon, so look out for a fresh piece of visual expression from KAF.
Artist comments
■ Shinichi Osawa (MONDO GROSSO)A cartoon of a person with pink hair Description automatically generatedA person in a black suit Description automatically generated
“There have been times up until now when I have projected very personal feelings into my music. This song is one of them. It may be my first time to create music with someone I haven't actually met, even though they do exist. However, I think this is a piece of music that could only have been created under these conditions. I was entrusted with the lyrics and the sound production, and I'm proud that ‘My Voice’ is such a satisfactory track.”
■ KAF
“Mixed feelings. On the one hand, I feel like this song has brought me out of myself; but even as time passes, there are feelings of drifting somewhere, sometime within my heart. Whenever I think of it, there is a part of me that feels relief that I feel pain, embarrassment, excitement. With my voice, I want to be able to recreate the things I was unable to express in words at the time, the things I didn't want to say, the emotions I still barely understand. That feeling may be the very origin of my singing, and it has allowed me to sing with my own ‘My Voice’. I'd like you to listen to it over and over.”
Shinichi Osawa (MONDO GROSSO) profile
Musician, composer, DJ, producer. In addition to working with numerous domestic and global artists as a producer and remixer, Japan's Shinichi Osawa has also produced music for commercials, installations and soundtracks, and even produced a music bar focused on vinyl records. In 2017, his unit MONDO GROSSO released their first new album in 14 years, ‘Nando Demo Atarashiku Umareru’. The music video for ‘Labyrinth’ featuring vocals by Hikari Mitsushima has been viewed over 30 million times. His soundtrack credits include the anime series ‘BANANA FISH’ and director Mika Ninagawa's movie ‘Diner’. Osawa is currently working with his new unit RHYME SO to transmit music from Tokyo to the world.
https://www.shinichi-osawa.com/
KAF profile
KAF is a virtual singer and founding member of KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO. She made her debut in 2018 at the age of 14, performing via 3D avatars without revealing her true face. Even in a crowded field where a diverse variety of expression continues to be born, she has established her own style as an artist thanks to her unique singing voice and worldview. Several of the collaborations in KAF's ‘Suite’ project have grabbed the attention of music fans, generating over 200 million YouTube views and counting, and fostering a devoted fan community in Japan and around the world.
KAF's partnership with Iori Kanzaki, who has been her main writer since the beginning of her career, has received high acclaim, and in August 2022 KAF held a triumphant headline performance at the legendary Nippon Budokan in Tokyo titled FUKAKAI III/SOU. In January 2024, she will hold her fourth headline concert at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, titled Kaika; marking the beginning of KAF's second chapter, this concert follows her Budokan performane to continue the trend of this solo virtual singer playing arena-sized venues. KAF strives to transcend the boundaries between the virtual and real worlds, setting the standard for a new generation of music artists.
https://bio.to/virtualkaf
The 15th edition in the ‘Suite’ series will follow
Continue to look out for KAF's further passionate collaborations with artists and creators.
1st Edition: GLIM SPANKY "Mirror, Mirror" (Released for streaming on October 27, 2021)
2nd Edition: Seiko Oomori "Imaginary Friend" (Released for streaming on November 17, 2021)
3rd Edition: Ayane Sakura "Asahi" (Released for streaming on December 8, 2021)
4th Edition: Tanaka "Flying Meme" (Released for streaming on January 19, 2022)
5th Edition: Maigo Hanyuu "My Incense" (Released for streaming on February 23, 2022)
6th Edition: Kujira "Haruyo" (Released for streaming on March 23, 2022)
7th Edition: Shirushi Hasegawa "Bud with Thunder" (Released for streaming on April 20, 2022)
8th Edition: MIYAVI "BeyondMETA" (Released for streaming on May 11, 2022)
9th Edition: Kafu, the Musical Isotope "Streamlined Mayday" (Released for streaming on July 13, 2022)
10th Edition: ORESAMA "CAN-VERSE" (Released for streaming on October 12, 2022)
11th Edition: Tokyo Gegegay "Made in Me" (Released for streaming on March 18, 2023)
12th Edition: Zucaradelle "Secret Words" (Released for streaming on April 5, 2023)
13th Edition: HIDEFUMI KENMOCHI "Shugei-High!!!" (Released for streaming on July 5, 2023)
‘Suite’ official website:
https://kaf3rdanniversary.kamitsubaki.jp/project/kumikyoku/
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