[1]

QuirkCat (Kiheki Neko) is a musical group formed using artificial intelligence (AI) to create their music. Their debut album, Reborn, was released in 2024 and features 17 tracks. The group members maintain anonymity and appear publicly with papier-mâché cat heads, each adorned with a distinctive colored dot.

History

The members of QuirkCat met through a Japanese chat forum ten years ago. All members suffer from hikikomori, a condition characterized by extreme voluntary social withdrawal. Their bond was strengthened by a shared passion for music from an early age. Despite never having met in person, they regularly communicate through webcams while wearing their distinctive papier-mâché cat heads.

The group began working seriously on their music about five years ago. During the global pandemic, they started composing and generating rhythms, instrumentals, and vocals with the help of various AI technologies, leading to their first album, Reborn. This Power Metal album reflects the emotions and experiences of its members as hikikomori.

Members

  • Ayumi: Responsible for generating female vocals and composition. Wears a pink cat head.
  • Kato: Handles drum generation, composition, and lyrics. Wears a dark green cat head.
  • Kotaro: Provides lead male vocals and bass sound, specializing in metal and rock. Wears a dark blue cat head.
  • K: Oversees production and ensures sound quality, as well as being the group’s creator, producer, lyricist, and composer. Wears a black cat head.

All members use pseudonyms to maintain their anonymity.

Music and Style

QuirkCat explores various musical genres, including J-pop, J-rock, Power Metal, Nu-metal, and rap, using AI to generate their music. Their debut album, Reborn, is characterized by Power Metal, allowing the members to express their deep and dark emotions. While Reborn has an intense and powerful tone, future albums are expected to be softer.

Albums

  • Reborn (2024): QuirkCat's debut album, featuring 17 Power Metal tracks. Recorded in late 2023 and released in early 2024, the album is the result of over three years of collaborative work and AI assistance during and after the pandemic.

Future

QuirkCat is already working on their next album, promising to explore different musical styles while continuing to convey their experiences and emotions as hikikomori.

Anonymity and Presentation

QuirkCat is known for their strict anonymity. During interactions and performances, the members always wear papier-mâché cat heads, each with a distinctive colored dot, which has become a hallmark of the group. This practice allows them to maintain their privacy while expressing their art and connecting with their audience.

Additional Information

All members were born in the 1980s, except for Ayumi, who was born in the 1990s. Although none of the members are Japanese, they are all enthusiasts of Japanese culture and feel a deep connection with its expressions and modes of communication.

Categories

  • Power Metal
  • Nu-Metal
  • Alternative Rock
  • Japanese Music

External Links

References

edit

Category:Metal Category:PowerMetal Category:Nu met Category:J-pop Category:J-Rock