Kiko Mori in our first Banana Interview!

I know, everyone asks – but what’s the meaning of ‘Kiko Mori‘?

Kiko is my childhood nickname, and what pretty much everybody calls me. Kiko Mori is a play on the Japanese word “hikikomori”, and that same nickname. The hikikomori are pretty much modern-day hermits, people who suffer from acute social withdrawal. Although my case is not that extreme, I’ve always felt comfort in being alone, and although I’ve improved over the years, I used to have pretty bad social anxiety. I also thought it would be a fitting name, since I do all of my music alone, as a one-man project, confined in my old bedroom (now my home studio).

What do you think about vaporwave and how influential has been for your project?

I love vaporwave music and aesthetics in general. I used to listen to it all the time, back when it was more popular. Bands like ２８１４, MACINTOSH PLUS, Blank Banshee, etc, have influenced my most recent works in some way, although I’ve never considered doing a full vaporwave album.

How did Japanese culture influence you and your music?

It has influenced me a lot. I’ve always been in contact with Japanese culture. My dad exposed me to Japanese music (like Ryuichi Sakamoto) when I was very young, and I’ve been consuming Japanese media such as videogames and anime/manga ever since I can remember. It’s been a huge part of my life, and still is to this day. I’d love to collaborate with Japanese artists in the future!

📢 Give us 5 emerging artists that you want to highlight for everyone to discover right now

Banji and Toko Joyce are severely underrated. These aren’t really emerging artists, but I feel like they should have more fans: Bo En, Ichiko Aoba, Haru Nemuri

🎧 What is your current favourite / guilty pleasure / go-to playlist? ( no pressure, it doesn’t have to be in Indiemono haha)

I haven’t really listened to any playlist lately. I’ve been stuck in auto-pilot mode for a while, just listening to my own Liked Songs playlist on shuffle (which has over 1100 tracks at the moment), and occasionally new albums that come out (the new Tyler, The Creator album is pretty dope).

Then what’s your favourite anime?

This is the hardest question so far. If I had to pick just one, I’d probably pick Welcome to the NHK, or Steins;Gate. Or something like The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. As I said, it’s super hard to pick just one!

You are a DIY artist, right? What are some recommendations you’d like to give to artists about choosing that path?

I’m the most DIY you can get. The best advice I can give is also the most stereotypical one: Just begin. You’ll never be ready, so might as well just start doing stuff, and putting stuff out. I took way too long to start releasing music seriously, and it’s my biggest regret. I still don’t feel ready today.

Also, try to find your own niche. It doesn’t really matter how much equipment or experience you have, there’s a niche for every style of music, and a lot of different ways to promote it (some of them are even free *cof* Indiemono *cof* )”

🐧 If you were a type of fantasy creature, what would you be?

Do Pokémon count as fantasy creatures? If so, my favourite is Sneasel, that’s definitely what I’d be. If not, then probably a Kitsune from Japanese Folklore. They can shapeshift into a human form, but being a fox is already pretty cool in itself.

❤️‍🔥 What’s your favourite video game?

Persona 5, Dark Souls III and Pokémon (Emerald or Leaf-Green).

💬  The worst excuse that you have ever used to stay at home

Pretending I had no car. Now I’ll have to think of a new excuse.

Something you’re really good at, but it’s a strange ability

I’m insanely good at spelling.

Anything you want to add before we finish?

Thank you for having me! This was super fun.

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I know, he’s super cool. But check out Kiko Mori’s amazing catalogue!

Kiko Mori is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist musician and producer, Frederico Medeiros. Born and based in Lisbon, Kiko is inspired by a variety of genres and sounds, such as Bedroom Pop, Lo-Fi, Indie Pop and City Pop music. Furthermore, Kiko loves video game music and Japanese media and aesthetics, which transpire in his own work.