Lone Alpha's Music Journey and VTuber Discovery
"I already made music inspired by anime art, so when I discovered what a VTuber was I realized there was a lot of untapped potential in creating original songs with what is essentially an anime character."
Just a few days ago, we released a review of composer Lone Alpha's Virtual Paradise, a collaboration with 12 VTubers.
After we scroll through 10 tracks from the album, we then shed the spotlight on the album's composer, who has been releasing music since 2018.
How did you first get into music?
Lone Alpha: I first got into music when I found an app called GarageBand when I was 12. I’m pretty sure it comes pre-installed on all iPhones, and it let me play around with a bunch of synths and make little beats.
I obsessively made beats every day for about a year with the app, but eventually I found it too limiting. I bought FL Studio 20, which is software meant for higher quality music production, and continued to work on songs every single day for years, which is where I am now.
What is your favorite song, and why?
My favorite song changes all the time, so this one is tough! Right now I’d have to say it’s “Ginger Tea” by Brakence. The guitar in it feels nostalgic and the vocals feel authentic and passionate.
More emotional vocals are something I’d definitely like to incorporate in my own songs going forward, so it’s a great point of reference! It’s very different from the kind of music I release, but I think that’s why I like it. It’s different from what I usually hear, but that creates inspiration for me.
What initially drew you to working with VTubers?
I already made music inspired by anime art, so when I discovered what a VTuber was I realized there was a lot of untapped potential in creating original songs with what is essentially an anime character.
A lot of Vtubers also tended to have the kind of singing voice I generally look for in a vocalist, so it just became the prefect way to create both a brand for myself and find singers more easily.
Can you mention your experiences with VTubers?
I’ve had very pleasant experiences with VTubers! A lot of the VTuber’s I’ve worked with have been super kind and gone out of their way to help me! I’m very grateful for all the love that VTubers have shown me!
Why do you want to create music with VTubers?
Like I mentioned, I think the concept of a VTuber has a lot of potential. I think each character is very interesting and I really enjoy writing lyrics around their stories.
Do you have any non-VTuber songs in mind?
I’m open to making songs with singers regardless of whether they are VTubers or not! I definitely have a certain kind of voice I look for in a singer, and I’ll alway prioritize that above just a VTuber model.
Do you want to become a VTuber yourself?
I don’t have any plans on becoming a VTuber anytime soon, but if a good opportunity comes up, I’d definitely be open to it.
Where do you see the VTuber community in a few years?
I think VTubers will probably become more and more corporate and mainstream. For example, Crunchyroll debuted a VTuber, and I wouldn't be surprised if more entertainment companies followed suit soon.
Obviously, there’s a big audience for it and a lot of opportunities for music as the scene continues to grow.
What tips do you have for people who want to create music?
It’s cliche but I can’t emphasize it enough: practice, practice, practice! Try finding a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and just play around with sounds for a while!
There’s infinite resources and tutorials to help fast-track the learning experience. The more you practice writing songs the easier it feels and the better they sound.
Huge thanks to Lone Alpha for taking their time in answering our questions. Again, Virtual Paradise is now available for streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music.