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CMU Approved
Approved: Sputniko!
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 14 July 2010
After writing yesterday’s CMU Approved feature on Émilie Simon, I was reminded of another electro-pop musician who uses a custom built instrument which straps to her left arm – Sputniko! – aka Tokyo-born and now London-based Hiromi Ozaki. Great minds think alike, or something. Or maybe not, as Simon’s ‘Arm’ is quite different to Sputniko!’s ‘Wakki’ – a creature (or family of creatures) which lives in her armpit and makes sounds using a modified Nintendo Wiimote that it swallowed.
Combining influences as disparate as Laurie Anderson and J-Pop, Sputniko! writes songs about modern and future life, covering such topics as stalking potential lovers on Google, android social network addiction and machines to allow men to experience menstruation. All bases are covered. Currently she is working on building an artificially intelligent robot crow (or ‘crowbot’) which speaks fluent crow-language. Seriously.
Sputniko!’s well-stocked website will keep you entertained for hours. Look out for links to download her free ‘Parakonpe 3000’ album, which includes ‘The Google Song’ (although, be warned, this song will never leave your head once you’ve heard it).
