Artist Spotlight: Meet Canary Complex
How did you come up with the theme?
‘A Whisper of Spring’ is an album about transition, rebirth and fleeting beauty. I wanted to create a self-contained universe, like pressing play and falling into a dream. I believe that I successfully achieved that vision. The record is ephemeral, delicate, and deeply emotional. The album feels very 'wintery' in its composition. The conceptual theme was inspired by spring as a faraway idea within the cold, dead winter: a sudden warm breeze that carries the familiar scents of honeysuckle and jasmine. Whether real or imaginary, that whisper of spring is enough to plant a seed deep inside of us. I am incredibly inspired by the French impressionists of the late 1800's- I try to create impressionistic scenes within my music and lyrics.
How did you work with the producer to bring your vision for ‘A Whisper of Spring’ to life?
I am always hands-on when it comes to production. This album was co-produced with Michael Rumple. He also played drums on 5 songs of this album, and coached me through some difficult vocal passages. Michael is one of the only people I know locally who is equally passionate and knowledgeable about visual kei music and production. Having someone I trust so much involved in the process enabled me to bring my rough demos to a polished album - refined but with all the raw emotion intact. I recorded all of the guitars, bass and keys in my bedroom studio, and then the vocals and drums were recorded in his lovely studio, where the record was mixed. We decided to work with Max Gowan on the album's mastering. He was able to perfectly capture that 90s Japanese production style I was aiming for.
Can you talk about any standout tracks on the album and what makes them special to you?
Every song is one part of a whole story, but "Déshabillez-Moi" is definitely a central motif. It was the first song I wrote for the album, and informed the direction for the rest of the album. It's obviously dripping in a nostalgic 90's visual kei atmosphere, but I also brought in some bossa nova and 70's French pop elements. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a love that can't withstand outside pressure. These songs are all my favorites that I've written to date, but another standout track in my mind is "Pierrot (deep sky)". It's a very personal song that's given life by a very real emotional journey that I was living as I wrote it, and had no choice but to tap into. It's a sort of sister song to "Parasol (deep sky)" from my previous album- the other side of the same coin. There are small details in the sound design of this album. I made sure that no second of the listeners' time is wasted. Even I find myself sometimes re-discovering little elements that I put into the songs and promptly forgotten about!
How did you first become interested in music, and when did you start playing your instrument or singing?
I picked up guitar and bass when I was 14. Around the same time, I discovered visual kei through YouTube and MySpace. That world completely captivated me—not just the music, but the striking self-expression and generally emotional performances. I played in various North Carolina bands throughout high school and adulthood, but there were very few people I could connect with over my love of visual kei. In 2020 I joined the band Flood District with my friend Michael, who loved visual kei as much as I do. We brought our shared interest into the music of that band. In 2021 I released my first solo record as Canary Complex, and have been working with Michael as my co-producer on Canary Complex releases since 2022.
Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
Melancholy, transient moments, nostalgia. A Whisper of Spring is about the tragedy and beauty of impermanence. I want listeners to step into this world and feel something: like they’ve uncovered a secret or remembering something from years before. The daydream of renewal, but also the bittersweet realization that every moment is fleeting. There is a lot of gothic romanticism in this album, with undercurrents of longing, nostalgia, and transformation. I think fans of visual kei, especially bands like Lareine, Shazna, and Malice Mizer, will understand that feeling immediately.
