Interview with STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION

STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION is a "sound-making project" created by RON, an artist who specializes in songwriting, composing and arrangement of music. He kicked off his activities as STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION with the track Daisy, which was featured as the ending theme song of the anime series "Beyond the Boundary," in 2013. Since then, his work has been featured in a number of well-known series, including "Dimension W," "Food Wars!," "Moriarty the Patriot," and "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime."

This summer, RON was tasked with creating a theme song for the HIKARI Festival, a large anime and manga-focused convention held in Poznan, Poland. Created specifically for the HIKARI Festival, his single HIKARI incorporates sounds and choral elements sourced from both Poland and Japan, expressing STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION's belief that "music connects people around the world."

Shortly after the release of HIKARI, JaME had a chance to ask RON some questions about the song, his experiences performing overseas and what he'd like to try his hand at next.

Your music is very diverse. How would you describe your sound, for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to listen to your work yet?

RON: Currently, I am mixing various genres such as anime songs, J-POP, rock, and EDM, and creating sounds that resonate with the image of each anime work. I am consciously working on sound production blending traditional elements with new ones.

While you’re active as a performing artist, you’re also very involved with the more “behind the scenes” aspects of music production as well. Is being active as a musician and also a songwriter for other artists, media, etc. something you always intended to do, or is it something that just happened along the way?　

RON: Initially, I started as a singer-songwriter, but my career in the music business actually began as a composer. Through various jobs, I was approached and the activities of STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION started.


It’s been mentioned that your latest single HIKARI features sounds and choral elements from both Japan and Poland. Could you explain how you went about working on this song? Did you have a vision in mind from the start, or was it something that came together more spontaneously as you gathered different elements?

RON: I started working on it after receiving a request to create a song similar to Session. I initially made a simple and easy-to-understand chorus, and after listening to feedback from the audience, I structured the song. While I had a certain vision in mind, it also felt somewhat spontaneous.

You used submissions from fans around the world in your 2020 single Session as well. Was there anything you learned from that release that you applied when working on HIKARI?

RON: I think it’s no exaggeration to say that the experience from Session gave birth to this song. This time, to express the concept that "music connects people around the world," I recruited sounds and choruses from both Poland, where the Hikari Festival will be held, and Japan.


How did it feel to perform HIKARI live in Poland?

RON: I think it was great that we made the chorus easy to remember, allowing even first-time listeners to sing along, creating a sense of unity that made me really happy.

What were your impressions of Poland? Did you get a chance to do any sightseeing while you were there?

RON: I have always loved the streets and atmosphere of Europe, so I really liked Poland as well. I didn't do much traditional sightseeing, but I focused on visiting restaurants. I particularly enjoyed the local cuisine and beef tartare.


You appeared at Anime Messe Babelsberg earlier this year. What was it like to return to Germany? Did any moments from the trip stand out to you?

RON: I consider Germany my second home, so I feel very relieved being there. I always think I need to go every year. Unfortunately, I got a bit sick after arriving this time, and while I managed to complete the show, I ended up lying in bed quite a bit afterward, which I found frustrating.

If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would you choose to go?

RON: I haven't been to Scandinavia yet, so I definitely want to go there. I also want to visit more countries in Southeast Asia.

Your song PEACEKEEPER was recently used as the opening theme for season three of “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.” How did you feel about coming back to the series again? Was there anything you tried to do differently with this track from your previous tie-ups with the series?

RON: I have had various collaborations with this series, including background music for "That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime," so I was very happy to have the opportunity to work with it again. This time, as it is the opening theme song, I deliberately created a straightforward piano rock song that follows the refreshing rock sound of previous opening songs in the series.


What did you want to convey to fans with RAYTRACER, your opening theme for “SYNDUALITY Noir”?

RON: Since it is the opening theme for a robot-themed show, I aimed to create a fast-paced and aggressive song. I think it turned out to be a song that gets everyone excited at live shows! While I hoped that audiences would enjoy the music alongside the anime, I was surprised that the song received such enthusiasm even before its airing overseas.

KATAWARA blends traditional Japanese instruments with an energetic electronic sound. How did you decide to combine these elements, and were there any challenges you ran into creating the track?

RON: During our meetings, I discussed with the anime director and we agreed that rather than using a typical Japanese rock melody line or arrangement, it would be better to incorporate the essence of Japanese elements digitally to create this track.

Specifically, I used traditional instruments and samples from nagauta, chopping them to retain a Japanese texture while incorporating them into the song's arrangement. It was a very enjoyable process!


Is there a music genre, style or instrument you haven’t tried yet that you’d like to experiment with in your work someday?

RON: I find the essence of ‘90s Japanese pop songs interesting. Just as city pop became popular in modern times, I think it would be fascinating to create something that resembles the next generation of Kayōkyoku (Japanese pop).

It’s been mentioned that STEREO DIVE 03 will be released this fall. Is there any dominant theme, concept or sound for this release?

RON: This album features many anime theme songs I’ve been responsible for since STEREO DIVE 02. I hope listeners enjoy a variety of anime songs all at once thanks to this album. There's a new song titled #03, which is a style of song I usually create as an instrumental track, but this time I made it a vocal piece.

The message is "Let's keep this going" and I included a phrase from my debut song Daisy at the end. Since this year marks the 10th anniversary of STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION, I also wanted to pay respect to our beginnings.


Is there anything else fans can look forward to from STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION in the near future?

RON: I hope to have more opportunities to participate in live events overseas, as I would love to visit various countries. I am looking forward to meeting everyone!

Please leave a message for our readers.

RON: Whether you are someone who recently learned about STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION or a long-time supporter, our many enjoyable songs, including past tracks, are available on streaming services. I hope you can revisit and enjoy the music that STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION has released over the past 10 years. Thank you!

JaME would like to thank RON and Vegas PR Group for making this interview possible.

Links to download and stream HIKARI on various music platforms are available here.