Hi Cream With A K…. welcome to the DeClunk universe.
Please describe your immediate surroundings so that we can all cosy up.
I’m in my cozy home studio, surrounded by electronic equipment, guitars, and an assortment of quirky, ironic knick-knacks.
What was the first song that you wrote, what was it called and what was it about?
When I was around 11 or 12, I wrote a song to tease my next-door neighbor, Abby. The lyrics went something like, “I am Abby, I wear my trousers so high…”. It was a clever but slightly mean nursery rhyme. However, I felt bad afterward because other kids started singing it all over school to different girls named Abby, without even knowing where it came from or who wrote it. I think that was the moment I realized just how powerful a catchy song can be.
You were in a J-pop band, Neko Punch. Please tell us a little about that time.
Around the age of 14, I decided to focus on the Japanese music market and began learning Japanese. I strictly sang and wrote in Japanese, and after finishing my A levels, I immediately moved to Japan to pursue a J-pop career. Thanks to a series of fortunate events, I made my major debut with Universal Japan around the age of 20. From that point on, I was working 60-70 hour weeks, struggling with sleep and eating. I kept this up for about six years, until I completely lost my sense of direction. I couldn’t write music anymore, constantly forgot lyrics during shows, and lost all my ambition in life.
After quitting, I had to take time off from music and focus on rebuilding myself. Even working alone in the studio felt overwhelming at times—especially writing chorus melodies, which had become a challenge for me after constantly being criticized by the Japanese label for not making them catchy enough. That’s why I’ve taken things slower with Cream with a K; it’s been my way of rehabilitating my relationship with music.
You speak and write Japanese. Do you have a preference over which language for expressing yourself?
I like both languages for different reasons. There are certain things I can definitely express more eloquently in Japanese. When I speak English, I tend to use more abstract metaphors to convey my feelings, while Japanese offers a more detailed vocabulary that lets me be precise. Interestingly, my personality seems a bit larger in Japanese, whereas in English, I come across as more reserved and tranquil.
Why the name Cream With A K? Were there any other names in the hat? If so, please tell us, it may be needed by someone else!
I guess my “brand” has naturally gravitated toward names that begin with “Cream.” I have a little vintage clothing concession in the UK called “Cream.Ltd,” and my YouTube channel is “CreamTube.” Honestly, “Cream with a K” felt playful, rolled off the tongue, and had a unique, effortless energy about it. But it was really just meant to be a placeholder until I came up with something better.
At that time, I was more focused on songwriting than branding, so the name never got changed. Eventually, it stuck because everyone liked it! I still think about changing it, but I doubt I ever will. As a joke, though, I sometimes abbreviate it to “C-Wak,” just because it sounds a bit gangster in an obnoxious and outdated way. Lol.
The latest single is ‘Cider’, we love it. Is there a new album, and maybe a tour, on the way?
I have a lot of tracks and music videos ready to go, so right now, my focus is on releasing them as singles and building a strong “resume” as a musician. I don’t have plans to release an album just yet. My band is based in Japan, and we’re planning to start gigging with the new songs when I’m back in Tokyo toward the end of the year.
You are a multi-instrumentalist, a model and a visual artist. Where did all that talent come from?
I don’t think I was born with a lot of natural talent, especially compared to many of the other musicians and artists I know. But I’ve always felt super creative and imaginative, like it’s the ideas that are steering the boat. And I feel like if I’m not creating I might die. I just acquire the skills necessary to bring each new idea to life.
For instance, I had never even touched a bass guitar before, but when I decided to include bass in my tracks, I watched a few YouTube tutorials, figured out the notes by ear, practiced for hours with the track, recorded it as close as possible to what I imagined, and then fine-tuned it in the editing process to match the sound I initially heard in my head.
Honestly, I believe that having ideas and drive is more important than talent and skill.
Our records and CDs are in alphabetical order. The question is would we file you under C or K? F
Find me under “C” :p
Which artist/band would you most like to share a stage with?
Maybe Damon Albarn? I also love Baxter Dury. I think our voices would compliment each other!
DeClunk recommends for you the following albums. Tongues by Tanya Tagaq, Braindrops by Tropical Fuck Storm and PF1 by Pill Fangs. Your turn.
IRM – Charlotte Gainsbourg
Viva! La Woman – Cibo Matto
Roomic Cube – Takako Minekawa
There have been some notorious riders demanded by rock n rollers. For example, Marylin Manson requested gummy bears and a bald headed, toothless hooker. Van Halen demanded M & Ms with all the brown ones taken out. What would be on yours if money was no object?
Although I’m actually quite low maintenance by comparison, I do think I would benefit from having my Seitai/physiotherapist work on me before my shows. And honestly, I’d love to have immediate access to an aromatic hot tub filled with carbonated water after my performances. Trust me, it’s amazing.
Do you have any hidden talents away from music? Maybe you’re talented at origami, or lion taming, or brilliant at making balloon dogs, for example.
I’m actually quite interested in business law and contracts. It might stem from the way I f***ed up in my early days by signing up for the wrong things in the industry, but that experience has made me really thorough and passionate about these things. I think my friends see me as a bit of a law guru—they often come to me for advice and ask me to sign off on important emails before they send them out.
My friend and I go fishing overnight a couple of times a year. It involves copious amounts of beer. A two-man disco breaks out around 11pm. This involves two blokes, in wellies, throwing shapes in the dark. You might consider us for your next video! What music would be on your playlist for a drunken bankside disco?
My “dancing bankside” playlist would definitely include the Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, and maybe a dash of The Prodigy. Then we could all toss our iPhones into the lake and pretend it’s 1999 again.
Thanks so much for taking the time with DeClunk. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Now you can listen and watch Charlotte Gainsbourg’s ‘Heaven Can Wait’ from the album IRM as recommended by Lee. Followed below by Lee aka Cream With A K and the latest release ‘Cider’
DeClunk 