Experimental alt-pop vocalist Chi- and fellow “creatures” Whoopies No. 1 and No. 2 of CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE blend vibrant creativity in their latest album Whoop It Up “DELUXE Edition”. For the very first time, JROCK NEWS is excited to drill into Chi-‘s ballistic mind. The on-the-rise trio simply can’t be categorized!
2025 marked an incredible year for CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE, including an appearance at the The Great Escape festival in the UK for emerging artists and an ending theme tie-in with world-renown anime One Piece. Hot on the trails of the eccentric Whoop It Up, Chi- and the Whoopies reveal their artistic vision, creative process, and the unique stories behind each captivating track.
Join us as we explore the colorful world of CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE, a fresh force in the ever-evolving Japanese music scene!
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- Cover art for the “DELUXE Edition” of CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE’s second album “Whoop It Up”
Hello Chi-! Welcome to your first appearance on JROCK NEWS. To start, could you tell us how CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE (CLWP) first came together, and what meaning lies behind the group’s unique name?
It all started when Whoopies No.1 and No.2 came across some of my songs online and contacted me. They told me they really liked my voice. I thought the name of the American treat “chocolate lime whoopie pie” had such a cute ring to it, so I swapped out “chocolate” for “chameleon,” one of my favorite animals.
What is it about chameleons that fascinates you? Please tell us why you like them so much that you chose to include the word “’chameleon”’ in your group name.
I admire the way chameleons live. I’ve always had a hard time fitting into groups, so I found it inspiring how chameleons can quietly blend into their surroundings. That’s why I really like them.
How did you personally get started with music, and who were your early inspirations?
Ever since I was a child, I often wondered why I was even alive. That feeling grew stronger when I turned 19, and I decided that if this were the end, I wanted to spend my time doing something I truly loved. That’s when I turned to music. I was especially inspired by artists like James Brown and Michael Jackson. Their music was always playing at home or in the car during drives, so it naturally became a part of me.
As you mentioned earlier, the group got its start when Whoopies No. 1 and No. 2 discovered you. What kind of music were you making before meeting them? And what made you decide to work as a trio from that point on?
I started writing songs as soon as I picked up an acoustic guitar. The music I was making back then was simple and quite dark, built around just five chords. When Whoopies first heard one of my songs, they said it reminded them of Beck’s Loser. Honestly, it didn’t sound like that at all, but I was thrilled to hear it.
I’m extremely shy. I had never met anyone more shy than me—until I met Whoopies No. 1 and No. 2. They were even more reserved than me. At first, we could barely hold a conversation. It actually took us about six months to really connect. But in a way, that awkwardness felt interesting—and kind of perfect.
Although CLWP is presented as your solo project, the two Whoopies play an essential role not only in your performances but also in the creative process—visually, musically, and conceptually. Why do you choose to define it as a solo project rather than as a group of three?
Originally, the Whoopies were only involved in songwriting and didn’t appear in shows or anything like that, so CLWP started as my own solo project. Over time, they began appearing in live performances and music videos, almost naturally. But I’ve always kept it as a solo project even since then.
These days, you can only catch the Whoopies in live shows or music videos. They’re like rare characters.
Chi-, your colorful visuals and the Whoopies’ cyber-rabbit-like look are incredibly unique—like a fusion of Harajuku fashion and contemporary art. How does the trio’s on-stage fashion relate to CLWP’s music, and is there anything particularly at the top of mind when it comes to your outfits? Also, we’re genuinely curious: Can the Whoopies actually see well during performances? [laughs]
I enjoy going a little over the top with fashion, and I love mixing different styles together. I’m also really into vintage clothing.
As for the Whoopies, their vision is totally fine. Those aren’t masks they’re wearing. They’re creatures that just look like that.
It’s been a few months since the release of your new album Whoop It Up. Has your impression of the album changed at all, now that some time has passed?
I’ve been listening to it a lot while traveling, and the more I hear it, the cooler I think it is. I can’t help but proudly imagine how much more it needs to be heard.
If you had to describe this album using three hashtags—excluding the album title, your group name, and #Japanesepop—what would they be?
#Dance #90’s #Gochamaze (“jumbled”)
Your lyrics—not just on this album—often feel like intricate puzzle that allow the listeners to take on their own interpretations. For instance, take the line in Can’t Hold Back: “Leaving my every breath behind to this simple beat, go”. It reads like a quiet but powerful idea on how to carry oneself in an oppressive society, almost as if you’re observing life from just outside the microcosm. When writing lyrics like this, do you spend a lot of time shaping the meaning, or do the words emerge more instinctively as you connect with the track?
It doesn’t take me much time. I think it’s because I spend a lot of time overthinking things that don’t really matter. When I write lyrics, I focus on fitting the words naturally onto the track so that the groove comes through.
I heard that So-so Life is a particularly important track to you, as it best represents the current dynamic of the three in CLWP. Could you tell us specifically what aspects of life it reflects? Is there a particular lyric or story behind it that you’d like to share?
It’s the line, “Even if I time slip, not something I’d fix, not eaten anything, even a carrot”. I feel nostalgic for the 90s. But even if I slipped back in time, I’d probably still live with some dissatisfaction. It means that nothing really changes, no matter the era, so ultimately it’s up to you. The lyrics can be interpreted as both negative and positive.
Your album features five collaborative tracks with artists from across the globe—including MadeInTYO and Coolboi from USA, Rony Rex from Finland, and PES and TAKE-M from Japan. This feels like both a major highlight and a bold creative challenge. Was there one collaboration that particularly stood out to you, whether because it was especially memorable or difficult? Please share the reasons behind your choice.
I see it as playing in the collaborator’s world, so I don’t really find it difficult. I also enjoy the creative process every time. Even when I struggle along the way, I find it interesting and fun.
Compared to your previous release Orange, how do you feel about the evolution of your sound and lyrics? Musically, the punk energy of tracks like Love You !!!!!, Crush Style, and Whoopie is a Punkrocker seems less prominent this time, with more elements of hip-hop and even UK rock coming through. Did this shift reflect an avoidance of repeating the same style—perhaps, a statement about your ever-changing identity, like a chameleon?
The tracks were created organically based on my mood at the time, so they just happened to have those vibes. As for the lyrics, what I’ve been saying from the start hasn’t changed. My brain is still the same as when I got into making music, as if it were the last thing I did in my life. It’s turned into a cycle that turns negativity into positivity.
Donkey Song stands out with its playful arrangement—including gorilla-like vocalizations—and the lyrics are equally distinctive. Who is Mr. Donkey Kong in this song? Is he portrayed as a hopeful hero, an iconic symbol, or perhaps even a parody of one? And was there any specific character, a real person, or an imagining that inspired him? We’d love to hear the story behind it.
Donkey Kong feels more like a wild gorilla than a traditional hero. He breaks down my rigid ways of thinking. It’s not about whether that’s a good or bad thing, but more a reflection of my desire to break free from stubborn ideas. I feel that it’s scary to be either trapped by something as well as being easily swayed by information.
What emotions or ideas do you hope listeners take away from Whoop It Up?
Both the negatives and the positives are up to you. My approach to life is to embrace everything. Find the fun in it all and dance through it.
How do you deal with creative blocks when they arise? And when the three of you have different opinions or visions during the creative process, how do you work through those disagreements?
I don’t usually hit creative blocks. Since the three of us are always in the studio together, our ideas naturally fall into place. But if I ever do get stuck, I bring an imaginary wild gorilla into my head and let it smash everything to pieces.
You performed in the UK last year in The Great Escape—how was the experience? I heard your set hosted by CLASH Magazine was completely packed and received an incredible response. From what we saw on CLWP’s Instagram, it looked like the energy from the crowd sparked even more intensity in your performance. Did things feel like you tapped into a new side of yourself on stage that day?
It made me really happy to see people dancing to the electronic tracks in the UK. I guess I was kind of dancing from the inside this time too. Maybe those parts connected.
Chi- and Whoopies No. 1 and No. 2 in a packed hall at The Great Escape Festival in the UK
You’ve performed in countries like the US, Australia, Singapore, and most recently the UK. While your time in each place may have been short, have you noticed any differences in the music scenes, cultures, or audiences that left an impression on you? How have these experiences influenced CLWP as a group or you personally as an artist?
Each country has its own little differences. But one thing that’s always the same is how much people dance with us, and that always makes me happy. I’ve realized that I really love performing live no matter where I am or what’s going on. Every time I get to perform, I really feel the power of music.
Were there any surprising or unforgettable moments during your time in the UK?
There was this cool guy playing on the street with so much style. It really caught my attention. I was surprised by the cultural and environmental differences between Japan and the UK.
Vocalist Chi- exploring the streets of UK
Now that Whoop It Up has been out for a while and you’ve completed your first UK tour, what are your aspirations moving forward? Feel free to tell us about artists you’d love to collaborate with or places you’d like to perform.
I want to perform live everywhere and dance with everyone! I hope CLWP’s music catches on worldwide. Honestly, I just want to go anywhere and everywhere!
Do you have a message for international fans who are just discovering CLWP?
Hi there! Thanks so much for discovering CLWP! I just have one thing to say: I WANNA DANCE WITH YOU!
- SO-SO LIFESo-so Life
- GROWINGGrowing
- READY YEAH FEAT.TAKEM / CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIEReady Yeah feat.テークエム / カメレオン・ライム・ウーピーパイ
- CRANKYCranky
- DONKEY SONGDonkey Song
- SLEEPY MONKEYSleepy Monkey
- FLOWERFlower
- SECRET MARCHSecret March
- REACH FEAT.PES / CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIEREACH feat.PES / カメレオン・ライム・ウーピーパイ
- I KNOW FEAT.MADEINTYO / CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIEI Know feat.MadeinTYO / カメレオン・ライム・ウーピーパイ
- CAN'T HOLD BACKCan’t Hold Back
- COOKIE JUNKIECookie Junkie
- TIN TOYTin Toy
- REACH FEAT.PES / CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIEREACH feat.PES (End Credits Edit) / カメレオン・ライム・ウーピーパイ
- ORANGE MARCHオレンジマーチ
- TAMAPOPTAMAPOP
- CHAIRChair
- THIS IS LOVEThis is Love
- 7DAYS7days
- GROOVING NIGHTGrooving Night
- PUNKSPUNKS
- GIVE INGive in