Artists Over the internet: A Conversation with Artists Z1ro and chao kana

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." - Aristotle

Hi, it’s Carlito from CFLTV.

The quote I referenced is inspired by Aristotle, but it’s not a direct one—it captures the essence of ideas he presents in Poetics. We all walk around with a Why in our hearts. It guides us like a light of grace, giving our lives direction and pushing us forward toward realizing our dreams. I believe art is the answer to the question of Why.

Why? Because.

Today, I’m simply the facilitator of this post. Recently, I was approached by the homie Z1ro, another Central Florida artist, about doing an interview with an overseas musician he really admires.

A bit about Z1ro—although we haven’t been friends and collaborators for long, I really identify with his creative process. He’s someone who explores himself through art, not seeking attention but searching for self-understanding. He learns from the process of creating, and we often have deep conversations about the why’s and the what’s. He loves this art shit like I do, so I fuck with him .

I agreed to his request, and what Z1ro shared with me afterward was food for the soul. He sent me the song “Thunder” by chao kana, an artist based in China.

When I clicked the YouTube link, I was met with 4 minutes and 45 seconds of space, atmosphere, grain, warmth, and beautiful dissonance. After just one listen, I wanted to know more.

One of the best parts of living in this digital age is the element of discovery—finding things outside your normal scope of life that open you to new experiences. These moments genuinely excite me. Discovery on the internet, though, is often juxtaposed with mystery. Z1ro cast a net into a wide ocean, and the “fish” he reeled in felt like a new species.

chao kana’s digital footprint is faint, almost like shallow imprints in fresh snow. Their presence is limited to a handful of YouTube videos and an Instagram account with seven posts and no links. It left me wondering, Who is this Nigga? So Z1ro took the quest, driven by his desire to explore sound and that which brings an artist to create, and this is what he learned. 

An Interview with chao kana conducted by Z1ro

⁃ Who is Chao Kana? ( Can you give us a rough translation of your name and a summary of your background if important to the context of your character. )

【The name is something I came up with a long time ago, and it doesn’t hold any special meaning. It can simply be seen as an alias.】

⁃ Where are you from ( How has that influenced your music? )

【I am from China.】

⁃ I notice your identity is relatively obscure online, Is there any significance between how you portray yourself online and the music create? ( Are you purposefully mysterious because it adds to the essence of the music, or is it a personal preference? )

【Actually, there are many artists online who have been continuously creating music. I’m just doing something similar to them. There’s nothing particularly special about it.】

⁃ In 2023 you were creating Lo-fi, then seemingly out of nowhere, you completely changed the direction of your music and delved deeper into ambience. What changed for you, and do you still experiment with different genre’s that you haven’t released under Chao Kana?

【2023 was indeed a very special year for me.  I started creating Lo-fi music that year in a unique state of mind, and Lo-fi has always been a genre I wanted to try.  As for my other works, I’ve never consciously pursued a specific genre of music.  The main reason is that I don’t want to limit myself but rather push my own boundaries and explore more possibilities.  Perhaps when it comes to music, I don’t have a specific style of my own.】

⁃ Do you have any dreams or aspirations surrounding your music, or do you expect anything from your music?

【At the moment, I don’t have any specific expectations or plans for my music.】

⁃ What were your main inspirations for Chao Kana, what kind of music do you listen to regularly? Do you have any favorite artists?

【I often listen to jazz and film music, as they provide me with endless inspiration and ideas. My favorite is a guitarist and educator named Ted Greene.】

⁃ My personal favorite from you was Thunder, did that song represent anything for you? Where were you emotionally & mentally when you created that?

【For this track, I used just one electric guitar and experimented with a special tuning technique for the first time. I closed my eyes, focused on the sound, and let myself enter a certain state with the guitar. When you focus solely on sound, you become more sensitive to it. Gradually, a picture appeared in my mind, and the word 'Thunder' came to me. That’s when the recording flowed smoothly, and I completed it. My creative process is something that comes from within, without any deliberate effort. Music created in a relaxed state is something listeners can truly feel. This is something I strongly believe, and it’s the approach I’ve always taken in my music.】

⁃ What does this project ( Chao Kana )mean to you?

【As mentioned in the earlier question, the name "Chao Kana" doesn’t have any special meaning.  If I had to attribute a meaning, it would be that I want to break through my own limits.  The word "Chao" in Chinese carries meanings like "surpass" or "extraordinary."  In fact, humanity has always been striving towards breakthroughs in some form, and for me, I choose to do this through sound.】

⁃ Is there anything new we can expect from you in 2025?

【In terms of music, I don’t have any specific plans because that would make me feel uncomfortable.  I prefer to follow my inner feelings and state of mind.  Whenever I have a new idea or concept, I start creating right away.  Of course, once I’ve completed something, I always share it on this channel.】

⁃ Are there any parting words you’d like to leave us with?

【I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to share a little about myself. Everyone has their own music and emotions to express. By following your heart, you’ll surely discover many beautiful things.】

an image of a cat from chao kana’s instagram

Special thanks to Z1ro and chao kana 

This was Carlito from CFLTV signing off,

Cheers