Artist Interview : Sdoku
Meet sdoku, the 16-year-old, Italy based, independent artist who writes, records, produces, and designs all his own music and visuals. With his debut album, infinite moments, and his latest single, "gambling", making waves on a global scale, he's quickly becoming known for music that blends genres and speaks to a generation navigating love, anxiety, and dreams. Here’s what he had to say about his creative process, his inspirations, and what the future holds.
Tori: You describe your sound as "influenced pop." Could you elaborate on what that means to you and how your diverse influences, from The Beatles to The 1975, come together in your music?
sdoku: "Influenced pop" means I let my music be shaped by everything I love, without worrying too much about fitting into one genre. I grew up listening to a lot of music, so my songs can have the warmth of retro pop but also the energy and textures of today's sounds. It's about creating something that feels familiar yet completely my own.
Tori: You're a 16-year-old artist who writes, records, produces, and designs his own music and visuals entirely on his own. What is that creative process like for you?
sdoku: It's intense but also very rewarding. I like having full control because it means every detail comes from the same vision. It can be overwhelming at times, but it's the most real way I know to make music.
Tori: Your debut album, Infinite Moments, is a concept album that stands out for being built on a clear emotional duality. Can you tell us more about the dualities you explore and how they are reflected in the music?
sdoku: The duality is about light and dark, connection and isolation, joy and melancholy. Some tracks feel like dancing under the sunlight, others feel like walking alone at night. Life is both, and I wanted the album to live in that in-between space.
Tori: The album features tracks like "we only know" (indie rock) and "i'll fly away" (synthpop). How do you approach blending different genres like indie rock, synthpop, funk, and modern pop while maintaining a cohesive sound?
sdoku: I don't really think in terms of genres at all – I just chase whatever sound can help me tell the story I want to tell in the best way possible. That freedom keeps my music cohesive and it breathes life into it.
Tori: Your latest single, "gambling", is an indie pop anthem that explores how complex the modern world is. What inspired you to write about that particular theme?
sdoku: I wanted to capture through a song that mix of excitement and risk you feel when a friendship starts turning into something more. It's about how love can feel like placing a bet – you're not sure if you'll win, but you take the chance anyway. I think this metaphor fully represents 21st-century love.
Tori: You're getting known for creating music that speaks to a generation torn between love, anxiety, and dreams. Do you feel a responsibility to address these themes in your music?
sdoku: I don't think of it as a responsibility – it's more of a need. These themes are part of my own life, and writing about them helps me process them. If it resonates with others, that's the best possible outcome.
Tori: How important is it to you to balance a song's emotional depth with its sonic energy?
sdoku: Very important. I think emotions can feel less heavy – and at the same time more impactful – when they're wrapped in music. I love when a song makes you move but also makes you feel something unexpected.
Tori: You've gained a significant following on TikTok and Instagram and consistently post content. How do you use social media to connect with your audience and build your brand?
sdoku: Social media are definitely a huge help in getting my music and my brand out there, and I'm grateful for the way they connect artists and listeners across the world. At the same time, from a creator's perspective, they've also made it easy to get caught up in numbers, comparisons, and the need for constant validation. It's hard, but I try to use them only as a tool, not a measure of worth.
Tori: Your music has received airplay on radio stations in the UK and Austria, and you've accumulated over 50,000 streams. What has it been like to see your music reach listeners around the world?
sdoku: Surreal, honestly. Making music in my bedroom and then hearing that someone in another country is connecting with it is a feeling I don't think I'll ever get used to.
Tori: As a fully independent artist, what are some of the biggest challenges and rewards you've experienced in taking on all the creative and business aspects of your career?
sdoku: The challenge is having to manage so many different roles: you're the artist, the manager, the designer, the marketer. The reward is freedom: I can always follow my vision completely.
Tori: Why is it important for you to combine lyrical honesty with a danceable sound?
sdoku: Because that's how life feels to me – it's never just one emotion at a time. You can be happy and sad, hopeful and scared, all at once. I want my music to reflect that complexity.
Tori: Your key strengths include conceptual depth and emotional storytelling. What story are you most excited to tell next through your music?
sdoku: I'm working on songs that explore the themes of mental health and how we can hold on to hope even in uncertainty. It's a continuation of the world I started with infinite moments, but with a different perspective.
Tori: Your music has a global reach, particularly in the USA, UK, and Canada, but you're based in Southern Italy. How do you think your location influences your music and your artistic identity?
sdoku: The atmosphere of where I live shapes my music a lot. I love letting the world around me seep into what I create – the light, the sounds, the pace of life. I'm sure home also has a way of leaving its fingerprint on every note I write.
Tori: If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
sdoku: Paul McCartney or Michael Jackson, without hesitation. Their genius, creativity, and fearlessness shaped everything I do. But probably also Cody Fry or JVKE – I love how they blend cinematic depth and orchestral elements with pure pop.
Tori: What advice would you give to other teens who want to make music, but are maybe too scared to start?
sdoku: Start small, start messy, start as you are. Don't wait to be "ready" because you never will be. Just make something, and then make something else. You'll find your voice along the way.
Tori: When you aren't making music, what's your favorite way to unwind?
sdoku: I'm often studying other people's music – especially the greats. I love to break down arrangements, melodies, and lyrics just to understand why they work. But I also love long walks, late-night listening sessions, or just playing the piano without recording anything. All these things are very inspiring.
Tori: Your debut album was released in March 2025 and your latest single in June 2025. What can we expect from you for the rest of the year? Are you working on any new projects?
sdoku: More music for sure. I'm in the early stages of a new big project coming in 2026, but there might be a few surprises before then.
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