Welcome to the rich artistic world that’s grown around SP-404 slip overlays and beyond. The SP-404 has a colorful history, helping spawn the fertile musical universes of lo-fi and instrumental hip-hop. It’s also an outsized influence on visual artists. Utilizing the SP-404’s detachable face, they’ve taken overlays to new levels. Their designs reflect nature, video games, anime, pop culture, and more. Some outliers even create 404-inspired art as album covers and oil paintings. Get lost in these pieces of art and hear from the creators in their own words.
Zom Kashwak ARTIST ARTIST
Cats behind turntables, 404s sprouting flowers, a collision of urban and organic matter. This is to the universe of visionary illustrator Zom Kashwak. He uses the 404 and electronic instruments as springboards into surrealist landscapes of childlike whimsy. With artwork adorning countless album covers, Kashwak’s style is immediately recognizable and utterly lo-fi. The mysterious artist took some time to speak with us about inspiration, artistic process, and feline friends.
Lo-fi Visionary
You’ve helped shape the aesthetics of the modern lo-fi scene with your artwork. How did you get so involved with the community?
I used to have a music collective back in 2015 where I created album covers for the monthly compilations we made. While doing that, I decided to create an Instagram account where I could post my artwork. It’s mostly collage or anything I can think of, not adhering to any style as long as I’m comfortable and enjoy doing it. Before I knew it, I was making cover art for some friends and labels mostly in the lo-fi community. I love how my art looks when printed as cassette tape covers.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up and live in Marikina, Philippines, and dream of living in Japan one day.
The SP-404 as Influence
What do you think it is about the Roland SP-404 that makes it so ripe for artistic interpretation, both in artwork like your own and in users’ custom skins?
The Roland SP-404 for me is a symbol of the music community. An emblem that one can draw whether as a logo or part of a full illustration for any genre. It’s a must-have weapon when making beats, whether you’re starting out or have been creating music for some time. Creating and playing music with it is fun and there are certain sounds/effects that you can only achieve when using the SP-404.
The easy-to-remove faceplate of the SP-404 gives owners/artists a chance to decorate or dress it up like our own child which is what I also love about it.
On Inspiration
What keeps you inspired while working?
It changes from time to time, but I mostly inspire myself by listening to some music.
Who are a few of the visual artists who influences you in your development?
I get inspired by nature as well as urban or abandoned places, especially in Japan. Piyathip and Une Arthur Ortega are just a couple of artists I admire and get inspiration from these days. The details and composition of their art are very beautiful. It’s a dream for me to be able to create art through traditional means as compared to the digital way I’m used to.
Cat Power
Your designs often features cats. Is there anything special about feline energy?
Yes, I love cats because they are cute and funny. I have one named Jjajangmyeon because of her mostly black fur. Sometimes while drawing, I naturally add cats without thinking about the result of the artwork. Thankfully, they mostly turn out great.
Label Families
You have a long relationship with labels like Inner Ocean and Orikami. How did those connections develop?
I became friends with Inner Ocean first while we were working on the Bless Vol. 1 compilation with o-nei–ric tapes, who is also a friend of mine. After that, Cory of Inner Ocean asked me to create more artwork for their releases and merch.
As for Orikami, he saw my work on Instagram and asked me to make one for them. The rest is history. As I create pre-made art, Orikami will almost always be the first to claim them. You’ll see a lot of my work there. Sam and I eventually became friends along with other members of the Orikami family.
Inner Ocean and Orikami are amazing labels composed of awesome, talented, and chill people. There was no plan. I was just making my art without thinking I should be designing for labels. They understand the artistic flow and allow me to express whatever I feel when making art. Both Inner Ocean and Orikami are a huge part of my career and I’m forever grateful to be a part of their family.
Music and Advice
You’re quite active on Bandcamp and Discogs. Do you play music yourself, and if so, what are you working on?
I have several music projects back in the days. Some are experimental and lo-fi. The last project I released is under the name Sohee and I am thinking of making some music again.
Do you have any advice you’d like to share with us?
Stay lo-fi.
"When it comes to custom 404s, it always seems very personal to the owner. Think of it as another creative expression." -Aroma Wav
ビクター ＭＫＩＩ DESIGNER DESIGNER
On Custom Culture and the SP-404
What do custom SP-404 skins mean to you as part of beat culture?
Basically how my SP-404SX looks right now is an accumulation of memories. Shows that I did with other artist friends, labels that I’ve worked with, etc. Every little sticker on there has a meaning or an event tied to it. Whenever I look at it, it’s a reminder of those times. Also, people know it’s mine whenever they see it, which is cool.
Why do you think the SP-404 resonates so much with artists?
The SP-404 is a special piece of gear, probably the centerpiece of how I make a beat nowadays. Whether standalone or as part of a workflow it adds a certain unique vibe. Not just sonically but how you approach making the beat itself. There is no right or wrong way to utilize the SP-404. That’s why I think it resonates so much whenever artists use it. It always ends up doing something special in any workflow and stays right there.
Cremacaffè DESIGNERS DESIGNERS
"SP-404 musical performances remind me of rap battles. You can't cheat." -Cremacaffè
On Custom Culture and the SP-404
What do custom SP-404 skins mean to you?
I see them as an additional way for the artists to express themselves. They’re also a way to connect even more with the instrument and make it unique at the same time. Sometimes you can predict what musical style to expect just by taking a look at an artist’s SP-404.
Give us four reasons the SP-404 is so legendary.
- Unique lo-fi sound thanks to excellent onboard effects and the resampling method.
- Coolness factor and its historical value within the hip-hop community.
- Portable and battery-powered.
- Four knobs to rule them all.
All photos by Cremacaffè Design
Still Do DESIGNER DESIGNER
On Custom Culture and the SP-404
What do custom SP-404 skins mean to you as part of beat culture?
Being able to have a custom skin for the SP-404 is a fun element of style that comes with beat culture. Style is king, and having a cool skin on your SP can take it to the next level. It says something about what you’re bringing to the table. I aimed to make a few skins that fit on their own or worked as a base for stickers. It was a lot of fun and I plan to make more in the future. I also like what Osschot ULTRA, BROCKBEATS, and Pavelxpowers are doing.
Why do you think the SP-404 resonates so much with artists?
There’s a special community around the SP-404 and that plays a huge part in why the gear itself resonates with other artists. I think it has to do with the different ways you can use the SP-404. You can chain it with other gear, play two together, or just use one and have a killer time. The effects and compression make the process of resampling fun. Plus, the workflow encourages you to try stuff and see if it sounds interesting.
James Kirkpatrick ARTIST ARTIST
Modified and Altered Instruments on Painted Background (2021)
On Custom Culture and the SP-404
What do custom SP-404 skins mean to you as part of beat culture?
The 404 can be a part of your studio but also something you take to the park or travel with and let your surroundings influence what you make with it. You put your feelings and creativity into it. It makes sense for people to decorate them as personally as the unique beats are they are making within the 404. As a visual artist and musician, I’m drawn to customize and alter all of my instruments in both functional and aesthetic ways.
Why do you think the SP-404 resonates so much with artists?
First, is the versatility of being able to use the pattern sequencer or choosing to stitch together loops with the resample method. This, combined with the awesome FX of the 404 allow for a lot of different ways a set of noises can evolve into a song. There is a unique physicality to how the 404 makes you move sounds to collage them together. Through this, there’s space for a lot of experimentation and unexpected results to happen.
“My 404 feels so personal to me, I couldn’t imagine trying to make music on
anything else.”
-Dylan Stamas (YoCiscoKidd)
Pavelxpowers DESIGNER DESIGNER
"You have a new device every day. If you're sad you can make your SP-404 gray, serious make it black or white, happy make it yellow or red." -Pavelxpowers
All photos by @pavelxpowers
"Custom SP-404 skins are a great chance to make your device more individual and show people what you love."
-Nicola Dudich (Crazy Oil Arts)
