Anamanaguchi is overwhelmed with an excessive number of open browser tabs.

Anamanaguchi, the chiptune band featuring Peter Berkman, James DeVito, Luke Silas, and Ary Warnaar, has made a name for themselves with their energetic sound. You might recognize their tracks from game soundtracks like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game or their collaboration with Hatsune Miku, which even made an appearance in Fortnite. Over the years, they’ve evolved from high-speed chiptune beats to catchy pop tunes, but their 2025 album Anyway marked a shift towards indie rock, crafted at the American Football house and infused with fuzzy guitar riffs.

This band is deeply embedded in the gaming community and the quirky corners of the internet—just check out Peter and Luke’s guest spot on a podcast discussing Etsy witches. Their latest single, “Yeah I Guess,” continues the vibe of Anyway, and if it hints at a new album on the horizon, I can already see myself playing it on repeat like I did with “Magnet,” “Fall Away,” and “Valley of Silence.” (Seriously, I’ve had Anyway on loop for hours at a time.)

All four members of Anamanaguchi took the time to answer our weekly questionnaire, and they provided some great insights.

What is your most indispensable tool?
Luke Silas: My go-to tool is Ableton Live Operator. It’s straightforward yet powerful, allowing me to quickly lay down ideas. The sounds I create with it often make it into the final tracks!

Which is the most underappreciated?
Ary Warnaar: The built-in laptop and cellphone mics might not be overlooked, but they’re definitely underappreciated. They’re perfect for quickly capturing ideas, and I often find the quality so good that I skip re-recording what I thought would be “scratch” vocals.
Peter Berkman: Right now, it’s the LOGITECH MX MASTER 3S. It’s the best mouse I’ve ever used, featuring a sideways scroll and a button to switch between notched and smooth scrolling. The click is satisfying yet quiet, and it’s super responsive on any surface. Plus, it charges via USB-C, so it looks sleek even after heavy use. When I have to use a trackpad, I feel like I’ve lost a lot of precision. The mouse is a game-changer, and I’ve seen friends using it too!

James DeVito: Recently, I’ve been using an app called “Amphetamine” that prevents my computer from sleeping for a set time. It’s a lifesaver for long exports or renders, allowing me to pack up my laptop and move around without interruption—just need to watch out for overheating!

LS: I’m a huge fan of metronomes! They’re essential for developing a strong sense of timing, and getting comfortable with one allows for more creative freedom with rhythm. I wish more people appreciated them like I do!

What is the first app you install on a new phone or computer?
LS: Probably Discord? Let’s go with that.

What is one thing you wish you could change about your phone?
AW: I’d love to have a standard 1/8-inch headphone jack again. Ever since Apple removed it, I’ve been constantly replacing dongles that either break or get lost. It’s frustrating and wasteful.
JD: A wise friend once showed me how to increase the key-repeat speed on my computer beyond the usual limits. It feels wild at first, but your coordination catches up, and you can type and delete things much faster.
LS: I’d like to add a USB port to my iPhone SE so I can type with a keyboard. Typing on my phone is a struggle!

What sites do you have pinned to your tab bar?
LS: I’ve never done that before! I probably should!
PB: There’s a new radio aggregator called vvorldwide.com. It’s fantastic—like having a radio dial that pulls feeds from various stations worldwide. It’s one of those ideas that makes you wonder why it didn’t exist sooner. It’s lightweight, beautiful, and a refreshing change from the big companies that often miss the mark.
JD: Gmail 🙁

How many tabs do you have open right now?
PB: I’ve turned tab grouping in Firefox into an art form. I don’t see tabs anymore; they’re just folders of memories I can recall like a PSX save file.
LS: I have 46 tabs across two windows. Way too many! Most are meant to be shared or read later, and while I try to clean them out weekly, some have been open for months. I can’t be the only one!
JD: I enjoy when Chrome on my phone stops showing the number of open tabs and just displays a smiley face 🙂

Which social media platform do you use the most?
LS: I find that staying away from social media is better for my mental health, but I still scroll through Twitter to keep up with games and news. Instagram has been more stressful for me lately. I love YouTube, especially long-form content, but I also enjoy watching gameplay or restoration videos on a second monitor.

What is your happy place online?
AW: Facebook Marketplace. I love low-balling sellers who think they know the value of their items. No one ever accepts my offers, but I like to think I’m keeping prices in check for future buyers.
PB: I’ve recently gotten into clothes shopping online, exploring sites like Grailed or Depop. It’s similar to how I approach musical gear on Reverb—selling and buying is fun, and it feels like a barter system.
LS: Video game speedruns! Twitch streams like GDQ or RPG Limit Break are comforting and filled with a great community of fun personalities.

What is your favorite gadget you’ve ever owned?
JD: 3D printers. They’ve become so reliable and easy to use. I can design a bracket for stage production and have it ready in an hour—it’s incredible!
LS: I’d say my Game Boy counts. I haven’t used it for sound design as much lately, but I recently bought new flash cartridges and can’t wait to dive back into it. It’s a perfect little workstation.

Which was the most disappointing?
LS: I’ve bought a few effects plugins that promised distinct sounds but didn’t deliver what I needed. I’ve had better luck stacking and tweaking stock effects than relying on single-use plugins.
PB: I won’t name names, but there are definitely some disappointing products out there.

What game do you have the fondest memories of?
PB: Return of the Obra Dinn was a blast. I love games that feel like detective work; they create a sense of excitement that sticks with me. I can vividly recall my first experiences with Resident Evil and the first three Phoenix Wright games. It’s not just nostalgia; I played Parasite Eve II for the first time two years ago and fell in love instantly.
LS: My all-time favorite game is Chrono Trigger. The world is one I wish I could experience in real life, and every location has a special atmosphere. I’ve been trying to emulate Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu in my writing for the last 30 years. It’s the first game I think of when I want to revisit something familiar!

Which tech trend do you wish would go away?
AW: I’m not a fan of forced two-step authentication or overly complex passwords. If I want my password to be just “a,” that’s my choice. I’m comfortable with that level of vulnerability.
LS: The use of AI in music creation! It’s frustrating to see people relying on AI instead of writing their own music. Learning a skill is far more rewarding!

What is one thing you wish you had created?
LS: “Show Me Love” by Robin S. is a perfect song. Every time I hear it, I think, “I wish that could have been mine.” The combination of the M1 organ, that 909 groove, and Robin S.’s vocals is like a perfect meal where the right ingredients come together beautifully.
JD: The Black Eyed Peas performed at the 2020 VMAs with light-up crotches synced to the show. Why didn’t they call me for that?

What creation are you most proud of?
PB: Listening back to our album Anyway always surprises me. I love it, and I think it’s something that people who didn’t get it will eventually appreciate. It’s a sleeper classic for me!
LS: I’m proud of the song “Really Like To” from Anyway. It captures a lot of what I aim for in our music—loud, fast, fun drum parts, and an ambient section at the end. It’s a great representation of where we are right now.
JD: I feel the same about Anyway—the entire process was so collaborative, and I have many great memories from writing and recording it.

Which are you least proud of?
LS: In 2023, I tried to bake cookies and ended up with the worst batch I’ve ever made. They looked great but tasted like nothing and had a texture like damp sand. The only other person who tasted them was my neighbor, just so I could have a witness to my culinary disaster. I still can’t believe how badly I messed that up!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
AW: When I was a kid, I met Steve Lukather from Toto, and I told him I wanted to be a guitarist. He said if I wanted to get the girls, I needed to either lift weights or master guitar solos. I’ve done neither and have been skeptical of advice ever since.
PB: My dad told me to “never give up” while I was playing Zelda as a kid. It sparked my love for puzzles, and he continues to give me valuable advice at important moments in my life.
LS: Progress, not perfection.

What is your current obsession?
PB: I’m into investigating criminal networks from the 1990s! It’s more of a hobby than an obsession.
LS: I’ve been diving deep into Deltarune theory videos. While I don’t buy into most speculation, I love the game and appreciate the insights into its design and narrative that I hadn’t noticed before.

What do you do when you need to focus?
AW: I don’t force focus; I let it come naturally with inspiration. If I’m struggling to focus, I probably shouldn’t be doing that task.
LS: I wait until around 8 PM, charge my phone on the other side of my studio, grab a large cup of black coffee, and put on a long playthrough of a familiar game (the last one was Grandia II) while keeping my door shut.

What do you do when you’re feeling stuck?
LS: I take a walk down the Venice boardwalk, grab a two-dollar salad from Chairman Mao’s, and enjoy the scenery while listening to music and watching skaters at the bowl.
PB: It’s crucial to take a break. I’ll head to a Smash tournament in Dallas, where the competitive scene is lively and full of great people. It always refreshes me.

When was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?
PB: My phone is dead half the time, so it could happen anytime!
LS: I honestly don’t remember, and that bums me out! I don’t like that!

What’s the last piece of physical media you bought?
LS: About a month ago, I picked up a used copy of Only Theatre of Pain by Christian Death at Headline Records, a great shop I’ve been visiting since childhood!
JD: I recently bought a record from a band called “Schlong” at Permanent Records in LA. I love discovering music that isn’t available on streaming. It’s easy to get complacent with online options, but there’s so much out there in the real world!

What do you think is worth splurging on?
LS: For me, it’s special meals—unique experiences in different countries or something I don’t treat myself to often. Food is always worth it!
AW: I believe in splurging on travel and adventure. It should be seen as essential, not a luxury. I want to hear about my friends’ cool experiences, not just what new shoes they bought.
PB: I completely agree with Ary. The value of travel is immeasurable.

What would the tagline for your biopic be?
AW: “If you can’t handle him at his fastest, you don’t deserve him at his furiousest.”
JD: “Better to waste than to have not.”
PB: “You know he had to do it to em.”
LS: “Life is Hectic.”

What’s the last GIF or meme you used?
PB: I’m not really into GIFs. They feel a bit off to me. But here’s a picture I like.