Former Spotify Executive Launches Music Startup A Vinyl Bar in Shibuya

Zonoozy, who departed Spotify in 2024, founded the company to bridge the gap between digital culture—defined by gaming and creative filters—and musical expression. Backed by investors including Mantis VC, SV Angel, and former Spotify executive Dawn Ostroff, the startup functions by releasing tools as a series of "singles" rather than a monolithic platform. Current offerings range from Speed Surfer, a browser extension for real-time audio manipulation, to Stacks, a grid-based stem player.

The company's flagship iOS application, bop, allows users to arrange instruments and effects to produce custom mixes tailored for social media sharing. While the startup recently integrated prompt-based AI features, Zonoozy remains cautious about over-relying on automated song generation. He argues that as AI makes content more abundant, human taste and active participation in the creative process will become increasingly valuable. Looking ahead, the team plans to launch a comprehensive musical sandbox mixer later this year, designed to empower users to construct their own instruments and sonic environments.