Digital skin. Human pulse.
WHSPRS is soft where it hurts, and loud where it matters.
Blending shimmering digital textures with alt-rock intensity, the queer-coded power-pop project captures the aches of distance and connection in an online age. Somewhere between Placebo’s emotional rawness and Muse’s theatrical pulse, Liverpudlian-Austrian frontman Lukas Zeiler and his virtual fox alter-ego "WHSPRS" collapse the boundary between flesh and pixel - turning digital spectacle into something deeply human.
The fox
The project's origins are rooted in a virtual fox persona: "WHSPRS" is celebrated as a pop icon in virtual reality and forms a central part of the project's visual identity. The mascot symbolizes artistic freedom, self-expression, tolerance, and community-driven pop culture.
The boy
Frontman Lukas Zeiler was born in Baden (Lower Austria) and spent part of his childhood in Canada (Toronto). He was musically influenced by his father, who was born and raised in Liverpool.
“Austria's first popstar in the metaverse” - Hitradio OE3
“As a result of his presence in virtual reality, WHSPRS has already performed in real life in the USA, Great Britain, Sweden, in Switzerland and more...in front of fans who eagerly await his live performances.” - ORF TOPOS
In 2025, WHSPRS performed shows in Vienna (Chelsea Musicplace), Hamburg (CCH Hamburg), San Antonio (Texas Furry Fiesta) and Kielce (Futrołajki, Poland) as well as on main stage at Frequency Festival in Austria next to artists like Post Malone, Aurora and Will Smith. The fox also played in the final of Coca Cola's "Soundcheck" contest (hosted by Eurovision star Cesár Sampson). In contrast, the artist also performed virtually at the biggest VR music festival in the world in front of thousands of live viewers in virtual reality and on Twitch.
“He is something like a virtual star...he makes music and gives interviews as a fox avatar.” - Lower Austrian News