Through his fusion of genres and sounds, which seamlessly flows through hardstyle, trap, bass, dubstep, metal and beyond, KAYZO has crafted a style that is ultimately and inimitably his own. This past Friday, Ultra Music released the follow-up to “Forever,” his debut single for the label with “FAKE FAKE FAKE,” a collaboration with emerging Italian emo punk rock band XO Sad.
This is the first of many rock collaborations to come from KAZYO in the coming year, fueling his passion to bridge the gap of rock and electronic music. Here XO Sad exclusively lends their vocals to music that is built around KAYZO’s unique studio production. To know more about his song came together, KAYZO shares a short Q&A.
About the track: I’m really excited to share “FAKE FAKE FAKE” to everyone because to me its sort of where my first album Overloadleaves off. The song is a continuation of growth and exploration into what I’ve been trying to merge together with electronic music and rock/pop punk.
About XO SAD: I stumbled upon XO Sad on SoundCloud a while back. They had released a cover of “I Fall Apart” by Post Malone and I was instantly hooked. They brought back what I used to love with bands that did covers of rap/r&b but did it with a side of electronic production I could also relate to.
How did you meet XO Sad? It’s a funny story actually. Over a year and a half ago I played a music festival in Italy called Nameless Festival and unknowingly met there lead singer Becko backstage. Time goes by and I reach out to the band over the internet and we end of creating two records together, one being “FAKE FAKE FAKE.” Fast forward to this year where I end up playing Nameless Festival a second time. Right before I leave for Italy, Becko sends me a picture of us backstage a year prior and my mind is blown. I never knew the connection until almost a year later.
What was it like working with XO Sad? It was really seamless. With “FAKE FAKE FAKE” the guys sent me the acapella and such and I just ended up writing an entire song around it. For being in Italy and having to work over dropbox etc, it was a really easy fun time.
What does the song lyrically mean to you? The song to me puts on display where our youth are at now. We are persuaded in so many ways by social media and celebrities on what is socially acceptable to wear, say, like etc. It’s about the ego or voice in your head that can steer you adrift and end up making you someone you aren’t. Before you know it you’re as fake as the people who persuade you day to day to be someone you’re not.
Explain “FAKE FAKE FAKE” as part of the direction of KAYZO. This record like I stated above, is the ever continuing journey of mine to blur the lines between electronic and what I grew up listening to with rock and pop punk. Rock/pop punk shaped who I was through my angsty adolescents. I really want to have that side of me come together even closer to the electronic side of me. I want people to question what they are listening to. It’s not EDM with rock vocals. This is something much different with a deeper message.
Grab a copy of the single, here.
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