Photograph Credit score: Gilbert Trejo
This text beforehand appeared on Audiomack World.
EKKSTACY calls into our interview from Germany throughout some downtime on tour. He prefers the crowds abroad—they transfer extra to his music. The pop anti-hero launched his debut album detrimental in November 2021, however after that drop, a heavy author’s block set in. Stacy was anxious he’d run out of concepts and artistic issues to say. “The making shit was enjoyable, however the enjoying shit was horrible,” he tells Audiomack World. “That’s why my life sucked for some time, however now the making is enjoyable and the enjoying is extra enjoyable.”
In interviews following detrimental, EKKSTACY remembers being down on himself, speaking about quitting music. However a change of surroundings, flying out his producer, and shopping for two guitar pedals—and a wholesome dose of screaming about eager to die—helped Stacy land on the sound for his new album distress, out tomorrow. Impressed by ‘80s goth icons, EKKSTACY cites distress standout “christian demise” as the important thing to unlocking the brand new, extra aggressive tone for this album.
“My producer was in Canada with me, and we had been within the storage making songs,” Stacy remembers. “I wished one thing heavy, quick, and goth. We made the beat, and that alone blew my thoughts. We’ve by no means accomplished something like that. However then, shit, I needed to write to it! I didn’t know what to say. I simply began screaming shit. I recorded, with out interested by it. I screamed the hook thrice, listened again, and was like, ‘Holy shit!’ That was the primary music in that fashion. I did ‘christian demise,’ then ‘i’m so blissful,’ and a music not on the album, referred to as ‘hourglass.’”
“christian demise” is Stacy’s favourite music he’s ever recorded, and it’s straightforward to see why. The stacked vocals and the visceral wailing reduce deep. There’s such a rush to Stacy screaming, “I simply wanna die, I simply wanna kill myself” time and again. The ache of his previous—psychosis and a suicide try at 17—sounds prefer it may dismember him, however at the same time as he sings, “I hope there’s a pistol in my mouth” you may hear a newfound freedom that eases the stress. distress is EKKSTACY’s finest album, and as we speak about making music from the intestine he declares: “All the pieces’s fairly good over right here, you already know?”
Photograph Credit score: Gilbert Trejo
Is there any worry related to dropping data, or are you simply blissful to get the music to individuals?
I used to be scared to drop “i gave you every thing,” as a result of I hadn’t dropped in a very long time earlier than I dropped that. I hadn’t dropped since detrimental in November of final 12 months. On “i gave you every thing,” I wrote the lyrics and the guitars. That was the primary time I wrote every thing for a music. So I used to be anxious, perhaps, it might suck. However I really like that music! However dude, truthfully, if I believe one thing’s loopy, persons are going to assume it’s crazier as a result of I’m jaded. Even when it takes them a second—they’ll determine it out, you already know?
With that in thoughts, do you assume individuals misunderstand you?
I’m unsure. My songs are blowing up on TikTok. The music “i stroll this earth all on my own,” individuals don’t even know what that music’s about. They put it over the weirdest movies, however it’s cool! Individuals positively don’t perceive numerous my stuff, however it’s not just like the songs have loopy, deep meanings. Simply… Individuals use my songs for issues I might’ve by no means imagined, however it’s cool to know it may be wherever. These songs about eager to die and doing medicine, after which individuals put it over their TikTok about shopping for espresso beans. That’s cool.
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Photograph Credit score: Gilbert Trejo
How did making distress enable you be taught extra about your self?
It taught me that I nonetheless have numerous concepts. I used to be on a very unhealthy author’s block for a very long time. I couldn’t make shit that excited me. All it took was a change of setting and shopping for a few issues to spark an entire new sound. All I did was fly out my producer, and we purchased two guitar pedals, rapidly it’s an entire new vitality.
I used to be anxious, for some time, that I couldn’t make music I loved. I used to be in interviews speaking about quitting music. Then I made this album, and it’s like, “Okay, I’m sick!”
It’s simply a part of being an artist.
I used to not hearken to my music in any respect, however I hearken to distress day by day. It’s cool to listen to it on audio system, however then enjoying it reside…
What’s the very best a part of the reside present?
Taking part in “christian demise” and enjoying “i simply wanna conceal my face.” It’s the height of the present—these are the final two songs. These songs go loopy. You simply be happy if you play these songs. I need my entire set like that.
I’m attempting to do some shit the place, within the subsequent 12 months, I’m tremendous aggressive and my music is excessive. Clearly wanna have the sluggish shit, however I need the aggression to take the forefront. I need my reveals to be hell; I need individuals to be scared to go to my reveals! Songs like “christian demise” will get me there.
Photograph Credit score: Gilbert Trejo
You sing about eager to sleep for 1,000 years. What could be the very first thing you do upon waking up?
I’m attempting to go exterior and see what’s up. All my associates are lifeless, in order that sucks. However… I’m pondering too realistically, however there’s no manner the Earth’s even round. However let’s say it’s—I’d simply wanna go exterior. Actually, I’d reasonably return in time as a ghost.
