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 fearful he’d run out of concepts and artistic issues to say. “The making shit was enjoyable, however the taking part in shit was horrible,” he tells Audiomack World. “That’s why my life sucked for some time, however now the making is enjoyable and the taking part in 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 dying” as the important thing to unlocking the brand new, extra aggressive tone for this album.
“My producer was in Canada with me, and we have been within the storage making songs,” Stacy remembers. “I needed 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 fascinated about it. I screamed the hook 3 times, listened again, and was like, ‘Holy shit!’ That was the primary tune in that fashion. I did ‘christian dying,’ then ‘i’m so blissful,’ and a tune not on the album, known as ‘hourglass.’”
“christian dying” is Stacy’s favourite tune he’s ever recorded, and it’s simple 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 might dismember him, however at the same time as he sings, “I hope there’s a pistol in my mouth” you’ll be able to hear a newfound freedom that eases the stress. distress is EKKSTACY’s greatest album, and as we discuss making music from the intestine he declares: “Every little thing’s fairly good over right here, you realize?”
Picture Credit score: Gilbert Trejo
Is there any worry related to dropping information, or are you simply blissful to get the music to individuals?
I used to be scared to drop “i gave you the whole lot,” 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 yr. On “i gave you the whole lot,” I wrote the lyrics and the guitars. That was the primary time I wrote the whole lot for a tune. So I used to be fearful, possibly, it could suck. However I like that tune! However dude, truthfully, if I feel one thing’s loopy, persons are going to suppose it’s crazier as a result of I’m jaded. Even when it takes them a second—they’ll determine it out, you realize?
With that in thoughts, do you suppose individuals misunderstand you?
I’m unsure. My songs are blowing up on TikTok. The tune “i stroll this earth all on my own,” individuals don’t even know what that tune’s about. They put it over the weirdest movies, however it’s cool! Folks positively don’t perceive quite a lot of my stuff, however it’s not just like the songs have loopy, deep meanings. Simply… Folks 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 medication, after which individuals put it over their TikTok about shopping for espresso beans. That’s cool.
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Picture Credit score: Gilbert Trejo
How did making distress show you how to be taught extra about your self?
It taught me that I nonetheless have quite a lot of 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 a complete new sound. All I did was fly out my producer, and we purchased two guitar pedals, unexpectedly it’s a complete new power.
I used to be fearful, 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 take heed to my music in any respect, however I take heed to distress every single day. It’s cool to listen to it on audio system, however then taking part in it stay…
What’s the most effective a part of the stay present?
Taking part in “christian dying” and taking part in “i simply wanna cover my face.” It’s the height of the present—these are the final two songs. These songs go loopy. You simply be happy whenever you play these songs. I would like my complete set like that.
I’m attempting to do some shit the place, within the subsequent yr, I’m tremendous aggressive and my music is excessive. Clearly wanna have the sluggish shit, however I would like the aggression to take the forefront. I would like my exhibits to be hell; I would like individuals to be scared to go to my exhibits! Songs like “christian dying” will get me there.
Picture 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 outdoors and see what’s up. All my buddies are useless, in order that sucks. However… I’m considering too realistically, however there’s no approach the Earth’s even round. However let’s say it’s—I’d simply wanna go outdoors. Actually, I’d somewhat return in time as a ghost.
