ihatezacky – In.Case.I.Don’t.Wake.Up

By starrymag | March 13, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Dark, angry, spaced out & emotional. Sometimes psychedelic, sometimes heavy.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Marilyn Manson, Eminem, Alice In Chains, Dr. Dre, Suicideboys, Underoath, Dir En Grey, Lil Peep, Weezy, Soundgarden, NIN, ASAP Rocky, NWA, Prodigy, Placebo, The Used, Dizzie Rascal, Bowie…I could go on forever.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Medz.”

A) “Medz” is about my struggle with suicidal thoughts, depression, feeling detached from myself and using drink and drugs as an escape. People I look up to kept dying, my heroes, and I thought, “I don’t wanna be here either.” It’s a battle, but a battle you’ve gotta fight.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) It’s real, the lyrics are real, the emotion is real. We all get points in our life where we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, where we turn to crutches and self-medicating to get through the hard times. We all have people that come and go, live and die. Just gotta do what you’ve gotta do to survive.

Q) How do the themes of addiction, depression and self-harm play into the tracks on your In.Case.I.Don’t.Wake.Up EP?

A) When I wrote and recorded this EP. I was in a box room, under the influence, at the lowest I have ever been, drinking from 10am to block out the shit I was feeling. I didn’t feel like I had a purpose, I didn’t want to live. I was putting so much into my body I was dancing with death, wondering if I would wake up, not caring if I did or not. I felt isolated. I thought as long as I made this EP, at least there is something to show for my misery.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) I just write. I can write lyrics endlessly, page after page, so there is always material. My man Sam (ExordiumUK) will send me some new music and then I figure out the tune and structure. Sometimes I go to my material box or sometimes it just comes straight off the head.

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

A) I’d say I have a big hand in it. I know what sound I want. I’m not talking the music, but the sound y’know. The mix, the vocal effects. Even though I play guitar, bass and drums I like writing over music that has already been made, as it lets me focus on the voice and hooks.

Q) What songs off your In.Case.I.Don’t.Wake.Up EP are you looking forward to performing live?

A) I’m hyped for all of them, but especially “Spaced Out.” It’s got a fat bounce and big hook. I wanna hear people singing “Space out with me, let’s fade, forget every motherfucker in this chaos we made” full blast.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

A) That it’s okay to feel that way. It’s okay to be on the edge of the world. Turn your pain into art, do something with the hurt and know you ain’t alone. Do what you gotta do to get through It, but know you will get through It, just like I am doing.

Q) As someone “obsessed” with alternative fashion, what are some of your favorite pieces of clothes/accessories that you wear?

A) I’ve got a Versace blazer with mad patterns all over it that is dope. My vintage Reebok jacket and Phat Farm jumper are favorites. I just bought a sick new Guess hoodie which I love. Hi Top Vans and Calvin Klein underwear are basic essentials… overall my tattoos are my favorite thing to wear.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

A) I love Liverpool and London, people are always on another level there, a lot more open minds and energy, more opportunity. London has become my second home.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I would love to hook up with Bexey. He is one cool cat. I love his vibe and aesthetic.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I can’t get the song “Barking” by Ramz out my head this week! Had it on repeat, proper feel good tune. Never really got one artist on at a time, just an epic playlist of tunes… but this week it’s been a lot of UK Grime, Dave, Cadet, Stormzy, Dizzie… It’s good pick me up music, gives you a kick up the arse.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Social media is a massive part of my life. I spend a lot of time on Instagram and Facebook connecting and pushing myself out there. It’s important because I am a fan of artists. I look up to so many people and I like seeing what they’re up to, new pictures, new media, etc. so I know it’s important to do the same for people who wanna see what I’m up to and follow me. Plus, it’s cool to see what everyone else is up to and get inspired by someone who is maybe on the other side of the world.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) You lift me from my darkest places and make all this shit I do worth doing. Every little thing, every like, comment and message means the world to me. I feel blessed man.