Designer Disguise talks Elswaer, band memories, TikTok and much more- exclusive interview
We had the opportunity to meet up with the metalcore band on the frontlines of genre-bending, Designer Disguise, in an exclusive All Punked Up Interview. Designer Disguise talked about their newest record release Elswaer, memories as band, accomplishments, TikTok, and so much more.
Keep up with Designer Disguise on: Spotify // Instagram // TikTok // Twitter // Facebook
First off, I wanted to congratulate you on the most recent release of your record Elswaer! How are you feeling post-release?
Thank you so much! The reception has been great so far!! We played an album release show at the High Dive in our hometown Seattle and were welcomed with so much love and support. Putting this album out has been a couple year process and was a pretty ambitious endeavor. So I think to sum it up, we’re just really grateful for being able to do this and that other people can finally journey into this universe we’ve created. [embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/77q6P32TVr7jjBxRzCfeDA?si=sgN7FZFdRV2fGUzF5IXFIw[/embed]
If you had to choose your favorite song off the record, what would it be and why?
That's like choosing your favorite child.. Which I'll happily do. Right now I’ve been really enjoying the song Infinite, which is the ballad on our album. The main character Kai has a vision, in which he has a final discussion with his wife who had passed away. It's just very emotional and beautiful and such a contrast to the rest of the album that I've been gravitating towards that one a lot.
What is one of your favorite lyrics that you have written and why?
For me, my favorite lyrics are from the song Digital Ghost. The song is a look into both sides of the frontline soldiers between the New Order and the Nova Children.
“In defiance their humanity dissolved Again we march when words fail to bring resolve Only the dead will see the end of this war We’ve brought upon us all We use the promise of peace to justify our disease and even when it’s achieved we seem unable to cease from preparing for a war But If we’re killing in spite of what they think is right and with our motives alike how are we to ever know who’s following the light”
It questions the motives for war and kind of illustrates how this perpetual cycle manifests itself.
We have to take a moment to talk about the release of the cover “Get Low” that has reached 250K streams in the past month on TikTok! What are your thoughts with the success this song has had? What inspired you guys to do a cover to the song?
Honestly, we’ve done plenty of covers before this one that just hadn’t squeaked through the algorithm. We decided to just do something like this for fun because we obviously had a nostalgic connection to it. We had no idea it would take off the way it did and we’re so thankful for the amount of love we’ve been receiving from our little tiktok community.
What are some of your favorite memories as a band?
That's a really tough question…. Honestly, playing the album release show the other day was super special and I think it might take the cake.
What is something that you have accomplished so far in your career that you are most proud of?
Putting out this album and all the accompanying music videos. We’ve had to learn a lot and network a ton to figure out the music video side of being a band. For this album we filmed in multiple locations with spaceship sets including building our own in a buddy’s barn. Telling this story in a visually cohesive way has been challenging and rewarding for a bunch of musicians like us.
If you could write a song with any band or singer, who would it be?
I'm sure we all would have different answers regarding this. I personally would love to write a song with Bilmuri. I'm a massive fan and love the genre bending Johnny does.
How about your ideal tour: if you could set it up with any band or singer, who would it be?
I think our ideal tour would be with Bring me the Horizon. That's like guaranteed massive shows and we are heavily inspired by them.
If we were to get in the car with you right now, what song would be listening to?
Personally i’ve been listening to a lot of the 2022 JID album or David Maxim Micic’s Bilo IV
What song and/or band are you digging right now?
Spite has been wrecking me recently. They are so heavy and their vocalist’s technique is so fascinating.
Just for kicks and giggles: if you could be any kitchen utensil what would you be?
I’d be a garbage disposal.. Not really a utensil. But I could do pretty brutal vocals.
What can fans expect from Designer Disguise in 2023?
We’re definitely going to keep grinding on tiktok, we’ll have our full cover of Get Low out on Feb 24th and the remix by Ovrthnkr shortly afterwards. We’re sitting on a lot of original music and covers and we’d love to hit the road more.
Is there anything else you would like your fans to know?
We are just super grateful for the support and hope you keep streaming Elswaer and "Get Low" when the time comes :) You May Also Like:Designer Disguise Release Spacious Record Elswaer- Album Review