The Interview: drxftkid

We had the chance to talk to artist, drxftkid, about a new project titled 'NO2'.





What is the meaning behind it?

NO2 is an honest and defiant autobiographical album, written from the perspective of a fallen angel. Once golden, the angel became the way it did as a trauma response to an excessive culmination of loneliness, rejection, and isolation. 

Within the project, the angel begins by questioning why he was abandoned and chooses to sit in his despair, as if pulling a blanket over his eyes (“Swim”). He tries to do everything he can to get back what he has lost, but begins losing himself in the process (“If That’s What It Takes”). It is here where the narrative shifts, and the angel begins to notice that his ‘lack’ mentality is actually a conditioning forced on him by society, implying that he is not complete, and capable of producing light (“Dim”).

Rather than staying defeated, the angel begins to accept his new identity as a creature of the night for what it is, and instead chooses to lean into it (“Creature”). As more truth is revealed, the angel realizes he has been believing others' false promises and that the love he had been engaging in was actually an illusion (“Get Out”). Faced with reality, the angel starts to question himself rather than his situation, soberly attempting to get a grasp on his current position, whilst trying to speak to himself with more encouragement (“Proud”).

Despite his efforts, though, the angel is left void of clarity as things don’t seem to change - this resorts him to feelings of ‘lack’ once again; restarting the cyclical narrative of the project, and the arch of the angel’s character development, as though it never happened (“Duvet”). 

What does this project say about you?

Given the autobiographical nature of this project, there are countless parallels the listener can draw between the life of the fallen angel and my own. Never have I expressed things so raw - with certain verses left unpolished, purposely, for greater transparency and emotional impact.

This project is a true depiction of how seriously I take my Art and the craft of Music nowadays. Throughout the journey of this project, I have poured more of my time, thought, money, and energy than I have for any of my previous endeavours.

I have learned many things along the way, which are reflected in the details of this project’s concept, whether it be the music video visual aesthetics, colour and sound palette choices, production and mastering elements, track order selection, and more (the closer you look)!   

What are your plans next?

I plan to keep elevating as an artist. 

Through greater self-exploration in unchartered territories, and by pushing the comfort zone in which I express my authentic truth, I aim to achieve deeper levels of introspection - allowing for richer source material to serve as the foundation for the lyrics in my future projects. 

I plan on heavily developing my production skills going forward. I invested a lot last year into plug-ins and DAW software that will revolutionise my sound capabilities. I aim to not only mix and master my vocals with more clarity, but to create the backing tracks also, as it will enable me a higher degree of control over the entire soundscape, to be more precise in shaping my initial vision for a track, and the mood of expression I had intended to create.  

What does your project aim to say?

NO2 is a drug that makes people feel like they’ve been sent into the atmosphere, floating and disconnected. This album emulates the feeling of exactly that. 

The project’s main ethos is that even angels fall from grace. They too see things that aren’t there, believe in the lies told about them from others and themselves, and fall victim to vices that facilitate an escape from relentless self-deprecating thought patterns. The key is to lean into what feels authentic, to drown out the noise of others, and to find strength in your shadow-self. We all have sides of ourselves that we keep hidden. We’re all flawed in some form. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad creature necessarily - just a human one.