BLACKSTARKIDS and Beabadoobee Rock the Royale
Words by Carrie Aubin
The indie pop band, BLACKSTARKIDS, have recently been launched into stardom as they have travelled on a country-wide tour with major artists including Glass Animals, Grouplove, and most recently Beabadoobee. The three young artists, Gabe, Deiondre and Ty, met and formed their band late in high school in their hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. Their sound is comprised of fast-paced beats with relatable lyrics tied to titles referencing a variety of pop culture. They regularly find inspiration while vegging out and watching TV, plucking song titles from whatever sparks their interest. For example, the track “FRANKIE MUNIZ”, from their 2020 album, Whatever, Man, came to be while rewatching an episode of one of their childhood favorites, Malcolm in the Middle.
Since 2019 they’ve been collaborating to produce and record their music before getting signed by British record label, Dirty Hit. The three friends live together and often make their music from the comfort of their own home. Now that they are under one roof, “we have a dedicated space for making music,” Deiondre says. Their song-writing process is rather impressive; the three of them often write one song simultaneously, each member in the same room working on a different element of the piece. They rotate who performs each role, making their group of three quite the efficient and tightly-knit team.
Despite their newfound fame, the group takes on the attention with an overwhelming ease and humility. The trio claims that stage fright has yet to plague their minds, as they “don’t really get nervous” before concerts. Maybe the key to this is in their laidback pre-performance ritual; a quick cool drink of beer or a little play-fighting to get each other in the right mindset. Now that they’re on stage regularly, the group has discovered that their music comes to life “200% more” as they get the chance to perform live. The secret ingredient to a spectacular performance is when there is a playful crowd--which they are extremely talented at creating with their lively stage presence.
Their upbeat pop melodies are just as often dreamy dance anthems as they are meaningful commentaries on the state of society. When asked about their recent single regarding the recent uptick of Black Lives Matter activism, “ALLCOPSAREBASTARDS*”, Ty says that they merely felt the need to “speak on issues that matter to us”. The value that this incredible trio seems to live by is authenticity; Gabe at one point saying, “don’t overthink our music”. The group certainly writes lyrics that are authentic to their experience, attempting to share and connect their personal struggles and triumphs with their audience. Their honest and joyful singles, “JUNO” and “PISS DRUNK KIDS” from their most recent album Puppies Forever voice their concerns about dealing with the complications of adulthood while backed by sweet vocals and cheerful rhythms.
These relatable issues the Gen-Z band claims are a part of their message of staying true to themselves, something that the three artists seem to have no issue doing. Their band’s name acts as a prophetic glimpse into their futures, as it seems BLACKSTARKIDS are nothing short of shining pop stars already.
