Members of the Los Angeles-based dance music group, Cheat Codes, Matt Russell, KEVI, and Trevor Dahl, chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about their new music which was released on May 7.
On their decision to collaborate with Tinashe on their latest single “Lean On Me,” Cheat Codes said, “We’ve wanted to work with Tinashe for a long time. We’ve been fans of hers for many years and fans of all the songs she’s done. Cheat Codes has always been about collaboration since day one and to collaborate with artists you might not expect us to collaborate with. Tinashe has always been super diverse, so it felt right to work with her on this track. We love her vibe and know our different styles would complement each other well.”
After being introduced by a producer both artists had previously worked with, Cheat Codes and Tinashe teamed up to create a fresh track, which is featured on Cheat Codes latest album “HELLRAISERS Pt 1.” When asked about the inspiration behind the song, the artists said, “It’s really about a time that we have all been facing over the course of the past year where we might have been feeling down or lonely. This song is a reflection, an arc, we’re all experiencing at the moment. That new wave of positivity and the lyricism really focuses on the idea of being able to be there for each other.”
On their debut album, the trio said, “The past year has been dedicated to working on our debut album. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, it gave us the opportunity to finally create an album. This first part is a pop focus based on Trevor’s signature sound.”
Regarding their unique sound, Cheat Codes said, “Our style is unconventional. We do it all from singing, rapping, playing instruments, production, all while maintaining our dance music sound – which is what sets us apart from your average DJ trio. We experiment with different sounds and enjoy switching it up from time to time to keep things fun and fresh.”
“We have a Las Vegas residency starting back up again later this summer and are really excited to finally get back out there. We are also working on a potential HELLRAISERS Tour to celebrate our loyal fans by early next year,” Cheat Codes said on their plans for the future. “You can definitely expect huge collaborations on the next two parts of the album, which will be out by the end of the year. Expect about 30 more songs, which is the most we have ever done for an album. We can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”
The album is eclectic, and it is available on digital service providers by clicking here. “The whole goal behind Cheat Codes is to be able to push music forward. As well as blend genres. Our goals are to continue creating music, collaborating with artists, and producing unforgettable live experiences for our fans,” they said.
To learn more about Cheat Codes and their music, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.
