☆ Q&A with BLACKSTARKIDS ☆

BLACKSTARKIDS on Saturn Dayz, Nostalgia, and New Beginnings

Originating from Kansas City, BLACKSTARKIDS first caught my eye when they opened for Beabadoobee in 2021 at the North Park Observatory in San Diego. Their high-energy, genre-blending sound instantly drew me in, and they’ve been on my radar ever since. Following that, they also toured with The 1975, continuing to leave their mark on larger audiences. With their nostalgic nods to 2000s pop culture, unapologetic authenticity, and infectious fun, they’ve made a lasting impression in the indie scene.

Fast forward to now, the trio—Ty Faizon, Deiondre, and Gabe—just released their new album SATURN DAYZ, which feels like both a celebration of their collective identity and the closing of a chapter. As BLACKSTARKIDS embark on solo projects, SATURN DAYZ marks the end of their journey as a group but not the end of their influence. Each member is venturing into their own creative endeavors, and it’s exciting to see where their individual paths will take them.

I recently had the chance to sit down with Ty Faizon, who gave insight into the band’s history, their creative process, and what’s next. We also touched on SATURN DAYZ—an album born out of boundary-pushing creativity and a desire to transport listeners into another world. In our conversation, Ty also shared personal thoughts on everything from their favorite tour moments to what their favorite album of all time is.

Check out the full Q&A below, where BLACKSTARKIDS talk about their legacy, what went into SATURN DAYZ, and how each of them plans to move forward.

---

Ale: Hiii, I’m so excited for our conversation! Can you introduce yourself and share a little about what you enjoy doing outside of music? Any interests or movies you’ve been into lately?

BLACKSTARKIDS: I go by Ty Faizon for my artist name. I recently got into movies. When I was a kid, I was so hyper-focused on listening to music that I never really sat down and watched movies. I really find inspiration from them. A movie I’d recommend is The Truman Show. It’s not too heavy but still thought provoking. I love taking walks a lot too! 

Ale: The nostalgic 2000s vibe is a big part of your aesthetic and sound for BLACKSTARKIDS. What made you guys want to tap into that era, and how do you keep it feeling fresh and relevant?

BLACKSTARKIDS: I would say the sounds came from what we liked while growing up. I don’t think it was a conscious effort to be like “Y2K”, but the timing of it was good for us. We liked the sound anyways, and we were into it even before the Y2K boom. When it comes to the media I consume or the clothes, I refer back to stuff I just liked or wanted to like when I was a kid.

Ale: Your music videos are so fun! Where do you guys get the inspiration for your visuals?

BLACKSTARKIDS: I think it varies from song to song. Some songs have been situations where we needed to make a video, so it felt like we were doing work. Our best videos came from loving the song and wanting to build a visual world so people can see what we want them to see.

Ale:  How did the three of you meet and decide to form BLACKSTARKIDS?

BLACKSTARKIDS: We all went to the same high school. I knew Deiondre and Gabe separately and I knew they both made music. Randomly, I just had the idea like “Why don’t the three of us just come together and make something,” because like we all went to the same school and have similar tastes. They didn’t know each other and we just started to make songs. It was early January 2019 when we started. 

Ale: When it comes to creating music, do you each have a specific role in the process? How do you collaborate?

BLACKSTARKIDS: Deiondre will be doing the music and then Gabe and I will be off on separate corners of the room writing but checking in with each other and seeing the progress we have. After the beat is made and the verses are written, me and Deiondre will work together. 

Ale: I was introduced to you guys when you opened for Beabadoobee back in 2021. What has been your favorite part about touring, and do you have any particular ways you like to prepare before hitting the road?

BLACKSTARKIDS: We practice, but honestly we just wing it. You kinda just try to make adjustments and tweaks in real time. It’s also a mental thing. Those days were early for us, and we had to get used to being in a different place everyday but it was a great experience. I think my favorite part was the travel. The 8 hour days in the van where I could just be with myself and my thoughts and listening to music. A stop we went to that was nice to look at was Wyoming. I think the place I had the most fun was in San Francisco. It was so nice when I went.

Ale: You just released SATURN DAYZ. What was the inspiration behind the title, and how does it tie into the themes explored in the album?

BLACKSTARKIDS: The concept of the album in general came from the idea that it was a portal to another world. There was an experience I had where I took shrooms in New Mexico and listened to music while watching Lazy Town. I was watching it on mute and the music was synching up perfectly to the visuals. That felt to me like a portal to something else. The music sounded different, and I was seeing colors in a way I never had before. I wanted to make an album that felt like that trip. There are more deeper meanings, but that is the foundation. What’s funny is I don’t know why I landed on Saturn. I just started seeing so many things that allude back to Saturn since coming up with the title. For example, I was listening to “Saturn” by Stevie Wonder, and he describes Saturn in the exact same way I saw it. When you watch Lazy Town, there are a bunch of Saturn rings scattered throughout the show. 

Ale: How do you feel SATURN DAYZ represents your collective identity as BLACKSTARKIDS?

BLACKSTARKIDS: Saturn Dayz has a second half that’s coming out, and that will be the last album for BLACKSTARKIDS. It wasn’t made to be the last one like we didn’t know that when we were making it. I listen to it now and it’s very fitting. It’s a combination of everything we have made before but exploding into a new sound. What BLACKSTARKIDS is spiritually is what the album is but intensified I think. It makes sense that this is the note it ends on. 

Ale: Are there any particular songs on SATURN DAYZ that you feel encapsulates the essence of the band? Do you have a personal favorite track?

BLACKSTARKIDS: “Stereotype” I think represents the band because it’s like a closing statement. We said what the band had to say and I think it perfectly defines the album, the band, and the mission statement. If there was a show or movie, it would be in the closing scene before the credits. My personal favorite though is “Black Children”.

Ale: I really love “Modern Happiness”! It’s my personal favorite from the album.

BLACKSTARKIDS: Thank you! That was one of the earlier ones we made. It took us a while to figure out exactly how we wanted it to sound. It’s more like a groove, so we wanted to keep it a little more minimal in the sound to keep that groove. It was a challenge to find the last few things for that song to feel complete, but I’m glad it came out how it did. 

Ale: What’s next for you guys now that SATURN DAYZ is out and you’re moving toward solo projects?

BLACKSTARKIDS: We’re gonna be releasing the second half of the album and then that will be it. I produced Gabe’s mixtape with my friend. We’re a production duo called The Human. It’s coming out early next year. It’s really something special. It’s exciting. Deiondre has a lot of music too and is in the decision process of what exactly he’ll put out. I’m releasing my own music as well, but my focus is on Gabe’s project and what she’s got going on. I’ll be focused on my stuff and hers equally. 

Ale: That was great insight on BLACKSTARKIDS! Now, Ty, I’ve got a few short, fun questions just for you. Who would be your dream collaboration?

Ty: Blood Orange like Devonté Hynes would be a dream. Also Tyler, the Creator and probably Kendrick Lamar.

Ale: What’s your favorite album of all time?

Ty: To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. My favorite song on it is “These Walls”.

Ale: I’ve never been to Kansas City! What’s your go-to food spots?

Ty: Tiki taco. I eat there a couple times a month. There’s also a place called Jazz. It’s my grandma’s favorite restaurant. It’s really good, and I go a lot now as an adult. This is random, but we just got a Dave’s Hot Chicken, and I’ve been fighting the urge to go [laughs].

Ale: If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

Ty: Zebra. I feel like that would be random like if you were to go to someone’s house and see a zebra. If not, then a goldfish because that would be an ideal pet for me. 

Ale: If you could have dinner with any three people, who would they be?

Ty: My grandparents who passed away and also my best friend who also passed away. Sorry if that’s depressing, but it’s not sad I promise [laughs]. It would be a good thing like those would definitely be my choices if I could.

---

Make sure to follow BLACKSTARKIDS, Ty, Deiondre, and Gabe on Instagram to keep up with their upcoming projects!

Written by: Alejandra Moreno (@alejandrmor) from Keep On Ur Radar (@keeponurradar)

Featuring: Ty Faizon (@killtyfaizon) from BLACKSTARKIDS (@blackstarkidz)

---

If you had asked me back in 2021 when I was at the Beabadoobee show that one day I would have interviewed BLACKSTARKIDS, I would not have believed you. I feel super grateful to have had the opportunity to interview them! I love hearing artist's stories and sharing them so bringing the blog back to life has been so fun! I'm excited to continue doing it. If you read all the way down here, thank you!