Kasey Karlsen is a singer-songwriter and the frontwoman of Deadlands, a band from Long Island, New York, who first gained wide attention on TikTok a few years ago. Her philosophy is that being true to yourself is far cooler than trying to fit in. With this mindset, she continues to showcase her talent through various projects and inspire her audience, while constantly setting new goals – both individually and alongside her bandmate, CJ Arey.
ViQ: It’s amazing to see all the success you’ve had over the past three years. What you’re doing is so unique; you’re not only representing women in the metal scene, but you’ve also become an influencer within metal itself, which I think is pretty groundbreaking. How does that feel for you? Was there a specific moment when you realized, yeah, this is working, people are really paying attention?
Kasey: First, thank you for the kind words. To be honest, it still doesn’t feel real… I always thought music was an “impossible dream” and it was never going to be more than a hobby – until it was. The moment that made me realize people really were paying attention was when I posted my first rendition of To the Hellfire by Lorna Shore. This was my first “viral” video and it had gotten about 800,000 views almost overnight. I was completely shocked at the reception, and I knew I had to continue making videos, especially if it was showing signs of success.
Sticking with this for a second – alongside your band Deadlands, you show so many different sides of yourself, and they all seem to fit together so well. Your covers are super popular, but you also make transitions, reaction videos, and even short scream tutorials that have helped people who want to learn. What do you enjoy the most right now, both online and offline?
I mean singing and screaming in general is of course one of my favorite things to do. I love learning new techniques, and lately I’ve really been trying to refine my clean vocals. Besides that, one of my favorite hobbies is playing video games. I love Fortnite and I’ve also been on a Dead By Daylight kick lately. (I love horror.)
Let’s talk about the music itself. Last year Deadlands toured all across the US and played festivals like Louder Than Life, Blue Ridge, and Aftershock. What do you think the next big milestone will be for the band, and for you personally outside of it?
Honestly, I think any step that we take in our careers is a huge milestone. Ideally we would love to play some of the DWP’s we’ve never played, namely Inkcarceration or Sonic Temple, but we do have a really crazy tour coming up very soon that we’re super excited to announce. For myself personally, I honestly have no idea what it could be… I would love to be in the same room as the queens of metal – Courtney LaPlante, Amy Lee, Tatiana Shmayluk, Poppy, literally any badass women in the scene.
On top of Deadlands, you’re also touring with Nita Strauss, and you’ve done collabs with people like Nik Nocturnal, Jessie Grace, and Andrew Baena – all big names in the scene. You really smash stereotypes with your presence – at first glance you might look like the cute blonde girl, but then you bring this insane, explosive energy. How do you see yourself in these collaborations? From your perspective, what do you feel you’re representing the most?
Thank you!! Really, I just see myself as trying my best! In these collabs, I really try to challenge myself and bring the best energy I possibly can to the table, especially because I want to prove to these people who I have looked up to that I am capable of being on their level. I feel like I represent hard work and dedication. I have gotten to where I am because I work hard, I put in the hours to hone my craft, and I want people to know anything is possible no matter who they are.
A lot of people already see you as a role model, and I think in a really positive way, because what you show on social media is not just hard work and persistence, but also humor and individuality. Fanbases of bands like Motionless in White, Architects, Ice Nine Kills, Bring Me The Horizon, and Sleep Token follow you (not to mention some of the band members themselves). In your view, what makes someone come across as authentic? And how much do you pay attention to what your audience expects, versus just doing your own thing?
That is crazy to think about. Very surreal. As for authenticity, I think the key is not to “come across” as authentic, it’s simply to be yourself. Social media can be so toxic, and there is so much fakeness. People are always going to be rude if they don’t like something. You just can’t care. I will never apologize for being myself, and neither should anyone else. If your intentions are good, and you strive to make peoples’ day better, that’s all that matters. I do pay attention to what my audience expects to an extent, but ultimately I want to do what makes me happy, and the people that enjoy seeing what makes me happy will follow. I have such an incredible base that is so supportive and I know they only want what’s best for me. They also followed me because of who I am, not who I pretend to be, and most of the time what makes me happy will also make them happy.
Has there ever been a comment or outside remark that made you doubt yourself, and on the flip side, is there a piece of recognition that really stuck with you and gave you that push to keep going?
I don’t think there’s ever been a comment or remark that’s made me doubt myself, but there’s been some ups and downs for sure especially with touring. There are so many things that push me to keep going and I am so lucky to experience them almost every day. The comments that tell me I made their day, the fans that come up to me and say I saved their life, and everything in-between. Not to mention the props I’ve gotten from some of the biggest names in the industry, and I feel like they always come at the times I need them most. Overall, the fans push me every single day and I am so so lucky to have that.
If you could teleport right now and hang out with any band, musician, or industry person, who would it be and where would you go? And why?
Oh my god. This is the hardest question ever. I think I have to hang with Spiritbox. I have met Zev and he is so kind, so funny and down to earth. I have heard only good things about everyone else in Spiritbox and Courtney seems hilarious. I’d love to pick her brain about vocals, but also her style is impeccable. She just radiates baddie.
With your EP SEVEN. this year, you guys went all in. It touches on the seven deadly sins, addiction, and it also carries this spiritual, almost witchy vibe, a sense of fate and karma. It’s powerful that you’re addressing things that are still kind of treated as taboo. What’s a theme you find hard to capture but would love to explore more in your music?
Ugh there’s so many themes I could go for! Video games would be insane, but they aren’t too hard to capture. I love mythology and that one is definitely a bit tricky, especially since I try to keep my writing style decently vague and relatable.
You clearly love to experiment with styles – that really comes through in your latest tracks. Is there a specific genre element or instrument you’d love to bring into your music in the future, maybe through a collab?
There are SO many styles I want to experiment with. I love dubstep and EDM so much. I feel like throwing in some flares would make everything so much heavier. I also LOVE pop. Dark pop specifically. My dream pop collabs include Billie Eilish, Hayley Williams and Kelly Clarkson.
Do you have any plans for shows or tours outside the US in the near future? Is there a European city you’d love to spend more time in?
Maybe… I wish I could say more! As far as a European city, I have never been to Europe so I’d be happy with anything. Although I am a foodie, and I hear Italy has crazy clean and delicious food! Specifically Rome or Sicily. Athens looks beautiful too.
What advice or encouragement would you give to your younger self, maybe 4–5 years ago; something that could also speak to people with big dreams who sometimes feel a little lost?
I would say keep grinding. If you love it you shouldn’t want to stop, and everything you do now will benefit you in the future. Everything will work out so long as you work hard, and if it doesn’t, you know you did everything you possibly could to make it happen. Fall in love with the process, the journey, not the result. In the wise words of Miley Cyrus, it’s the climb.
Kasey Karlsen
Deadlands
Featured Image: Casma.ny
by: ViQ
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