Kawaii AF Talks New Single ‘Simply Hopeless’ and the Return of 2000s Pop Punk
In a time when music can feel bleak and dry, there’s one band bringing things back to the basics. Back to when life felt simpler and the music just hit. Enter Kawaii AF, a band channeling the 2000s pop-punk era with glitter-coated lyrics and a minimal, modern edge. Today we spoke to the bands front runner Brandon about their origin story, new single ‘Simply Hopeless‘, and more!
Photo credit: lazy eye photography – Zack Luther
First things first, congratulations on your new single! Can you please introduce yourself?
Brandon: Thank you so much! Hi I’m Brandon!
What’s Kawaii AF’s origin story? How were you formed?
Brandon: it all started back in 2016. I was 23, and I was the new dish washer at this local pizza restaurant. I got quickly acquainted with Nathan and this other cook named Mathew Dillon. We had bonded over anime and pop punk and when we all went out for drinks one night after work, in a spur of the moment, I got compelled to blurt out my deepest desires of wanting a band. In this outburst, I explained how I had 3 albums worth of material and just needed people to make it with before I turned 30.
Matt then said that he had just bought a used bass the week before and that he would be down to form a band with me. Nathan’s hardcore punk band, Vapo Rats, had just disbanded only a few days ago and he told us he had no interest in joining a new band.
Especially a pop punk band. But offered to help write guitar parts if we needed it. After two weeks of it just being me and Matt talking about how excited we were, Nathan caved in and said that he would be our guitarist. He was not thrilled about the name hahaha. Another cook there, Jordan Arey, felt our buzz and offered to be our drummer and told us we could practice at his house. Our boss at the time, saw us struggling to find days that we could practice, and said that we all could have Thursdays off, but only if we promised to actually take this serious and practice. We kept that promise. That’s how the first iteration of Kawaii AF was born.
“Simply Hopeless” has such a fun pop punk energy. What moment or feeling first inspired this song?
Brandon: this girl that I had a crush on for years in high school was bragging to me about how she convinced this one dude who was crazy about her to be her little boy toy. She referred to him as her “Experiment” and I was totally envious. I imagined what it would be like if a girl I liked only saw me as some disposable play thing. I was also obsessed with 80s and 90s teen movies and fantasized about the perfect Hollywood romance.
You mentioned the song was written over 10 years ago. What made now feel like the right time to release it?
Brandon: We were given the opportunity to go into the studio with ZK Productions, who had produced some of our favorite albums ever. Zack and Kenneth were already into the band and were super excited to work with us, but we only had enough money to produce one great song so we had to make it count. After scrambling over what demos to choose, Waffle sat me down and told me that it was time to go back in the vault, and unearth an absolute juggernaut that I had in the chamber.
An undeniable hit. Waffle had been hearing my song ideas since we were in high school, so after searching through my subconscious, I took a shot in the dark and asked him “Do you remember a song called ‘Simply Hopeless’?”. He remembered instantly and said that that would be the perfect song to do. We sent it over with a set of 3 other songs and let the veteran hit makers make the final decision. Zach and Kenneth chose “Simply Hopeless”. It was meant to be.
You’re known for bringing back MySpace-era emo music with a modern twist. What parts of that era influence you the most?
Brandon: my favorite aspects of 2000s emo was the catastrophic melodrama that was in every lyric. The poetry, the imagery, the mood. I was drawn to the fearlessness of letting your most vulnerable parts of you spill out with reckless abandon. Pop punk was fun and catchy, but emo and post-hardcore was raw and intense while oozing with sass. It’s so provocative. Also the fashion was so sick. Tight tee shirts, skinny jeans and messy eyeliner baby! Pete Wentz said it best: “Besides, we’ve got such good fashion sense”.
Photo credit: lazy eye photography – Zack Luther
If someone listens to “Simply Hopeless” for the first time, what do you hope they feel or take away from it?
Brandon: I hope they feel the same way I felt when I first heard all of my favorite bands. I hope that it makes them know that this genre ain’t done talking yet. Pop punk still has a lot to say.
Without too many spoilers, what can fans expect from Kawaii AF?
Brandon: With what’s coming next from us, you can expect the catchiest stuff imaginable. We’re starting to reach the next level of exposure so we have a lot to prove. Expect what you already love about us but turned up to 11. And angst. SO MUCH ANGST!
And lastly, what would you like to say to your fans?
Brandon: I love you guys so freaking much! You rock! Thanks for going on this crazy ride with us! You chose the right band to get obsessed with. Don’t do drugs.
We want to thank Kawaii AF’s Brandon for interviewing with us and Laury for giving us this opportunity!
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