What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name is Space Kase, I’m from Sturgeon Bay, WI.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
It is a term that truly explains me, represents my fascination with outer space, and plays off of my initials (S.K.).
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I’ve always been huge into networking which has allowed me to built connections with a wide variety of solid artists and individuals. I value every experience but performing live and touring have been my favorite parts of the ride. Between being in a couple different heavy metal bands, producing/DJing drum and bass, and being a hip hop artist, it’s been a long road that I’m proud of and grateful for.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
It was a track that sat around collecting dust for years as it was intended for a group project. One of the other artists involved in the group project just never wrote anything to it so it was lost and forgotten. Six years later, I randomly found the lyrics for my verse in an old notepad, scavenged our studio PC for the beat, then sat down and wrote the rest of the song.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
Diversity. There are rules and margins for music genres, but the margins are larger than people realize or even care to admit sometimes. It’s okay to be unique and be yourself. You can do that and still contribute to the genre. There is a wide world of hip hop, and a lot of the legends became iconic because they were unique. Quit trying to be like everybody else and portray other’s images.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
Moral battles, technical issues, doubters, naysayers, various adversities, etc, etc… The thing is, you’re either going to do it, or, you’re not. I just do it. You have to figure out how to balance your life with the inclusion of music if you’re at all passionate about it. Balance isn’t a perfect thing all of the time, it usually requires sacrifice one way or the other. So, make some sacrifices, take some chances, and just do it. I’ve been blessed with a supportive family, a great circle, and 9-5 jobs that understand my passions with music. Not everybody has that blessing and it makes things more difficult. But, like I said; you’re either going to do it, or, you’re not. And, I just do it.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Aesop Rock. His music is one of the things that got me back into hip hop and had opened my eyes to a whole different side of the genre that I never knew existed. He’s been my favorite emcee since I’ve first heard him. Plus, he produces beats, he’s an audio engineer, and he works with others on a regular basis. Those are all things that I do as well.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
Into the ears, brains, and souls of thousands of people that I will never get the chance to meet. It will allow me to keep my needed peace through the positive outlet that creating music has provided. It will have my kids singing along to some of my songs as we listen to them in the car, in the studio, or when they show the songs to their friends. And it will keep allowing me chances to perform, create building blocks for my circle and peers, and it will just keep me busy and productive in the best fashion possible.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
To keep learning and increase my reach. I’m still learning about how social media works and influences musical demographics. I’m also learning more about platforming/streaming. These are things that I’m currently trying to tackle.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
Any streaming platforms. We distribute through a couple of the most common ones for independent artists so my music can be streamed pretty much anywhere.
