The beauty of creating music is creating your own art along the way. Visual Kei-inspired duo 6XT7 enjoys using elements like dark pop to create their music. On January 19, 6XT7 released a new version of their song “Hello Darkness,” which includes a music video the duo prepared to share as their art for viewers to watch. After the recent release, 6XT7 spoke with EnVi about the duo’s formation and went more in-depth with their newest single, “Hello Darkness.”
Who is 6XT7?
Based in Taiwan, members TASZ and Lisa met in 2018, forming as a duo in Los Angeles, California. They both like music as they decided to study it and eventually found their way to each other. Though dark-pop is their well-known concept, 6XT7 also blends with different music genres like hard-rock, electro, trap, metal, and goth. It allows them to create unique melodies, aggressive beats, and a broad mix of sounds.
Once they decided to make music together, Lisa and TASZ came up with 6XT7 as the name to officially go by. They explained the significance of the name, stating “the number sixty seven appeared everywhere in our life, it’s like our angel number and lucky number.” The duo explain how the six and seven reminded them of themselves by adding, “the contrast between the number six and seven also feels like us. TASZ is more aggressive and Lisa is always angelic and lucky.” They thank their first producer, Kato Khandwala, for helping them push towards the idea of 6XT7 as their official name.
Hello Darkness
“Hello Darkness” is a song that expresses the deep emotions and darkness many can have in their heart. They included deep emotions in the chorus to emphasize scars many don’t know how to face. They decided to blend and experiment with new sounds, which include dark trap elements. Throughout the song, they wanted certain parts to sound angry, more sad, and heavier.
TASZ talked about creating the lyrics hoping it can also bring a bit of warmth and light to everyone’s heart. He explained the song’s specific meaning and importance to him as he hopes others can relate to it as well. “It contains all the darkest shadows and secrets that were hard for me to face,” He continued to make connections to the song when he added “whilst making this song, I had to force myself to stare into the abyss, into the mirror and look straight into the truth in my soul. It became my savior, I felt release and fear dissipate… I felt freed by this song!”
The Music Video
TASZ and Lisa wanted the music video to connect with the song’s meaning, adding dark imagery and using city views with neon-cyberpunk features to add it all up. The outcome of the music video left the two amazed because it turned out exactly how they wanted it to be.
“It was a dream to be shooting in Japan with our awesome director Toshihiko Imai,” Lisa said when asked about the music video. “He is just amazing and so artistic!” She explained how they did their hair and makeup themselves with the help from two friends in preparations for the music video. With just a few lights and a few people to help out, they were ready to take on the streets of Japan.
Inspiration Behind 6XT7
Music can be made from inspiration behind other artists and their own music. While thinking of ideas of how to get the perfect sound when creating their music, 6XT7 mentioned some of their favorite artists who inspired them into making dark-pop music. TASZ mentioned some of his favorite artists as he said “I’ve always loved David Bowie and what he represents. Art should be daring, loud and beautiful.” TASZ talked about his first encounter with classic and medal rock as his love for rock began with the album Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses. He eventually fell in love with J-rock, and mentioned artists like BUCK-TICK, L’Arc-en-Ciel, Kiyoharu, Luna Sea, X JAPAN as his inspirations. “Hide always inspires me.”
As for Lisa, when she was just a teenager she really loved Garbage. “It was the first dark music that I fell in love with. Shirley Manson’s sultry and sexy voice was so mesmerizing. Later on I realized the music was so well done, the band members seem to really enjoy experimenting and creating music. I love that!” Her discovery of Prince left her amaze with what the music industry has given us. She had also mentioned Lana Del Rey for her dreamy features and BLACKPINK for their energetic performances.
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Entering The Music Industry
6XT7 expressed their decision to become artists and being able to deliver music for others to listen to as TASZ explained “I think for me everything just happened very naturally. I had my first band when I was 14, and then I wrote a bunch of songs but I couldn’t find the vocalist I really liked, so I started to sing, and scream.” “When I was 4 my parents took me to a Michael Jackson concert,” Lisa explained. “From that moment on I was completely shocked! I decided I wanted to become just like him. Everyday, my dad wakes me up with his music. I started taking dancing, singing and piano lessons!”
Releasing Music
Forming in 2018, 6XT7 released songs like “Goth Star,” “King & Queen,” and “Pierce.” They talked about some of their favorites and how special they are to them. Lisa’s favorite song is “Pierce,” which she describes as “erotic, dangerous, thrilling and discovering a hidden world.” Lisa continued, “I loved TASZ’s bass idea and worked off of that instantly. I was so glad to explore this fantasy with song & make it come to life.”
“Hello Darkness” and “Kuchibiru Red” became TASZ favorite songs. He likes how they definitely shared an impact on him. “Hello Darkness” is from my very personal emotions and feelings, I need to cut very deep into my own mind to write it. And in the end, the song cured me, and made me have the strength to face my own shadow.”
Future Accomplishments
6XT7 discussed a few accomplishments they wish to have in the future as artists who are filled with determination to make it happen. Wanting to travel as part of their bucket list TASZ elaborated his thoughts as he said “Nippon Budokan in Tokyo is always my personal goal, I really love the place and what it represents. But more importantly, I hope our music can reach people’s hearts, deeply.” Lisa continued to add to their goals and hopes to put out new albums in the future. “I hope to make amazing albums the best I can, so that when I listen to them, I really enjoy them, and feel proud about it as art.” Lisa also added she would like their songs to be added into movies.
Final Message
The duo left a kind-hearted message for new listeners who come across their music.
“Hi! We are 6XT7, nice to meet you! We are really glad that we could connect to each other through music. We hope our music will bring you light in the dark, love in the night, and the neon lights in your ride– as what we always wrote on our website. In the name of love, let’s slay together.”
You can check out 6XT7’s music on both Spotify and Apple Music.
Want more content? Check out our recent Artist Spotlight on Hyo3 here!
Thumbnail Credit to Avex Entertainment.
