EKKSTACY

Blending the raw energy of post-punk with emo-tinged rock, EKKSTACY has rightfully earned the crown as “Gen Z’s New King of Sad Punk Songs” (GQ Hype).

With over 4 million monthly listeners, the numbers speak for themselves. Vancouver-born and now based in Los Angeles, he fills our headphones with bittersweet melancholy while somehow making it feel liberating.

This summer, he tore up the stages of Blink-182’s One More Time stadium tour and hasn’t slowed down since. He’s currently hitting North America with $uicideboy$ through October, commanding every crowd he plays for. Anyone who’s delved into his dark, unflinchingly honest music knows it’s about more than catchy melodies, it’s a raw glimpse into the human soul.

In the interview, we talked about his new album, SpongeBob SquarePants, and his sources of inspiration for songwriting.

Stacy, we’re in Stuttgart—the home of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. What’s your take on cars? Oh, I love cars. I want a Porsche. Ideally a 911. I love Porsche. That’s my favorite car.

What makes you feel at home?
Being at home. I miss Canada, man. I’m always gone. I miss being there.

When was the last time you’ve been there?
Two weeks ago. But only for five days. But before that, I was gone for like three months.

Wow, that’s intense. What inspires your songwriting more: being in love or heart broken?
I haven’t been in love since high school. I haven’t been heartbroken since then either. You know, probably boredom and loneliness are my biggest sources of inspiration. I think I’ve been writing about the same girl since high school. Kind of pathetic, I guess.

Which song do you wish you had written?
Katy Song by Red House Painters. Do you know that one? It’s a sad song. I like it.

I don’t. Have to check it out later. Which SpongeBob character do you relate to most?
Probably SpongeBob. Cause he’s insane. He has lots of homies. But there are also lots of people who don’t like him. You know?

Why do you think is that?
Cause some people don’t like me either.

Which song from your new album EKKSTACY do you like playing live the most?
Probably chicago or goo lagoon. We play them at every show—today in Stuttgart included.

What do you love about chicago?
I’ve only been there a few times. I kinda made that song up, it’s not about anyone. My ex is from Chicago, so I kinda just said Chicago because of that. I do like it there, and I wanted to express my feelings for this girl in a way. You get it?

Yes, absolutely. And what do you like about Port Moody?
Damn… shit. I mean, my best friend lives there. How do you know about Port Moody, bro?

During prep for the interview, I read that you recorded your first album in a garage in Port Moody.
Yeah, it’s a small town just outside Vancouver. It’s where my best friend lives. And it’s true– we recorded misery in a garage there. It’s beautiful. The ocean runs through it, there are trees, hills, mountains, nice houses. It’s really beautiful. And safe.

It looks really picturesque. You toured with Blink-182. Could you share a story from that time?
Yeah, I’ve got a good story. So, Travis Barker’s green room said Travis Barker. Mark Hoppus’ green room said Mark Hoppus. On Tom’s green room, there was a sign that said Dreamland. His room was right next to ours, and I was like, what the fuck, Dreamland? Who’s is that? After the soundcheck, I came back and saw Tom in front of his green room. I was super excited and said “Hi.” He greeted me with “Hey, what up dude?” I asked him: “why is your fucking green room called Dreamland?” and he asked if we wanted to see. Of course we did. He brought us in his room, and it was sick… the whole room was covered in tapestries, kind of savanna-themed, a treadmill, a huge TV, a full bar, reggae playing, he made everyone drinks. It was sick. They are amazing. All of them.

Wow, so they’re all pretty down-to-earth?
Totally. I’ve been friends with Travis since 2021. Tom is sick. I didn’t talk to Mark at all, but I’m sure he’s nice.

One song from your album misery is called ausgang. You also got it tattooed, right?
Yeah, here on my arm.

What does it mean to you? Do you have a connection to Germany or the German language?
I got it because it was the first word I saw at the airport. It was my first tour in Germany, and I wanted a memory of it. My bass player has the same one, and Preston Bell (guitar) has it on his leg.

Nice. Any tattoos you regret?
Yeah, all of my face tats. Except the new one here.

Which part of your body would you never have tattooed?
My feet. I would never fucking tattoo my feet. That shit would hurt so bad.

Do you think it would hurt more than the ones on your chest?
Yeah, it’s supposedly one of the worst places.

Would you pick a songwriting session with Glenn Danzig or a sightseeing tour of Transylvania with Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein?
Oh, man. I guess both are pretty burned out. I’d probably would say no to both of them.

And if you could pick between dinner with Robert Smith or a party tour with Christian Death?
Hanging with Rozz? I dunno. He’s pretty scary. I’d probably choose Rozz, though. He probably has some crazy drugs to do. So I’d do that.

Would you rather sleep for 1,000 years or stay awake for five days?
Sleeping for 1,000 years and waking up in the future would be amazing. If the planet’s still around by then… I’ve stayed awake for five days before, and that was horrible, just awful.

I can imagine. What message would you put on a billboard in Times Square?
I probably have to say something funny. But right now, I’d fucking say listen to my new song seventeen. I love it.

What would you say to your 17-year-old self?
I’d say good job. I’d tell him he’s been doing really well so far.

How do you feel about the election results in the U.S.?
I don’t fucking care. I’m Canadian.

And if you had to write a song about Donald Trump, what would the title be?
I wouldn’t.

Fair enough. Last question—when do you usually become active?
When I’m at home and it’s sunny. I love to be outside, enjoying my time in Canada. And also when I drink.

Thanks so much for your time, Stacy, and all the best going forward.
Thanks! You got me with the SpongeBob question.

The track is a powerful metaphor for a mole digging in the dark, going around in endless circles. It dives into feelings of uncertainty, isolation, and the nagging self-doubt that we all face. In a world where the surface often looks shiny, EKKSTACY goes deeper—and we can’t get enough of it.

Ready for another emotional ride? The darkness might feel heavy, but EKKSTACY shows us how to dance with our inner demons.