My Window Seat on Kayvon Zand’s “One Way Flight”
By Martin Berusch
On Thursday night Editors Jonathan Saldana, Donovan Blyden & Editor in Chief Sailey Williams dived into the world of artist Kayvon Zand at his music premiere at Marquee, and with XEX being the magazine for all things fashion art & bizarre they felt right at home!
To be in the company of Kayvon Zand is nothing short of an all-encompassing experience. You are literally sitting in front of a timeless being, wrapped in talent and immersed in spectacle. If one is lucky enough, you get to peel back some layers to reveal a very open and unassuming creative genius. Kayvon is the consummate artist who enraptures his audience with raw energy and through audacious, spellbinding performances. Not since the likes of Marilyn Manson, Prince or David Bowie, have we witnessed such an unabashed spectacle of sexuality and satire be brought back to the performance scene.
Zand’s latest single is “One Way Flight”, an electro love ballad, produced by Chew Fu (Lady Gaga, Timbaland, Robyn, Mariah Carey) and music video directed by Mike Ruiz. One Way Flight” is Zand’s most ambitious music video to date; it was funded by a $12,000 Kickstarter campaign and supplemented by the efforts of some of the most popular nightlife personalities in New York City including Susanne Bartsch, Amanda Lepore, Village Voice writer Micheal Musto, The Blonds and friends of the magazine Cherie Lily & Andrew Strasser/Bad Brilliance who designed the visual effects.
After the music video release I was able to talk with Kayvon to try and understand what it is about him that continues to both titillate and confound those who can’t seem to peg him as any one thing. I leave it up to the reader to draw his or her own conclusions…
Martin Berusch: Kayvon, what is it about your personality and the way you present yourself that gives some people the impression that you are perhaps severe and intimidating. What do you say to that?
Kayvon Zand: I think it’s all subject to the individual’s interpretation. We are all creatures of habit with complex emotions who are shaped by our experiences, with lessons learned and passed down from one generation to another. I find it amusing that some may find me intimidating.
Berusch: Nevertheless, some people can’t seem to wrap their head around who you are, what you represent.
Zand: It doesn’t surprise me. Some people feel threatened by that which is different from what is familiar to them. However, being different, in and of itself, just demonstrates diversity and the possibly for enrichment.
Berusch: This is true. Why do you dress the way you do?
Zand: I’m very comfortable being who I am and I dress in a way that is a direct reflection of what and who that person is. I portray myself this way because it’s my truth.
Berusch: And what is that truth?
Zand: That I’m my own “art form”, that I’m an extension of my art. As more people learn that is the core of who I am, I expect them to feel less threatened by my physical appearance and focus more on the message I am conveying.
Berusch: And what is that message?
Zand: To celebrate our diversity.
Berusch: I’m curious, is the way you dress an extension of your music or does it influence it in any way?
Zand: I think that my music and my look, which are both my art, they go hand in hand. I use my hair, my voice and my body as my canvas.
Berusch: What inspires you?
Zand: Musically, I am inspired by the melody of string instruments, a piano, sensual 80’s pop, art, sexuality, gender, religion, and so much more. I suppose like everyone else, I find inspiration from all facets of life.
Berusch: What does life mean to you? What makes you happy? Is there such a thing as true happiness?
Zand: I’m not sure what life means. I think I am still finding that out. I’m not sure any of us know why we are here, but there is a need in us to exist and to want to leave something behind. I feel true happiness is feeling we have when we experience some purpose in this mystery we call life.
Berusch: Now, about your music. Increasingly, we are learning just how talented of a musician, singer and songwriter you actually are. What’s your favorite musical instrument and why?
Zand: I like to say that the piano was my first language, my first way of communicating. Before I started singing, writing lyrics or expressing myself visually, playing the piano was my only outlet of expression.
Berusch: What inspires your music? What message do you ultimately want to convey to your audience?
Zand: Life inspires my music. As we all know, there are many messages in life and that is the same with music. Today, I feel I want to use music as a means to provoke people to step out of the boxes in which we have caged ourselves.
Berusch: You recently released your music video “One Way Flight”, directed by Mike Ruiz and produced by Chew Fu. What was it like working/collaborating with them both?
Zand: I’ve known Mike for a long time and he’s a good friend. I wanted to create something epic, romantic and dark and I wanted it to be beautiful. Mike really knows how to make that happen, so I could think of no one better than him to collaborate with on “One Way Flight”. As for Chew Fu, he is the musical genius of our time and one of the most laid-back people I have ever met.
Berusch: In your view, what were some of the highlights of the video?
Zand: Just having been able to complete such a complex project was a highlight. It was such a joy to finally have people say, “so, this is why it took nine months!” (laughs). I say this over and over: this was not my video, but a video for all who participated in the project. .
Berusch: “One Way Flight” has been getting a lot of buzz. Some of the media outlets that have covered you recently include, Interview, French Glamour, MTV, just to name a few. What do you attribute to this growing interest?
Zand: Timing. The majority of us are ready for change. It’s really all so exciting. But I realize that I still have yet so much to accomplish. You know, to really get the message out.
Berusch: It’s definitely headed in that direction. How did you get your start in the business?
Zand: Well, it took me a while to figure out how I fit into it. When I realized that I didn’t fit in, that’s actually when things really started to make sense. I’m just Kayvon and that will hopefully one day be all I’ll that I will have to say.
Berusch: Tell us a bit more about who Kayvon is. Family: are they supportive? What do they think of your brand?
Zand: My family situation is somewhat of a soap opera. I grew up with my mom and sister, whom I love dearly. Recently I tried to reach out to my father and my other half-siblings but they weren’t ready for a relationship with me. It’s probably one of the most hurtful things I’ve had to deal with. It has taken my family a long time to understand how my look and music are all related and how it translates into something positive in my life. I feel that has been one of my driving forces and I’m proud of my brand and what I’ve accomplished so far.
Berusch: What do you like to do in your downtime? How do you decompress? Or do you?
Zand: My downtime is really spent with my partner, Anna. She knows me better than anyone. I feel at this point, I would be incomplete without her. We like to watch movies and do what other normal couples do—although, I admit that we are not the normal couple…by any means. I like to joke that we are lesbians. I definitely wear more makeup than she does!
Berusch: So, being in a committed relationship, what kind of future do you envision with Anna? What are your views on marriage? Family?
Zand: I would love to have a family someday. The idea of having children I feel will complete the missing piece of the puzzle to my life. I never had a father and have come to the realization it’s just not going to happen for me. I think the closest I can come to finding peace with this part in my life is by becoming a loving father myself, one day.
Berusch: What’s next for you?
Zand: The World!
Berusch: Meaning?
Zand: I feel the fact that there is growing interest and recognition in me, shows where we are in the world today. We have a black president and our fight for equality has never been as triumphant as it has been in the past few days. There is still a lot of work to do. I feel the more opportunities to make a significant contribution through my work, the more of an impact I will be able to make in the fight for what I believe in –and that is to achieve equality for all humanity.
Berusch: Thank you for opening up to us, Kayvon. You are an inspiration and hardly a threat.
Zand: (Laughs). Yeah, you’re pretty normal too, Martin.
Check out the music video above and pictures from the night by Jonathan Saldana! Header & Video Stills by Mike Ruiz. For more details on Kayvon Zand, visit his website at: kayvonzand.com
