Interview: Getting to Know Kazaran
Kazaran are a metalcore band who recently released their brand-new EP, ‘In Possession’. In this interview, we get to know them a little better via frontman, Caiden Crafts.
1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.
My name is Caiden Crafts, I’m from Adelaide, South Australia but currently living in London. I’m a professional wrestler, background actor, podcaster and solo musician under the alias CHA5M. As well as that I’m the frontman for KAZARAN, a metalcore band made up of Travis Jones, Rory Amoy and myself.
2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
We play metalcore, but more fashioned towards the early 2000s like many of our influences such as Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Lamb of God and Arch Enemy.
3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?
We’re releasing our next EP In Possession on March 27th, which features Adelaide based artists FALTER & False Dawn. In Possession is heavier, darker, and more emotionally charged than our previous releases, the EP showcases our growth both musically and creatively. Blending crushing riffs with soaring melodic moments. In Possession balances raw intensity with a deeper sense of atmosphere and feeling.
4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?
Honestly releasing the EP and getting it out into the metal world is a relief as well as exciting, it’s been in the pipeline for a bit and we’ve had few delays with it, so to have it finally out is great.
5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you.
There’s been a lot of moving parts to it, both working with featured artists, but also making sure that we get elements within the music that we are all happy with. I also have been in a bit of limbo the last few years moving around from London back to Australia which has left complications with the process as well. But I’m very happy with it, as are the boys and everyone else involved.
6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?
There’s honestly nothing better than when my guitarist and fellow friend Travis sends me a completed song and I can then create my lyrics and my own feel to it. Especially with heavy music incorporated with screaming. Screaming is great for my mental health, especially if I’m screaming words and lyrics that have meaning to me or a feeling that I may be having at that time. I enjoy the process and it can change and take on a different life quite easily. I’ve had many songs that I’ve rewritten because my life and ideals have changed, there’s a few of those in this upcoming EP actually.
7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?
I’m very fortunate to be able to work with 2 of the best metal musicians in Adelaide. Travis is an incredible songwriter, especially for this genre of music, as I said he can send me a completed demo of a song and I have no notes or revisions at all to give him, I’m always thrilled with what he produces. The absolute same can be said for Rory who is again one of the best if not the best metal drummer in Adelaide. The speed in which he’s able to learn things and just kick the song into another gear is just beyond me. I’m also thrilled that he was able to throw backing screams into this EP. Again it just provides so much more to the songs. My biggest challenge is more so making sure that I’m up to par with my screams and cleans and overall songwriting so that it makes the whole process cohesively positive.
8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?
I don’t anymore. I have instagram, sometimes facebook and YouTube if it’s a music video of some degree. I’ve done content work through a lot of social media for the band and my own endeavours and I dislike it immensely. So now I just do what I can handle and that’s honestly enough. The guys are happy to put in for the music and when it comes to the other side of things I just do what I can handle at the time.
9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?
By just doing an amount that I can handle and afford. I’m not going to put myself in debt because I apparently need all the content and pr and playlist pitching in the world to fill my social media profiles. If I had the ability for someone to take care of all the social media aspects of things I’d do it and probably not even personally use it again.
10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support you?
Listen to the music, enjoy it, show ya friends if you think they’d like it, and hopefully it makes your day and or your life a bit better
11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?
I like to keep busy if I’m honest, when I veg out too long I get depressed so I like to be able to have things going on with Wrestling, Acting, Podcasting, My solo music or just work in general.
12. Where can people find you?
You can follow the band @kazaran.band if you wish, my handle is @thisischa5m if you wish to follow me, but all our respective handles are on the bands instagram account.
