Chez Kane is back with her third studio album, Reckless, and it is fun, sexy and has the perfect touch of ’80s magic. For her third studio album, Kane has been hands-on and collaborating on some writing to deliver something “bigger, bolder, and yeah… sexy as hell.”
The roots of Reckless were formed at a time when Chez Kane was feeling pretty low. “There are so many depressing things going on in the world, like all the time,” Chez told MetalTalk. “I think it’s so important to get the message across that it’s okay to be wild and feel free and just let go and be a little reckless sometimes. I think we all need reminding that it’s fine to go out and get dressed up and feel sexy and forget your troubles.”
Chez has succeeded in getting that message across, and Reckless is an awesome album.
As an artist, Chez Kane has grown with the release of each album. “When I started working on the first album, at the time Danny (Rexon) was looking for a singer to start a new project because he wanted to start producing music,” she said. “He had all the songs ready to go, and we created this project around the material he had ready.
“When I first heard those songs, I was like, oh my god, I want to be part of this because it was the kind of style I grew up loving. I knew that it was the right project for me. As time has gone on, we’ve started working together and collaborating a bit more and being able to get to know each other better.
“When Reckless was at the start of being created, we started writing together. At that time, I was going through a lot of personal problems and things that get you down, the grind, and I really wanted this album to come across as very uplifting.
“I have this strong memory of when I was 13 years old, hearing Pour Some Sugar On Me on the radio for the first time, and I wanted my album Reckless to have that feel when people hear it. I just haven’t taken things away from it. I wanted to put things into the album that I’ve taken from growing up.”
Reckless is the first album on which Chez has collaborated on the songwriting with Danny Rexon, an experience she describes as amazing. “I’ve always wanted to do a bit of the writing,” Chez says, “but obviously when we did the first two albums, they were created quite close together because of the pandemic. We had to do it in lockdown and juggle things back and forth through social media and the internet.
“But this time we were able to get together a bit more, and as our working relationship has gone on, we’ve gotten more comfortable and being able to sit and write together was a really cool thing. I’m very excited about this album because it has a touch of me in the album as well. It gives a sense of excitement knowing you’ve been part of the collaboration.”
Her music videos always feature fun, fashion and sets. You can tell by watching that the visual process for Chez Kane is exciting. “I don’t know if you can tell, but I have so much fun doing this stuff. Growing up, loving someone like Lita Ford who had this really strong, powerful, sexy image along with incredible music, I just knew that this album had to be the entire package.
“Like if you say Madonna, you know instantly that she’s got this iconic image, or if you say Cher, you know her iconic image. And the same with Lita Ford. I really wanted that for the Reckless album. I wanted to make it as iconic as possible, and I really feel like I touched on that.
“We haven’t recorded any more music videos to date, but we have spoken about it. So hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to get some more music videos for the album. It would be fun.”
I wondered if there was a track on the album not released as a single that she was most excited for fans to hear. “I love Strip Me Down because it starts, and it has that kind of nostalgic movie theme vibe going on with it. Then it just hits you in the face with this awesome chorus. I think that’s a really cool song. I’m gonna put that in the set as well ’cause I think it’s gonna be really fun live.”
I do love Strip Me Down. It is a great track and, for me, Bad Girl is another to love.
Chez Kane begins a small acoustic record store run of shows tonight in Swansea, with a full tour beginning in May with a full band. Chez is ready and excited. “The preparation and everything are just rolling into one,” she says. “I’m starting the in-store tour on the release date. It’s gonna be a meet and greet, signing, and I’m doing a short acoustic set.
“I’m bringing two of my guitarists with me, so people can just expect to meet me and have some fun, and I’ll be able to sign what they bring. I’m gonna have some merch with me and perform some songs from the new album, as well as some of the older stuff. So I’m looking forward to that.
“Then, when it comes to the electric show in May, I’m just getting into rehearsals at the moment and setting up the show. Lots to prepare for that one.
“I’m trying to think of one thing at a time, so I’m currently concentrating on the record store tour. But I’m putting seven songs from the new album into the electric set. I’m not gonna say which ones, but people can expect a lot from the new album, as well as the classics from my other records.
“That’s almost the whole album. I’m really excited.”
There is more to come, too, with some festivals lined up this year and “some stuff that hasn’t been announced yet. I can’t share very much at the moment, unfortunately. Everything that I’m able to share, you know me, I shout it out on social media. If you wanna be up to date with what I’m doing, then it’s there. I also share a little bits and pieces on Patreon ’cause I’m there as well. But I’ve shared everything I’m allowed to share at the moment.”
The tease is in place and it will be exciting to see what the rest of this year looks like for Chez Kane. She is one who deserves everything that she has been working for.
“It’s a lot of work that goes in behind the scenes, a lot of stuff that a lot of people don’t see,” she says. “But, it’s all worth it in the end, especially when you can get out and play the shows and show people the music that you’re passionate about.
“Like you’re saying that you’re loving it, it means the world to me because the job’s done that I wanted to get that across. And I want people to feel the same way, so thank you.”
I feel like Chez Kane is one who steps up her game every time. PowerZone was a super special album to me. It helped me grow confidence in myself, and the way that Chez presents herself is super inspiring to me. For me, Reckless is an even better album than PowerZone.
“The thing is, you saying that it’s helped build your confidence, it’s done the exact same for me as I’ve been making the albums,” Chez says. “It’s like I started, and as I’m progressing, confidence is building. I’m feeling more empowered by myself, and it’s really nice that you said that because it’s done the exact same thing for me as the artist. So thank you.”
Chez Kane releases her new album, Reckless, today via Frontiers Music s.r.l. For more details, visit ffm.bio/recklesspreorder. For details of her acoustic and full tour, including tickets, visit bnds.us/ak9x4w.
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