Cheat Codes, the dynamic trio known for their infectious hits and energetic performances, recently took Bangkok by storm at the Together Festival. The festival, renowned for its eclectic lineup, featured some of the biggest names in the industry, and Cheat Codes were a standout act. Their music, characterized by catchy melodies and high-energy beats, has earned them a dedicated global fanbase.
As they prepared to take the stage, we had the chance to sit down with the trio to delve into their musical journey, creative process, and what fans can expect from their live performances. From their humble beginnings as roommates with a shared passion for music to creating chart-topping hits and collaborating with industry giants, Cheat Codes’ story is one of dedication and innovation. Join us as we explore the world of Cheat Codes and discover the music and passion that drive this talented group.
How did you come together to form Cheat Codes? What was the vision behind this?
You know, we actually started as roommates. Kevin and I began making music together with the idea of doing DJ music. We just started doing writing sessions, all three of us together. We wrote our first song called “Visions.” The idea was like, “Oh, we could travel the world and make music, make big songs.” That was kind of what sparked the excitement for us.
Your track “Sex” was a massive hit and brought you guys into the limelight. Can you tell us about the creation of the song and the impact it had on the world?
Yeah, for sure. At the time, we were writing music every single day. We had spent seven hours on an idea that wasn’t working. After that, we decided to try one more and ended up writing “Sex” in about 30-45 minutes. Matt had the idea from the original hook of Salt-N-Pepa, and Kevi and I weren’t that familiar with it. It was cool to create without too many preconceived ideas. It just happened naturally, and sometimes working in that flow state without overthinking yields the best results. We were lucky with that one.
Your music has evolved over the years. How do you decide which styles to incorporate into your tracks, and what mostly influences these decisions?
A lot of it comes from the vocal and what type of vocal we think will fit. For example, we have a song called “Never Love You Again,” which has a house, soulful dance vibe. The vocal we got was from Little Big Town, and it inspired us to do a whole country album. Now, we’re doing a song with Jason Derulo, De la Ghetto, and Galantis. It has a Latin vibe, which inspired us to make a global dance track with Latin flavors.
What’s your approach to choosing the artists you work with? For example, with Demi Lovato in the past?
It’s always about who’s right for the song. With “No Promises,” we had a list of people we thought would be good, but Demi Lovato was our top choice. We were thrilled that she resonated with it and wanted to be part of it. It’s a process of thinking who would be best for the song, sending it to them, and sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.
Together Festival in Bangkok is renowned for its eclectic lineup. What are you most excited about for Together Festival, and how do you prepare your setlist for such a big event like this?
We’re excited because it’s our first time in Thailand. It’s great to be part of a lineup with different styles, like Kayzo and Steve Angello. We don’t always get to play events with such a diverse lineup. We see Kayzo all the time back home, so it’s funny to be halfway across the world together. It’s a small world.
What are some ways you keep your fans engaged and connected with your music and personal journeys?
It’s all about interacting with people every day and giving our best in every show. We’re not the best at social media, but we try to give fans the best experience whenever they see us.
What advice would you give to people starting out in the scene, as songwriters or performers?
I often say this: try to do something unique that you’re passionate about. Don’t copy anyone else. If it feels unique to you, people will notice. Find a niche to stand out and be the first to create a new sound.
