Note: Zak Kasian uses he/they pronouns. This article uses both pronouns interchangeably.
Kasian
Born and raised in Ithaca, Zak Kasian (’26) has always loved music. Since the age of two, they’ve been learning to play dozens of instruments. “Music has always brought me joy, no matter what time of day or no matter how I felt,” Kasian says of his musical career. “It was the one thing I’d go to when I’m feeling down.” His debut album, Just An Intermission, was released in early November. They cleverly combine majestic instrumentals with calm and hopeful lyrics in the nine-track album.
PROLOGUE:
The prologue to this album is a dark and gloomy electronic track with distinguished crescendos. It is similar to haunted house music, yet something about it is still light and tender. “The prologue, essentially, shows that this is what I want to open up with in my musical career,” Kasian says of the opening to the album. The track brings a fresh take on suspenseful music.
THAT FUZZY FEELING:
A juxtaposition from the first track, “That Fuzzy Feeling” is an upbeat, lively tune. Low brass instruments make for a unique bridge that complements the electronic dance-pop vibes of the song’s introduction. “I’ve always had a fascination for brass instruments. Traditionally, you don’t really hear brass instruments in indie music, but I wanted to bring something new into the mix,” Kasian said.
GOING FOR A WALK:
If you’ve ever been to Porchfest or seen someone playing music in public, this song will make you think of those happy memories. The song is bouncy, lighthearted, and sweet, with gushing lyrics. “Now I’ve kind of realized the song is about going out of your way to travel anywhere to go see a person. Having that drive just to be with someone is a whole new level of, ‘you’re my friend and this is how much of an important person you are in my life. I’ll do anything, I’ll go anywhere.’”
HAVE YOU EVER REALLY SEEN A BABY MONKEY:
Just when we thought we were getting over the “Baby Shark” and “It’s Raining Tacos” phenomena, the fourth track on this album is a goofy, Perry Gripp-esque tune. The vocal layering adds to the creative and funky ambiance of this song. “Basically one day I was just thinking of this rhyme going over and over and over in my mind. It was some stupid thing I came up with one day and I was like, you know, I wanna release it. And also, I had to put in a slap bass section at the end.”
THERE’S A MOMENT:
Musical theater kids, you’re going to love this bittersweet ballad. “With this song, I started out with the piano. When I was coming up with lyrics for this, I was in this dark time with depression and anxiety, and I was like, I can vent about this through song,” Kasian reflects. “There’s moments where life is going to suck, but then there are moments where you can get over them.” This is a sentimental and uplifting piece about struggling to reach your dreams but still knowing you will make it in the end.
DON’T SWEAT IT:
Stop sobbing because of “There’s A Moment,” because “Don’t Sweat It” will make you want to get up, dance, and literally break into a sweat. This upbeat song has a positive message and a great blend of instruments. “I originally wrote this instrumental track a while ago and I was thinking it’d just be a solid disco piece. When I added lyrics to it, I was like, oh yeah, this is gonna be a catchy thing. It’s kind of just a good ‘get up and dance’ song.”
I DON’T KNOW YET:
“This song is kind of about the feeling of being in the presence of the unknown.” Kasian bravely tackles the feeling of uncertainty in “I Don’t Know Yet,” taking the listener on a journey as they explore the world around them. “I want to leave the listener wondering. When does anybody ever know anything? All we do know is that there’s always more to know.”
A MAGICAL FARAWAY PLACE:
Ethereal and enchanting, the penultimate track on this album illustrates a tangible nirvana that the narrator seeks. With a hint of The Beatles flair and Peter Pan scenery, “A Magical Faraway Place” imagines an idyllic, other world “where everyone is happy and free.” “I wrote this song about Canada,” Kasian admits. “I always see Canada as like this amazing place where anything can happen and where everyone is just free to do whatever they want. I just wanted to escape from all of this confusion and controversy.”
JUST AN INTERMISSION:
Kasian closes his debut album with the memorable title track, “Just An Intermission.” Originally performed at the Students Of Color Summit in 2021, this track marks a sweet and wishful ending to this chapter in Kasian’s life. “Back when I wrote the song, I wrote it about all of the questions that are floating around in my head. When I stopped to think about this as a pause, in reality, an intermission, if you will, I really think about if I do this one thing, will the world be better than it already is? If I make one move, will it affect everything around me?”
Zak Kasian has poured his heart and soul into his music career. “I always love the nourishing sense of melancholy and nostalgia and that’s where I want my music to go,” Kasian gushes. “I want it to have this solemn yet familiar sense of nostalgia and I feel like that kind of music doesn’t really exist yet, so I want this to be a
turning point.” They are ecstatic to see what impact this album has. “This album is really for the people, not only just regular people but people who are really struggling out there. I want this album to lift them up from what they’re going through.”
Find Just An Intermission on Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, or other music streaming services.
