CHEZ KANE – Free, wild, reckless!

May 04, 2026   »   interview   »   U2604

text: Kiss Daniella   
»   photo: Danny Rexon & band archives

Few artists embody the spirit of ’80s rock as confidently and convincingly as Chez Kane. With Reckless, her new third studio album, the British singer dives headfirst into the sound, fearless attitude and larger-than-life swagger of that era. Packed with big hooks, soaring melodies and rebellious energy, the record captures that same feeling while still sounding fresh and modern. Just ahead of its release, we caught up with Chez to talk about her new songs, her inspirations, and the lasting appeal of all things ’80s. Your new album, Reckless, is coming out on March 27. Does it represent a new chapter for you, or more of a refinement of what you’ve already been doing? „Well, creating this album came at a time when I was going through a lot personally. At the same time, the world feels quite heavy—there’s a lot of doom and gloom—so I really wanted to step away from all of that and make something fun. I wanted the album to carry a message: just let go, be free, be a little wild… and, you know, a little bit reckless. That’s where Reckless came from. I’m very excited about the release. It’s been quite a long campaign—the first single came out about six months ago—so there’s been a lot of build-up, a lot of excitement, and, not going to lie, a little bit of anxiety as well (laughs). But we’re finally here now, just two days away.” Which song captures the essence of the album best, and why? „It has to be the title track. We called it Reckless because it really sums up the whole vibe of the album straight away, which is why it became the album title as well. As soon as you hear it, you’ll know what to expect—it sets the tone immediately and gives you a feel for the whole record.” You’ve been working closely with Danny Rexon since your first album. How did that collaboration begin, and what’s the biggest advantage of having such a consistent creative partner? „We didn’t know each other at all at the start. Danny wanted to get into producing and was looking for a singer. He came across a YouTube video of me doing a Vixen cover of Edge of a Broken Heart and reached out to see if I wanted to collaborate. That style of music is exactly what I grew up loving, so as soon as I heard the songs, I was like, “Oh yes, I’m definitely giving this a shot.” From the moment we started working together, we just clicked. It’s really hard to find somebody in this industry where you share the exact same creative vision, but we had that from the get-go. Now, three albums in, our working relationship has only gotten stronger, and everything feels very natural. It’s been such a fun journey so far, and hopefully it continues, because I think we’ve got a really good collaboration going.” What’s something you’ve learned from him that changed the way you approach music? „I think whenever you work with someone, you learn from each other. For me, Danny really helped bring out my confidence. This has always been the kind of music I’ve loved—artists like Lita Ford—but I never thought we’d actually be able to do it in today’s world. It felt like something that belonged to the past, but we both wanted to keep that flame alive. He made me believe that we can do this, and that there are people out there who still love this kind of music. That’s been a huge takeaway for me.”

A lot of artists draw from the past, but you really live in that ’80s aesthetic. Does it ever feel limiting, or is it actually freeing creatively? „Honestly, my first real love of rock music was Def Leppard. I heard Pour Some Sugar on Me on the radio when I was 13, and it just opened up a whole new world for me. All of that music existed before I was born, and discovering it felt incredible. So, for me, it’s really important to carry that music forward, keep it alive and hopefully introduce it to a new generation. I want people to feel the same way I did when I first heard that song. Danny and I share that vision. There are people out there who love this music, and the more they hear it, the better.” Speaking of the ’80s, how do you balance nostalgia with making something that still feels fresh? „It is quite tricky. When we started this project, we didn’t know how people would react, since it clearly draws from the greats of the ’80s. I think Danny has done an amazing job on the production side, though—it still has that classic feel, but with a freshness to it. I do think there’s still a market for this sound. You can see it in pop culture too, with shows like Stranger Things or Cobra Kai bringing those vibes back. The more people embrace it, the more it sticks around, and I think that’s really important.” There’s definitely a resurgence of bands bringing back that sound. What is it about that era that still resonates so strongly today? „I didn’t live through it, but it just looks like it was so much fun. The music was about enjoying yourself, dressing up, feeling sexy, going out and having a wild time. Right now, there are so many depressing things going on in the world that I think people really need that kind of escape. Music has always been that for me, as it helps me forget my worries. This style of music is uplifting, it makes you feel good, and that’s exactly what I wanted to bring into my own songs. That’s probably why I’m so drawn to the ’80s—it’s just pure, feel-good energy.” What do you think modern rock might be missing—if anything—compared to the ‘80s? „Honestly, I don’t think anything is missing. There are so many different styles out there, and there’s something for everyone. Of course, there are genres I personally don’t connect with, but that doesn’t mean they’re lacking—it just means they’re not for me. If you’re passionate about a certain style, you should just go for it and put it out there. Some people will love it, some won’t, and that’s always going to be the case. But if you believe in what you’re doing, that comes across. For me, I just want to keep things fun, light, and uplifting.” Are there any new musical directions you’re curious to explore in the future? „Absolutely! The ’80s are a huge part of who I am, but I love so many different styles of music. That era is what sparked my love for rock and I do love performing uplifting songs, but I also listen to a wide range of music—I’m also a big Alter Bridge fan, for example. If something hits me emotionally, I connect with it, regardless of the genre. So, for future projects, as long as I’m passionate about it and I love how it sounds, I’m open to exploring different directions. It’s all about feeling it.” Now that the album is about to be released, what excites you most about this next phase? Are there plans to take it on the road? „I’m starting a record store tour on release day, so I’ll be doing a full week of meet-and-greets, signings, and acoustic sets. There are definitely some nerves, but I’m really excited to get back to gigging, being on the road, meeting fans, and just enjoying the whole experience. You can’t predict anything in this industry—you never know how things will go—so I’m just going with the flow. But I’m really looking forward to getting out there.” As a solo project, how does your lineup differ between the studio recordings and your live shows? „I’m obviously singing on the songs, and I’ve started getting more involved in the songwriting, but Danny handles the production. On this album, we also had Andreas Eriksson playing guitar, which was amazing. When it comes to my live band, the lineup does change from time to time, and that’s one of the advantages of it being a solo project under my name. A lot of bands struggle to keep a consistent lineup, but I have the flexibility to adapt. That said, I do have some core members—James and Harry on guitar have been with me from the beginning. I’ve also recently added a keyboard player, which I’m really excited about. I’ve wanted that from the start, but it wasn’t always financially possible, and they’re not easy to find! So that’s been a great addition. Sometimes the lineup also depends on where I’m playing, because if I’m in a different country, it can be easier to work with local musicians. But everyone involved has always been passionate about the music, and that’s what matters most.” Have you ever been to Hungary, and do you have a message for your fans there? „I’ve never been, but I would absolutely love to. It would be so much fun, so keep spreading the word! And to my Hungarian fans, I just want to say thank you so much for all the support. Hopefully, an opportunity comes up soon for me to come over, play some shows, and meet you all. Until then, stay connected with me on social media, and fingers crossed we can make it happen in the future. It would be amazing.” Finally, if you could collaborate with any ’80s artist, who would it be and why? „I’ve definitely dreamt about this before (laughs). It would have to be Def Leppard. I’d love to get on stage and perform Pour Some Sugar on Me with them, just to have that full-circle moment with the song that introduced me to ’80s rock in the first place. And rocking out with Joe Elliott on stage? That would be incredible.”

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