ME: One of my followers introduced me to your music when I asked them who they’d like me to interview - they said you’re the coolest artist they’ve heard in a while. Does it ever shock you to get such praise from strangers and fans?
NEO 10Y: That is so amazing and literally means the world. It blows my mind every single time, but also... I agree. I am immensely grateful and it helps to reinforce my purpose and amplification of this collective message when things like this happen, so thank you!
M: Where did the name NEO 10Y come from?
NTY: NEO 10Y (pronounced knee-oh ten-why) means oneness, love, God, the universe. It comes from the word neoteny in zoology and biology which means the retention of childhood characteristics in the adult. Spiritually and physically. The essence of leading with an open heart and choosing love. NEO is an anagram for ONE, 1 and 0 is complete binary code, my name in Sanskrit is Nikhil, which also means complete / oneness. The Y is for curiosity energy which leads to love, and sonically, the NT parallels my legal name, Nik Thakkar, NEO 10Y.
I know it's objectively the most intricate artist name in humxn history, which is also what gives me hope when it comes down to my purpose.
M: You have such a strong and clear aesthetic and it's very unique, I love it. How did you find your aesthetic?
NTY: Umm, thanks Mia, so do you! I think when humxns live in freedom and love, we become our ultimate selves. I think the cosmic shift that is happening on planet earth right now which intersects self expression is part of that and if we have the freedom to also create alongside self expression and with love, then I think that is what aesthetic becomes. I feel like I am just me at the core, but amped up sonically and expressed astrally because of the art that is the expanded version of me.
M: Do you think aesthetics are a big part of a musician's presence nowadays?
NTY: I think that it has been like that forever. If you look at the icons - Grace Jones, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Lil Nas X, Doja Cat Prince, Freddie Mercury, Missy Elliott, Lady Gaga etc., they all have very cool iconography and products which are unique, but with mass appeal. I think it's good to be your ultimate self, as a musician and it can help you feel more secure in your art.
M: You also seem to be quite spiritual, like myself. How did you find a connection with spirituality and the universe, if that is what you believe in?
NTY: I guess I have always been a spiritual person, but it really amped up over the last five years ago when I started releasing music, became vegan, had a kundalini awakening, had more direct connection with the universe, amplified synchronicities and then this connection made me want to explore it more, so I have been reading and learning more about connecting with energy and the universe, I am a reiki master now, I channel source more directly into my art, lyricism, for example Shortcut To World Peace is a message from the universe for a spiritual revolution with love.
I am really grateful to be this vessel that is sharing this message through this medium.
M: You recently sang for Cactus City Studio as an LGBTQ+ representative - How did that make you feel?
NTY: I think what Cactus City Studio (Vanessa Threadgold and Salli Flaherty) are doing for women and gender minorities in music is really awesome and much needed considering the oppression that a lot of the music industry has been built on. I am lucky to be NEO 10Y, independent and without the constraints and interference from record label execs who might not be aligned cosmically to the conscious future of music and humxnity. I am grateful that they asked me to represent the LGBTQ+ community and I think I was a good fit because my lyricism is non-binary and inclusive.
M: How does it feel to be performing live amidst a pandemic?
NTY: When the pandemic started, I had just performed in LA and for Billboard at New York Fashion Week, and had releases ready for March and April, so I was ready to hit 2020 hard, but the pandemic changed the live element, although I was booked and busy at any points when performances were allowed in 2020 and then again from May 2021. I love a seated audience, so that was pretty cool at first and then when the crowds were standing and more hyped up it became a lot of fun too, and (God Is) The Camera goes down really well live in like a club environment too. I love performing, I am a Leo Rising (so are you right?), so it feels very natural to me and I love opening my shows on electric guitar and piano etc. and then doing more choreography, stripping, mood etc. This year, I even got to perform at the Roundhouse which was literally incredible. I am so grateful and am excited to continue on this path and share this message of a conscious universe.
M: Is there any message you’d like to give to LGBTQ+ people out there that love and listen to you?
NTY: Stan Yourself, and remember that you are the astral universe experiencing oneself physically. Being LGBTQ+ means you are being an honest person and acknowledging that sexuality and gender are on a spectrum, and that it is actually what should be normalized. There has been too much historic violence based on defining ourselves by strict binaries and ending that is part of the shortcut to world peace.
M: Do you feel as if music will get back on its feet next year after such atrocious world situations?
NTY: I think live music will grow again and I will continue to manifest bigger stages and more love energy.
M: I like to end on a fun one - if you could perform for anyone (a company, a well known name, anyone/anything) who/what would it be and why?
NTY: Sometimes when I am being a rockstar alone in the apartment, I say "what's up Madison Square Gardens" when I start a song, also in my new song Vapid Prophecy which is out on 2.2.2022 (adds up to 10 - presaves on 1 Jan), I sing, "here we go, booking stages like messiahs, you and me, I'm a Goddex and I feel like I'm free". I want to keep manifesting bigger stages, so I can keep sharing this message and inspiring people to choose love and self realization so that we can manifest a protopian dimension of peace. Every time I perform, I do it with all my love and gratitude for the universe, so that is always the best audience for me, but I am excited to keep expanding and sharing my art with people who are on the same frequency as me, like you, as this is a joint mission.
Below are links to pre-save for NEO 10Y's music:
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