New album, Don’t Panic out June 27, via Nettwerk
Montreal-based artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist kerri announces a new
LP entitled DON’T PANIC, out June 27 via Nettwerk. The 17-track project is his third full-length, following 2021’s QUEEN CITY and 2023’s Finish What You Started.
After reflecting on some bitter truths and emerging stronger on Finish What You Started, kerri took a more uplifting and self-soothing approach to DON’T PANIC. Part of this decision came from acknowledging his growing platform and the power of his words. With over 10 million streams across DSPs, kerri’s music has reached people across the globe. But for most of his career, he downplayed this influence. DON’T PANIC is an awakening of consciousness—a body of work with a clear message that earnestly reflects what kerri wants to share with the world.
“I think it [was] very important to me when I [was] making this project,” shares kerri, “to use my airtime, my airspace to be thankful and show gratitude.”
Simultaneously, the album is a recommitment to creating freely. In an age where Spotify is playlisting AI-generated music and TikTok implicitly encourages artists to build their songs around catchy 15-second snippets (often at the expense of creating something more impactful), kerri embraces the opposite. He could care less about creating “radio hits” or fitting industry expectations for a check, and listeners can find examples of this throughout the tracklist. From the extended intro on “SAME PLACE” to the staticky vibrato on the chorus of “2 SOULZ,” to the anthemic, banjo-heavy closing track “hide your heart inside your body.”
“I didn’t realize how important…retaining and valuing my individuality was to me before,” he explains. “[But] trying to approach things with pure intentions really helps you retain your humanity”
Ultimately, kerri created DON’T PANIC as a reminder to himself that life is too short to fear judgment, and we should be proud of who we are, warts and all.
“Overthinking, anxiety, and panicking… It’s something I was very prone to,” he admits. “I tried to make the project in a way that people can really feel without necessarily having my exact life. Music that’s there to help you escape and relive positive memories.”
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi! My name is kerri. I’m turning 26 in a couple weeks. I make indie-rnb music & live in Montreal; grew up in Saskatchewan, and my favourite movie is Spiderman (2002). My favourite actor is Joaquin Phoenix. My second favourite is Robert Pattinson.
You launched your new album DON’T PANIC with the single “DISAPPEARING.” What’s the story behind that track, and why did you choose it to introduce the album?
I think DISAPPEARING is most representative of where my head was at coming into this project, almost 1.5 years ago. It’s gentle, but it’s colourful. It’s subdued yet passionate. It was also really fun to make because I was just beginning to experiment with hardware, and this started as a jam with drum machines and a tape echo. In a way, making this song laid out a lot of the traits I adopted for the sound palette of the album.
DON’T PANIC is a powerful title — what made you land on that as the name for this body of work?
I literally just kept writing the phrase to myself in a journal or on a sticky note on my computer for like a year. The reason the album exists is to soothe me through grief and a long breakdown. I felt uncomfortable and unsafe in my own skin so many times. Still do. I was lost for a long time. I had to learn a lot of new life skills and reshape my world view. I think this desire to have fun again led me down the right path.
Timbaland recently called your music “expensive” and referred to you as the “Anakin” to his Obi-Wan. How did it feel to get that kind of co-sign from one of the most legendary producers in the game?
It was a huge honour, and it was very shocking to me. I went in thinking, “Oh well, if he tells me he hates it, at least I have a funny clip for my friends to laugh at.” But hearing “that boy is a star” from someone with so much history and influence… specifically in production, when most people don’t even realize I produce my own music… life was reminding me my time wasn’t wasted. I always wanted to be impactful with my vision, too. This is the path I chose.
“Don’t Panic Fridays” has been a really cool way to build toward the album. How has that monthly release cadence impacted how people engage with your work?
I feel like I’m creating an internet family. And I love it right now. I’ve been releasing music online since I was a preteen. I have seen the online music landscape entirely change 3 times over. Discovery happening on Soundcloud/Youtube to Spotify to TikTok. It’s all been a mess to adjust to, but I’m enjoying this path so far. There are lots of ways today that an artist can regain some control of their movement. I also come from an era of artists who hid their faces and have insane self-esteem issues, so the exposure therapy brought on by the last 5 years has been a huge source of growth for me. It’s very liberating.
With over 10 million streams and songs placed in shows like Bel-Air, do you ever feel the need to recalibrate your goals — or are you just riding the wave?
Every single day, I recalibrate my goals. When I’m bored, I sit down & plot with a smile on my face. My goals are always floating in the back of my mind, driving every step. Artistically, riding a wave never made sense to me. I respect people who find community in a certain sound & stick to it, but I just have too much to say to keep it simple. I want art to be a buffet. Go deeper if you want. There’s always more.
What was it like collaborating with ivri on “MINE”? What drew you to working together?
It was an incredible time. It was my first time staying alone in NYC, but this time I kind of remembered my directions. I had been sober for a while and felt energized, which frankly was exciting. Meeting & working with ivri was awesome because it just felt very human and natural, which I greatly appreciate. If someone is truly open to meeting you and hearing you, you become friends & your work together elevates to another level. Often bigger artists who don’t know me disregard me & my abilities at first. So, somebody I respect being willing to meet me at that human level meant a lot, and that defined the process. I think what drew us together is our mentality. We both want to push the envelope. We both know we’re capable of a lot. We have big things to say, but we’re humble. That’s powerful. We made a song while becoming homies. Pretty dope.
Montreal has such a unique musical scene. How does the city inspire you or influence your sound and work ethic?
Montreal balanced my work ethic a lot and offered me new tools. My love for hardware, becoming decent at a range of instruments, meeting other artists, and a calm, peaceful environment for my chaotic life. I’m thankful for it. I grew up in Saskatchewan until I was 19. I did what I had to. I was hours late to school every day while my grades tanked, I sacrificed every weekend improving, and I loved it. I wanted to be great. But growing into a man teaches you that peace in your soul is the most important. I make music for myself, not to prove myself to others. Montreal gave me space to breathe, for a long, long time. Now I’ve caught my breathe.
What’s one risk you took on this project that you’re proud you didn’t play safe with?
I don’t care how long the song is. I don’t care how many tracks there is. Welcome to my unfiltered freak show. If you’re reading this, I made this album for the next time you need a place to go for 46 minutes. It’ll be there for you like it was for me.
Finally, what’s next for you now that the album has been released? More shows, visuals, or perhaps a tour?
I have a show in Montreal coming up for the album! But I want to tour so bad. The thought of it makes me tear up. I’ve been in the bedroom too long!!!! Regarding music & visuals, I’m 2 steps ahead. But I can’t get caught up in all that yet. I get anticipation anxiety, you know… gotta remind myself sometimes… not to panic….