CD Burners

72: How Twenty One Pilots Got Weird and Took Over the World w/ Zak Dossi

Sep 9, 2025
Zak Dossi, member of the band People R Ugly, shares insights into the groundbreaking era of Twenty One Pilots' Blurryface. He discusses how the album's genre-defying sound, blending elements from screamo to ukulele pop, broke traditional music boundaries. Zak delves into the lore of Blurryface, the cult-like fan community it fostered, and the symbolic visuals that defined the band's style. He also reflects on his own musical journey and the upcoming projects for People R Ugly, emphasizing the power of DIY production in today's music scene.
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ADVICE

Use Online Learning To Keep Production DIY

  • Learn creative and technical skills independently using free resources like YouTube and masterclasses.
  • DIY production and video skills let artists execute ambitious ideas on limited budgets.
INSIGHT

Big-Name Producers Shaped The Eclectic Sound

  • Blurryface used an all-star production team, mixing indie, pop and hip-hop sensibilities.
  • Collaboration with producers like Ricky Reed and Mike Elizondo shaped its wide sonic palette.
INSIGHT

Genre-Blending As A Coherent Identity

  • Twenty One Pilots blended wildly different genres yet kept a coherent band identity across tracks.
  • That fearless genre-mixing made the album feel like
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