We Are PIGS in collaboration with Brian “Head” Welch and JR Bareis (KORN, Love And Death) release the bold new animated video for the track “Kids” via Metal Hammer. Featuring each artist in caricature, the video – like the song – aims to bring attention to the challenges faced by today’s young generation and lets them know they are not alone.

See the powerful video (animated by Dave the Creator) here: 

While it can be challenging growing up in current times, We Are PIGS, Brian “Head” Welch and JR Bareis want kids to know that there is always hope. As Welch told Metal Hammer about the new art piece, “For youth today, the world can be a particularly dark place, filled with many temptations. But there is always help available if one reaches for it, as the red balloon symbolizes in the video.”

The song was produced, engineered, co-written and co-sung by Esjay Jones, the mastermind behind We Are Pigs, and was originally inspired by the HBO show “Euphoria” and its raw portrayal of sex, drugs, identity, social media and the difficulties of navigating life as a teenager. Similar to the show, Jones, Welch and Bareis wanted the music video to be uncomfortable and thought provoking. 

To further that message, part of the proceeds from the sale of “Kids” will be donated to organizations We Are Moving The Needle and The Whosoevers Movement aimed at uplifting, empowering and providing education and purpose for today’s youth. Find the track here: https://onerpm.link/kids 

Says The Whosoevers Movement, “Our generation today faces many more distractions and problems than ever before. Drug abuse, depression, broken families, self-harm and suicide are just a few of the issues they have to overcome.” We Are PIGS hopes to provide a beacon of light with “Kids” and encourages fans to check out and support these organizations as well.

We had a chat with Esjay about all of the above and more.

What’s your story as an artist? 

I am a South African-born, Grammy-featured metal and rock producer, songwriter and artist. I moved to the USA in 2009 and now live in Yucca Valley, California. I have worked alongside songwriters and artists, including Billy Corgan, Dave Navarro, Grey Daze (Chester Bennington), Krewella, Justin Tranter, Brian “Head” Welch (Korn), Jasen Rauch (Breaking Benjamin), Alien Ant Farm, Trey Vittetoe, Gina Schock (The Go-Go’s) Sean Kington, Mike Elizondo, JR Rotem, Nile Rodgers, Toby Gad, The Underdogs, Olivia Holt, Pia Toscano and many more. Although I started writing the We Are PIGS album in 2018, it was officially “born” in May of 2020 with a cover of Slipknot’s “Duality.”

What inspired this last release?

The song was inspired by the HBO show “Euphoria.” I was deeply troubled by its graphic and raw portrayal of sex, drugs, identity, social media and the difficulties of navigating life as a teenager today as seen on the show. It was hard to watch. I spoke to Brian about the concept – initially thinking the message was, the ‘kids AREN’T alright,’ but as we started working together, we wanted to spread positivity, hope and purpose to youth with our words, and ‘kids are alright’ became the mantra.”

What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?

I’m inspired by fellow musicians and artists, like Billy Corgan, Sneaker Pimps and Deftones, as well as how social media has changed us a people.

Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing the album?

“PIGS” (a song that is currently unreleased) was the first song I wrote for this project and it became the name of the band. When I started writing the song, I reached out to my dear friend Bjorn Thorsrud and asked if he would please connect me to Billy Corgan to see if he would consider collaborating with me on a song – and much to my surprise and pure shock, Billy agreed! That’s not really a funny anecdote … more like a completely unbelievable one!

Tell us about the music video and the idea behind it ?

This is the explanation from the animator, “Dave the Creator” : In the video the girl is standing on the roof because the house represents the unconscious where, underneath, inside, her depression hides, played by the little black monster who invites her to take pills. Our protagonist is wearing headphones, she is listening to music, or even more in detail she is listening to “Kids.” With the power of music she fights depression, vomits pills she has taken and burns her own demons. To reinforce the concept, the balloon that Head holds, representing the music, is left to save the girl from her problems. The battle also recurs in the colors, yellow represents anguish, depression, pills, vomiting, hypnosis and purple, the key color of We Are PIGS, is the color of revenge, in this case of the revenge on problems and the rediscovery of freedom.

What’s a record that shaped your creativity?

Alanis Morissette’s Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie

Who is an artist or band you look up to today?

The Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, Alanis Morissette, Deftones

Any future projects?

We have new singles and collaborations dropping every 8 to 10 weeks until the end of 2022.

Top 3 dream collaborations?

Alanis Morissette

Chino Moreno of Deftones

Sneaker Pimps

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

An alt metal hybrid with brutal riffs, brazen screams and ethereal melodies