Archetypes Collide is a dynamic band that skillfully blends 90s pop-punk and rock influences with a modern twist, setting them apart with their unique sound. Their recent cover of Lit's 1999 hit "My Own Worst Enemy" showcases their ability to reimagine classic songs, infusing them with darker tones and heavier elements that resonate with their style. The band, led by vocalist Kyle Pastor, has garnered significant support from platforms like Knotfest, bolstering their reach and connecting them with a broader audience.

Never afraid to take risks, their bold choices, such as the reinterpretation of "My Own Worst Enemy," have garnered praise from fans and the original artists. Their passion for music shines through in their original works, including tracks like "Parasite" and "What If I Fall," which delve into deeper, more introspective themes. Since their formation in 2014, the band's growth is evident in their mature songwriting and polished production, a testament to their dedication and evolution.

Your band Archetypes Collide recently recorded a version of LITS' 1999 song, “My Own Worst Enemy.” What inspired you to choose that song? I think for us, we're a bunch of 90s kids, and the pop-punk scene was pretty sick back then. Growing up, whether it was, you know, Sum 41 or Linkin Park or Blink 182, I mean, there's so many great bands that we loved growing up that influenced us and what we do. We did a cover song a while ago and had a good time with it, so we started discussing recording another cover. When we took a second look at “My Own Worst Enemy,” we noticed that its structure is very cheerful and upbeat; however, the fundamental rhythm of the guitars, drums, and everything else is very rock and metal. We thought it would be really cool to tweak it a little bit, make it our own, and give it a darker tone. We're super stoked with how it turned out.

You partnered up with Knotfest for the premiere; how did that come about? They've been super good to us. We have actually worked with them before on one of our music videos. I can't recall if it was for "Above It All," but it may have been around 2020 or 2021. We have always maintained a great relationship with them, so when it came to releasing
“My Own Worst Enemy,” they were very enthusiastic about it and have been incredibly supportive of us over the years. It's a fantastic opportunity to work closely with them on this project.

Do you think that support helped your traction with getting this song to launch? Yeah, definitely. I find it interesting how publications, news media, and interviews can have a significant impact, which is often underestimated. As we transitioned from being a local band to building our brand, I've become more intrigued by these aspects as I get more involved in the industry. When we scheduled this interview, I spent 45 minutes on your site, reading articles and discovering new artists. I was learning about Sueco; it was exciting, and I found myself getting into it. For me, learning about the industry and connecting with different people through publications and similar avenues is enjoyable. It's fun to delve deeper and see what goes on behind the scenes. I have a real passion for that kind of stuff.

Have you gotten any feedback or comments from LIT regarding your version of their song? One of our TikTok’s popped off and got a lot of traction, and they ended up commenting on that like, “Hey! This is sick!”. I was like, “Yes, we got the approval! The Hail Mary! We are not worthy!” It was a risk, and the way we did it was a different style than the original, which I think when it comes to covers, you have to make it your own. You can't just do a one-to-one and call it a day; there's gotta be some creativity in that. There's a vulnerability in that, and to see them say, “Yo, this is dope. The band killed it!” It was a really cool feeling. So yeah, the kid in me was screaming, “Oh my gosh!!!”

That has to be the ultimate feeling as a musician. How did you keep the essence of the original sound while incorporating your own? Once we decided on recording “My Own Worst Enemy,” our friend Oshie Bichar, who plays bass for Beartooth and also co-manages us, goes, “Hey, here's an idea, what if we took this song and we kind of flipped it on its head?” During the recording process, I had an epiphany about the producer Don Gilmore, who produced the first two albums of Linkin Park: "Hybrid Theory" and "Meteora." He also produced LIT’s album, which included the song "My Own Worst Enemy." Listening to our version and how we placed that minor, almost Linkin Park-esque key, all I could think was, “This could literally be a Linkin Park song.” It's incredible how similar the vocal style, guitar riff, and rhythmic style are between these two music genres. In the studio, we decided to make the music darker and more minor and to incorporate heavy elements because we love that kind of stuff.

Your band has also released a few original songs, including “Parasite,” “ What If I Fall,” and “Destiny,” which delve into more profound lyrics and production with intention. We've been a band for a while; we started hanging out and writing and recording music in 2014, so Tyler and I, our drummer, have been together this whole time. Me and him joke that we've been hanging out longer than I've known my wife. He's a good dude. It's cool to see the maturity level of the band grow over the years. When we first started, we threw everything at the wall and it all sounded terrible, but we kept going at it. Over the past ten years, we've been practicing our craft and have invested a ton of our money to make this happen, and it's cool to see how that is paying off. I know that many of the songs on this album, especially "What if I Fall," are all quite introspective, but that comes naturally to me. It's therapeutic. I'm not the type to freak out and start yelling at people in person. I avoid conflict, and in personality tests like the Enneagram, I'm a type nine. When things get heated, I prefer to leave or crack a joke to defuse the situation. Writing has always been a healthy outlet for me to express my thoughts and emotions. It's been beneficial for me, as well as for our fans. Many fans have told us that our song "What if I Fall" is exactly what they needed. The song reflects my experience of going on tour after the band got signed. I have a wife and kids at home, and I'm torn between not wanting to mess things up and wanting to seize the opportunity. I've heard from several fans who have connected with this song, particularly fathers who work remotely or in the military and have to leave their families behind. They say the song means a lot to them. It's amazing to see how the song resonates with people from different walks of life and professions. Our journey of maturing and learning how to write better, more authentic music has been incredibly rewarding.

It seems like adding a visual aspect to your music is an important layer of your creative process. The music video we made for "My Worst Enemy" was the first time we tried something more lighthearted to match the spirit of the song. Typically, our music is pretty dark and introspective, but with this cover song, we wanted to show some of our dorky sides, which is honestly just who we are. We take our work and music seriously but don't take ourselves too seriously. We're not trying to impress anyone; we're just being ourselves. It's been enjoyable to show this side of us and let people see that we're really not that cool. I think it's valuable when artists show their normal, behind-the-scenes selves.

Regarding your involvement in the creative process of your music videos, could you explain your input level? Do you actively participate in creating the videos, or do you show up on a set where everything is already pre-designed? With the backing of Fearless Records, we have the privilege of tapping into the creativity of like-minded individuals. Before discussing labels, we spent over five years doing the local band thing, and we used to make our own music videos. It's funny because three of us in the band still play in the church, so we've always had a place to create our aesthetic. We've been using each other’s churches as filming locations and DIYing everything. When we shot the video for "What If I Fall," we arrived at a house in Los Angeles with a pre-built set, and they even had catering; we were looking around like, “What is happening right now?” It was so cool to be involved in a bigger production. I am slightly controlling when it comes to storytelling, direction, and production; the guys in the band would probably emphasize that, but I love being involved in that aspect. I don't think we would ever sit back and let someone else take control because that's not how we got to where we are. However, it's been great to see how people who are really skilled in production, video editing, and other areas can enhance what we do as a band. We feel blessed to have such talented individuals around us.

The video is an extension of your music, so no one can blame you for wanting to be involved as much as possible. Yeah, I mean, I think I mentioned it before, but I feel like the reason we are where we are is because we didn't wait for someone else to do it for us. People say they want to start a new hobby, career, or travel, but then they hold themselves back. People feel like they have to wait for the right time or until they are ready, but no one, not even yourself, knows how qualified you are until you actually start the process. We often underestimate ourselves. It's human nature to think, "I don't want to disappoint anyone." But the truth is, if you have confidence in yourself, people will respond to that, so take the chance. As a band, we've learned to lean into that way of thinking, to go for it. It hasn't failed us yet. We keep moving, trying new things, and embracing discomfort because that’s where growth and strength are born.

 It's human nature to feel uncomfortable stepping outside the routines we’ve made for ourselves, so it's very exciting to see when someone decides to follow their dreams. You can't help but to root for them. The playing fields are pretty level right now, especially with social media and self-production. Finding your group of people is key, and learning that you don't have to please everyone is essential.

Yeah, I think it's cool how much social media has evolved, especially post-Covid. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Facebook have really changed. Even as artists on a label, we're hands-on with our content, creating and posting ourselves because that's the best way to connect with people. What's great about social media is that you don't have to be super polished; it can be more casual, and people are realizing that overproduced content can turn people off. Hard work and good intentions can make an impact, and it’s cool to see that if you keep working at it, you'll find your audience and grow.

Many people say it's an exciting time to be a music fan. Would you say it's an exciting time to be a musician on the flip side? Oh yeah, definitely! There's so much great stuff out there. Everyone is playing shows again and dropping new albums. I can't keep up, honestly, but it's inspiring. There are new releases to catch up on all the time, and that motivates me to keep our band in the race.

Are there any upcoming shows that fans can look forward to? We plan to go on tour in the fall. In the past few months, we've been recording some new material. I can't say much more than that at the moment. However, with the release of the LIT cover, it's just a small hint of what we've been working on behind the scenes. Right now, we're in a phase of balancing recording, preparing for the tour, and enjoying time at home with family. We're keeping busy on social media by interacting with fans and having some fun, especially on Discord. It's been a big thing lately; we've enjoyed getting on there with fans and just talking with people in the chat.

Connecting with fans through social media is so important when you're not touring or able to meet in person. Yeah, there's definitely a lot more downtime, so we have to stay busy. It's a grind with all these TikToks, Instagram, and everything else. It's hard work, but we know it will benefit us. Plus, our fans love it, and that makes us happy.

Sometimes, our mind puts us in a place where it's difficult to connect personally on these platforms. The mental preparation to do something outside of the normal scope of being the lead singer in a band, I'm sure, is a learning experience. It's definitely like that sometimes. Just this weekend, while discussing filming plans with the band, I found myself jokingly giving up in my head. It's just part of the process; everyone goes through that mental battle of feeling stressed and wanting to give up. Then you pause, look at the big picture, and say, 'No, we got this.’  Life is tough, but sometimes, you have to take a step back and appreciate where you are, which can help you move forward.

As Archetypes Collide continues to evolve and push the boundaries of their sound, it's evident that their passion for music and commitment to authenticity remain fundamental to their creative approach. The band’s skillful reimagining of classic tracks and creation of original, deeply resonant songs uniquely position them in the rock and metal scene. With their unwavering dedication to growth and innovation, Archetypes Collide is poised to make a significant impact on the industry. We look forward to witnessing their continued journey and eagerly anticipate what they have in store for the future.

INTEVIEW BY: HEATHER KOEPP

PHOTOS BY: JAMES COFFMAN