Kushpowers “Butterflies and Moon Trees”
“The truth sounds like you have to give up what you love to get what you’ve always wanted... The truth sounds like love.”
We all wear masks in our lives, but for Kushpowers, music is where the mask comes off. Every word comes from the heart, every track is fueled by the purest intention of passion and love. The 9-to-5 is how he keeps things afloat, but music is the real job. It’s what keeps him awake at night and what makes him want to get out of bed in the morning. Having battled through depression and severe addiction, Kushpowers has stories and wisdom to share with the world, but for his music, he keeps things simple. If it makes one person happy, then his job is done. In this interview, we chatted with the brains behind Kushpowers (and got some of the best quotes we’ve seen).
Punk Head: This track dives into heartbreak, addiction, and loneliness, but there’s still hope in it. How do you walk that line between pain and healing when you write?
KUSH POWERS: I write to heal from the pain that comes with everyday life. I write when things are good and when they’re bad—it’s a razor blade we dance on, but dance we must. At the end of the day, the art will carry me.
BENNO: I’ve overcome heavy addiction and mental health struggles, so I keep where I’ve come from at the forefront of my mind. Moving between my past and present helps me keep my vision pointed in the right direction.
Punk Head: Do you ever feel nervous about sharing so much of yourself in your lyrics or has honesty become your armor?
KUSH POWERS: I’m constantly scared of everything, but I’ve learned how to move forward scared. It’s easy to lie, but lies only last for a moment—the truth is eternal.
BENNO: I share anything I think could make a difference or even save a life. My goal is to be a positive light for anyone who feels lost.
PUNK HEAD: You’ve been through a lot — heartbreak, addiction, rebuilding yourself. How has music helped you transform those experiences into something empowering?
KUSH POWERS: Working with my team has changed everything. I’m nothing without them. They take my story and my voice and polish it into something beautiful. Music keeps me up at night, and it’s the reason I wake up the next morning.
BENNO: Music gives me a way to channel my energy and serve others beyond myself. I get to spread knowledge, love, and awareness to people who are going through tough times—reminding them they’re not alone.
PUNK HEAD: You’ve got this balance between soulful vulnerability and confidence. Where does that strength come from?
KUSH POWERS: I wear a mask every day in real life, but when I perform or step into the booth, I can finally take it off. That’s when I get to be the real me—to show emotion, to be vulnerable. It’s something I can’t always do day to day.
BENNO: Reflection, self-growth, and acceptance. Those are what guide me.
PUNK HEAD: You mentioned you’re passionate and ready to share your story. What chapter are you in right now as an artist and as a person?
KUSH POWERS: As an artist, I’m stepping into adulthood—I’ve got a solid job and I’m ready to put down roots and grow. But as a person, I’m still broken, hurt, and scared. My music is how I heal from that.
BENNO: It’s hard to pinpoint the exact chapter—I’m still writing the book. All I know is my team, Nest Records, is on the rise, and our story isn’t over until we say it is.
PUNK HEAD: Finish this sentence: “The truth sounds like…”
KUSH POWERS: The truth sounds like you have to give up what you love to get what you’ve always wanted. It sounds like the hardest thing you’ll ever hear. The truth sounds like love.
BENNO: A lie—until you prove it.
PUNK HEAD: When people hear Butterflies and Moon Trees, what do you want them to take away, especially anyone who’s in that dark place you’ve written about?
KUSH POWERS: I just want people to enjoy the song. They don’t have to take anything deeper from it—if they feel joy for a few minutes, that’s all that matters.
BENNO: Keep your chin up, keep grinding, and don’t let the darkness dull the light you bring to others.
