lostinlkwd!: From Past Projects to a Bold New Sound
Photos provided by lostinlkwd!
By Emma Schwichtenberg
In 2016, Brandon Phillips and Davon Revis first crossed paths on the set of a music video shoot. Davon had been brought in by a mutual contact to help with the production, a surprise to Brandon, as he hadn’t been informed. Despite the unexpected introduction, the two hit it off and quickly found common ground in their passion for music. Both artists were involved in separate music projects and groups at the time, but it wasn’t long before Davon joined Brandon’s team.
Though their initial group, True Crew, eventually disbanded due to differing creative directions, Brandon and Davon continued making music as independent artists while frequently collaborating. One of their standout tracks, Be Alright, became a major hit for the pair. They also created a Seahawks anthem that received regular airplay on Kube 93.3—an exciting achievement before the station’s closure.
By 2021, the consistent success of their collaborations led them to form an official duo. Initially, they performed under the name SPILT TEA, but soon after, they decided on a full rebrand, emerging as lostinlkwd!. This new identity marked a fresh start, reflecting their growth and a more authentic representation of who they are as artists.
Converge recently interviewed lostinlkwd! about their musical evolution, rebranded identity, and genre-blending sound.
Why did you choose the name lostinlkwd!, and why the transition from SPILT TEA?
Davon: I can explain that. lostinlkwd! came about when we were at a crossroads. We had our own studio and had been doing this for a while, but we felt like something wasn’t quite working the way we wanted. So, we decided to rebrand from the ground up. We wanted our new name and image to represent who we truly are—not just the music, but the content and the message behind it.
Brandon: Yeah, we’re from Lakewood, Washington, near Tacoma. A lot of our music deals with themes like depression, love lost and gained, and feeling lost in general. It’s about navigating the uncertainty of life. The name lostinlkwd! really captures that feeling—it felt authentic to us.
Davon: Exactly. As for SPILT TEA, that name was more about talking openly, like “spilling the tea.” It worked for us at the time, but we wanted something that better identified who we are now. So, we made the shift to lostinlkwd!, and it’s been a great fit ever since.
Since forming as a duo in 2021, you've released a lot of different music and projects. Are there any that stand out to you during this time?
Brandon: Yeah, I can take this one. When we were still under the name SPILT TEA, most of our focus was on singles. However, we did put together three small projects centered around different emotions—Sad, Bad, and Glad. Each of these projects included two songs, and they explored those specific themes. Those releases were really special for us, but since rebranding to lostinlkwd!, our mission has been to reintroduce that earlier music to new listeners because it was so well-received.
We compiled a collection of those tracks into one project called Spilt, which we released after the rebrand. Our latest project, Just Thought You Should Know, features a mix of previously released music. Now, we’re focused on moving forward with entirely new, unreleased material, and we’re excited about what’s coming next.
Davon: Yeah, exactly. A lot of our new music was actually previewed at our recent shows, and the reaction was incredible. It’s clear we’re on to something big with these new tracks. Those early projects, which started as singles and then became a cohesive collection, are still some of our favorite works. For instance, our song Burn is one of my personal favorites—it feels cinematic, like it could be part of a movie soundtrack. It really shows our artistry, and I think it’s a sound we want to keep developing.
With our upcoming music, we’re being much more intentional. These aren’t just songs we’re throwing together; they’re carefully crafted with a bigger plan in mind. Next year, we plan to slow down our release schedule so we can focus on creating the highest-quality tracks—the real gems. Instead of releasing a lot of songs, we want to concentrate on refining the best ones.
If I had to pick a standout track, I’d definitely say Burn, because of its cinematic feel. Another favorite is Feel Alive. It’s very different from our usual style—it’s upbeat and has a bright, commercial sound. It’s one of our more radio-ready songs, and I’m proud of it because it showcases our growth.
Brandon: Exactly. Feel Alive is a great example of how we’ve evolved. It’s more uplifting compared to our typical, moodier music. We’re focusing now on playing to our individual strengths. I started out as a rapper, and Davon has leaned more into singing and creating melodies. Instead of just making songs haphazardly, we’re now thinking strategically about how to bring the best of both our talents into each track. It’s about finding the perfect blend of who we are as lostinlkwd!.
Davon: Right, and tracks like Feel Alive and Burn really capture that balance. They’re a great representation of the sound and identity we’re building together.
What is it about Burn and Feel Alive that makes them stand out? I know you mentioned that one of them has a more upbeat vibe, but can you elaborate on what sets these tracks apart?
Davon: Feel Alive has this really danceable, upbeat vibe. It’s our take on a club anthem, and it showcases a different side of us. Transitioning from our roots as rappers, this song marks a shift in our sound and where we’re headed. It’s a great example of our growth as artists.
Brandon: On the other hand, Burn is more emotional. It’s a breakup song, so it has a deeper, raw feeling. It really captures that intensity and those relatable emotions that come with heartbreak. It’s definitely a standout track because of how it resonates with listeners.
Davon: I agree with that. I’d also add that Alone is another favorite of mine. It’s one of our earliest tracks as a duo, and it’s still special to us because it was part of our first three releases.
Brandon: Yeah, sorry about the brief disconnect earlier—technical issue on our end. To wrap up my thoughts on Feel Alive, it’s a track that’s ready for any kind of distribution. It goes beyond what we typically create. If you look at our discography, you’ll see a lot of variety, but Feel Alive stands out because it’s a well-balanced and intentional song. It’s a track we can confidently showcase as a representation of what we do best.
Davon: Exactly. Feel Alive is unique because it’s unlike anything else we’ve released. You can hear hints of our earlier sound, but this track elevates it to a new level. It’s surprising in a good way—people didn’t expect us to pull off something like this, but we did, and it turned out better than anyone expected.
When we approached this song, we asked ourselves what we really want to accomplish with our music. It wasn’t about sticking strictly to a pop lane; it was about showing our versatility. We wanted to prove that we can do it all—pop, punk rock, alternative—you name it. It’s not just for listeners, but also for other artists who might now see us as potential collaborators across different genres.
Brandon: Yeah, it’s about showing the potential for growth beyond just what we’re known for. We want to demonstrate that we can create something unique with any artist, not just stick to one style. That’s the exciting part—exploring new sounds and pushing the boundaries of what we can do together.
During the holiday season, when you're out shopping, you're often not thinking about the music you hear in the background. It’s all mainstream, right? Has this ever made you think about your own music being part of that atmosphere?
Davon: Absolutely. When I'm shopping for Christmas or during the holidays, I hear all this mainstream music playing everywhere. Over the years, I've thought, "I want one of my songs to be part of that mix someday." And I don’t mean provocative songs—I want to make music that’s meant for everyone. This ties back to our focus on creating intentional music. We know what we want to achieve now, and we’re honing in on what we’re capable of doing. It doesn’t mean we won’t explore different things, but we have a clear vision now.
That’s a great point. It sounds like you’re aiming to create music that can blend with what’s out there while still being unique. Which local artists from Seattle or Tacoma have influenced you or inspired your journey?
Davon: For me, Rocky Sandoval is a big influence. I actually wrote a song for him that he performed at his recent concert—an R&B drill track that he’s planning to release soon. Rocky’s journey, coming from the same R&B, rap, and jazz roots as I did, and seeing his success as a person of color, has been really inspiring. The love he received at his show was incredible. Another major influence is Oblay Reed from Seattle. He’s one of the top local artists in the PNW right now who’s still based here.
Brandon: I agree. Rocky and Oblé are great mentions, but I have a different set of inspirations. Real Kozby (formerly known as Starr) has been influential because he was in a similar lane to where I started. Oblé Reed is newer but definitely making waves, as is charlieonnafriday. We also take inspiration from artists like Macntaj, for their strong content and video production. They’ve influenced us in how we approach our own work.
It’s interesting to see the variety of influences between the two of you. Can you elaborate on your different musical directions?
Davon: We’re best friends but have distinct styles. I come from a rap background, but I’m less interested in rapping now. I want to make music that surprises people, something they wouldn’t normally listen to. People aren’t as into lyrical rap as you might think—they turn to artists like J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar for that. Instead, I like making upbeat, melodic tracks that draw people in and give rap a different feel. While we’re not the only ones doing this, I feel like the local scene isn’t highlighting bigger, mainstream-sounding tracks. We’re seeing a lot of Bay Area-style rap right now, which is fine, but it feels like that’s all that’s being promoted. There aren’t many pop artists emerging, except maybe charlieonnafriday. It seems like Seattle gets boxed into being a West Coast rap city.
Brandon: Right, and it’s not just about rap—it’s also about this folky vibe that’s prevalent here. A lot of people are leaning into Bay Area styles, but it would be great to see more diversity in what’s highlighted.
There aren't many artists in Seattle who truly develop their own unique sound, shaped by their influences but distinct. What would you say about the Seattle music scene in that context?
Davon: Absolutely. Seattle has a big artist base, but when it comes to people making commercially viable music while avoiding copying someone else’s sound, it’s a smaller circle. We have a lot of talent here, but those of us creating music that resonates beyond the Seattle scene, even getting plays internationally, stand out. It’s a challenge, but it’s also what makes us different.
How would you describe your sound? You mentioned it's multi-genre and commercially viable, but how do you categorize it?
Davon: That’s a tough one. I’ve talked about this a lot — our music is so diverse, it’s hard to pinpoint. It’s definitely multi-genre, like what you might hear from artists like The Weeknd or Post Malone. Locally, I don’t see many doing what we do. It’s a blessing because it makes us unique, but it also means we don’t fit into a specific market.
Brandon: We’re not jumping into an oversaturated space. We’re versatile and not boxed into a single style. If I had to put a label on it, I’d say it’s pop, broadly speaking — but that branches into pop rap, pop punk, pop dance, and more.
So would you call yourselves pop rap artists, then?
Davon: Yes, pop rap is at the core, but we mix in a lot of different elements. Overall, I’d say we’re pop artists with versatility.
Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations you’d like us to highlight?
Brandon: Sure! Our next release is a Christmas-themed song called Naughty. It’s a fun take on the holiday spirit, focusing on Mrs. Claus while Santa’s away. It’s lighthearted but intentional.
Davon: Beyond Naughty, we’re gearing up for a big release called Dead Old Town. It’s a pop punk track, which is different from anything we’ve done before. It’s nostalgic, reminiscent of early 2000s pop punk, and has a lot of lyrical depth. It’s a breakup song, but in a way that doesn’t feel heavy — it’s fresh and fits well into what we’ve been building.
How did the audience react when you performed it recently?
Brandon: The feedback was incredible. People were really into it and told us it’s a hit. It gave us the confidence to make it our first big release for 2025.
Find lostinlkwd! on Instagram @lostinlkwd.
