Killages, a trio hailing from Georgia, consists of Guga Macharashvili (vocals, songwriter), Rati Ratiani (drums, producer), and Anri Kavelashvili (guitar, producer). Their journey began in late 2016, in Rustavi, when Guga and Anri, unsatisfied with their previous musical project, sought a fresh start. Joining forces with Rati and Lippo, they transformed into a quartet, birthing Killages.
They quickly gained recognition by winning the national battle-of-the-bands competition, ‘Newcomer 2017.’ Their eclectic sound, blending rock, pop, indie, funk, and hip-hop, resonated with audiences, while early hits like ‘ON/OFF’ and ‘Run’ amassed millions of YouTube streams, propelling them beyond Georgia’s borders. In 2020, their crowdfunded album ‘Original Brothers,’ paying tribute to friends, success, and their city, earned them a nomination for Track of the Year at Electronauts for the track ‘Bottle SIP.’
Our goal is a big one, but we’re ready to do whatever it takes to get there
Part of Georgia’s burgeoning music scene, Killages embraces Western influences and English lyrics, as they aim for global recognition. But they also occasionally infuse Georgian into their songs, keeping some authenticity and accessibility for local fans. Their name, a fusion of “kill” and “ages,” symbolizes their mission to fight boredom and defy aging. “We just want to feel young, even when we’re old,” they say.
With a following that is already expanding beyond Georgia, Killages creates music that defies categorization, blending genres and freely experimenting with new sounds. “Our sound is sometimes melancholic, sometimes aggressive, energetic, or melodic. We don’t like to put ourselves in any one box,” Guga told WePreserve in a 2021 interview.
Killages’ live performances, their dynamic stage presence and engaging background visuals, are captivating ever larger audiences of all ages. And successfully featuring as 2023’s support band for the Imagine Dragon’s concert in Tbilisi foreshadows a promising future for them on the global stage. With this in mind, GEORGIA TODAY got in touch with them to find out more.
What inspires you when you’re creating your music? Who are your influences?
Killages stands for a love of music, and we adore the process of creating it. Our favorite musicians count 21 Pilots, Kendrick Lamar, Brockhampton and Isaiah Rashad, whose music is also a dynamic synthesis of genres. We love to experiment and give listeners a unique experience. Our goal is to break down musical barriers and inspire people by doing so.
How do you come up with your song lyrics?
Guga: When writing lyrics, I’m looking into my deepest emotions, and though I often find it difficult to express these feelings in public, music and melody help. We also occasionally express our opinions on current events in our country through music. I love to play with words, and all my rhymes are representative of Killages’ musical world.
How has your popularity grown? Tell us something about your fans.
The popularity of Killages has grown rapidly, thanks to both us and our managers from Bloom Music. In the last three years, our number of listeners has tripled, as has the demand for new songs. After our concerts, we love getting off the stage and spending time with our fans. It’s a real motivation in itself. Alongside our teen following, we also have a relatively older generation of supporters. It’s an amazing journey and we’re grateful to all those on that journey with us.
What challenges have you faced on your way? How have you overcome them?
Killages has survived several critical moments. There was a time we almost disbanded because we thought our songs couldn’t reach people. Just at that moment, Tevodore Makashvili, our current manager, came into our lives, and with his help, our relationship with potential customers improved, as did the number of concerts we were heading. There are still challenges, but now this just motivates us to work harder. We’re ready for everything life throws at us on our way forward.
The most incredible moment was our performance of ‘Isev,’ with 30,000 people singing along
Tell us how it felt to open for Imagine Dragons in Tbilisi last August.
We couldn’t believe it when we got the opportunity to open for one of the biggest bands in the world. The most incredible moment was our performance of ‘Isev’ (Again) with 30,000 people singing along! Thanks to everyone who gave us the chance to experience it!
Which would you name as your most powerful and popular song(s)?
ON/OFF can be considered our most successful single, according to the statistics it has on Youtube and Spotify, but there are many other songs in our catalog that are very popular with listeners and carry a special meaning for us. Every song carries a different charge, especially when performed live.
Your live performances have a slower and deeper sound than your published music – have you considered releasing a live album?
As much as releasing a live album interests us, at this stage we have other priorities. When we overcome the current challenges, we’ll start preparing for a live album as well.
What are your ambitions?
Our main goal is to increase our number of listeners and enter the international market, both in Europe and America. The goal is a big one, but we’re ready to do whatever it takes to get there.
How does a Georgian band break into the international scene?
A considerable part of our current audience is located outside the borders of the country. We want to grow this fan group through concerts in other countries, and by collaborating with artists from other countries – this is something we’re actively working on. We hope our goals will become a reality in the near future.
When performing abroad, is it important for you that people know you are Georgian, from Georgia?
The fact that we are from Georgia is certainly important for us. Capturing this also gives our music a unique dimension. We think that the context, the environment in which the music is created, is an important element for the listener as well – the beauty of music is hidden in its richness and diversity.
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Killages will be opening for Akon on May 23 in Tbilisi, will play open air at Rooster’s in DedaEna Park on June 8, and we believe many more bookings are to come!
Check them out on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Spotify.
Interview by Katie Ruth Davies
