CS-135
Discover CS-135, a collaborative project blending heavy instrumentals, melodic female vocals, and progressive influences. The mastermind discusses songwriting, inspirations, “1000 Excuses,” and future plans.
1. Let’s start with an introduction. What is CS-135, and how did the project come about?
It is a collaborative music project I launched in 2026, but the name itself has a much longer history.
I originally used it as a pseudonym for a pseudo-literary blog where I published short stories. It had nothing to do with music back then.
Before, in late 2025, one 20 years old post popped up in a discussion with a friend, and I realized I had to turn it into a song.
The name might sound naive and weird, and it doesn’t necessarily fit the musical style, but that’s kind of intentional.
2. Let’s talk about your latest single, “1000 Excuses”. What’s the story behind the song?
“1000 Excuses” is about favors nobody asked for.
It’s about people who genuinely see themselves as saviors, while their actions actually hurt others, sometimes killing them, figuratively or literally.
It’s about making the same mistakes over and over again and apologizing for them, until the lives people believe they’re saving are completely destroyed.
3. “1000 Excuses” has a substantial instrumental section, with a guitar solo playing a prominent role. Was that structure part of your original idea, or did the instrumental section develop as you worked on the song?
The song was originally designed in two parts: with lyrics and instrumental.
The guitar solo was planned from the beginning, but what the guitarist finally came up with – and it’s absolutely beautiful – made me change the arrangements.
I think we managed to make the second part memorable enough that people can hum along to the instruments just as they would to the chorus.
4. You’re both a bassist and a pianist. How do you usually approach songwriting? What comes first — a melody, a chord progression, a riff, or something else?
I usually start with a riff I can hum, and then work out the harmony around it.
I have formal piano training, but out of laziness, I often compose on bass, tapping it to imitate piano.
Getting the piano ready means turning on the mixer, speakers, choosing the bank, and so on. With the bass, I just grab it, hit the power button on the combo, and jam!
5. Your music combines heavy instrumental sections with melodic female vocals. What drew you to this combination, and which bands or artists have influenced your songwriting?
I won’t be very original here – Dream Theater has probably influenced my musical taste more than any other band, and still does.
Also the doom metal scene of the ’90s: all of Tiamat, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride. But it’s more about the atmosphere that I try to create than the actual sound.
As for the female vocals, that might also go back to ’90s with Theatre of Tragedy and The Gathering.
6. What’s next for CS-135? Is “1000 Excuses” representative of the musical direction you want to pursue, or should listeners expect something different from your future releases?
We’re working on new songs and will be sticking to singles for now.
Regarding the musical direction, I think the next thing you’ll hear from us will be very different from “1000 Excuses”.
We’re planning to give the musicians behind the project a more visible presence too.
The project is evolving, so stay tuned!