Reid Zakos new single «Lights Out»

«Lights Out» was written all the way back in 2010 by Reid Zakos, and Toronto based DJ/Producer/Beat-maker Elliott Cesta, also known as DJ Shaw T.

At the time, Reid Zakos had recently come out as gay and also became legal drinking age in Calgary, Alberta that year. He began going out to gay nightclubs and bars and began to accept himself and his queer identity with a group of close friends dubbed “The Fab Four”.

Reid Zakos was inspired by artists such as Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, and Britney Spears at the time, and he approached writing this top-line with confidence, swagger, and talk-singing-pseudo-rap with confidence and self-acceptance.

As he was recording and writing the demo he had a few lyrics flowing but wasn’t sure of a title or a concept yet. Divine timing and inspiration hit as coincidentally, all the lights in Reid’s room burnt out. He instantly thought «Oooh! Lights Out would be a great title» and then proceeded to finish the song in under 10 minutes.

«Lights Out» quickly became a favourite and quotable track of Reid’s friends, and was performed at many house parties and local nightclubs.

Fast forward now to 2023, Reid was encouraged by close friends to revisit the song and consider releasing it on streaming platforms. He was hesitant at first, but decided to re-record the vocals, alter a few lyrics, and give it an official release treatment because he thought the rest of the world should have access to this fun track and «get wild, be free».