As the voice behind Sicksense, Vicky Psarakis has never shied away from exploring the emotional depths of her music. On their debut album Cross Me Twice, she combines powerful vocals with raw vulnerability—delivering what she calls her most emotional record yet. I caught up with Vicky to talk about the inspiration behind the album, the band's fearless musical identity, and how streaming is reshaping the industry for better and worse.
“This is Vicky from Sicksense, and I’m blowing it up on Metal Gods Radio.”
That’s how she kicks off our chat—charming and confident. After a quick voice ID recording, we dive into the heart of Cross Me Twice and how the album title came to be.
“It’s actually a lyric from our song Follow Me, which is the album closer,” Vicky explains. “We were debating what to call the album—we didn’t really love any of the song titles. My husband Rob sat with all the lyrics and came up with about 20 variations. That one just stood out.”
A Thematic Thread of Conflict and Resolution
While not a concept album, Cross Me Twice is bound together by emotional themes.
“It talks a lot about human relationships and conflict,” she says. “It’s really emotional. It reflects on a lot of things we all feel. Ultimately, there’s a resolution—that it’s OK to feel these things, deal with them, and move forward, whether with or without those people.”
Pouring Life Into the Record
When asked what makes this record unique for her personally, Vicky doesn’t hesitate:
“Everything I’ve gone through over the past few years, I just poured into the record. It gave the songwriting and my vocal delivery a really emotional edge. I don’t think I’ll ever create another album exactly like it—which is a good thing.”
She adds, “Every album is a snapshot in time, and this one captures a part of my life I’ll never relive.”
What Makes a Song Sicksense?
The band has made a name for itself by fearlessly crossing genre boundaries.
“There’s no fear when it comes to mood, vibe, or genre,” says Vicky. “People ask if we plan these genre fusions, but it’s never been intentional. It’s all our influences just blending together instinctively. That unpredictability is what defines us.”
Picking Favorites
When I mention Fever Dream and Sellout as my current favorites from the album, she smiles.
“Interesting that you picked Fever Dream! That’s actually an interlude. But I’m happy you liked it.”
“It’s hard to pick favorites, but In This Carousel, Follow Me, and Throwback have been standouts for me since day one.”
Lyrical Inspiration: Conflict, Depression, and Letting Go
Vicky emphasizes that much of the lyrical content stems from personal and universal struggles:
“It’s about human emotions—conflict, separation, depression. A lot of questions about how you fit into society, and how people who were once important aren’t part of your life anymore. These are things we’ve all faced.”
Vocal Versatility: Singing, Screaming, and Rapping
Her dynamic range is one of the band’s most compelling features.
“I’ve never been close-minded about music. I love heavy music, but I listen to all kinds of genres. If I enjoy something vocally, I try it out. That’s how I developed my range.”
“It’s helped the songwriting, too. I don’t limit myself to a vocal style—I do what feels right and figure out later if I can actually pull it off.”
Influences and the Soundtrack of Her Career
While it’s hard to narrow down specific artists, Vicky and the band draw heavily from the late ’90s and early 2000s scene.
“Nu-metal was big for us. Evanescence was a huge influence for me. For Rob, it was Slipknot.
We’ve also gone through death metal, prog, and even video game music and soundtracks. It’s all in the mix.”
Lessons from The Agonist
Having fronted The Agonist for nearly a decade, Vicky brought valuable experience into Sixsense.
“The biggest lesson is just that—experience. You can’t buy it.
All those years of touring and recording gave me the knowledge to help Sixth Sense grow faster.
I’ve been able to share that with my bandmates, especially in the studio and on the road.”
Signing with Earache Records
Compared to her past label experiences, Vicky says Earache has been a strong partner.
“Labels are different but also kind of the same. The process—album cycles, PR, interviews—is familiar.
But we’re just really grateful to Earache for discovering us and supporting our debut. We hope it’s a long-term relationship.”
The Streaming Dilemma
On the pros and cons of today’s streaming landscape, she’s candid.
“Streaming’s only downside is financial. Artists don’t get paid what they should. I read that 1,500 streams equal one album sale. That’s wild.
But streaming is also amazing for discovery. When I was a kid, I’d save up money and buy CDs just based on the cover art. Now, people can actually listen before buying, which is great.
If the payout model improved, streaming would be perfect.”
Looking Ahead
As for the future of Sicksense?
“Nothing is set in stone, but we want to keep growing with every release—get on bigger tours, play to more people around the world. That’s the dream. We just want to keep doing our thing and reach more ears.”
Final Thoughts
Before signing off, Vicky shares a message for fans:
“Thank you to everyone listening to our music. Follow us on socials, check Bandsintown to see when we’re playing near you, and most of all—keep spreading the word. That’s the best thing fans can do for a young band.”
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
Want more? Follow Sicksense on their Website, Spotify, Facebook and catch them when they come to your town.
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