Melbourne-based artist ReeToxA is the latest creative chapter of Jason McKee, an artist whose story stretches across nearly three decades of musical exploration. The project arrives with a sense of history, capturing a lifelong conversation between emotion and melody in a sound that flows across grunge, rock and pop stylings. Jason’s journey began in the mid-1990s, a period when the distorted guitars and emotive honesty of band’s like Nirvana and Pixies shook up the musical landscape and that eraâs spirit of rebellion and sonic impact left a permanent mark that still stokes his creative fire today.
ReeToxA represents Jason’s return to those early days but with the wisdom of time and the perspective that comes from life fully lived. The project takes the crunchy aesthetic of 90s alternative rock and threads it through the reflective songwriting vibes of modern indie, creating a sound that feels equally nostalgic and forward-facing. Ultimately, ReeToxA is driven by the idea of reconnection, rediscovering the energy that first drew him to music while transforming personal experiences, the highs, the lows and the heartbreaks into something new.
The first product of this rebirth came with âBobbie,â a debut single that distilled the projectâs ambitions into an emotional burst of sound. The trackâs driving riffs and heartfelt lyrics marked an arrival that felt fully formed and that momentum carried into ReeToxAâs debut album Pines Salad, created alongside acclaimed producer Simon Moro. The record confirmed Jason’s ability to blend robust alternative rock energy with moments of quiet contemplation, backed by a lineup that lifted the sound into something bigger than a solo endeavour.
With bassist Kit Riley, guitarist James Ryan and drummer Peter Marin, ReeToxA became an exciting musical force, a band capable of swinging between storm and stillness with equal conviction. Now, the project returns with âBPD Vs Bipolar,â a new single that ventures further into Jason’s personal experiences, tackling the complexities of mental illness and the fractures it can cause in love and identity. Drawing from his own life, particularly the turbulence of a past relationship where undiagnosed conditions shaped the emotional landscape, the song turns pain into poetry.
Within its gritty guitar tones and grunge-fuelled momentum lies an intimacy thatâs often scarce in rock music, a confrontation of discomfort to find beauty inside it. Recorded with an impactful edge and emotional context, âBPD Vs Bipolarâ channels the catharsis of classic grunge while framing it in modern storytelling. Kicked off by the punch of drums, stacked guitars inject a burst of grunge energy before the arrangement dips down to leave space for Jason’s moving vocal leads as he spins moody melodies into the melancholic soundscape.
Gliding with a steady groove, the track swells with energy as the chug of distorted guitars adds a gripping crush of rock flair, forming an emotionally-charged grunge anthem. Peppered with intricate lead guitars and wrapped in an absorbing atmosphere, it’s an epic outing that once again sees ReeToxA stitch profound songwriting into an engrossing rock setting. Currently working on an expansive sophomore record, ReeToxA is set to keep up the momentum following his exciting breakout year.
We caught up with ReeToxA to find out more about the inspiration for his new single, his creative process and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with ReeToxA below.
Hey ReeToxA, how’s things going?
Very busy with the second album! I canât wait for you to hear it.
Can you tell us what inspired you to write “BPD Vs Bipolar”?
My ex wife and I had a huge fight and we both did not realise we were undiagnosed. I encapsulated it into the song.
The song explores mental illness through a grunge lens, how did you balance emotional honesty with musical power?
I never censored myself which ruffles a few feathers but I want more exposure to mental health! Everyone should talk about it!
At what point did you realise that mental illness was playing a part in the conflicts you experienced?
One day having my morning coffee my body and mind shut down not wanting to go to work. I went to the gp dr for help and it started a long journey of recovery.
How difficult was it to turn such a personal and painful experience into a piece of music?
It flowed out quite easily. I wrote three songs in the same day and I was sad about the experience but excited my creativity was coming back.
The song tackles mental health in an upfront and beautiful way, why was it important for you to present it that way?
Itâs just the truth and I made it rhyme ! Thank you for the compliment but itâs serendipity I think.
Did you aim to recreate a classic grunge sound or reinterpret it for a modern audience?
This is a rare song the guitar came first ! I was playing between the e and f notes and it built up to a crazy chorus. James Ryan picked up on my grunge vibes and Simon Moro gave it a modern tweak. We did not want to be a nostalgia band.
Who were your biggest influences while shaping the sound of “BPD Vs Bipolar”?
Probably my 90âs grunge roots came out, it would probably be a hit if I had a Time Machine lol.
How do you approach writing lyrics when theyâre rooted in such personal experiences?
I just do my best to tell the truth and explain how Iâm feeling or what happened. I have always been good with words.
Was there a specific moment in your life when you knew this song needed to be written?
This needed to be written straight away it burst out of my system. Other songs you can feel simmering away in your mind.
How do you feel about using music as a form of therapy or emotional release?
I love it! Therapy is good but nothing beats art and music for healing.
What message do you hope people dealing with mental illness take away from the song?
If they relate I hope they enjoy the rest of my music and come to shows and spread the word ! There needs to be more supportive music out there.
Finally, what do you have lined up next as ReeToxA?
Yeah just finishing up a 26 track double album! It even has strings on six songs.
Listen to BPD Vs Bipolar below
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