Contact
All inquiries: 2020kmgmt@gmail.com
Biography
2020k is an Alternative Pop and Experimental Electronic project solely headed by artist RJ Kozain, who was raised and currently resides in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Known for their immersive soundscapes and genre-defying compositions, 2020k blends intricate sound design with emotionally charged storytelling, pushing sonic boundaries while remaining deeply resonant.
Since the release of 2020k EP in 2012, Kozain has carved out a unique space in the underground electronic music scene, with their work praised by publications like Petrichor Magazine and Open ‘Til Midnight. Their debut full-length album, Burst Mode, was released in 2016 through Kozain’s self-started independent label imprint, 2020k LLC. The record, almost exclusively written, produced, and engineered by Kozain, explores humanity’s evolving relationship with technology in the 21st century, touching on themes of anxiety, love, politics, queer art, and sexuality. Following a long recovery from post-concussion syndrome, which struck just a week before its initial release, Burst Mode was reissued in a digital deluxe format on Bandcamp in December 2019, only to be halted again by the worldwide pandemic.
Beyond recorded music, 2020k has a strong presence in live performance and multimedia art. Their dynamic stage performances have graced major events such as Pittsburgh Pride Revolution, Deutschtown Music Festival, and the Carnegie Museum of Art & Natural History They regularly present two-hour career retrospectives at the Pittsburgh International Airport, and coordinated a regional tour in 2024 with Happy Nomad Booking. Their artistry also extends into visual media and installation work, with pieces exhibited at Ketchup City Creative and Blankspace, exploring themes of Queer identity, digital culture, and memory through video projections, soundscapes, and mixed media.
A multi-faceted creative force, 2020k has also worked behind the scenes as an audio engineer, remixer, and collaborator. They have provided vocal production and mixing work for artists like Livefromthecity, Jaded, and Brittney Chantele, and have contributed to international compilations alongside legendary musicians such as Orbital, Autechre, and The Future Sound of London. Their expertise in sound design has led to remix work and technical contributions to iamamiwhoami’s Echoes From Our Past series.
Outside of their own artistic projects, 2020k is deeply involved in the creative community, advocating for fair pay for musicians and championing independent artists. They have worked as a radio host for WYEP, as an ambassador for Imogen Heap’s The Creative Passport initiative, and an educator at Tech25, a nonprofit dedicated to providing career opportunities in event production and broadcast technology. They have also played a key role in coordinating events and providing audio/visual support for the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall.
With a career spanning two decades, 2020k continues to evolve, embracing new creative challenges and expanding their reach in the electronic music landscape. Kozain remains an artist dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sound, expression, and independent artistry.
