K-Flay
K-Flay is set to grab everyone's attention with her new EP Eyes Shut and precedes her feature length debut album.
I caught up with her to talk about the new EP and what lies ahead.
- Your new EP ‘Eyes Shut’ is about to be released so what can we expect from the new record?
‘Eyes Shut’ is definitely the next step for me, in terms of musical maturity, production style, all that. I think I’m really discovering my voice on this EP.
- You blend Hip/Hop and electronica so how would describe the sound of the EP for people who are coming to your music for the first time?
My sound is, at its core, a mix of things. Definitely an imperfect mix, but one that incorporates elements of the music I love - a bit of indie rock, super rhythmic rapping, and lots of synths.
- You penned all of the tracks on the EP so who influences you as a song-writer and what influenced the tracks on this new EP?
The EP was really an extension of a conversation I’ve been having with myself over the past year.
I know that in my own mind, I struggle with a desire to be both entirely absent and entirely present in any given moment.
I think there’s something incredibly liberating about exempting yourself - whether it’s through substances, meditation, whatever - from a situation. But it can also be very tragic to do that. I’ve been a bit consumed with that conundrum.
- You are very much a solo musician writing, recording and producing your music all by yourself so what do you choose to work in this way?
Working on your own is great for two reasons: there’s no one to laugh at you for trying something stupid and if you need to get something finished, you can finish it yourself.
On ‘Eyes Shut’ it was really the first time I’d collaborated with other producers, and it was incredibly positive for me. I think that once you have a level of trust with someone, it’s like being by yourself, only better.
- Before the release of this EP you have worked on some mix-tapes how have you developed as both a musician and a writer between then and now?
As a writer, I’ve definitely pushed myself in terms of both lyric and rhyme schemes.
I’m a big advocate of revisions, of living with something for a month and then realizing what needs changing, what was lazy, what could be better.
As a musician, I think I’ve developed my live show quite a bit. I’ve added a drummer to the mix and expanded what I do with my controllers on stage.
- And is there an album on the way? If so can you give us any hints as to what we can expect from that?
The album is currently being created! So far, it’s turning out really well. You can expect some bass lines.
- As I was saying before you have done a lot of solo recording and producing so is this the way that you intend to record the album or is it going to be more of a collaborative process?
The album will definitely be collaborative. I’m planning to team up with a few different producers and work on some interesting co-productions.
- I was reading that Dave McCracken and James Ford are just a couple of people who may work on the new album with you so how did these collaborations come about?
Dave is a good friend of mine - we actually met last year in New York. He worked with me on ‘Sunburn’ and ‘Easy Fix’ from the EP and he’s such a talented guy.
I literally just landed back in the states a few hours ago - I was in London working with Dave on some stuff for the album last week.
And James is great as well - we met a while back and hit it off. His production sense is fantastic.
- I was reading that you have remixed other artists such as Beastie Boys and Walk The Moon so what do you get out of producing other artists that you don’t get out of being a solo artist?
Remixes are so much fun. For me, it’s like this great release of energy. I like producing stuff for myself, but I also enjoy making music that wouldn’t really suit my own vibe. And I think it’s very interesting to recreate something within the context of another band or artist’s vision.
- How much is music a career that you have always wanted to pursue?
As a kid, I never thought I would be doing anything like this. I didn’t get into music until university, and even then, it was more of a hobby than anything. Everyone, including myself, is kinda weirded out that this is my job.
- Are we going to see you play any shows in the UK this year?
Nothing’s set yet, but hell yeah.
- Finally what’s next for you?
I’m about to start a US tour in a couple weeks & then heading back to the studio to finish up the album.