An Interview With Indie Pop Artist KAYLS!

Get to know the indie/pop artist Kayls! Her newest catchy, melodic single “Drive Away” is a female-centric, DIY project produced by Bambor Leany, supporting girl power and music discovery. It offers a view into a dark world of shimmering pool lights and 3:00 AM trips in Ferraris and love and heartbreak and muffins, with hard hitting 808s and pop melodies.

Kayls is also a designer with a fashion degree from FIDM and designs all her promo wardrobe. She comes from a musical lineage: her grandfather performed with Sonny & Cher and opened for Dolly Parton.

Connect With Kayls Online Here: WEBSITE

Learn more about Kayls in the following All Access interview:

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be a musician? What do you think motivated you day in and day out?

There wasn’t a particular moment, I suppose. It’s more like an extension of who I am, and without it, I’m just not myself. Happiness, it just makes me happy. I have to do it. That’s what drives me. 

How do you think your hometown has influenced the kind of music that you make? If not, why is that?

I don’t think my hometown has influenced my music at all honestly. I think what’s great about music is that it’s an escape. I wanted to escape my hometown, not exactly relish in it. 

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Was your family and friends supportive of this career choice? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing?

My family has always been extremely supportive. My grandfather was a touring musician himself, and music was always a part of my families culture on both sides. My friends and family are definitely why I’m still doing this. They’ve supported me the whole way. If I had no musical ability, I guess I am super interested in international spy CIA type stuff. Or hands on Art/Design

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all? What has been the best part about it all?

The best part is making the music and performing it. I’m so excited to be working with my producer Bambor Leany, who is one of the only female producers out there. Her beats are the hardest in the industry. She has a completely unique way of looking at songs. I think she’s going to blow up soon.    

Let’s talk about your recently released track, “Drive Away.” What was it like getting into the studio and recording this song? Did anything surprise you about the overall process? Where did the inspiration for it come from exactly?

I’ve been recording for so long so it’s really just natural, no surprises usually in the studio. The inspiration came from a breakup. Bambor Leany and I wanted to paint a picture of what it was like.  I wanted the song to be beautiful and I think it is. 

How does this song prepare listeners for more music from you? Are you currently working on new music?

This song is just kind of the tip of the iceberg in comparison to the other songs I have lined up for release this year. I wanted Drive Away to be an intro. The new stuff does things nobody else is doing.  It’s like fireworks that explode into ice cream and then everyone gets into a high-speed car chase going home. 

We have an extensive library of songs currently and are creating new ones every day. 

I’d love to more about your fashion tastes and how you have been able to use your fashion degree from FIDM?

My taste is similar to my music taste, eclectic. I like to mix patterns and prints, I have kind of expensive taste.. I love quality fabric. What’s most thrilling about having this skill is that I’m able to make one of a kind pieces for my own music promo, performances etc. I’m so excited about what I’m making now, and recently made for one of my upcoming singles videos. Really It’s the most amazing feeling, putting on something no one else in the world has, and something that you made yourself. 

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music? What if anything has stayed the same about your music-making process? 

Practice, years of practice.. and always wanting to do better. Currently I feel like my music-making process is extremely refined. Whereas before I would just kind of like sit down alone or with another person and with an instrument and try to write a song, I think that method can work but I don’t think it’s sustainable if you wan’t to write great songs. I think having a plan, and then refining it is what keeps you growing and one upping yourself. I don’t think anything is really the same, other than my ability to sell a story through singing. 

How do you feel about social media? What do you think social media has done for your career so far?

Social media is a Catch-22. You hate it but you have to love it. It actually matters in the dark twisted way that you have to succumb to it. It’s allowed me to reach new audiences recently, and that’s how I was able to turn my hate into love. I have tons of fans contacting me via Instagram, and it’s pretty cool. 

What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

I’d love to work with Roddy Ricch, because he could sing the ingredients on a lotion bottle and I’d listen to it on repeat.  I think I could drive across the country with Post Malone. I really like Rosalía and so does Bambor Leany. I could rescue kittens to her stuff all day.

If you could design your dream music video right now, what would it look like?

I have this idea of climbing a wall with all of these vines on it. When I get to the clouds, I inhale them all and it reveals this neon city where all of my fans have gathered and they come running toward me. That, or you know any public location, which we’re all missing right about now.

Where would you love to hear a song of yours played?

Someone’s walk-in at a major sports event! Probably NBA, I love going to NBA basketball games. Or in a cool TV show like Euphoria.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I just hope it can help people along their way. Feel better than they did before they pressed that play button. Feel so good that they want to play it again. Those songs that I’ve played on repeat, they got me through seriously tough times, and also just made me feel fantastic on a typical day.