Artist Snapshot: KAIYI
NAME: Gloria or KAIYI
SCHOOL: CC ’23
GENRE: Electronic / Pop
WHAT THEY DO: Production, mixing
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What’s a song you wish you could listen to for the first time again?
I wish I could listen to Blinding Lights by the Weekend again for the first time. I forgot what it was like to listen to the song without the corresponding TikTok dance playing in my head. The song now exists only within that context. I hear people actually like the song, and I just want to be able to relate to that.
What’s your songwriting process like?
When I produce songs for other people, I try to really understand who they are, what their lyrics are about, which artists they listen to, and their vision for the song. Then I steal their Spotify playlists and try to get into their headspace and picture which direction I want the production to go, finding samples that would help tell their story. Then, I send them a draft track, make tweaks after feedback, we record, send another draft, feedback, draft, feedback, I mix, draft, feedback, final draft, and then we firmly shake hands and look forward to working together again in the future. When I write my own songs, it’s normally about something that has been really pressing on my mind that writing about it will help me get over it. I sit down with a brief melody and some lyrics in mind and start producing the track, writing more of the song as I go. Because it’s my own song, I don’t stress about making it sound a certain way because however it turns out probably reflects whatever I was going through at the time. I like to discover new sounds and ways of producing through this process in a way that gives me more confidence for when I produce for other people.
Who is one artist/group you look up to?
Brakence is probably my biggest inspiration right now. He’s an artist/producer whose music is the literal future. Electronic, punk (although I don’t really know what that means), out-of-this-world production vibes plus a lot of real emotion, lyrics, and vocal talent makes me think the whole world should be listening to brakence at all times. He’s also genuine and humble.. ugh so many things.. I look up to him a lot and could go on about him all day…
When did you start writing music/performing?
Having grown up playing classical piano and violin, I first started performing non classical music as a freshman in high school where I was part of a pop trio called GloMonCho. I played mostly piano, my friend Montanna played the Cello, and Cho sang. This was when I learned to improvise on the piano versus playing off of classical sheet music, and it was very liberating.
What are some of your first memories of making music? How did you decide this was something you wanted to pursue?
My most primal memory of producing music was in sixth grade when my music class was teaching us garageband and gave us an assignment to produce electronic music. I sampled my friend saying “dance like a bunny” and let it repeat over and over again, with different rhythmic patterns, timbres, and garageband loops. I tried to create a drop that didn’t slap as hard as I wanted it to, and we even made a music video. I think I’ve come a long way since then, but I still get the same adrenaline from being on a DAW and piecing things together, being able to work with other people as well as having my own space, and creating something with whatever tools I had and being able to call it my own. I’ve found other reasons to pursue music throughout the years but it really boils down to how much I’ve liked the process from the very beginning.
Tell us about a random moment when a lyrical excerpt or melodic motif for one of your songs hit you? What was it like? How did you remember it?
I was in the middle of writing a song about someone and thought to myself, wow this person has no idea I’m writing a song about them, thank god. How embarrassing would it be if they did. Does part of me wish they did? no… maybe? What if she knew that the song is about her, the lyrics r about her, the lyrics r boutter. That ended up being the name and chorus of the song.
What’s something you’re working on, or are excited to start working on?
I’m super excited to work with my friend and artist Eva Westphal again on her upcoming project. She has got SO many songs in store, and I can’t wait for everyone to be able to hear them one day. I am also working on some of my own songs and will release them when they’re ready.
Is there anyone you’d like to collaborate with?
Brakence!
How has the pandemic affected your music/process?
Being in quarantine away from everyone gave me the courage to use my own voice and write songs that come from my own experiences. I’ve never been a singer and so the idea of people hearing my voice outside of a karaoke setting was absolutely ridiculous to me, I was self-conscious and cared what people would think: gLoRiA is trying to Sing?? Being removed from real life and not seeing people made me realize that it totally doesn’t matter! No one cares that much. It’s much more important to just do what you want to do and have fun with it.