Exclusives

Our Exclusive Chat With KYOSi

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What is the story behind your latest single?
I was doing a presentation for Ableton where they wanted me to build a beat using Push 2 in front of other producers. The bones of this song were made for that and the lyric came after a rehearsal I had at this underground Soho studio. It’s literally 3 floors below a luxury apartment building and I got to thinking about all the other artists that were rehearsing in the bowels of this building made of figurative billionaires. Those people choose to live in soho because of the artistic vibe but the ones making that vibe happen cannot.

When did you realize music was your calling?
Music started for me listening to Quincy Jones with my Papa. I remember fingering through the liner notes of the cassettes while listening. Even at the time I had a sense that they were important objects. I would carefully unfold and refold the paper and memorize the lineups. In those early years it was all about jazz and expression- I listened to things trying to separate my academic critique and my attempt to get into the mind of whomever was soloing. Mind you I was probably like 8 and for some reason I made listening a real practice– like I cleared my space and put my headphones on and just started studying, unprompted.

How would you best describe your sound?
Off the grid experimental electronic pop. Sometimes with a pinch of Joni Mitchell.

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I want people to connect with it in such a way that they use it to tell their own stories by sharing with friends.

Who are your dream collaborators?
Joey Bada$$

Quincy Jones

Rico Nasty

Sophie

Bon Iver

Bjork

Is there a possibility to perform your new music live?
Yes! I love playing shows. I’ve been working with Laura Escudé to rework my own live show and I’m getting excited to bring it to people. I’ll be doing a couple later this year so watch out for those announcements!

What are some albums that really shaped you as an artist?
Rispah, The Invisible
Dear Science, TV on the Radio
Dual, Sampha
Man on the Moon, Kid Cudi
Robyn, Robyn

What are some of your contenders for best song of 2019?
It’s still pretty early in the year but some I’ve loved already are by Sevdaliza and JPEGMAFIA.
Sevdaliza “Darkest Hour”
JPEGMAFIA feat. Eyas “The Who”