Kaiyko is an artist who came into the scene in 2016 and quickly gathered a small following after releasing a slew of singles and her first EP, Reminiscing Girl. Displaying a wide range of genres, moods, and tempo in her music, the young artist left fans wanting more when she went on a year long hiatus. “[I] sorta regret being ghost from the scene for a while because I was constantly writing and recording” she told me when I recently sat down and caught up with her. Keep reading to see what Kaiyko has been up to, both musically and in life, and what projects she has in store.
Underground Underdogs: What lead you to start recording music and posting to SoundCloud? Did you have a history of recording music, playing an instrument, or something like being in band in school beforehand?
Kaiyko: The funny thing is I didn’t really know much about Soundcloud until end of 2015 I think. I had these two friends, Jeremiah and Zack that used to send me links of music from there, and later on I found out you could upload your own music so I eventually started releasing stuff in the next year. Before I did that, I was already songwriting with my ukulele and guitar when I was around 13/14. I’ve always wanted to be in a band for so long but it’s hard to find people with the same vision. It’s kinda the same thing when working with producers though since you gotta blend your sounds together.
One of the first things I’d noticed when I went through your releases is that the first two releases found on SoundCloud “it doesn’t feel like april yet (prod. somnolent)” and “So why don’t we just dance?” are both more upbeat and carefree, however immediately after your music takes a moodier turn. Was that that just the plan musically or is there another reason?
I’m not really sure but I know for a fact I was so different when I was 16. I’m not saying I was completely happy go lucky, but I was still experimenting with what emotions I wanted to put in my music, plus I kinda just went with the flow [laughs].
What about with the release of Reminiscing Girl EP? The songs seem to focus on the uncertainty of growing up and love.
Oh man it feels like so much has happened since I released Reminiscing Girl. I was 16 at the time too, so most of the songs I wrote on there are reflected on the stuff I was going through at the time and the relationships I had back then. Listening to the EP really takes me back and I can remember how it felt writing those songs.
You had a few releases here and there after the album, but when I found your music I had been told you were taking a break from making music. Why did you take a break?
Honestly I think I sort of regret being a ghost from the scene for a while, because I was constantly writing and recording but I just wasn’t sure if my message was what I wanted to put out there. I’d like to think of the music I release as my timeline in life so I can remember what I’ve gone through.
I know you mentioned that you had not stopped creating even though you had kind of stepped away. What was life like when you were “away” from the scene?
I can’t say life was super awesome, but it wasn’t a super low either. I think I was still recovering from a sad trauma that happened late 2016 when someone I once knew passed away from a car accident. I still think about that person all the time and a couple of my songs reflect on it. Besides that I was so lucky to have a best friend that was there for me, so shout out to her.
That sounds pretty rough to lose someone at a young age. What about your art? Does that reflect your personal feelings as well? I was looking at some of you art on Instagram from earlier this month and a lot of it seems to convey being misunderstood, uncertainty of the future, and similar anxieties.
Yeah, my art is another way I like to express my thoughts and style. I’ve always been in love with art since I was a kid. There’s just something so cool to me when I’m drawing and I look at it as a whole, I feel like I just made something so real and even if it doesn’t have words with it I know exactly what I’m trying to say. Even if to some people it’s just a doodle outta pen I think it’s dope you can create whatever you’re imagining or feeling. Same thing with my music you know, I just always want it to be genuine to myself when I look back at it.
You’ve collaborated a few times with Gertrude. How did you meet him?
Oh man, I can say a lot about Gertrude, but I’ma just say he’s really the goat. He’ll even admit it himself [laughs]. I met him sometime in 2016 right after I released my EP, and I had him on Snapchat and hit him with that “collab bro?” Nah I’m playing, I think I showed him my music first and I guess he started fuckin’ with me after that. He shit posts a lot on twitter, and he’s a one of a kind dude and talented too, I’m very glad to be his friend.
So you had kind of stepped away for a bit after collaborating with Gertrude but you came back with a really, really impressive vocal display featured on Shinigami’s “In Vain,” featuring you. How’d that happen?
“In Vain” is probably one of my favorite collabs, like ever. Shinigami is a super talented artist and I was so grateful he even asked me to work on a song, I was so surprised he put it in his album too!!! I’m not totally sure but maybe Gertrude or someone told him about me (or maybe he found me on his own). And I guess that’s when he hit me up to work. That song is very special to me though, the lyrics really hit deep for me with all that’s happened.
I know you said you had been working on your own songs and material in the meantime, did it collaborating kind of help you get going again in terms of making your own music again?
Oh yea for sure, collaborating with other artists/friends is what makes me feel really motivated. It’s a lot of fun too because you get this satisfaction after making something really good and meaningful. It just makes me wanna keep going forever.
So with that motivation you’ve done a couple songs since then “If It Ever Made Sense” and “ashes” both produced by tidecruz. Do you have more planned? Can you share any details?
Those two songs for sure sparked some inspiration in me again. I’d like to thank tidecruz a lot for helping me out and amazing me with his dedication to his music. As for my music, I’m still trying my very best to plan out this album. I just have a lot going on in my near future like graduating, going into college, all that adult shit., I can’t really put in all of my effort as of now. All I can tell my supporters is to keep being on the lookout for new Kaiyko, because I don’t plan to let go of my love for writing songs. I made an Instagram post with a long message saying how I’ll always keep finding time for the things that I love.
That’s a lot and it all seems like one huge transition when it’s inching closer. If making music was a sustainable full time option for you, would you pursue it? (we’re almost at the end, thank you for sticking with me so far)
At first music was just a simple passion of mine. When I was just starting out I never even thought of people listening to my stuff or me actually having supporters at first. I didn’t even think that far until I started getting messages from people saying they fucked with me and I was surprised. I think all artists start out that way, and it all changes after they start seeing their numbers go up. I feel like if I actually felt ready to have music as a full time option I’d have to sacrifice a lot of things. With what I know about the music industry, it takes a lot to be up there and have constant publicity. Having music as a career seems impossible for me right now but if I was 100% sure with it, I’d give it all I could and make sure I’m happy with it.
I think that’s a fair approach. I do have a couple questions left, though, Kaiyko. The first one is: how do you pronounce “Kaiyko”?
Haha a lot of people get so confused with my name but I’m fine with whatever. I pronounce it like Kai-ee-ko. Some people still say Kay-ko but it doesn’t bother me too much.
I want to thank you for time. My last question is do you have any parting words, shout outs or anything you want your fans to know that wasn’t discussed in the interview?
Yea I just want to thank anyone who read this interview really, I talk a lot [laughs], and anyone who even listens to my music/enjoys my art. I’m extremely thankful for those who reach out to me and make me feel like I have a purpose in this world. It’s hard being a songwriter sometimes because you feel the need to have these expectations but my supporters are so great I feel comfortable with being straight up now. I just wanna share my art with the world and hope it helps/inspires people too. Being an artist you get inspiration from the people in your life, and my friends have helped me back on my feet without even realizing it. My friends who make music: Gertrude, Aleksia, Scum, Austin, tidecruz, HK, Orion, and homies from my old collectives are the ones I owe a lot too. Even the friends at my school I hang out with a lot have been so great this year, Zach, Janet, Lauryn, Anna and Starr are all the coolest. Oh yea and Rob is cool too for interviewing me! Shout out again to everyone.
