We were fortunate enough to catch up with the superb Vancouver-based artist Chelsy Kaze, for an interview. She has released her stunning album ‘Skyline’ in June 2020, read our review here. Check out our interview below!
Hi Chelsy Kaze, tell us about yourself?
My name is Chelsy Kaze, and I’m a 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Vancouver, BC. Music was always a big part of my life growing up, and the older I got, the more I fell in love with it. I started taking piano lessons when I was ten, and from there, I taught myself how to play the guitar and the ukulele. I’m very passionate about playing music, and I honestly can’t imagine my life without it.
What is your songwriting process?
I feel like I write my best songs when I’m In the moment. Usually, I write with my guitar. I play around with chord progressions and rhythms that match what I’m feeling or what I want the song to come across as. Once I get the perfect melody, I start writing the lyrics which comes easy when I’m really in tune with myself. As I start building up to the rest of the song, words just come to me, and the song eventually starts to write itself.
Tell us about your latest release?
‘Skyline’ is an album that will always hit close to home. It simply follows my life for the last eight years and the events that made me the person I am today. I named the album ‘Skyline’ because every song was written back at my old place and I used to look outside my window overlooking the beautiful Vancouver skyline. Over time, it became this tradition and a part of my songwriting process. It’s pretty crazy looking back now how every song depicted different emotions. I clearly remember the mindset I was in when writing them, and even though they were all so different, they were all a part of one big story.
What message do you think your music conveys to your fans?
I believe it sends the message that life is full of uncertainties. It’s okay to fall in love and get your heart broken. It’s okay to feel lost and wanting to be found. Everyone is fighting their own battles, and it’s important to cherish the moment whether it’s good or bad. I feel it helps define our character, and these experiences will always be a part of life.
Who are your musical influences?
I listened to pretty much all sorts of music growing up. My biggest influences have to be Michelle Branch, The Lumineers, Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne.
Who are your non-musical influences?
My mom was definitely a big influence in my music. She wrote a lot of poems in her life; I was very inspired by that and started writing my own. Eventually, I decided to combine my love for music and to write poetry into one, and that’s one of the main reasons why I got into songwriting.
What’s the best gig that you have ever played?
The best gig I played was during a backpacking trip in Asia. There was a restaurant that had live music, and this band was performing an acoustic set. When they went on a break, I approached them, and they asked if we wanted to take over the stage while they were on intermission. We ended up performing that night, and the crowd were great. I just loved how spontaneous it was, but we still managed to make it a very memorable night.
What is your funniest gig moment?
I played a gig with a couple of my friends in UBC once and halfway through a song, there was a sound malfunction, and our microphones turned off. We were playing a cover of “Honey, I’m Good” by Andy Grammer, and I guess everyone saw how mortified we all looked when it shut off. A few people started singing along with us, and before we know it, the entire crowd was singing on top of their lungs and cheering very loudly. It was an amazing experience and a really fun time, and that performance turned out better than we expected.
What do you think are the biggest obstacles for bands/artists today?
I feel there are so many independent artists and bands out there who don’t get the recognition they deserve. Especially because of how competitive it is in this industry, it’s definitely tough getting your name and music out there. I’m just glad that there are so many musicians who are still following their passions and making music because it’s what they love to do.
What advice would you give to other bands/artists starting out?
Just keep at it. Everyone has to start out somewhere. I strongly believe that if you’re just passionate and determined enough to get to your goals, you will achieve it.
What are your hopes for the next two years?
I am really looking forward to playing more shows and getting more of my music out there. I can’t wait to write more songs and hopefully have another album out in the next two years!
FV Music Blog June 2020
https://www.instagram.com/chelsykaze
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