Review Fix Exclusive: Kalyn Kay Talks ‘Good Company’ And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Kalyn Fay, who discusses her creative process, goals for the future and excitement behind her new record, “Good Company.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Kalyn Fay: I had a lot of early experiences with music, but I didn’t start writing my own music and playing guitar until I was 22, freshly out of college. It started as a hobby, trying to put to words all the great changes one has to experience around that time. I realized, later, those words and songs I had written were not about a singular experience, but a shared experience and that it resonated with others, so I started performing more regularly and playing open mic nights and weird little unpaid gigs, until things just started to eventually happen.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Fay: I usually work from little thoughts I document throughout the day, something I hear that sparks my interest and I’d like to sit with later. I just create a whole list of little sayings and thoughts, then I sit down and pull a few that can work together, mull over why this sentiment is important to me, then piece together a song. I did it differently when I was first starting out, I’m sure it will change over the years. The process evolves, which is nice.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Fay: Definitely the landscape. I am extremely inspired by the space that someone occupies, the things they choose to keep and nest with, the memories associated with those items. I am also inspired by those weird moments of solitude that really grab you, where you think to yourself, I am going to remember this forever: how I felt, how this looked, the light, the stars, my breath on the cold air, how the leaves glimmer in the sun. It’s different for everyone. I never know why these moments grab me, I just find it fascinating that they do. Outside of all this, I am extremely inspired by contemporary indigenous art, but a lot of that work is also inspired by land and space, so it makes sense.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Fay: Native Americana. Truth be told, by drummer, Paddy Ryan, coined that, but I think it works. It’s a mix of reverence for land and space, moments and memories, so it’s a little airy and twinkly in an indie sort of way, but it also has very intense moments of alt-country/americana that kind of ground where I’m from and my influences.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Fay: Studio work is different because I think, for me, I really love the idea of recording songs in the absolute best version I could imagine. Usually that version involves quite a few people, but that doesn’t necessarily mean all of them are going on a tour with me or even laying all my local shows with me. So, when you get my record, you’re hearing it like I imagine the best version of it. However, records are just a blip in time, and we all change and progress alongside the songs we write, so they take on new meanings as we continue performing them, so I think I prefer live shows, generally. My live shows definitely vary, because you could be seeing me in many different iterations: solo, duo, or full band. This means the songs take on different lives depending on the way they are performed. Sometimes it’s a very intimate and quiet experience, sometimes it’s a big ol’ family up on stage giving you some good feels, but either way, you are getting a genuine, current experience.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2019?

Fay: Well, first I need to put out this record! I don’t think I’ve looked forward to something as much as “Good Company” in awhile. After that, I’m looking to travel more than ever. I plan to be up in Canada more often, overseas in Europe a bit, up in the northeast where I haven’t really played very much yet, and hitting the west coast to play with friends. So, more varied locations, more shows, more people to meet. 2019 is going to be a stellar year, I’m looking forward to it.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Fay: I’m headed up to Montreal following the release of the record for the first International Indigenous Summit with Folk Alliance International, where I’ll be performing and participating. Then, headed over to Denmark as a part of The House of Songs to write and perform with the lovely Poul Krebs. Lot’s of wonderful things coming up!