Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Kinley, to find out what inspired her new single, “Run With You†and more.
Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?
Kinley: I grew up with parents as musicians. My dad is a drummer and my mom plays piano. We were always listening to music, going to see concerts and playing concerts. I ended up getting a degree in Classical Viola Performance at Dalhousie University. The day after I graduated I got in a van with the band Hey Rosetta! We toured the world for 10 years. It was an incredible experience. A couple of years ago we decided to take a hiatus. I had been recording violin on other artists’ albums for years and decided (with the encouragement of a couple of friends) that I should write my own songs. I released a duo album with my cousin Liam Corcoran, and later recorded an album of my own songs called, ‘Letters Never Sent’. I realized I was in love with songwriting. Now I am embarking on my second solo album and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Kinley: I love writing by myself, home alone. I love writing at night. I either start by playing a riff on the tenor guitar, or by letting any words flow out of my hand and onto the page. I then try to see if anything I’ve written matches with the vibe of the riff and then it usually just works out.
Review Fix: What inspires you?
Kinley: I’m inspired by lots of different things in my life. Some of my songs are introspective. I really learn a lot about myself from writing songs. Some of the songs are about things that have happened in the past and some for the future. ‘The Quiet One’ is about how I was selectively mute when I was a child. ‘I’ve Got Money Coming’ is an ode for all artists awaiting the day when the money rolls in. My song ‘Lightworkers’ was written for my friends who were newly engaged. They had to call off the wedding because Ryan, the groom, was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. They had to do surgery right away. I called all the ‘lightworkers’ (A lightworker is a special person that some people believe has an almost psychic ability to intuit what other people are thinking, feeling or need, in order to heal.) to help Ryan heal. After a 14 hour surgery and many good vibes being sent to him, he is doing great and they’ll be getting married in PEI at a later date!
Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
Kinley: My sound has been described as ‘tropically tinged indie-pop’. I would say that holds true for my upcoming album. There are a few more rocking tunes and a couple more folky vibes as well this time.
Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?
Kinley: Surprise! I don’t play live shows. I have played for many years touring with other bands and sometimes still do. I don’t feel the pull of the road for my own material. I am very content to be at home, where I can write more songs.
Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?
Kinley: I was home alone late at night and I was wracking my brain trying to think of what to write about. I was thinking of my musical heroes. There was one woman who really stood out. I googled her name and read this great article she did in Rolling Stone. I just started writing in depth about how her music makes me feel. I started playing a riff and it felt right. I’ve been listening to her since university and I realized her voice and music had followed me around many different apartments and van rides around the world. I just wanted to thank her for her music.
Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2019?
Kinley: I’m just finishing up my self-titled album right now. I just launched an Indiegogo campaign and I’m so excited about the support I’ve received already. I have some more violin/viola recording to do for some other artists this year and just gearing up for the release of my album in February, 2020.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Kinley: I’m heading on tour to play violin with my boyfriend Dylan Menzie in January. We’re heading to New Orleans and then over to England. I’m in the middle of planning my next music video with my longtime music video collaborator, director Jenna MacMillan. That will be for my song, ‘Washington’, about the women’s march. I’m really excited for that video.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Kinley: Thanks for reading! If you want to find out more or support my Indiegogo campaign here is the link!
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