Hey, this week I had the good fortune to listen to Nila Kay and ask her a few questions about her music. Nila writes and sings genuine, natural pop tunes with an innovative edge and I love her tracks.
What was the last book you read or artistic work you saw (like a movie) that inspired your lyrics and why?
I’m kind of embarrassed to say it, because you’re probably expecting me to say something prophetic but here goes…GOSSIP GIRL! It’s a really good source for drama these days, especially when you don’t have a boyfriend and you’re a single-parent who doesn’t go out as often as they once did. Gossip Girl is GREAT for lyric ideas! Last artistic work that I read or saw that inspired me to live…in general…from the bible “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible for you.” and also this one from a teabag “We do not remember days, we remember moments” - Cesare Pavese
Are you going to release a CD? What are your plans for it?
Sooner or later I would like to release a cd, but I want all the songs to be great so it might take a while…I don’t like to rush the recording process. It seems like that’s when mistakes happen…I like to let my songs live for a while on stage and in the real world.
With who and where did you record the tracks on your Website?
The tracks I have were recorded at Chung King Studios in NYC, NY with Patrick Brown of Brown Bottle Records, also at Different Fur in SF with Patrick. I think four of the songs I have on music submit were recorded at Bias Studios in Springfield VA with JLaine http://www.myspace.com/jlainemusic as music director, producer, and percussionist! I also recorded a couple of the tracks at home on my four trackin either my kitchen or bathroom.
What area are you in now and where you play live? Do you play solo or with a band?
Right now I live in Arlington, VA about 5 minutes from DC- I play here in VA, in DC, MD, NY, Bryn Mawr, PA (at milkboy acoustic cafe!), and once this year in Austin TX during SXSW for RedGorilla music festival. and I play at my friends’ parties! I play solo, or with a cajon, or with my drummer, or with bass and drums.
What is your approach to writing songs as of the moment and how did you come to that place?
I used just write whatever popped into my head and rhymed (actually I still do, but I try not to as much). But I wasn’t happy with the way that works, and thought I could do better. so now I’m taking online classes with berkleemusic.com. It’s SO GREAT! There’s so much to learn…I feel myself improving, and being able to put a lot more into my writing. I LOVE IT! but in general i get ideas from many different places…conversations that I hear via eavesdropping…conversations that I have… people that I see…and past experiences…
You can check out Nila’s new pop songs at http://www.nilakaymusic.com and have a listen for yourself! For more information about what this site is all about go to my home page or sign up for my mailing list to get more articles on great new artists like Nila!
Peace,
Dan-O
