Be flexible, the music industry changes by the day. Things that were the ‘norm’ years ago for example, having extremely polished content, are now out of the window. But this might change tomorrow again.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing KIA.
Los Angeles-based artist KIA emerges onto the music scene with a compelling blend of alternative R&B and neo-soul. Having grown up in The Netherlands, the half Dutch and half Indonesian singer/songwriter infuses her sound with a plethora of textures and emotions to perfectly capture the story behind her lyrics.
Her latest single “Okay, Alright” is off of her upcoming EP, Retrospect, which shows KIA returning to the end of a previous relationship and reflecting on how it wasn’t good for her. As she delves into her past, she turns loss, anger, confusion and sadness into acceptance, ultimately allowing herself to be open and vulnerable in meeting new people again.
“Okay, Alright” specifically details when KIA was still in this unhealthy relationship, questioning where things went south and trying to fix what was most likely already gone in the first place.
Weaving authenticity and raw emotion into everything she does, the songwriter shares, “We used real recorded rain sounds when it was pouring in LA to set a mood, as well as some video game sounds that took me back to a moment in life where I felt smaller. There are subtle sound effects on the vocals that represent my deep, introspective thoughts.”
Beyond solo projects, KIA’s music has been featured in movies on major streaming platforms including Netflix and Hulu, as well as in theaters across the U.S. and Europe. Over the last few years KIA has received both the NAMM President’s Innovation Award and the Ultimate Music Awards for Best Single-Pop of the Year and Best Female Artist of the Year. She was a top finalist at the IMSTA Songwriting Competition, the UK Songwriting Competition, won honorable mention at the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) and recently won the weekly John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
2024 is set to be an exciting year for this artist on the rise. Stay tuned for more from KIA.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Absolutely! I was very fortunate to have been born into a supportive musical household that helped me discover my love for music. I started playing the French horn and classical guitar at age 6, which really helped me getting a solid music foundation. After that I started playing the piano and trumpet, and it wasn’t until I was about 17 that I started to sing.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?
For me, singing and songwriting provides a sense of freedom, I always call it “free therapy”. So in some way it’s like I’m journaling, just in a musical form. It helps me in the sense of organizing my thoughts and processing certain emotions, which allows me to connect with people on a deeper level.
While honing my musical skills I graduated from a Performing Arts school, received a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance Jazz & Pop at the Conservatory ArtEZ (University of the Arts, Netherlands). After that I moved to LA, where I earned a master’s degree in music. During my studies, I began creating my own music, formed a live band, and played at multiple venues/festivals in both the Netherlands and the US. I’m a fully independent solo artist that writes a fusion of alternative R&B and neo-soul music. Hard work and persistence is what got me here to LA. I’m currently on an O-1 artist visa (achieved without a lawyer), doing what I love most.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I’ve always set goals in the beginning of the year where I’m really allowing myself to dream big things. I write them down, and funny how we work on a subconscious level, because I’ve had many situations where some of the biggest dreams became a reality. I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with people like Jason Lindner, Oscar Hernandez, Freddie Ravel, Full Crate and others. On top of that, I wrote down once that I wanted to live in the US, and here I am in the heart of LA (the city of music), where anything’s possible. Think big, dream bigger!
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I’ve made many mistakes along the way. It is the only way we learn and grow. From silly things like leaving a price tag on your outfit while performing, to noticing doing weird things with my hands when I’m singing. Actively recording yourself and reflecting/analyzing are such important factors in a music career.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My undergrads teacher Izaline Calister. I have learned so much from this powerful artist/woman, not just in music but also in life. She really guided me and helped me find my sound as well as to always keep pursuing my dreams.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Right now, I’m finishing up my upcoming EP called “Retrospect,” which is set to be released in the coming months. At the beginning of this year, I won two big contests, the weekly John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Howard Rosen Promotion Talent Search. The latter granted me, among other things, a billboard in Times Square. Next week I am flying out to see it and perform a couple of shows in NYC. I’m also working on some exciting collaborations.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
Media has a powerful influence on shaping cultural norms, attitudes, and beliefs. By promoting diversity and inclusivity in entertainment, we can help challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and foster a more tolerant and empathetic society. Music has the power to unify. On top of that everyone grew up differently, experienced things differently, look differently, everyone has different perspectives and stories to tell. All these factors help us learn about each other and create newer perspectives that we wouldn’t have had before. Feed the inspiration.
As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?
You have to. Music is such a dynamic career and not an easy one. It all starts with believing in yourself, being pleasant to work with, having a goal and a positive outlook. Most of the times you have to roll with the punches, and figure out other ways to get to the same end goal. Accept it, and move forward.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . Work hard, keep pushing. Keep planting seeds because they will see the light one day. I learned this later on in life and in my career.
2 . Sometimes you have to do stuff yourself, because not everyone will look out for you like you look out for them.
3 . Failure is a lesson and a process, without it we’d be stagnant
4 . Rejection is subjective. The amount of ‘no’s I’ve heard throughout my career. Try to distance yourself from the personal aspect, accept it and move forward.
5 . Be flexible, the music industry changes by the day. Things that were the ‘norm’ years ago for example, having extremely polished content, are now out of the window. But this might change tomorrow again.
Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?
I love to build worlds from concepts. Whether this is a lyrical mind map, or a musical landscape. The process always differs. In terms of musical collaborations, you bring your strongest skill to the table.
Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?
Everybody has a different voice, it is not just your singing voice but also what you have to say, your story, your experiences, your emotions. Mine is KIA and I am deeply honored when people resonate with my music.
How do you connect with your audience?
I try to be active on social media to connect and I spend time after performances to get to know the people that came to the show and personally thank them.
With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?
This is something I feel like I can do better in. I don’t always get a lot of sleep, which is definitely an important aspect. I have my morning walks with my dog to keep some exercise. Having some “me” time and scheduling that in, helps me out to keep the balance
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I wish I could find a way for people to be more selfless. It’s important we care for each other as human beings but also as collectives. Greed has been taking over the world and it only seems to result in wars on a global level.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Sinead Harnett. She’s a huge inspiration in music for me in terms of sound and style. Plus she seems like a fun person to hang with.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
On my socials, I’m most active on IG (@kiaknoester), but you can also check out my website for any upcoming shows and new merchandise drops (www.kiamusic.nl)
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold.
