One to Watch: Khai [Interview]

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One to Watch: Khai [Interview]

A short while ago USA producer, Khai, entered the online music world in a big (and visual) way. On initial inspection the strong aesthetics paint the perfect picture in so far as foreshadowing this sensational debut EP – and delivers rightly so. Previously serving Do You Go Up as a tasty entree, we now urge you to stick your teeth into the rest of the EP, If You, as it provides a meaty, meaty, main.

Below Khai airs some mystery surrounding the project:

So! You’re pretty new to the project, Khai. We’d love to know more! How did you get into music? Is Khai your first project? Tell us about yourself!

K: Music has always been a very big part of my life. I was always encouraged to keep going from a young age, and was lucky to have an outlet for my creativity. I moved to Austin with a producer friend of mine in 2013, who put me onto a lot of EDM. That’s when I started producing music. I made a lot of friends there, including the duo Bronze Whale. They showed me another side of the Austin music scene, and I really vibed with it. I was featured on some of their music, and then started meeting other producers. I wrote the “If You” EP right after SXSW this year.

Who has been the most intrinsic person in making your career happen and how?

K: There has been a lot of people that have had a huge impact on me. Way too many to list. Anyone who has supported my music is who I view as the most intrinsic person in making my career happen. That’s who I’m doing it for.

Any hardships or turning points? Success can be a lot of trial and error.

K: The biggest turning point for me was probably moving to Austin, Tx. The music scene there inspired me to continue making music.

How did CYN and yourself come together?

K: I first heard about CYN through my friend Jai Wolf, and was later introduced to her. I showed her my EP, and she really vibed with it. We got on a phone call, and have been friends ever since.

“Do you go up,” is a personal favourite. Can you describe the song writing process?

K: I wrote that song from a very minimal perspective. I wrote the vocals first. Later I wrote a chord progression playing guitar. I used that progression to slowly drive Do You Go Up with smooth sounds. I didn’t want to go crazy with the instrumental, because I wanted to capture the feeling I got when writing the acappella.

Can you comment on the, “American way” when it comes to the music scene. Does (and if so, how?) living in one city verse another affect your career?

K: Honestly, I think the way people are interacting nowadays has changed that. Our world is more connected than ever now with the internet. A lot of the people that I know in the music industry, I met on the internet.

For people planning SXSW 2016, any showcases you recommend? From your experience, is SXSW a worthy way to spread the word regarding your music.

K: I really love going to Hype Hotel. Mad Decent and OWSLA had really cool showcases this year. I’d definitely say SXSW is a worthy way to get your music heard. I’ve seen acts perform for crowds that don’t really know who they are, then turn around to be huge names on the next years artist lists.

Any major goals or plans for the rest of the year? 

K: The rest of the year I’m going to be writing new music. I hope to tour next year, and I definitely want to come to Australia in the future.

If You EP now available on Octal Sound via iTunes

 

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