Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide to become a soloist?
I have been singing since I can remember. I started writing tracks with other people when I was 11. I used to go to London and write with various writers at BGM, in Farringdon. I then worked with some talented producers in Cardiff, Mark and Woody, before working with Nick Brine, at Rockfield. I then worked with lots of other talented Producers/writers including LVR, Gethin Pearson & Owain Felstead, until I was ready to release my own work when I was 18. I have never thought about another career, to be honest, it is always something I have wanted to do and there was never a plan B really. I have just turned 21 and loving it, it is my passion
Introduce us you, the band and your musical history?
So my band has 3 other members, Bailey on the drums, on Bass, Ioan, and finally, on the keys we have Owain.
My musical history was always split in half. I had a passion for Musical Theatre, still do, and then it was Pop music, which I did in my own time away from school. Once I left school I decided to really focus on my music. I was really lucky to get involved with the Forte10 project in Cardiff and then BBC Horizons. I also gained support from Help Musicians, which all really helped. I am now on the rosta at WILD MANAGEMENT, with Lu & Jon, and they have also been a great help to me and we have some great things planned for the future
What’s one question you’re sick of being asked when interviewed?
Haha, I don’t think there is one question that I am sick of to be fair. I get asked lots of similar questions, but that is always going to happen. I love a good interview
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
No sorry, not really into things like this, as I feel it takes my energy away from the postive things I need to focus on, but good luck to anyone who does have them, each to their own
Did you buy anything you don’t need in the pandemic?
Well, I can tell you something I bought, but will probably never use again. At the start of Lock Down, my laptop broke. I was gutted as really needed it to record some lyrics. I was on furlough and I couldn’t afford a replacement and all the repair shops had closed due to the pandemic rules. I was right in the middle of a track called “Smoking Gun”. I was working with a producer called Dan, LVR, and he suggested that I look for a cheap I-Mic, that I could maybe plug into my phone and then record vocals on my phone voice notes. We didn’t think it would work, but I paid £20 for one on Amazon, and gave it a whirl. Amazingly, I sent over the voice note lyrics to Dan, and magically he added them to the track. The track is up on Spotify so I will let you guys be the judge on whether it sounds any good haha
What useless party trick do you have?
Ok, so after a few cocktails I try and do impressions of some famous singers. I try and impersonate, Shakira, Cher, Britney, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish. No, I am not showing you, unless you buy me a cocktail or ten
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
My best experience to date, was my headline show at Porters, in Cardiff. I loved the venue and the crowd had so much energy, I loved it.
I also was invited onto Scott Quinnell’s Christmas show on BBC Wales, in December and did 2 tracks live. This was an amazing experience, alongside Emile Sande, John Owen Jones & Gerwyn Price amonst others. I really loved this one and of course it was all Xmassy, and I love Xmas
What was the worst experience on stage?
My worst experience to date and I won’t name the festival as that won’t be fair, was when I was put in a room to perform a solo set, the soundman forgot the monitor, he kept calling me Kacey and only 5 people turned up and 2 of them were my parents. Not a great gig that one haha but all good experience
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about?
So I do have 2 part-time jobs, as I do still need money to live on, pay for recording, etc, as especially through the pandemic, opportunities to earn money as a musician, were slim. My first part-time job is at a Children’s Play Centre and I get to dress up as Disney Fairy Princesses and sing to the children. My 2nd job is also dressing up as characters and taking children on trails or visiting schools. They are perfect jobs for me really, but people are surprised when they see me driving around as Elsa or Anna from Frozen hehe
If you had to describe your band/music to an alien how would you describe it?
I would describe it as, in the most part, funky and something to have a good old bop to. I am not sure the alien would understand that, but if I pressed play on my track list on Spotify, hopefully they would get it
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
I think that my music is bright, bubbly, colorful and boppable ( is that a word?) I know people who enjoy Pop Music like it and hopefully now that I can get out there and do live music, then my fan base will start to grow further. I think being a Pop artist in Wales is stand out alone, as it isn’t something that happens a lot in Wales
Right now, what’s pissing you off the most?
Okay, I would say that sometimes it feels that the genre, Pop, is not always taken that seriously in Wales or around the capital, as it could and should be. A lot of opportunites, especially live ones, seem to pass artists in this genre by. I don’t know why that is. Don’t get me wrong, BBC Introducing and BBC Sounds have been really good to me, for which I am grateful,I love the guys on there, and all 5 of my releases last year were added to the BBC Radio Wales’ Welsh A List, it is more the live opportunites really. I am sure it is not intentional on anyones part, but hopefully things will change in the future to include the genre more
What’s your favourite song to play live and why?
I really like playing “I’m Good”, as I love the crowd interaction on this one. I also like singing “Breakup Hangover” from the EP, as this lets me stretch my vocals a bit more than other tracks and sometimes it is nice to slow things down with a good ballad, so everyone, including me, can get their breath back
I hear you have a new single/album/ep, what can you tell us about it?
Yes, so my EP, “Words4Luv” is out there. It contains 2 brand new tracks and also has some other favourites on it too. It was super hard work getting this ready during the Lock-downs, but we did it and I am super proud how it all turned out. I am working on new music now and the plan is to have another EP out, towards the end of the year containing all-new, previously unreleased music on it. I am excited about this, as you can tell.
My latest single is called “Pink Bandana”. I loved writing this one. It takes you on a journey from childhood through to your teens and beyond. People are liking this one it appears and can’t wait to do it live with the band
Talk me through the thought process of the single/album/ep?
So, the whole EP is a journey. The journey of finding love, being in love, breaking up and then being okay after the breakup. I am sure many people will relate to this journey. I wanted the EP to have a story, a journey and I believe that is what we have put out. People do seem to relate and I have had some good feedback so far
What was the recording process like?
The recording process was really hard. Due to Lockdown, it was delayed, postponed, delayed again… but we got there through the magic of Zoom, in most cases. The one thing I will never stop doing is writing and collaborating with people on Zoom. It has been a revelation and I have written with so many people during LockDown, people who I probably would not have written with otherwise, to be fair
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the single/album/ep?
The biggest learning curve was to write with as many people as possible. I always get a different sound or idea when I do. I may not use every track I write, well I don’t, but just the experience of getting all those different types of energy on the same room or zoom call, is amazing. I have learned that more is better when it comes to writing with people
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I think if it wasn’t for the pandemic then I would definitely had more new tracks on the EP. But time was not kind, and due to all the delays and isolation, it wasn’t possible to have as many new tracks on the EP as I would have liked. The next EP will be all-new, unreleased tracks though and I am busy plotting away to make this happen
What are your plans for the year ahead?
So this year, I will be writing a lot, ready for the aforementioned EP. I will also be doing more live gigs and festivals. I am really looking forward to the 110above Festival this year and am humbled to be on such a strong festival lineup. There will be more gigs to be announced, so watch this space
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I think that if the pandemic has taught us anything at all, is that we should appreciate our loved ones and friends. Don’t take them for granted. Make time for them, as tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. Appreciate those that appreciate you. I definitely make more time for people now. The pandemic was an awful time and really made me look at what was important in life. I learned so much during the pandemic.
Thanks for doing us today folks, send this back on a word document and ill get it all ready for you.