Interview Series
Part 3.
From Atlanta, USA, to Lagos, Nigeria, and now to Northampton, England. The interview series is back showcasing grassroot talents and their community state. This time reporting live from NN, we meet three underground artists from Northampton, eachone with plans to join the next generation of sound from out the East Midlands. The following voices have been tape recorded and transcribed into writing for your reading pleasure.
Name: KIAO
Base: Area of Northampton
Age: 22
#The scene { It's 5:53 PM. Reporting live from Kiao’s Kitchen. Across from me he leans against the counter. The stencil on the wall reads “Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain”. Kiao lights a cigarette indoors, a thin veil of white smoke crawls over his face, covers his tattoos, then dissipates into the aether. }
Q: When did you start making music?
In 2016 I recorded my first track, now when I listen back to it I cringe! [He laughs].
Q: What's been the biggest challenge since?
For me the hardest bit of music or of creating anything, is the process of getting the idea from your mind, to pen and paper. The actual creative process is hard, because for me the music is personal. 8to9 hours in the studio would tire a person emotionally. I've fallen out of love with the process before, but I always find my way back. Somehow I always manage to fall back in love with it.
Q: As a young artist, how do you balance the pressure of appealing to a wider audience, while maintaining your own unique sound?
[Brief pause, exhale smoke.] To be honest I forget about that side. The whole politics of wanting to appeal to a broader audience, I forget cus’ I have fun, I enjoy making music, I enjoy the live performances. Of course, In terms of making this a career I would like to reach a wider audience. If you love doing something, then sure you want to make it a career. But it's hard for me to focus on that aspect right now. Especially since I work full time on the side. As you get older there are bills to pay, and you need a full time job. It's hard to balance the music sometimes, right now I just do it cus’ I love it.
Q: Is there support for young talents in Northampton?
[Brief pause.] With the shows that we've done, and the places that have allowed us to perform, they’ve all been really supportive. Gribaldi for one, they've been really helpful with young talents trying to get a show or a set, I've performed there more than anywhere else. You perform, and the crowd knows your song word for word, for a local town pub you couldn't ask for more.
Q: Hypothetical - you are a Castaway on an Island and you can only bring 3 albums with you. What 3 albums would you bring?
[Long pause.] I'd need something to relax me at some point, F!ck the World, by Brent Faiyaz, that whole song is an album in itself, I could listen to it on repeat. Also, there is a self titled album by a band called The Story so Far, I'll take that too. And maybe, New Toronto 3, by Tory Lanez. I'll have to get lit! at some point [He laughs.].
Q: Suppose, out of the 3 albums, you had to leave one behind. Which of the 3 albums would you leave for posterity sake?
Q: How would you define Success?
[Heavy sigh and a brief pause.] My idea of being successful, is probably leaving a mark on the world to be remembered by. To be remembered by something that friends or family can look at and say - he did this, he gave it his all. And if that means getting my music out there, then so be it. I understand money is important. But there's been times I've had no money and still I had a good time. It's all stereotypical, the big house and nice cars . . those people might have sh!t going on that no one realizes. I'll tell you one thing money can't buy, Love, you can’t ever buy Love . . Love is a gift. Personally, If I was known as a good person, and I left a bit of a legacy, I'll probably say I've been successful.
The End.
A GREASEDELBOW Interview.
Instagram: @kiaotee
Support and Check out Kiao’s latest Track on ~ Sound Cloud
Published: 01/10/2021
Written by Dan O. Eboka
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