Emmett Kai – Whale Milk

By: Karen Steinberg

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My sound absolutely changes as I change, but overall, it’s always been rock n roll focused.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Some of my biggest influences are Cocteau Twins, Bill Evans, Rari Kari and Chanel Beads really took the cake for me this year – The Velvet Underground, Ariel Pink, Snõõper and many more.

Q) Your recent album is entitled Whale Milk. I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask where this title came from. 

A) The title came from a weird little rabbit hole I went down regarding people attempting to bottle and sell whale milk in the early 1900’s. It kinda summed up where my head was at the time.

Q) “Borderline Pegasus Disorder” is a standout for me. What is your favorite of the 11 tracks and what makes it so significant to you?

A) My favorite song off the record is probably “Felta Creek Survival Camp” and “We Used To Be Alright.” Both were incredibly fun to write and came together so easily.

Q) Was there a particular song for Whale Milk that either challenged you lyrically or musically?

A) Well, the song “Keep On Living” was a love song for someone who ended up breaking my heart. I actually really love that song because it was written with both her and her mother in mind because it’s reminiscent of a Jim Croce vibe, which was her mother’s favorite artist.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I always write music before lyrics, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t have an idea for lyrics before sitting down and playing a few chords.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I do all the writing and production, including mixing and mastering. I don’t let many people touch my music and if they do it’s usually just playing a part that I cannot play myself.

Q) What do you hope lingers with audiences that explore the album as a whole – whether as an emotion or message?

A) I hope that people feel something and anything at all. My goal was to write this for myself and release it for myself to break out of a certain pocket I fell into. If people resonate with it, my job is done. So far, people have been resonating with it, so that’s good.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I’d love to collaborate with Playboi Carti and Dean Blunt.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I’ve been really digging Chanel Beads, Forma Norte, Rari Kari.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Music doesn’t make a sound until you listen to it, so thanks for listening.