Kenzie Cait – innocence

By starrymag | January 4, 2024

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound as emotional, authentic and intimate. I want my music and my sound to be as honest as possible, as if I’m sharing the song with the listener personally.

 

Q) Music seems to be in your DNA, but who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Some of my musical influences include Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Phoebe Bridgers.

 

Q) Your new EP innocence is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

 

A) Many of the themes I explore on innocence are related to growing up. A recurring theme is how heartbreak can be the catalyst for your own growth as a person. “that girl” comes from a very vulnerable perspective about wanting an ex back, regardless of how much they have hurt you. Yet the closing song on the EP, “phantom pain,” is a song about accepting heartbreak and accepting the person you have become as a result.

 

Q) “innocence” and “love me again” are my personal favorite songs on the EP. Which song(s) hold a special place in your heart and what makes it so special?

 

A) “phantom pain” holds a truly special place in my heart. It was the first song I wrote on the EP and the last one to be finished. It took months of back and forth in the studio with the phenomenal producer, Jack Schrepferman, to perfect how I wanted “phantom pain” to sound. The song is so special to me because it’s one of those songs that perfectly describes the hurt and pain I was feeling at the time, and there is no better feeling than turning your pain and heartbreak into art you are proud of.

 

Q) Which track challenged you the most creatively?

 

A) While “phantom pain” is the song most special to me, it definitely challenged me the most creatively. However, I think without the song challenging me so much, it would not have become the song I am so proud of. “phantom pain” was a hard song to perfect because I knew exactly how I wanted the audience to feel upon first listen, which took a lot of trial and error during the production process.

 

Q) I have to ask, what is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Typically, I start with an emotion or concept that I want to write about and paint the story from there. Once I know what I want to write about, I play around with different chords and sounds that feel like that emotion. Then, I start to write. It’s crucial to me to get the lyrics right in order to tell an honest, complex, colorful story. Sometimes I end up writing about a completely different concept than I planned to, but I believe whatever flows out is meant to be.

 

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

 

A) I try to have an active role in the production of my music, giving the producers many song references and descriptive words of how I want the song to feel. However, I work with so many extremely talented producers that bring such amazing ideas to the table, which makes my life so much easier.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from exploring your new EP as a whole?

 

A) From exploring my EP, I hope listeners know that it is valid to feel these big, dramatic emotions. Additionally, I hope listeners know that you never look stupid for just trying to love someone.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I love performing anywhere in Nashville because the little coffee shops are where my band and I did our first shows.

 

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

 

A) I would love to collaborate with Troye Sivan in the future. I am absolutely obsessed with what he is doing for pop music right now.

 

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

 

A) Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Holly Humberstone. I love how unique her sound is, while the lyrics really make you feel like a part of the story she is telling.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media is crucial for connecting with fans. Fans are the entire reason why I get to do what I do, so it’s really important for me to interact and build connections with them. I want all of my fans to feel seen, and for them to know how much I appreciate them. Social media is just one way I can show my appreciation and love.

 

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

 

A) I would just like to say thank you. It blows my mind that there are people all over the world who support me. This is all I’ve ever dreamed of, so I would just thank them for making little Kenzie’s dreams come true!