Kylie Spence, PENS EYES VIEW interview
Kylie Spence is humble – she admits that at times, she worries that her peers on the indie alternative pop scene are more talented than she is. And while she can, and should remain humble, we here at PEV have no problem saying this for her: this fantastic singer/songwriter is on the edge of amazing things – a sort of Taylor Swift meets Lorde, Spence has the vocal chops to match her love and play of vintage instrumentation, giving her sound something audiences new and old school can vibe to. Residing now in Laguna Beach by way of Big Sky, Montana, Kylie is writing songs on her own with lyrics well beyond her 16 years, developing into the kind of player that already speaks like they’ve been playing stages for 10 years. It’s all about the song, the music for Spence, and a listen to her breakthrough track, “Lying Eyes” (with over 100,000 views on YouTube), and you’ll start to get the picture.
Kylie says of the single, “Fans can expect a moody alternative pop song about the troubles two lovers face in a relationship. They can also expect a taste of what’s to come in the future for my music. The writing process for this song was pretty easy. I was sitting on my bedroom floor with my acoustic guitar and it just happened. Not much else to say.” You should check out “Lying Eyes” quickly – Kylie’s latest single, “The L Word” is on its way (and we’re excited to report its backed by a staccato guitar strum). Click to https://www.kyliespence.com/ to listen to “Lying Eyes”, and prepare for “The L Word” and so much more as Spence prepares for serious stardom. Now, keep reading. There’s still so much more to learn in all the answers to the XXQs below.
XXQs: Kylie Spence
PensEyeView.com (PEV): How would you describe your sound and what makes you stand out from others in your genre?
Kylie Spence (KS): My sound is very unique and I love it. I would say my genre is indie alternative with a little bit of pop. It’s like if The Neighborhood, Coldplay, The Cure, Billie Eilish, and Melanie Martinez all had a baby. Maybe? That’s just what I think. I think one thing that makes me different from others in my genre is the fact that I use vintage instruments in all of my songs, but I still make it sound current.
PEV: What kind of music were you into growing up? Do you remember your first concert?
KS: I was into whatever was on the radio, which was early 2000’s music. I loved All American Rejects, Green Day, 3 Doors Down, Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, and so many more bands/artists. My first concert was Miley Cyrus. I was so excited because I watched Hannah Montana as a kid, and she was like my idol. During her set there was this one part where she was sitting on a motorcycle that was hanging from the ceiling and she came right above me and we made eye contact and I literally thought that was the coolest thing ever.
PEV: What was it like trying to break into the music scene when you first started? What was your first show like?
KS: Trying to break into the music scene was and still is very intimidating at times. It’s hard because the music world is so broad and competitive, and there are always people that I perceive to be more talented than me. But I think this makes me want to practice a lot, and work on my craft even more. I never really had a first legit show. Music has always been gradual for me, and so was performing. But the first time I played for an audience other than my close family was at an open mic night in a coffee shop where I played to a bunch of old people. For some reason I thought they were all very intimidating. Long story short, I was beyond scared and my legs were shaking so much.
PEV: What can fans expect from a live Kylie Spence show?
KS: They can expect a very personal and authentic show. I want my shows to be about my music, my vocals, and not a ‘performance’ per say. I want my fans to walk away and be moved by the experience of a personal connection with me and my lyrics and how it all relates to their lives. I don’t want to do crazy stunts or wear crazy costumes. I want my shows to feel very personal and organic.
PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage to perform?
KS: Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind when I step on stage is: “don’t mess up.”
PEV: What is the best part about being on stage in front of an audience?
KS: I wouldn’t say that there is one thing in particular that makes being in front of an audience so special, it’s really just the whole experience. The energy, the smiles, and just the fact that people are all there for the same reason, which is music. I love seeing how people react and connect to my music and lyrics, it’s something super special to me.
PEV: What is the underlying inspiration for your music?
KS: There was never one reason why I started writing. I just wrote and it spiraled from there. I don’t always write from personal experience, sometimes I write about stories people tell me or movies I’ve seen. My inspiration is always changing and evolving.
PEV: Even though you’re only 16, when you think back to when you first started out, do you ever look back on your career and think about your earlier days and how you’ve arrived where you are today?
KS: All the time. Music has been my life since I was 12, so I look back a lot and I get to see how my music style has changed as well as how I have changed in my writing and composing.
PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about you?
KS: I’ve never been in a romantic relationship yet, but I write about love ALL the time. People find this to be really surprising.
PEV: What happens when you hit a brick wall when writing? What are your methods to get over it?
KS: Hitting a brick wall when writing is probably the most frustrating thing in the whole entire world no joke. You literally feel like you are hitting a wall – it’s that frustrating. You want to write, but you just can’t for some weird reason. It seems to happen to me a lot when I have free time when I want to write. Whenever I am really busy, or don’t want to write, ironically I write. There is nothing I can do or nothing I know of that will knock that wall down. I just wait it out, and know that I will write when the time is right.
PEV: Even being new to the scene, how do you think the industry has changed since you first started out?
KS: I don’t think I can fully answer this only because I’ve only been doing this for such a small period of time. What I will say is that it is much easier to have your music discovered now than it would have been 15 years ago just because of social media and technology.
PEV: What can fans expect from your debut single, “Lying Eyes”? What was the writing process like for this work?
KS: Fans can expect a moody alternative pop song about the troubles two lovers face in a relationship. They can also expect a taste of what’s to come in the future for my music. The writing process for this song was pretty easy. I was sitting on my bedroom floor with my acoustic guitar and it just happened. Not much else to say.
PEV: With all your traveling, is there one area you wish you could travel around and play that you have not yet?
KS: I would love to go to another country and play there. I think it would be amazing to see how people react differently to my music there, and just see how other cultures love, appreciate, and listen to music.
PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your career?
KS: My family is so supportive. I truly wouldn’t be able to do my music without them. They have been part of my journey from the very start and I can’t be more grateful. I have some friends who are supportive and some that aren’t…Unfortunately, many of my previous friends were not true friends and never were supportive of me or my music. That kinda wrecks a friendship. But I do have some wonderful friends who have done nothing but support me, and that truly means so much to me.
PEV: What can we find you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?
KS: I always have to be doing something creative. I love art, and so in my free time when I am not doing music I am most likely drawing, collaging, or painting.
PEV: Name one present and past artist or group that would be your dream collaboration. Why?
KS: Coldplay. I LOVE them to death. I think they are musical geniuses. Everything they create is just so different and interesting and I love it all.
PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?
KS: Billie Eilish is one to watch. I look up to her as an artist even though she’s younger than me. I love her work.
PEV: If playing music wasn’t your life (or life’s goal), what would you do for a career?
KS: Since I love art, maybe an artist of some sort. But I honestly can’t image my life without music.
PEV: So, what is next for Kylie Spence?
KS: A lot. More music coming very soon and hopefully some more shows, so don’t get tired of me.
