In this conversation, I caught up with NYU contemporary voice student and exciting up and coming indie-singer songwriter, Kayla Oh. I had the pleasure of chatting with Kayla to discuss her debut single 'See Through' and how artists like Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Bridgers and Stevie Nicks have inspired her songwriting and creative process.
Hi Kayla, thank you for taking the time to do this interview! Please could you introduce yourself to our readers!
Hi, my name’s Kayla Oh, I’m 19 years old, and I’m a singer-songwriter based in NYC! I’m currently in my second year of studying contemporary voice at NYU. I’ve been writing my own music for several years now, but “See Through” is the first I ever recorded and released!
You’re about to release your debut single ‘See Through’ which describes someone healing from a broken relationship and processing heartbreak. Could you tell us a bit about the writing process and why you chose this song to be your debut single?
The writing process for ‘See Through’ was honestly very spontaneous. I remember writing this song felt more like a very necessary and cathartic release rather than a project or something I intended to be a debut single. It was the first time I had really unpacked the heartbreak I was dealing with after months of being extremely busy with starting college. I think because I wrote the song without any sort of agenda and really just confronted my pain, the result was some of the most candid writing I had ever done. After hearing the song fully produced, it became more and more clear to me that this track captured the scope of my artistry in the way that every artist hopes their debut single will.
What I love about the single is that the lyrics feel incredibly reflective and introspective, you have previously noted artists like Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Bridgers, and Stevie Nicks as being influential when it comes to your songwriting. What do you find inspiring about their music and how would you say their music has shaped your songwriting and musical process?
I think the reason I find Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Bridgers, and Stevie Nicks so inspiring as songwriters and performers is because they are all so unapologetically confessional and stark with their words. Their lyrics are unflinchingly honest, and I would say that they’ve accomplished that magical balance of writing with such specificity that the words become even more relatable. Everytime I listen to any of their songs, it feels like this gift that they’ve given us of their most vulnerable moments so we can also grapple with our feelings and see ourselves a little bit clearer; this is precisely what I try to accomplish with my music.
What do you hope your listeners take away from your debut single?
I just hope this song can be as healing and cathartic for my listeners as it was for me. Heartbreak is such a tricky and universal thing. It really is such an integral part of the human experience, and if my song can be part of even one person’s healing process, I’ll consider it a success. We really are just all going through it together.
Could you recommend some of your current favourite songs to our readers?
Some of my current favourite songs right now are “So You Are Tired” by Sufjan Stevens, “A Case of You” by Joni Mitchell, “Black Friday” by Tom Odell, and “Boyhood” by The Japanese House.
What are your plans for the rest of 2023? Will you be releasing an EP or another single?
My next single is set to release either in December of 2023 or early in 2024. My first EP will be released in the spring next year, so keep an eye out for that!
What advice would you give to someone who may want to pursue a career in the music industry or study music?
I think one of the biggest deterrents from pursuing a music career that I dealt with was imposter syndrome, so my advice would be to really work at becoming sure of yourself and your artistry. Sure, there are people out there who might be more talented or established than you are, but that means there are also people studying and releasing music now that are less qualified and talented than you are too. Everyone has to start somewhere, so start now and be your own biggest fan.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions! And congratulations on the release of your debut single!
Thank you so much for the interview!
Check out Kayla's debut single 'See Through' in the link above or hear the song on my Spotify Featured Artists Playlist.
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