KEHLI TALKS ALL OUTTA LOVE

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

I would think you can't even remember a time of not having music in your life?

A hundred percent yes! I’ve always had music in my life from such a young age, even from my parents playing music in the kitchen when we were kids. I went to stage school when I was really young so music has been there for as long as I can remember all into my teens when I started looking into music as a career. I also trained in contemporary dance and a bit of acting as well!

It was a little while since we last heard from you, but you are not holding back now with three songs so far this year?

My manager and I spent a lot of time in the studio during lockdown, especially as then we had all the time to create! I reflected on some personal experiences and wrote about some difficult, interesting times in my life and relationships which made for some really amazing songs I am very proud of. I am very lucky that I got to have so much time in the studio back then. There's still so much music from then that I am yet to release!

Even with your time in it, the pressure to release new music in today’s playlist-driven era must be intense. Do you ever have to remind yourself to slow down and let creativity lead you?

I definitely felt some pressure over the years being a perfectionist but it can also have its perks! Yes taking time to create is important, I got to really think about what I wanted to portray in my music and how I wanted it to come across. I wanted to write about real things, some of which a lot of people can relate to maybe. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten better at letting my music take its course and seeing what happens! More and more I’m not getting myself worked up on the little things. Its art, let it flow!

One can really hear your joy of doing this, not least in these new songs. You seem to have come into your own. You feel free?

Thank you very much for saying that! Yes, I’ve felt more free and happy with my writing process recently. I am in a better place mentally too about my career and writing these songs have been a great stress reliever, almost therapeutic. That’s one of the beautiful things about music and writing, it can be so therapeutic.

Are these singles leading to something bigger, like an EP or a full album?

Yes, an EP is coming really soon and I can’t wait to get it out into the world and then progress to releasing more and more songs, then maybe an album! Can’t wait to share all the songs I have under my belt.

What was it that inspired ‘All Outta Love’?

'All Outta Love' came from a place where I felt I couldn’t love anymore. I was very drained from one of my past relationships, so writing this song really helped me process what I felt during that time and to let it all go! It allowed me to see how I’ve grown from it and I am really proud of how I got out of it and where I am now.

There are many pop-lovers who listen to your songs. At least you are not out of love in that regard. What does it feel like to think about that, to think that every listen represents a song of yours being in someone’s life. Have you been feeling that love?

I have been feeling a lot of love from my music, which is a funny feeling but it is very rewarding and I’m so very grateful that people are listening. Knowing people love my music and can relate or take away something from the messages in my music is such a great, humbling feeling! To anyone who’s listening to my songs, thank you, thank you, thank you!