Interview: 5 Questions with Energetic Rock Musician ‘KALI’

For KALI, who was named an artist to watch in 2021 by NYLON, music is a foundation. At an early age, her parents acknowledged her musical inclinations, putting her in piano lessons at the age of four. Her heart had been set on the guitar, which she now plays as well as bass, keyboard, drums and violin, but agrees that piano lessons were a fit place to start: “It was a great idea because it’s the center and the foundation of everything theory-wise.”

A prodigy of sorts, KALI grew up playing recitals and covering Beatles songs, taking private lessons with music teachers and going to after school music programs, and even taking songwriting masterclasses to nourish her passion. In 2017, KALI assembled her first band, Big Wednesday. Intuitive and eager, she taught herself how to use Garageband and began writing and demoing songs that she would later teach her bandmates for their shows. Their relatable and honest indie-surf arrangements drew sweaty, teenage crowds to local venues like The Smell and The Viper Room and would lead her to her now solo work as KALI, whose debut project is coming soon.

1. What made you want to pursue a life in music?
I was mesmerized by anyone with a guitar in their hands. I thought anyone with incredible musicality was a superhero. My first teacher, in preschool, her name was Miss Rushing. She played the bass and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. From then on I became fascinated with musicians. I have memories of playing air guitar when no one was around and making noises that I thought sounded like guitar solos haha.

2. Can you tell us what you’re working on right now that most excites you?
Well, I would say I’m working on a number of things. I’ve been really into melody recently and just making music that is more nonlinear. I’ve been really into using my voice as an instrument even without lyrics, it’s addicting.

3. Who are your biggest influences?
Mk.gee, Paul Mccartney and the rest of the Beatles of course, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Billie Holiday, Weyes Blood, Porches, Noname, Saba, Whitney and Angel Olsen probably inspired the EP the most. I’ve been listening to a lot of the Magnetic Fields, Dijon, Hovvdy, the Clientele, Tierra Whack, Hether, Wilco and Pavement recently. And anything with strings inspires me as well, I love how theatrical and emotional they make songs sound.

4. What was your favourite live concert and why?
Hmm. I feel like it’s been so long since I last when to a show. This is a very hard question to answer. One of them was when I saw DrugDealer at the Teragram Ballroom. He had this shoegaze band Launder that I really like open for him and when he played his set he brought on a ton of special guests, he made it feel like a joyous family reunion.

5. What would you like to say to your new fans?

Well, I would like to say hello and share my appreciation for their listening to my two songs lol. I find it quite amusing that people listen to my music. I think it’s a really beautiful event when people can relate the songs to their own experiences and come to their own unique conclusions about the songs’ meanings.