Kali Claire is the latest R’n’B Soul Singer to come out of the UK. The 22- year old released her debut EP ‘Symptoms of a Teen‘ last year. Since then she has been steadily garnering attention with her noteable single ‘So Sweet‘ alongside popular rapper Notes in addition to going on tour with pop artist Mabel. The latest visuals for her song ‘Easy‘ and her most recent single ‘All My Nights‘ displays a more sophisticated sound and maturer disposition from the artist. The Streets caught up with Kali Claire to find out her journey so far and what more the rising star has in store for us in 2020.
Tell us a bit about your background why did you choose to do music?
I feel like my mum is a very musical person. I’ve always heard music when growing up. She doesn’t make music but she’s a music lover, so I feel like it was built into me a little bit. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do. I can’t remember when I didn’t want to do it.
What type of music did your mum used to play?
Literally everything and anything, every genre you can think of! But mostly that’s what started my love for R&B – coz she plays it so much.
What inspires you when making music?
I feel like anything can inspire me, literally from like a plate of food. To people or relationships that I have, or friendships. Anything that makes me feel something.
How would you describe your sound?
Good vibes, light. I don’t think I take life too too seriously and I always try and see the light in a situation. So maybe light.
Tell us about your new song ‘Easy’?
I love that song, I’ve had it for like a year now and I feel like I’ve been writing songs for about 3 years and some songs I’ve written I’ve just wanted to grow into first. So this one I waited for a time that feels right for everyone else to hear it. But I love that song, it’s one of my favourites.
The music video looks sick, how was that process? How did you come up with the concept?
I feel like I’m a visual person so when I hear something, I see something at the same time. Everything I do is based on feeling and how much I feel from something, so if I feel a song I’ll see something.
Where you quite instrumental in the creative process of the music video?
Yeah I go crazy, I write little treatments and stuff and I’m like everyone Listen! Listen! I’ve got good ideas!
Traditionally it has been quite difficult for artists in the UK to gain popularity making R&B & Soul music how do you feel as an artist making that type of music?
I feel like it’s weird because I don’t know a person that doesn’t like R&B even like the hoodest of hood people, everyone has an R&B song that they like. It doesn’t feel unordinary to me. I feel like R&B is more accepted in the US but I think that people from here do appreciate a good R&B song. It’s just about making the right songs. I don’t know, there is a little barrier here but I don’t think it’s intentional.
You recently went on tour with UK pop artist Mabel, how was that?
That was crazy, coz I got to go to Europe and just performing live out there is a whole different experience. I feel like London crowds are hard to impress and Europe are just like ‘We love you!!’ for no apparent reason so it makes you like a whole different character. So it was really cool.
And did Mabel give you any advice?
I think just watching her and just seeing what it takes and how much hard work she puts into it behind the scenes and that sort of stuff just kind of drawing inspiration from her journey.
What have been the highlights and challenges as a newcomer in the music industry?
They are mostly personal, you definitely have to believe in yourself a lot. I’ve realised that over the last year. When you’re presenting yourself to people you have to present your best self. I have so many songs that are just on my laptop and no one will ever hear but I know that I can write them and I know that I have them.
You just have to present that person, the person that you are when you are alone in your room. You just have to be confident in yourself I feel that’s been the biggest up and down for me. Just trying to maintain that. But with all the ups I’m a very emotional person and everytime something gets added to a playlist I’m just like ‘Oh my gosh!’ I’m in tears or like I’m dancing!
Have you got any tips to share about finding your inner confidence that you learned over the past year?
I say just give yourself time. I don’t think I’m fully there yet. I feel like it’s an ongoing journey and process. Just be kind to yourself. You know that inner voice that you talk to yourself with. Mine is so horrible and I’ve realised I’m just trying to turn it off. I’m in the process anyway.
Do you think being a female has impacted you in anyway coming into the music industry?
I feel like it makes you sure of yourself. Like you have to be sure of yourself, know what you want. I don’t think it impacts me a lot because most of the people I work with aren’t derogatory, I don’t really surround myself with people like that. I think there’s positives and negatives its made me sure of myself that’s a positive and negative I feel like I have to prove myself but then that makes me sure of myself so I don’t see positive or negative, it’s just middle!
We loved your collaboration with artist Notes on the song ‘So Sweet’ how did this come about?
We were both at Tinie’s studio at the time and I had a song for a couple of months and I literally played it to him and he’s like who’s on this song? And I was like no one and he just wrote a verse there and then. He’s so sick and I listened back to it and was like yep! I love this. So I feel like other people should hear it to.
Did you know him before or did you meet at the studio?
Yeah, We’re managed by the same people so we are kind of like a family.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
Whenever I get asked this question it’s boring because it’s not artists it’s like producers. People like Pharell and Timbaland all those people. I love being in the studio so anyone who is good vibes in the studio.
We loved your collaboration with artist Notes on the song ‘So Sweet’ how did this come about?
We were both at Tinie’s studio at the time and I had a song for a couple of months and I literally played it to him and he’s like who’s on this song? And I was like no one and he just wrote a verse there and then. He’s so sick and I listened back to it and was like yep! I love this. So I feel like other people should hear it to.
Did you know him before or did you meet at the studio?
Yeah, We’re managed by the same people so we are kind of like a family.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
Whenever I get asked this question it’s boring because it’s not artists it’s like producers. People like Pharell and Timbaland all those people. I love being in the studio so anyone who is good vibes in the studio.
Do you have a dream artist you’d like to collaborate with?
I just love Brent. I love his music but I don’t feel like I’d want to be on a song with him because I love him so much! And I feel like I’d ruin the song! I just want to listen to him! Currently no dream collaboration! I believe in manifestation and whatever will happen, will happen.
Is sisterhood important to you in the music industry? And is this something you have been able to find?
I literally don’t have any siblings but I feel like I have such good friends and they’re kind of like family. Having other people to relate to like my friend Hamza. She’s doing everything a step ahead of me so just having her to relate to. And to just be like ‘ I’m losing my brain’ and she’s like me too! Or just like stresses that you go through. Just knowing that you’re not alone. I like feeling not alone.
How has corona virus been impacting you as an artist?
I’m kind of used to being inside anyway just because of like studio – it’s an enclosed space.
After the tour.. literally coming back to being in lock down is a very big change. So I felt like I was travelling the world and being out so much and you know when you travel you just get tired. I haven’t felt tired in ages. I miss that feeling! But I don’t think it’s stopped me making songs. If anything I’m making more songs just because I’m at home and my laptop is there and my brain doesn’t want me to stop.
What’s next for Kali Claire ?
Making a lot of songs right now! Because of this quarantine so hopefully they’re going to come out!
What legacy would you like to leave in the music industry?
I just want to leave a positive message. I feel like a lot of artists have changed the world and changed the way we view things and the music that we listen to and influences and that sort of stuff. I want to make a song one day that’s about loving yourself . I feel like those songs are important and you grow up listening to those sort of songs sometimes. I want to make someone’s favourite song one day.
Any last words?
If you are a creative in this quarantine period don’t let it stop you being creative.
Words: @gyallikeannie
