Music Spotlight: Kyan Palmer

Oct 10

Oct 10 Music Spotlight: Kyan Palmer

we want to introduce you to la-based singer-songwriter Kyan Palmer. We’ve been loving his sultry, eclectic sound + can’t stop listening to his recent 10-track release Burn Mona Lisa, released last week. The tracks are a flawless blend of emotive lyrics, passionate vocals + haunting, yet dancey beats. We chatted with him about the release + getting his start from behind a desk.

Asymmetric Magazine: Congrats on your recent release. Tell us about Burn Mona Lisa.
Kyan Palmer: Thank you! Well, this is my debut EP, and I put all of myself into it. It’s really just me telling a part of my story and exploring my sound at the early stages of my career. My goal throughout this project was to connect with myself and to the people listening to my music.

AM: Do you have a favorite song off of the EP?
KP: Poetry In Motion. It’s been my favorite track since I wrote it. It’s one of the few songs that talks about the positive aspects of love, and it just makes me feel something.

AM: How would you describe your sound?
KP: It’s pop, but it’s eclectic. I really don’t want to be labeled as one sound or be put into a box. I’m working on changing, growing, and developing and just making music that I like that makes me feel something. I think the real common denominator in all of my songs is that they’re all a piece of my story.

AM: What themes did you pursue in these songs?
KP: I usually don’t try to craft a specific theme, but on this project it’s definitely human connection. I get really close to people, and I love the good times, but sometimes they turn sour. I think I write about other people in my life mostly because I am usually a logical person, but some people can make me emotional and crazy. I feel like these songs sum that up.

AM: What other musicians are currently inspiring you?
KP: Kim Petras, Evalyn, Sam Fischer, Johnny Rain, Off Bloom, Tyne. So many. I’m inspired by these artists because they’re all following their own path and have their own sound. No one here is following the mold or the trend, they’re making music for them, and I love it.

AM: What role does Los Angeles play in your work?
KP: It’s a huge part of my life. Like any job that you have to relocate for, I felt I had to move to LA to be the best I can be in music. It’s really the place to be for music right now, because there is such a huge conglomerate of immensely talented writers, producers, and artists. Of course I have a love/hate relationship with LA, but I feel like that’s normal.

AM: So, how did you get started in music?
KP: I released my first single Burn Mona Lisa (the title track of the EP) as a part of a college project. Almost immediately after, I moved to NYC to work at a record label. While I was working behind the desk, my first single started charting on Spotify’s Viral 50 completely organically, and that’s how it all started. From there I continued to write and eventually left NY for LA, and here I am now.

AM: Where is one place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self/music?
KP: Probably back home with my family in Arizona. I think that’s where I go to relax and reflect on what’s happened over the past months. I get hit with my best perspective when I’m at a distance and in a self-reflective state.

AM: What can we expect from you next?
KP: You’re going to get a lot of music out of me. I’m done waiting for something to happen and sitting on songs, so from now on I’m putting out a lot more songs. The next project after this is gonna be a lot more fun, more upbeat and another side of me.