Humble brag here, but my friends know I’m the one to come to when it comes to music (and reality TV…and pop culture…) so when I tell y’all this week’s #TMITuesday feature is a HEAT maker, I’m not joking. ILet’s get to know Canadian R’n’b artist Kaleia.

1. Who or what inspires you?

In the name of making the most of every moment (forgive the sappiness), I try my damndest to find inspiration in anything and everything. I believe a big proponent of inspiration is being in tune with your environment, and being deliberate about who and what you surround yourself with. More specifically, I’m drawn to people and environments that inspire creativity, and motivate me to test my limits. I have my incredibly talented producers/band/label (Sunday Dinner) to thank for always being a source of inspiration; I make it a point to never take for granted their musicianship, or (lucky for me) their friendship. 

2. In this day and age of streaming do you prefer to stream your music, or play a physical copy (CD, cassette, record etc)? 

I have such fond memories of my dad making USB playlists as a kid, and my mum bringing home new CD’s from the mall. Making a deliberate choice about who and what you listen to is really special, and is something that tends to get lost with streaming. 

Mind you, I would say 95% of the music I listen to now is streamed: it’s really exciting to have access to an endless library of songs and artists, and I’m glad I get to stumble across musicians that I wouldn’t have otherwise heard.

3. How important is it to you as an artist when collaborating with a producer to be involved in every part of the process? 

I dare say being involved in every part of the song’s conception is the MOST exciting part of the process! Not only do I learn a lot from experiencing how the song is produced, but it has a very substantial influence on what I write. Music-making is a highly interactive process, and energy begets energy! Getting to experience every step in crafting a song is precious to me, and I believe it’s made me a better musician.

4. Speaking of collaborating, which artist, dead or alive would you like to do a track with the most? 

My biggest curiosity when listening to an artist I love is what the room felt like while they were making the song–the artists whose music offers a glimpse into its environment (which I believe makes for the most evocative music) is whose process I’d most hope to witness. Daniel Caesar is somebody who exemplifies that, in my eyes. There’s a very clear sense of cohesion between his writing, melodies, and composition that feels rare. That’s not a formula you can replicate, which is a pretty good indicator that his process is based around authenticity and reading the energy of the room. I think that’s what allows each song of his to be so specific and nuanced, and is evidence of a really talented collaborator.

I would LOVE to get in the studio with him one day. What an absolute dream that would be! More accurately, that’s the goal. 

5. Since today is #TMITuesday can you tell the readers something about you that they may not already know?

While the music I make is in the vein of contemporary pop/R&B, I grew up surrounded by classical music: My mum is a classical pianist (an exceptional one, I should add) and a musical prodigy. I always turn to her for an objective opinion about the music I make now, and is my superior in every way. love ya!

6. If you could choose one song to be your current ‘theme song’ what would it be and why? 

I have to confess, I’m 3 seasons deep into “The Sopranos”, and there’s this parody of the theme song online that’s been stuck in my head (“Woke up this morning, got some gabagool…”). It’s about as serious as I am, plus, I just moved from Vancouver to New York, which makes me only an hour NJ. I’d say it’s a solid contender.

7. What can fans expect from your upcoming EP? 

From declaring you’ve had enough, to confessing you can’t get enough, HERE FOR NO GOOD is my attempt to answer the question of “how did I end up here again?”

The EP is cyclical in nature, resemblant of how it feels to return to old patterns while simultaneously attempting to rewrite them. Listeners should expect deep-cutting sentiments paired with silky, rich tones; It’s meant to feel like a waltz between order and chaos, attempting to balance the fragility of love and self-preservation. I hope to evoke meaningful introspection, wrapped in an easy-listening experience.

8. Deep dive here but, you were a finalist on The Next Star (for my non-Canadian readers it was like our American Idol Jr.) how did that experience shape who you are today?

10 years ago this summer! As a 12 year old, it felt pretty surreal to be part of a show that I watched as an (even younger) kid. More than anything, my time on The Next Star confirmed for me that being a songwriter and recording artist was, in fact, exactly what I wanted to pursue. It made for a distinct turning point from being a young kid answering the question of “what do you want to be when you grow up”, into an actualized vision of what that career could look like. I was hooked! I have that experience to thank for peaking my interest in songwriting, which has now become my full-time love.

Also, it would behoove me to forget that it taught me that my left side is my best side.

9. On the reality TV topic, would you rather be a judge on American Idol, or The Voice and why? 

There’s a certain appeal to the spinning chairs on The Voice that’s undeniable. I don’t know if I’d get sick of it! I do think taking on a mentor role would feel more fulfilling than just critiquing, so I’d lean towards The Voice.

10. What’s next for you?

Beyond the release of HERE FOR NO GOOD, I’ll continue doing exactly what I’ve been doing this past year: writing, recording, making new music every single day! I’m currently sitting on a vault of new songs, which is only growing by the day, so I’m happy to say that more music is to follow. I don’t plan on having many (any) days off, and I’m so excited to get right back into releasing. Only up from here!

Check out Kaleia’s Red couch performance while you prepare for her EP!