Conversation With Avi Kytes

Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?

A: Hey, I was raised in a town right outside of Barcelona, Spain. Both my parents have always been big music fans and they introduced me to great artists since I was a kid, so when I got the chance to start a band and play for fun back home I gave it a shot. As soon as I started playing and making music I felt like I had just found something special, totally changed my life and made me want to take a leap of faith, move away and become an artist and a producer.

Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?

A: I’ve been listening to ‘Sol’ by ¿TÉO? a lot recently, as well as Josef and Lizzy McAlpine. The storytelling abilities of the latter blow my mind away.

Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?

A: My first influences that left a mark in me are Chet Faker and The 1975, both have always inspired me greatly to write and get a bit weird with my soundcraft, whilst still keeping a strong catchy essence on the songs.

Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Roll Over’. Is there a story behind it?

A: It’s a song that came to me about a year ago at the start of a relationship, there is a beautiful yet terrifying feeling when you start to see someone and you realise you have fallen in love. You suddenly feel that person can make you happy or totally wreck you, ’Roll Over’ is about accepting that fear and embracing that uncertainty while standing on the edge of an emotional abyss.

Q: What was the creative process like in the making of this single?

A: I kept on playing the same chords on the guitar for a couple weeks not knowing where to go with until all those feelings came knocking. Everything seemed to flow nicely after, I love working on percussive elements and synths, so I spent a good amount of time playing along different sounds in the studio with some of my friends until it clicked. 

Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

A: There is a softness in the conflict or the tension that this song wants to portray, I think defines nicely how overthinking sounds quiet from outside our minds. I wish people enjoy the colourful sounds and rhythms that define me as an artist, while I go on and open my heart to the beat.

Q: What do you hope listeners will take away from “Roll Over”?

A: That sometimes it’s worth forgetting about ourselves, about our intrusive thoughts. We don’t need to have everything planned and maybe all that matters is what we have in the present, because when it’s gone only the memories will remain, so better make them count.

Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?

A: I always start juggling melodies, my phone is an endless sea of random voice notes with toplines and chord progressions, and I like to follow those melodies with a story. I see songs almost as movies so I like to imagine the scene playing out while the music defines the frame where it happens. Being a multi-instrumentalist helps quite a bit to come up with fully realised ideas quite fast so I try to finish songs as they come to my mind.

Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

A: Leaving my country to start building a career in London was a big challenge, especially not knowing anyone in this city and at a very unfortunate social and economical time. It takes some time to get used to being an immigrant or an outsider but I love London for the fact that it’s a city that thrives on the outsiders, almost like a perfect blend of misfits all getting together. So after a lot of effort I found my pocket in this place.

Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

A: Definitely the network and all the people I’m surrounded by. Being a music producer and songwriter I get to work daily with people that inspire me greatly and challenge me to improve on my skills, I can’t imagine a better place and way to grow as an artist and push forward.

LISTEN TO THE ARTIST:

Follow Avi Kytes:

Spotify – SoundCloud – Facebook – Instagram