Superduper KYLE, is a DIY artist with a penchant for the Renaissance multitalented. Acting, singing, and a heart for fashion are but just a few of the areas that KYLE has had the time to curate over the Pandemic. Itās Not So Badā¦the album released January 28th cites a playful warm and bubbly energy, underscored by more serious themes that materialize now and again. āOnce you start of prettyā¦just add that little bit of darknessā says KYLE when asked about his persona. Itās Not So Bad amassed acclaim, and has been rewarding… as of this moment KYLE shoots us a few guarded secrets.
Ā As an independent, what becomes your main area of focus?
I think for now I am trying to dedicate all of my attention to music and figure out how to run a business. I am trying to learn how to get the finances right, and where to spend my time. Connect with my core audienceā¦I realized my audience are the large macro fan base that know me, but the people that are consistently connected are much smaller…those are the people that keep your career afloat. Iām trying to focus on connecting with them.
Do you feel that the culture is changing for independent artists?
Yes! I think weāre just realizing more and more that this is it. Your phone is your billboard, your studio, your factoryā¦in a way it means you may not need that big company one day. I think the power is now literally in your hands, and I think we are going to see more and more stars pop up. I hope that artists will be business savvy enough to realize that.
Do you think that art should be lucrative?
Yes! Itās the most influential thing on the planet. Art will make you buy a shirt or do your hair specifically. A piece of art is going to inspire your decisions, so yes, I think art should be lucrative, and I think that artists should earn much more money than they have.
From this album, what is your favorite single?
I would have to say itās āUnreplaceableā which I had the pleasure of making with Craig David. He helped me with my whole plan and my whole idea. I really just discovered Craig, and after a whole year the very last single marks our friendship, and I think thereās a little bit of manifestation in that.
What would you say has been the reception since it release?
The biggest reception is that my fans are telling me that Iām having fun again, and that was the main ingredient that made people gravitate towards my music in the first place. I think thatās a feeling that you have to nurture, and it was nurtured on this album.
One idea that youāve scrapped and then come back to.
One example is anime…I was planning to make a manga. I made the whole book, and I was about to make this thing, and for whatever reason I didnāt like the illustration, so I just stopped and then years later I met a really good friend of mine, and I was like I randomly have this project and now Iām producing it with him and now thatās happening again.
Hobbies?
I really like trees! I love natureā¦ I literally would love to spend all of my time in a park. Contrasting to that, is that Iām really addicted to video gamesā¦I will literally play for 14 hours straight!
A favorite closet item?
I have a Japanese jacket that is very inspired by Cali surf culture. The moment I saw it, I said I donāt care how much this is Iām buying it!!! A blind swipeā¦I told myself just go for it!
Have you been to Japan?
I have…itās my favorite place to go. Itās like going to the future. I think their culture holds respect higher than all else; they keep personal respect top tier.
An icon?
Will Smithā¦imagery wise I loved his movies. When I got to watch Will Smith be the hero, I got to see someone who holds themself together really wellā¦ he was funny and very likable. It gave me a good sense of direction.
The hero-villain archetype?
I think peopleās ideas of what s right and wrong is being challenged. If you have a 90s brain, then itās being challenged big time. Any time these archetypes get challenged, things get turbulent, and people start voicing their opinions. Weāre going through a shift right now for sure!
Maleficent?
I think it was greatā¦I watched it with my fiancĆ©e, and she straight up cried. Sometimes people donāt always understand, but you know them to be a person that is trying. I think Maleficent is a great movie for that.
Favorite car tune?
My own songs?
Flashy or classy?
Materialistically flashy, morallyā¦. classy!
If your optimism were a color, what color would it be?
Electric Blue!
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