Q: We notice that now you’re an independent artist after being signed with a label. Tell our readers a little bit about how that split helped you with your musical creativity and freedom.
KLYDE: Hello and thank you for this interview! Both of us really appreciate the opportunity! The split from my record label came naturally I think. I reached a point where I felt like things couldn’t progress in the direction I wanted.
Now I am more creative and free in my artistry, and it feels great to be able to release exactly what I feel is authentic and right for me. It’s also a lot harder without a major label for sure, but the satisfaction that comes with doing everything on your own is much greater! Where there’s a will, there’s always a way!g’s soundscape to be. The whole experience was extremely cathartic.
Q: What has been one of your most favorite memories along the path to making “Lonely Hour”?
KLYDE: My favorite memory of making “Lonely Hour” has to be the fact that it was the first track I practiced my production skills with. It was last year during the first lockdown in our country, and since no producers could come and work with us, I had to dabble and learn to produce on my own, and I think that really helped me.
NAJAH: My favorite memory of making “Lonely Hour” has to be when KLYDE sent me the demo he made, which wasn’t made as a collab. I felt so connected to it and it sounded so different from his previous work, it was the music we love vibing to. And as a result, he asked me to jump on the track!
Q: Since this release is a collaboration, how would you describe the music you typically create?
KLYDE: The music I typically create is vibey, dreamy, 80s inspired synthpop, that makes you feel something, but “Lonely Hour” has an alternative RnB vibe as well, which goes really good with NAJAH’s style.
NAJAH: This song is a good example of how versatile I try to be as an artist. I listen to Coldplay, all the way to Kendrick Lamar, who is one of my favorite artists and a true poet. I usually tend to create music with more beats and hiphop vibes.
Q: What do you do when you AREN’T working on music?
KLYDE: When we’re not working on music we go to our normal human jobs and try to spend as much time as we can with our friends , doing things that inspire us!
Q: The story of the saxophone outdo is quite interesting, it sounds great! Tell us a little bit more of the decision to make it a keyboard sax.
KLYDE: How did you know it was a keyboard sax? 😅
I felt like the song needed a soulful outro and the saxophone is one of my favorite instruments, I always wanted to have a track with saxophone!
We have a very talented friend who plays it, but we tried several melodies and nothing felt right. Until one day in the studio when we tried to sample some saxophones, we ended up doing it ourselves on the keyboard, and I am very happy with how it turned out. It’s one of my favorite parts of the song, it sounds timeless!
Q: What is coming up next for you?
KLYDE: Both of us have demos that need to be finished and released.
I have a new EP in the works and “Lonely Hour” is the first single from that EP. NAJAH will release her second single called “Burnin”, soon!
Keep streaming and watching the music video and we hope you vibe and feel something when you do! Thank you!
Make sure to check out the “Lonely Hour” music video here!
Interviewed by Stephanie Pankewich
FOLLOW KLYDE:
