Kai

Artist Information

Biography

Breaking the mold of conventional main-stream, singer-songwriter Kai has manipulated a musical genre all her own. With spell-binding lyrics and vocal chops to match, the 20-year-old Ontario native brings genuine honesty to shed what you thought you already knew about popular music. And by staying true to herself, the Toronto beauty plans to debut her fully-loaded EP 11:11 in the upcoming Spring season. Kai has teamed up with Canadian producer Brian Moncarz of Rattlebox Studios and commissioned some of Canada’s best talent to record her first EP: Justin Abedin (Jacksoul), Craig Hunter (Philosopher Kings), Steve Zari and Robbie Grunwald (Jill Barber), all of who played their hearts out for Kai and this project. From her first single power-house, "I Choose Me" (featured in the December 2010 First Choice Haircutters national campaign), to her b-side hit "Hotel Lot", it's evident from the first note, that Kai's music is more than a wave of indisputable talent in an ocean of today's young artists - she plans to lead it.

Instrumentation

Discography

11:11 Soon to be released

Official Website

http://www.collectionsofkai.com

Links

• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• I Choose Me
  Listen  
• Hotel Lot-Kai
  Listen  

Lyrics

• I Choose Me

Video

FCH Commercial Kai

Photo Gallery

Press

• Embracing The World As The Ultimate Muse [+ Show ]
  

  Indie Seen by Carrie Humphries October 14 - 20, 2010 OH KAI! Should it even be legal to have ...Indie Seen
  
  by Carrie Humphries
  October 14 - 20, 2010
  OH KAI!
  Should it even be legal to have these kinds of pipes at 20? Redefining a generation of Ke$ha/Beiber fans and facebookers, Kai is a break from the average pop mold. Her raspy voice demands attention. Her songwriting keeps it. With the attitude in her voice and the witty banter of her lyrics, Kai jumps out of the speakers like a young KT Tunstall, a clever Lily Allen and raptures the hooks like a sober Amy Winehouse. For the Toronto resident, her motto resonates – ‘change is good’. And in Kai’s case, she’s personifying it from track to track, kazoo solo to kazoo solo. The songstress took time out of her busy schedule (she’s planning a stretch of shows for NYC at the end of 2011 and working on her EP due out next spring) to talk about the music, life in Toronto and just how to survive as an indie musician. “The indie scene in Toronto is full of amazing talent,” Kai reveals. “It is a great time to be a part of the Indie scene right now because there are so many sub cultures evolving, with bands that are not afraid to experiment with new and unique sounds and instruments.” As she notes the Beatles, Lykki Li, Jeff Buckley and Lauren Hill among her top influences, Kai has developed a sound that’s entirely her own. Branding her way to what appears could very well be a notch beside some of the great Canadian female talent we’ve been fortunate to harvest, Kai has been supported by some of the country’s best in the biz. “I’ve been a lucky girl so far,” Kai says. “I have been blessed to have amazing musicians who collaborated on my EP. These guys all came in with a wealth of talent to inject into the project, Justin Abedin (Jacksoul), Craig Hunter (Philosopher Kings), Steve Zsirai and Robbie Grunwald (Jill Barber), and, I am also extremely blessed to have seasoned musicians in my full time band Aubrey Dale, Mark Walsh, and Sean Andrews,” adding, “However, It would be a dream to collaborate with Paul Mccartney, that’s a no brainer.” The project in reference is Kai’s solo EP 11:11 which she hopes to debut in the spring of 2011 after a New York City tour she’s currently booking. With “I Choose Me” and “Hotel Lot” bursting at the seams with high voltage energy, and of course that voice, Kai’s debut is nothing short of highly anticipated release. “When I go to see a band, for me, the bands that leave a lasting impression are the bands that are all about the music and connecting with the fans on a personal level,” Kai says about designing her live show. “When I play live, I like to let the audience feel the music between the notes, make the show intimate, no fluff or theatrics, just raw emotions. It’s all about the music.” And you’ll get a chance to hear Kai in person when she arrives into Waterloo this weekend for a stint a Maxwell’s alongside Mandippal and Birds of Wales. “Build a musical family,” Kai advises new musicians. “To me, that is the most important ingredient. And just get out there and start playing shows. We live in a time where we can do it ourselves, so if you have the talent mixed with being personable with your fans through online networks, you are golden! Just don’t give up as cliché as that sounds!”

Setlist

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Kai Full Rider 2010

Calendar