Following on from a flurry of fresh and exciting releases over the last few months, which have found praise from the likes of Wordplay Magazine, NOTION, CLOUT and The Pit Ldn to name a few, emerging artist Klay Cartier recently returned to deliver his breezy new single 'Chrome Hearts'.
Channelling more of that sweet and sensual R&B flair he has been cultivating over the years, 'Chrome Hearts' makes for a wonderfully vivid return. Jam-packed with warm and effervescent textures, a soaring atmosphere, and his own passionate vocals at the helm, he is really looking to pull on our heartstrings with this one.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I don’t play any instruments but I love guitars so much, there’s so many emotions that can be conveyed via guitar and it’s just amazing.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved R&B and Pop Rock, so one minute I’d be listening to Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys then the next I’m listening to Nickelback and Panic At The Disco.
What was the first album you remember owning?
My first album that I bought was Michael Jackson BAD, no skips at all on the album. Still to this day get goosebumps listening the album, it’s truly a masterpiece!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Man that’s tough cause there’s so many awesome and well written songs that I wish I wrote but the one song I wish I wrote probably has to be “Hello” by Adele, to write a song that is so vivid and descriptive to the point where you don’t even need a music video to it because you already can see the words coming to life in your head. I love that song a lot.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I try to go to a quiet place, preferably dark, and I soul search, I try my hardest to feel what this song makes me feel and then I channel it.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I absolutely love Dijon, he’s so incredible and I love the stories he puts in his music, he has so much emotion and detail in his art. A couple other artists I’ve been listening to nonstop are Moses Sumney, Allan Rayman, Lucky Daye, Alex Isley, and Mariah the Scientist just to name a few.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Most definitely Childish Gambino, Drake or Kendrick Lamar!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I think it’s when people tell you that your song helped them through a tough time or when they can’t stop listening to your song because it’s that good. I also find it rewarding when people reach out to me and tell me that I inspired them. Things like that make all this work and sacrifice worth it.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I think the most frustrating part of being an artist is when you’re overlooked because you don’t fit a certain mold, or when people try to box you in a genre. Often times I get labeled as just an R&B artist or just a Rapper when I’m much more than that, I’m multifaceted.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I get a lot of advice because I’m constantly asking for advice from anyone that has experience in the industry or anyone that’s a musician. So far I think the best advice I’ve gotten is: Don’t trade your authenticity for approval.
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Klay Cartier's new single 'Chrome Hearts' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.