Formulating a slew of musical paintings, Kalisway brings funk, R&B and hip-hop to the forefront in a contemporary manner. With her effervescent personality and love for free-styling combined, Kalisway’s goal is to create music that will last a lifetime while continuously capturing new and old audiences, one masterpiece at a time.
Having garnered a huge amount of attention for her 2020 EP “Special K” and subsequent album HIT’EM WITH THE FUNK two years later, boasting tracks such as “LIKE THAT” and “NASTY GIRL”, her latest album, A Kid From Toronto, serves as another timely reminder of the Canadian’s skill in crafting a sense of vintage nostalgia, whilst planting herself distinctly in today’s effervescent culture.
We connect with the artist to discuss her creative process, the Toronto scene, and the making of her new LP.
Listen to the album…
Read the interview…
Hey Kalisway, how’s things at the moment? What have you been getting up to recently?
Amazing! I’m at a point in my life where I feel an abundance of love and positivity around me, along with my career. Recently, I’ve been reading more, getting more in touch with my community, and preparing for my album drop.
We must ask, where did the name Kalisway originate from?
I always wanted to travel to LA. So, I tried to attach that to my name, by replacing the C with a K (Being that my real name starts with a K anyway). Before I met my team, the only place I had ever flown to was Jamaica. Originally, it was Kalifornia. I was creating this mask – and only wanted to be known as a producer then. But when friends of mine kept encouraging me to shine, I felt the name Kalisway was right. It flows off the tongue better and sounds unique.
To a first time listener, how would you describe your overall sound and direction?
Like palm trees. The good, old-school feeling we all remember with a new sound. I’m pushing the boundaries of funk, R&B, and soul all in one.
Who and what were your musical influences growing up?
Pharrell, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Jackson. The list could go on, but those were the major creators that had a large impact on how I heard music, how I felt about it, and my inspirations for creating. I also loved the way music impacted people globally. It made me want to contribute to the industry positively.
You dropped a wicked new single titled “Superstar”. Can you tell us more about the inspirations behind the single and how it came about?
Superstar wasn’t even a part of the album tracklist when I flew to LA to finish recording the album. It came to me the day I landed. I settled in my room and felt inspired by the life I’m living, and the trust that I’m going to make it big real soon. I wanted to capture that feeling. And like that, the whole song came to me in 15 minutes.
What was the creative process like?
Usually, it’s the drums. But this time, it was the melody. I sang the whole chorus out loud, and then built around it. I wanted the record to feel nostalgic. Like you’ve heard it already, but you also feel a sense of fresh air, because it’s new. I used the ARP2600 throughout this whole record, along with the Moog and polysynth. Originals that provide the desired retro textures I strive for.
Can you tell us more about the album? And what inspired the record, thematically and/or sonically?
Every project I’ve released has been a step of evolution in my career. This one had to be more resonating to both me, who I am, and also the community around me. I wanted to let people know confidently that I’m from Toronto. Born and raised. That I’m proud to be from there. That I’m proud to represent it. “A Kid From Toronto” [the title track] was the first record I created for this album. Because it’s telling a story of who I am, with vulnerability, pureness, and good energy. The ups and downs of inner doubt that I’ve faced, but have pushed through, because I know it’s my time. There’s so much talent in this city, and I want to be recognised from the ground up that I’ve made a new sound in the city that I came from.
I love everything from the 80s. And I also love Janet Jackson. I wanted to tie the two together – to create something new. James Samuel and Terry Steven Lewis are some of the best record producers when it comes to drum groove and rhythm. I honed in on that and listened to old songs and textures (down to the mixes). Once I felt like I understood the era, I brought it into my world. What would 80s funk be like in 2024? Sonically, that is what brought the vision to life for A Kid From Toronto. Creating a feeling that I still love to this day, but making it brand new.
Talk us through your creative process when writing and making one of your favourite tracks from the project. What does it look like?
My favourite track on this album is “Not That Type of Girl”. I’ve gone through 3 phases of which one is my favourite lol, but I’ve always come back to this one. What usually happens creatively, is honing in the feeling I’m trying to capture. I thought about how hard I’ve been working, and how much I’ve accomplished. But also how loyal I’ve been to myself and my values. I’ve never compromised them. That took me to the melodies of the chords, basslines, and textures. Once that is completed, I’ll start singing on top of the loop, over and over again. Until I feel like I’ve got something I can’t get out of my head. If a melody is forgettable, it’s not the one. I’ll record it on my phone, capturing cracks and all, and listen back. Most of the time, I don’t listen to it back until I walk outside. Because I want to give my perception and ideas clarity. If when I go outside, start listening, and find I can’t stop replaying it, that’s the one. I’ll go back, finish the whole record, and press save. I did this whole record that day and sent it to my manager, Jayne. I was too excited to not share it. Lol. I was so proud of it.
What message do you want to send out with A Kid From Toronto, and how do you want people to feel when they listen to it?
I want people to understand me more. To know how much I love Toronto. But to also feel good, happy, and positive after tuning in. Everyone can be a kid, but they can also be from somewhere else, and share their story. We all have our inner kid inside, but we need to show it. This project is meant for everyone to dance, feel, and smile. I miss the way music used to make you feel. When you would turn on your favourite record/album, and couldn’t stop replaying it because it brightened up your day. That’s what I want people to feel. Good energy, good feels, good vibrations.
Sonically, how does it differ from you previous projects?
It’s way more dance-focused than before. More uptempo, more groove, and rhythm. I’m so into my 80s bag on this album, that you can’t tell me it doesn’t feel like it. This project is also more nostalgic, and story-made. I intentionally went into that era, to bring that feeling back. And I did.
For someone who’s never been to Toronto, what’s the music scene like over there and where do you see it heading in the coming years?
The music scene is very much R&B and trap hip-hop. But in the next few years, sounds like mine, and even more, are going to show that there’s way more to Toronto than just that. I believe it’ll change the perception of what Toronto is truly capable of.
What’s on the horizon for you for the rest of 2024?
Continue to grow, shine, and thrive. I have so much in store that I can’t wait for you guys to see. Some things fans have been asking for since day one, and opportunities that I never thought would come. An abundance of success is ahead.