Start Listening To: Kynsy

We had the pleasure of speaking with new artist Kynsy and got to hear all about her gorgeous debut EP ‘Things That Don’t Exist’.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and a little bit about the music that you make? 

Kynsy, I’m from Dublin, Ireland and I make rowdy pop music, that’s what I like to call it anyway, but Indie pop/rock is fine also. 

What is your songwriting process like?

It's a sort of combination of playing around with ideas on Logic and tracking a few different instruments and then writing around a half done demo or sometimes just sitting with a guitar on my bed and seeing what ideas come based on a riff or chords. 

The melodies would be the first thing I’d write and then the lyrics would usually be the second thing, and then I’d start the arrangement last, unless I started with some ideas in logic.

What’s the origin behind the title of the EP Things That Don't Exist?

It originally came from a line in one of the songs off the EP, “Elephant In The Room”. 

Originally the lyric was in reference to things like idealism, the lyric was “he’s chasing after things that don’t exist” however, I really liked the way it sounded and the more I thought about that line and what it could mean I felt like it was sort of fitting to other ideas I was bouncing around in the songs on the EP. 

It was almost like a name to put on the metaphysical forces we encounter everyday that push and pull us to act certain ways, such things like mental illness or ego and the sort of negative effect that the news can have on us as well as the negative effect that social media usage can have on us also.

How was your new EP produced?

The Ep was demoed at home by me on Logic, I came up the arrangements and then brought it to the band who added some ideas on top of what I’d done. I then went into a recording studio in my old college with my co-producer and we tracked the drums and guitars and vocals and then I added some synths and extra bits at home then again myself. 

How does it feel having your music compared to bands like The Strokes?

I think it’s really amazing to be compared to one of my influences, however I try not to think too much about it. There is a lot to be said for getting too comfortable with yourself as an artist and taking in outside gratification can obscure your own goals and values, so I try to ignore it when I can. 

My main aim is to write great songs and sound as much like myself as possible, not like the Strokes.

How has growing up in Ireland influenced you as an artist?

Ireland is an interesting place for music, It’s a pretty small country so most people living in the same counties who play music will know each other. It can be great in that way as people really are supportive of everything even if it is completely different music, there isn’t really any competition, It's just good intentions between everyone and everyone is pushing each other which is nice because you never feel out of place I suppose. 

There has been some gems that have come out of Ireland which I think feeds into the musical history of the place which I suppose you have to be influenced by. 

I think the traditional ballads and folk songs of Ireland are definitely inspiring for songwriters leaning into storytelling as they are so well written and usually from some element of real life, I think as well as the music the literary writers of Ireland seem to have all captured the character and spirit of the place and it keeps you connected to your home but also your own artistic aspirations also. 

Who are your biggest influences? 

St Vincent, Mica Levi, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello… to name a few.  

What do you hate most right now?

How damaging social media has been to the world. 

What do you love most right now? 

Cycling along the coast. 

We really love your track ‘Happiness Isn’t a Fixed State’! Can you tell us a bit more about how this track came about?

The main riff that the rhythm guitar plays in the song came to me one evening, when I was messing about with my guitar. It was around the time that I had just come out of my first long term relationship and I found myself writing about the chaotic feelings and thoughts that come after something ends.  

I then demoed it at home and the arrangement was finished that evening.

Do you have any plans to tour in 2021?

So far there’s nothing on the horizon, I think however sad it is to admit, looks like we could still have a long time waiting for concerts/gigs to get back to normal, especially in Ireland. 

What music are you still listening to from when you were younger? 

The Strokes, The Wytches, Micachu and the Shapes.

What else can we expect from Kynsy in 2021? 

I have an EP coming out on the 28th of January, and I hope to be releasing a few more singles before the year is out also, maybe another EP. I’ll have to see. All I can say is there will be a lot coming from me over the next year!

Thanks so much for your time! Is there anything else you would like to add? 

Just that I think you should check out my debut EP and feast your ears on all its delights.