It’s a new year which means I’m sure you’re all looking for some new music to listen to! Well if that’s the case, let us suggest you start here, with Kyle Richardson. Kyle’s new album came out last October and we’re delighted to feature him on the blog today! So, get those songs playing, and have a read.
And of course, you can check out Kyle’s latest release here, and follow him on instagram.
How did you first get into making music?
I originally got into singing when I was a kid, singing at school functions, assemblies and pageants. In high school, I joined some musical theatre programs and started taking some vocal lessons and participating in talent contests around my hometown. After high school, I was playing live shows with a cover band comprised of high school friends. Eventually, I started writing my own songs and working on demos before finally moving to Vancouver to start working more seriously on music and recording original songs!
What are your favourite genres to listen to?
My favorite genres of music are definitely pop and pop-adjacent music. I like pop with elements of rock, soul, R&B, and country. I can usually find inspiration in different aspects of many genres, so I like to keep an open mind when it comes to listening to music.
Any kind of music you don’t really listen to?
I don’t really get into too much hip hop, metal, or harder rock.
How do you get inspiration for your music?
I find inspiration for songwriting in my day-to-day life, relationships, or stories I hear from friends. Sometimes it’s as simple as just a melody idea and going from there and seeing what kind of sentiment best suits the melody.
What is your creative process? If you write your own melodies & lyrics, which is your favourite to do?
I don’t exactly have a set process. I like keeping an open mind to different methods of crafting songs. For some songs, I write solo, on acoustic guitar, and it comes pretty fast, and I just go with how I’m feeling. Sometimes, I have a lyric or melody idea and I take that to co-writers or a producer and we expand upon that. Other times, I meet for a writing session and we just have a chat about what’s going on in everyone’s lives and see what rings true in the moment for something to write about.
Which three artists would you say have influenced your music the most?
I’d say I love so many different artists, so it’s hard to pick just a few. I have always loved John Mayer for his song craft and writing style. I love Adam Lambert’s vocals – he has such an insane range and vocal stamina, and a fearless quality on stage that is so inspiring. I have always liked Gavin DeGraw, also just in terms of the style of music he sings and how he blends pop with soulful/bluesy rock elements and real instruments.
Give us a five word description of your latest release.
“Soulful pop with heartfelt lyrics” would describe my debut album, Louder Than Words, which dropped in October.
If (when!) your music was to be used in movies, what sort of movies would you like to see it in? Any directors in particular?
I could see some of my songs being used in a rom-com or love story during an emotional montage scene. I’d also love to work on music for an animated movie. I’ve been such a Pixar fan my entire life, so it would be amazing to write a song for something like that.
It’s safe to say that there are more openly LGBT artists nowadays than ever before. What does seeing so much representation mean to you?
It’s awesome to see a lot more representation and diversity! I think the more representation there is, the more chance there is for conversation and inclusivity. Seeing people you can relate to making big moves and staying true to themselves can be a very inspiring!
Rec us some of your favourite LGBT artists.
Lately, I love music by Kim Petras. Her Feed The Beast album is full of bangers. I’ve already mentioned how much I love Adam Lambert‘s vocals and his albums are so well thought out and produced. Troye Sivan is an awesome artist. I loved his concert when I saw him live in Vancouver, and I’m so excited for his upcoming album, especially after seeing how his recent single, Rush, has taken off.
What’s one piece of advice you would like to give your younger self?
I’d say to not worry about what people think and just live in the moment! And to get my music out there faster!
If you could have dinner with one member of the LGBT community, dead or alive, who would it be?
It would have been amazing to sing with Freddie Mercury. He’s such an icon and paved the way for so many artists for decades to come. His legacy will always live on, and he just had such an immense talent and charisma that just leapt off the stage.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Vancouver, Kyle grew up in Vernon, British Columbia, where he took an initial liking to the sweet sounds of Stevie Wonder and later found himself drawn to the emotion-heavy pop songwriting of John Mayer, Colbie Caillat, and John Legend. While taking his first steps as a songwriter in high school, he excelled as a vocalist in several local talent contests, including Funtastics Battle of the Bands and was the second runner-up in Okanagan Star Search.
As a young adult, Kyle returned to Vancouver in 2011 to develop his sound further and follow his career ambitions. He soon found a mentor in noted writer-producer Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, State of Shock, Kelly Rowland), who has been a trusted collaborator ever since.
Kyle’s first slate of singles – “Bleed Forever”, “Pain Killer”, and “So Hot It Hurts” – introduced him to listeners through Canadian radio play and sync placements on the likes of “Degrassi: The Next Generation” and “The LA Complex”.
On his way to finding his own distinct sound, Kyle has gained recognition in additional music industry corners. As a featured vocalist, he performed with Will K and Gazzo in 2014 on “Forth and Back”, and for Bobina’s “Love is the Answer” in 2016, which has gained over 1.5 million Spotify streams. As a songwriter, Carly Rae Jepsen, Andrew Allen, DYLN, Laurell, and Garrett Neiles are among his collaborators. A proud member of Vancouver’s LGBTQIA+ music community, Kyle has become a loyal Pride performer at related events – highlighted most recently through a show at New West Pride in 2019.
After an industry hiatus to reassess his sound and purpose, Kyle reconnected with Jeff Dawson to win the LG 104.3’s vanCOVER contest for covering Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” – and the two teamed up on the well-liked 2019 single, “Christmas Time This Year”.
After the solitude of the pandemic, Kyle re-emerged as a seasoned songwriter and crafty pop vocalist with three singles in 2023 – “Can You Hear Me”, “Anything”, and “Fight the Good Fight”. With the release of his debut album, “Louder Than Words”, Kyle is building a legacy of positivity through the exuberance of creating the music that he loves.
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