We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kazmyn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kazmyn, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Creativity comes in spurts, and I think that there’s a time to push past the writers block, and a time to rest. Sometimes forcing a song or idea too hard can actually lead you further away from the purpose of your art. When I feel uninspired, I minimize my writing to a quick note on my phone here and there. I take into account my experiences and condense them into bullet points. When I feel particularly creatively inspired, I will light a candle, sit in front of the mirror and play around with different melodies and chord progressions until I find the exact one that sits well with my desired message. There are days where I finish a song in 30 minutes, and then there’s days where I write a verse and cannot for the LIFE OF ME find a chorus that speaks the volumes I want. So in a sense, the only real way I know how to keep my creativity alive is to give myself the time to create something intentional, without ever turning my artist brain ‘fully off’.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a musician and writer from the pacific northwest. I love writing music more than anything, and have more recently found joy in collaborating with other writers and artists. I love to create something we would have otherwise never made alone. I’ve always believed that the music industry is about community and connection, but I think since I started performing back in 2018 and truly pursuing music, there was always this fear factor attached to collaboration, because my songs are an extension of myself, and bringing them to somebody with the possibility of their critique seemed like a recipe for mental disaster. That being said; i’ve had the opportunity to write with many people i’ve admired recently and once you find a groove with another artist, it’s a beautiful thing. I cannot wait to see who I write with in the next year, 10 years, and hopefully for many to come!
In terms of shows and goals for myself, I don’t want to be too specific because I feel that the right opportunities come when the universe knows I am ready for them! Over the last year i’ve opened for many bands and artists I’ve only seen through a screen. Being a part of their tours and going into the green rooms feels illegal and yet, I’ve worked so hard to be ready for those moments. I’ve opened for artists like Yoke Lore, Never Ending Fall, and most recently, Sixpence none the Richer. I know I am ready to go on a longer tour opening for someone whom I love as a musician, and with a little hard work and patience, I know that will happen. It’s all thanks to my family and friends who constantly support my passions without seeing what my future holds quite yet. Again, art and music to me is all about who you surround yourself with, and I hope to use whatever platform i’m given to share it with those around me and highlight the important things in life, which all revolve around the human experience and our desire to be heard.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The most important skill you need to hone in on as a musician or artist is your drive. YOU are the only person that will decide how far your passion takes you, because at the end of the day, we cannot wait for things to happen TO US. Tied in with having a strong drive is the ability to make authentic connections. People will see through a surface-level conversation as soon as you try and hand them your card. It’s all about making human connections that make someone feel heard, and finding a way to use your passion to strengthen that interaction. The third skill or quality that has been most impactful in my journey- especially more in the past year- has been knowing my worth and sticking to it. With a drive towards what you love, strong connections, and the constant reminder that you deserve the opportunities you’ve dreamed about… the world is at your fingertips! I am not only pitching myself through social media and emails on the daily, but I am also reflecting on opportunities I am offered before simply agreeing to fill up all my time. The last thing you want is to burn out, and the only way to avoid it is to put your well-being above the demand for your art.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am looking to collaborate with artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers who have a similar folk-pop, harmony rich mindset for their music. I love telling stories, and bridging the gap between two peoples vastly different lives through one song is such a beautiful thing. If you listen to my music and/or songwriting and think we’d be a good fit to work together please reach out on instagram @kazmynz or by email @ [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kazmyn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kazmynz/
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCp5xbDRKPCkOxJrhEhu2jLw
- Other: tiktok: kazmynz or kazmynsings
Image Credits
Megan Bullard took the photos of me in Blue dress!
Samantha Witt took my photos with the red dress and Black Vest
Lucia Flores Wiseman took the photos in the green hat/with the full band.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
