We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kira Hooks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kira, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Community is at the core of keeping my creativity alive.
Growing up as mixed race (Filipino/white) and a Third Culture Kid moving every few years, the concept of home felt abstract. There was the feeling of home within people, places, and things as opposed to one physical place. Throughout my travels, I’ve committed myself to connecting and collaborating with people that make me feel at ‘home’ . People that allow me to express myself freely….unapologetically. I think about the times I’ve been the most motivated to create, and that was when I had an abundance of creatives surrounding me doing the same thing. They were validating my journey by setting the example for giving myself permission to create and share… to lean into it imperfectly. When I don’t have access to that community, I remember that creating and being vulnerable attracts the community I’m seeking. I love attending jam sessions with different kinds of music, going to writers rounds, creating concert series featuring local artists, going to Circlesong sessions, and singing in my living room with friends. I also teach Preschool music, which has shown me the trust and love that develops through showing up every week and how that creates a healthy association with music-making. I take that same responsibility to show up for that job and apply it to showing up on a weekly basis at my local cafe, Little Green A Plant Bar, for the Redwood City locals. I’ve been doing that gig for two years now. People know where to find me and know that they can be safe to either sit in or know where they can enjoy live music while sipping their coffee. It also attracts creatives of all mediums. That reliability and commitment to community is what I want to be known for. I can bloom in transience, but I can also bloom where I’m planted. Collaborating with small business, local artists, and creatives to create magical physical spaces, the ‘buzzing creative energy’ that you would feel entering cities like LA and NY, and a scene in general is important for me to feel motivated.
Allowing time for isolation – to pause, put pen to paper, and press record is just as important as community. I need to know myself inside and outside of community. I’m motivated by the fact that no one will tell my story the way that I do. I’m also motivated by documenting my story in real time when the feelings are raw. I can only hope that giving this space for myself will allow others to give themselves space and time to create. I’m just happy that I have something authentic that I can leave behind after I die. I’m so glad I’ve been able to share that joy with other talented people that I care about, as well.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My journey as an artist has been a whirlwind of experiences, shaping me into the singer and songwriter I am today. I was born on August 2nd, 1993, in Houston, Texas. My Mother is Filipina-American and my Dad is white. My mom emigrated from the Philippines to Chicago at the age of 4. My dad’s upbringing spanned from Wisconsin to California.
At the age of four, due to my father’s job, we embarked on our international adventure, moving from Den Haag, The Netherlands, to Lagos, Nigeria, then Aberdeen, Scotland, and finally Shanghai, China, before moving back to the US for college. My love for music was sparked by watching musicals and singing karaoke with my family. By the age of 10, I started singing solo performances at school. At 12, I took vocal lessons. At 14, I taught myself piano and guitar and started writing songs. In 2009, I attended the Berklee Five Week, where I found a global community in music that I’m still in touch with today. That community showed me that a career in music was possible and motivated me to write. I held onto that fire and jumped into gigging in Shanghai with fellow musicians in small restaurants and venues.
Upon returning to the United States, I pursued my formal musical education at the LA College of Music in Pasadena, California, where I honed my skills under the tutelage of esteemed artists such as Sara Leib, Dorian Holley, Kacee Clanton, John Avila, and Tierney Sutton. Graduating with an AA Degree in Vocal Performance in 2013, I was equipped with the knowledge and confidence to embark on my musical journey.
Relocating from Los Angeles to Nashville in 2015 marked a pivotal moment in my career, where I immersed myself in the vibrant music scene of Music City, USA. From there, my journey led me to New York City in 2019, where I continued to evolve as an artist, playing at renowned venues such as Rockwood Music Hall and navigating the dynamic landscape of the city’s music industry. In that time, I’ve sung background vocals for Ernie Halter, Dara Starr Tucker, The Aquaducks, MELD, Ren Geisick, Youth In A Roman Field, and more. I’ve also co-written with artists such as Inbar Starr, MYZ SAYS, D Sauls, S-Wrap, Michelle Ariane, and Lacey Canfield. I’ve also released two full length records and a few EPs and singles.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in the spring of 2020, I found myself seeking solace and support with family in Houston, Texas, and later in Loma Linda. It was during this period of uncertainty that I reevaluated my approach to music, focusing on sustainable ways to release my art while maintaining financial stability.
In 2021, I embarked on a new chapter of my life by settling in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I found inspiration in the vibrant music community and the natural beauty that surrounds me. Engaged to my husband, Jeff Goodkind (Francisco Aguabella, Ren Geisick, Cosmic Collective, Sitarason, and many more), a talented pianist whom I met in 2013, I continued to collaborate with him while also venturing into solo projects and collaborations with emerging artists.
My dedication to my craft led to opportunities to perform at reputable venues such as The EXIT/IN in Nashville, Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, and the SJZ Break Room in San Jose, where I was honored as a featured performer at the San Jose Jazz New Works Fest.
Today, I am deeply rooted in the Bay Area music scene, performing weekly at Little Green A Plant Bar in Redwood City, co-hosting the ‘LG Live’ concert series, and sharing my passion for music through vocal coaching and preschool music education. As I release my latest single, ‘Caught Me By Surprise,’ recorded in the comfort of my own apartment and produced remotely by talented friends, I am committed to pursuing my musical journey with authenticity, resilience, and a steadfast dedication to my art. ‘Caught Me By Surprise’ is released on June 7th, 2024 on all streaming platforms.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that were most impactful on my journey were the lust for learning, a commitment to collaboration, and being competitive with the self without self-deprecating.
We experience life through all of the senses. I was hesitant to explore photography, as I thought it would distract from my music journey. As I dove into it, I realized that the way that I approach music is the same way that I photography and vice versa. Photography put me in the room with other musicians that needed photos and musicians I never thought I’d be in the room with. It opened the door for musical collaboration, as well. The act of being behind the camera allowed me to think about what I wanted in how I visually represent myself. I also love learning about how to better myself in music in general – performance, recordings, learning different styles of music, teaching music, etc. Low key, I have hobbies like making sourdough bagels on a weekly basis and doing my best to make better coffee at home.
I commit to collaboration, because no one gets where they’re at in music alone. We connect and come back. We learn through singing and playing with each other. I believe cross-promotion and uplifting a scene is a major factor for success in music.
Being competitive with myself without comparing or self deprecating feels almost impossible – especially in music. Trying to focus on being 1% better than the last time has been helpful. I recently learned about the Japanese term, Kaizen, which means ‘continuous improvement’, and I’m still diving into the philosophy to understand it on a deeper level. Songwriting helps me have a quiet confidence in my experience, knowing that no one else can take that away from me. Also having an inner knowing that no one has my voice or will interpret a song in the way that I do is reassuring. Everyone is on their own journey in music, and I have to trust in myself and what comes my way.
For those early in their journey wanting to practice these qualities, developing good friendships with those who believe in you as much as you believe in them is important. Listen to other people’s stories and perspectives. Don’t be afraid to be you unapologetically, and you’ll attract others who want that for themselves as well. Go on that independent tour on your own. Couchsurf, use your intuition, make videos along the way. Don’t wait to be called on. Work with what you have. Put money aside (best you can) to help you improve your artist business – whether it be for a single, album, photos, or website – and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are worth it, and all of these things will eventually give back and help not only supplement basic living but enrichen your life with beautiful experiences and people. Don’t be afraid to create in the ways you feel called to. It’ll all connect in the end. You also never know if you’ll be able to create with the people you have right now again, so take advantage of the community you have at this moment. Don’t stop. We are all busy bees pollinating and creating honey.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents listened to a wide variety of music. They leaned a little more heavily on Soul and R&B, but ultimately gave me a taste of everything. I’m grateful for their support and belief in me to sustain a career in music. They put me in piano lessons and encouraged practice, but stopped lessons when they realized it wasn’t a match and wasn’t creating a health relationship with music. They later put me in vocal lessons with a coach that really uplifted my confidence and vocal technique. I eventually taught myself basic guitar and piano accompaniment. My dad taught himself how to read chords off a chart when he was younger with not being able to have sustained piano lessons, so he passed that knowledge onto me. That helped me write songs. My mom’s side of the family loves to sing 🙂 They’re Filipino. Music is a huge part of the culture. My parents did what they could with what they had and knew to help support my love for it. They sensed that I took it seriously, and supported my journey to go to a music college. They also took me out to live music often. They enjoyed it as much as I did and wanted to connect with me about it. I think the most important thing was their emphasis on remaining humble and to keep working hard. Making music and having a career in music is really a privilege, something that a lot of people don’t have the opportunity to do, simply because the time and means to create, practice, or connect with others through music isn’t there. It really made me think a lot about accessibility to music and wanting to create that for others in my community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kirahooks.com
- Instagram: @kirahooks
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/kirahooksmusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kira-goodkind-5445b054
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/kiracatherinehooks
- Soundcloud: https://www.SoundCloud.com/kirahooksmusic
Image Credits
Pictures next to the amplifiers, the picture by the beach, and the picture singing in the studio are by Michelle Ma.
The one in black and white is by me taken on iPhone 🙂
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
