The Mesmerizing Kai Mata.
by Lola!
Indonesian-American singer songwriter Kai Mata is as eloquent as she is lyrical. Using her music as a medium for deep conversation with her audience, she transported us with her acoustic folk sensibilities in her debut album “Time to Shine”.
Making music since childhood, Kai’s incredible talent extends to guitar, banjo, ukulele, and piano in addition to her inspired way with song writing. In her new single, “So Hard” she begins to explore her more electronic side. But for those that have embraced Kai for her emphasis on profound and soulful storytelling, you will not be disappointed with what you hear.
Self-described as ambitious, observant, and sensitive, we caught up with Kai Mata to find out how she harnesses her creative powers and where she seeks musical inspiration. Ever thoughtful and incredibly reflective, we were mesmerized with Kai and couldn’t wait to find out even more.
You're an artist that has seen a lot of the world. What location has provided you with the most creative energy?
That’s a difficult question! What first comes to my mind is Dahab, a small town in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. When I was eighteen, I spent three months there, performing almost every night. The days were filled with swimming in the crystal-clear, vibrant Red Sea, walking through the desert valleys, and feeling so inspired by the brightest shooting stars and the phosphorescent twinkling of the sea. At the same time, I was falling in love without realizing it. So, songs poured out every morning when I sat on my rooftop with my ukulele.
Though, I have to say creativity sparks at random moments. One of my more popular songs, “Good Morning Beautiful,” was written on a ten-day silent retreat!
Speaking of song writing, what is your process?
For me, melodies, rhythms, and lyrics come together simultaneously. They all play an essential part of communicating the emotion I want listeners to experience. To bring out the fullest of my creative potential, I usually need time alone to make mistakes and try new things and hear phrasings aloud. But some songs have come at random times in random places.
Are there any tricks you use to get you in the mood to write or any specific things you need to get started?
I try to write freely in a journal every day, a practice in which the goal is to not stop writing for a set period of time, and to write without thinking ahead, only vaguely guided at the start by an open-ended prompt. Then when I’m heading into a song writing session, I reread over past mumblings, searching for the strongest emotion that stays with me and a tone of the writing. The journal becomes a huge collection of thoughts, and though 99% of it never is revealed to the public, the gem is in its ability to ignite inspiration and showcase my mental frameworks at different times.
As a working artist in a career often filled with many highs and lows, how do you keep yourself grounded and the positive energy flowing?
In my music, I aim for balance. Life has upswings and downswings, just like how light casts a shadow. I try to keep myself grounded through continuous contemplation.
The choices I make affect me in the long run…even the small decisions. And they affect others around me too. Ultimately, I write about my experiences and make sure to portray the deep-rooted emotions behind them. We all have our own individual histories that separate us from one another and create unique identities. I want to focus on the emotions and feelings, as those are commonalities that can create connection.
Indonesian-American singer songwriter Kai Mata is as eloquent as she is lyrical. Using her music as a medium for deep conversation with her audience, she transported us with her acoustic folk sensibilities in her debut album “Time to Shine”.
Making music since childhood, Kai’s incredible talent extends to guitar, banjo, ukulele, and piano in addition to her inspired way with song writing. In her new single, “So Hard” she begins to explore her more electronic side. But for those that have embraced Kai for her emphasis on profound and soulful storytelling, you will not be disappointed with what you hear.
Self-described as ambitious, observant, and sensitive, we caught up with Kai Mata to find out how she harnesses her creative powers and where she seeks musical inspiration. Ever thoughtful and incredibly reflective, we were mesmerized with Kai and couldn’t wait to find out even more.
You're an artist that has seen a lot of the world. What location has provided you with the most creative energy?
That’s a difficult question! What first comes to my mind is Dahab, a small town in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. When I was eighteen, I spent three months there, performing almost every night. The days were filled with swimming in the crystal-clear, vibrant Red Sea, walking through the desert valleys, and feeling so inspired by the brightest shooting stars and the phosphorescent twinkling of the sea. At the same time, I was falling in love without realizing it. So, songs poured out every morning when I sat on my rooftop with my ukulele.
Though, I have to say creativity sparks at random moments. One of my more popular songs, “Good Morning Beautiful,” was written on a ten-day silent retreat!
Speaking of song writing, what is your process?
For me, melodies, rhythms, and lyrics come together simultaneously. They all play an essential part of communicating the emotion I want listeners to experience. To bring out the fullest of my creative potential, I usually need time alone to make mistakes and try new things and hear phrasings aloud. But some songs have come at random times in random places.
Are there any tricks you use to get you in the mood to write or any specific things you need to get started?
I try to write freely in a journal every day, a practice in which the goal is to not stop writing for a set period of time, and to write without thinking ahead, only vaguely guided at the start by an open-ended prompt. Then when I’m heading into a song writing session, I reread over past mumblings, searching for the strongest emotion that stays with me and a tone of the writing. The journal becomes a huge collection of thoughts, and though 99% of it never is revealed to the public, the gem is in its ability to ignite inspiration and showcase my mental frameworks at different times.
As a working artist in a career often filled with many highs and lows, how do you keep yourself grounded and the positive energy flowing?
In my music, I aim for balance. Life has upswings and downswings, just like how light casts a shadow. I try to keep myself grounded through continuous contemplation.
The choices I make affect me in the long run…even the small decisions. And they affect others around me too. Ultimately, I write about my experiences and make sure to portray the deep-rooted emotions behind them. We all have our own individual histories that separate us from one another and create unique identities. I want to focus on the emotions and feelings, as those are commonalities that can create connection.
What was the biggest surprise with the release of your previous album, "Time to Shine"?
What surprised me the most was the response I received from the audience when I performed the album live on tour. As I shared my experiences and told stories through songs, I saw seas of people crying, laughing, and smiling. And as I made eye contact with each individual throughout the performance, it felt like they were sharing their stories and their feelings through their eyes. It’s this connection of our common experiences as humans that felt so heart-warming. What shocked me the most? At a very intimate show in Boise, Idaho, more CDs were sold than people who had attended, which is an incredible feeling. I felt so honored attendees wanted to gift my album to friends and family, and to share with them music I created. That surprised me.
What did you learn from making that album?
I learned so much about the importance of community. I had a great team working with me in Bali, Indonesia. I had the support of some of Indonesia’s biggest rock stars from the band Matajiwa, who offered great words of encouragement as the album developed. My producer, Rizal Abdul Hadi, is a very established musician known for his innovative musical creations. Joel Mankey, my taiko drum teacher when I was in elementary school in the USA, was in Bali and ended up playing mandolin and trumpet on the album without either of us realizing we knew each other from over a decade ago. It’s incredible how much time and effort people around me put into this album. I consider them all mentors and have so much to learn from them about musicianship and performing and recording, but more so about adding to others’ creative processes, and bringing other musicians’ ideas to fruition.
What surprised me the most was the response I received from the audience when I performed the album live on tour. As I shared my experiences and told stories through songs, I saw seas of people crying, laughing, and smiling. And as I made eye contact with each individual throughout the performance, it felt like they were sharing their stories and their feelings through their eyes. It’s this connection of our common experiences as humans that felt so heart-warming. What shocked me the most? At a very intimate show in Boise, Idaho, more CDs were sold than people who had attended, which is an incredible feeling. I felt so honored attendees wanted to gift my album to friends and family, and to share with them music I created. That surprised me.
What did you learn from making that album?
I learned so much about the importance of community. I had a great team working with me in Bali, Indonesia. I had the support of some of Indonesia’s biggest rock stars from the band Matajiwa, who offered great words of encouragement as the album developed. My producer, Rizal Abdul Hadi, is a very established musician known for his innovative musical creations. Joel Mankey, my taiko drum teacher when I was in elementary school in the USA, was in Bali and ended up playing mandolin and trumpet on the album without either of us realizing we knew each other from over a decade ago. It’s incredible how much time and effort people around me put into this album. I consider them all mentors and have so much to learn from them about musicianship and performing and recording, but more so about adding to others’ creative processes, and bringing other musicians’ ideas to fruition.
Your new single is 'So Hard'. How would you sum up its meaning?
“So Hard” is a jovial invitation for our culture to go further than simply accepting same-sex marriages…to move forward and value same-sex love at equal standing. I use this song as a platform to highlight society’s normalization of overtly hyper-sexualizing females in the LGBTQ+ Community, while exploring the ways same-sex female couples are viewed as “less than” through unintentionally demeaning comments. This song is my request to transition from mere acceptance into true respect.
What was the catalyst that prompted you to write it?
I myself normalized the inappropriate questions I was asked daily. When new faces would ask about my sexual history and whether I’ve experienced sex with men, I’d answer candidly. When men would suggest a threesome with my partner, I’d laugh it off and change the subject. I wouldn’t react in the moment. Though later the feeling of invalidation would bubble in my chest. I realized I didn’t know how to respond in the midst of a conversation; thus, this song is my response. I know most don’t have malice with these questions and comments; I do hope they will recognize the power and influence of their words, and the various layers they reveal about their thoughts and beliefs.
As a woman and LGBTQ artist, what's been the most challenging part of working in music for you?
I think the most challenging part of working in music is realizing I must be accountable for myself. My success is dependent on the decisions I make. My failure is typically a result of not doing what I yearn to do out of fear. My success starts with me. It’s powerful and scary at the same time. It’s simultaneously invigorating and frightening. The fans and the viewers and the support from fellow musicians and creatives are fertilizer for the soil. But nothing will grow unless I first plant the seed. And that’s only something I can do.
With a former album, a new single to promote and more music in the future, what does an average day look like for you?
As an independent artist, I currently am not just a musician, but I also am my own publicist, booking manager, accountant, content creator, promoter, and so much more. I take on these various roles in my career as a musician, so my average day includes a mixture of different types of work, from creative to more administrative. What stays constant from the day-to-day is ensuring I read. My goal for 2019 is to read 150 books, and I’m on track to meet my goal.
“So Hard” is a jovial invitation for our culture to go further than simply accepting same-sex marriages…to move forward and value same-sex love at equal standing. I use this song as a platform to highlight society’s normalization of overtly hyper-sexualizing females in the LGBTQ+ Community, while exploring the ways same-sex female couples are viewed as “less than” through unintentionally demeaning comments. This song is my request to transition from mere acceptance into true respect.
What was the catalyst that prompted you to write it?
I myself normalized the inappropriate questions I was asked daily. When new faces would ask about my sexual history and whether I’ve experienced sex with men, I’d answer candidly. When men would suggest a threesome with my partner, I’d laugh it off and change the subject. I wouldn’t react in the moment. Though later the feeling of invalidation would bubble in my chest. I realized I didn’t know how to respond in the midst of a conversation; thus, this song is my response. I know most don’t have malice with these questions and comments; I do hope they will recognize the power and influence of their words, and the various layers they reveal about their thoughts and beliefs.
As a woman and LGBTQ artist, what's been the most challenging part of working in music for you?
I think the most challenging part of working in music is realizing I must be accountable for myself. My success is dependent on the decisions I make. My failure is typically a result of not doing what I yearn to do out of fear. My success starts with me. It’s powerful and scary at the same time. It’s simultaneously invigorating and frightening. The fans and the viewers and the support from fellow musicians and creatives are fertilizer for the soil. But nothing will grow unless I first plant the seed. And that’s only something I can do.
With a former album, a new single to promote and more music in the future, what does an average day look like for you?
As an independent artist, I currently am not just a musician, but I also am my own publicist, booking manager, accountant, content creator, promoter, and so much more. I take on these various roles in my career as a musician, so my average day includes a mixture of different types of work, from creative to more administrative. What stays constant from the day-to-day is ensuring I read. My goal for 2019 is to read 150 books, and I’m on track to meet my goal.
If you could write a song with any other artist, who would it be?
Kacey Musgraves! When I heard her first album, I was blown away by the artistry in her lyrical style, especially the innovation in the country music genre. She’s shown a gumption in her refreshing approach in an industry that, in my opinion, has grown formulaic due to a focus on what works rather than what moves. I’d love to sit down and write a witty, cheeky song with her, and see her workflow in person.
In addition to Kacey Musgraves, what other artists have you been drawn to recently?
I’ve really enjoyed The 1975’s new album, “A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships”, and the production style of my new single’s vocals was influenced by their previous albums. I’ve been very into Trevor Hall for four years, and that hasn’t stopped. When I played at the BaliSpirit Festival earlier this year, I discovered the Indonesian Chamber-Pop band, Tashoora, who I found inspiring and captivating with their extremely tight harmonies and stage presence (their bass player and accordion player are incredible female musicians).
What advice would you give to young aspiring female artists out there?
Regardless of your gender, age, identity, or sexuality, I advise you to continuously practice self-awareness. Reflect on who you were, who you currently are, and who you want to be. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish with your time and why you aspire to do so. Then, more importantly, ask yourself how you can reach your aspirations in a way that represents you. It takes work and effort and time and thought. It takes self-accountability and responsibility. And it takes resilience. If you believe creating music for a living is worth all the dedication it takes for that music to be heard, seen, and appreciated by an audience, then I believe in you. It starts with you believing in yourself.
Where will you be this Pride season and how will you be celebrating?
I kicked off this June by spending time in Mexico with a vibrant culture and many parades that remind me of pride, despite being completely different celebrations. This Pride Month includes a lot of travel for me, as I’ll be in LA, Montreal, and New York City. A huge part of celebrating for me is to visit Stonewall on its 50th Anniversary and see where very brave souls joined together to stand up for the rights of the LGBTQ+ Community. Their valiant efforts are what allows me to write songs like “So Hard” today. My opportunities and fortunes came from their diligence, courage, and pain. And I thank them with my whole heart.
______________________________
Kai Mata's new single 'So Hard' is available everywhere on all platforms.
Follow on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Spotify
Kacey Musgraves! When I heard her first album, I was blown away by the artistry in her lyrical style, especially the innovation in the country music genre. She’s shown a gumption in her refreshing approach in an industry that, in my opinion, has grown formulaic due to a focus on what works rather than what moves. I’d love to sit down and write a witty, cheeky song with her, and see her workflow in person.
In addition to Kacey Musgraves, what other artists have you been drawn to recently?
I’ve really enjoyed The 1975’s new album, “A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships”, and the production style of my new single’s vocals was influenced by their previous albums. I’ve been very into Trevor Hall for four years, and that hasn’t stopped. When I played at the BaliSpirit Festival earlier this year, I discovered the Indonesian Chamber-Pop band, Tashoora, who I found inspiring and captivating with their extremely tight harmonies and stage presence (their bass player and accordion player are incredible female musicians).
What advice would you give to young aspiring female artists out there?
Regardless of your gender, age, identity, or sexuality, I advise you to continuously practice self-awareness. Reflect on who you were, who you currently are, and who you want to be. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish with your time and why you aspire to do so. Then, more importantly, ask yourself how you can reach your aspirations in a way that represents you. It takes work and effort and time and thought. It takes self-accountability and responsibility. And it takes resilience. If you believe creating music for a living is worth all the dedication it takes for that music to be heard, seen, and appreciated by an audience, then I believe in you. It starts with you believing in yourself.
Where will you be this Pride season and how will you be celebrating?
I kicked off this June by spending time in Mexico with a vibrant culture and many parades that remind me of pride, despite being completely different celebrations. This Pride Month includes a lot of travel for me, as I’ll be in LA, Montreal, and New York City. A huge part of celebrating for me is to visit Stonewall on its 50th Anniversary and see where very brave souls joined together to stand up for the rights of the LGBTQ+ Community. Their valiant efforts are what allows me to write songs like “So Hard” today. My opportunities and fortunes came from their diligence, courage, and pain. And I thank them with my whole heart.
______________________________
Kai Mata's new single 'So Hard' is available everywhere on all platforms.
Follow on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Spotify