by joann snavely
photo courtesy of kylie spence
Rising star Kylie Spence has been making waves lately. Following the release of her latest single “Tobacco Roots,” the Nashville-based musician is ramping up for her latest record's release. Leading up to her newest release, Unclear got the chance to catch up and chat with her about everything from doom scrolling, fan interactions, situationships, and the journey that has led into her making music. Read about Spence and her Tobacco Roots here.
You’ve been writing music since you were 12. How has your creative process evolved over the years?
Kylie: “My creative process has changed in many ways, and yet at the same time, certain parts have stayed the same. I still write most of my songs on the floor and have random bursts of inspiration at the most inconvenient times, like when I’m driving, in the shower, or about to fall asleep. When I was 12 and hadn’t had my first kiss, I was writing about love, even though I didn’t know the kind of love I was writing about. After having a few more life experiences under my belt, I have enjoyed writing more specific lyrics. It’s very fun for me to add details into my songs that no one will consciously understand except the person that a song was inspired by. Whereas before, I didn’t have any specific moments or memories I could tap into.”
In writing your record, how do you feel it will resonate with listeners? How does it resonate with you?
Kylie: “I really had no filter when writing this record [laughs], everything is pretty much straight from my head and heart, and I hope listeners can feel that. It captures specific moments and feelings, yet it feels so universally honest, and I think people will be able to relate to that. It resonates with me in so many ways. I think overall, I’ve never been more myself, and that feels really good.
Can you tell us more about your single “Tobacco Roots?”
Kylie: “‘Tobacco Roots’ reflects on a situationship that was in and out of my life over the span of years that was left on a sour note. It ended in a way that left me more confused than I already was, and I never saw any of it coming. This song was a stream of consciousness late one night, and even though I feel differently now, it honors a part of me back then and how I was feeling while navigating my emotions.”
How do you feel moving from Montana to Nashville has influenced your music and creative processes?
Kylie: “Well, Everything And Nothing was pretty much complete when I moved to Nashville last year. I’ve yet to share anything that I have made while living here with anyone other than acoustic snippets of songs on socials. There is obviously a lot of country influence here in Nashville, and it’s different than Montana. I have a newfound appreciation for more classic country, and I want to take pieces of what I love about that and incorporate it into my next project. I do miss the landscape and beauty of Montana, but I know I can always go back. Every place has its own energy, and I have loved tapping into that with each place I go.”
What artists have influenced your sound and storytelling as you’ve developed as an artist?
Kylie: “I have loved Coldplay since I was a kid. I appreciate how they are able to evolve sonically yet there is still a piece that remains the same. That’s something I want with my art. Obviously I grew up listening to Taylor Swift. I love her. Quadeca is an artist I started listening to in high school, I love how authentic his music is, at least to me. Same with The National. I also love the poet Walt Whitman. I’m related to him on my dads side which is very special to me. I also really admire Izumi Miyazaki, she’s a Japanese photographer and her work scratches my brain.”
If you could describe your upcoming record in three words, what words would you use?
Kylie: “1. Everything 2. And 3. Nothing [laughs], but I really feel like it encapsulates everything I am and have been for the last couple of years. But serious answer: honest, unapologetic, me.”
What has been the biggest challenge in the transition between making an EP and a full-length record?
Kylie: “I wouldn’t really call it a challenge, but having twelve songs as opposed to only four to six, and thinking ‘how do I put all of this out?’ From marketing, PR, artwork, videos, logistics, etc, it was a lot for me to wrap my brain around. When figuring all of this out independently, I just modeled what I saw other people do the best I could and did a lot of it DIY. At times, I had no idea what I was really doing [laughs], but I know I’ll look back on these times. The music is all that matters to me, so I just needed to get it out into the world.”
You’ve played alongside some pretty notable names. Have there been any notable experiences or moments while playing live that have shaped you as an artist?
Kylie: “In Tel Aviv a few years ago while opening for Dennis Lloyd, I was on the catwalk which was crazy enough when a girl on the barricade stuck her hand out to me and I went over and grabbed her hand while singing and she started screaming out of excitement and that still sticks with me. Honestly, just getting to meet people after shows and talk to them, I find so much joy in hearing their stories. It’s something I won’t ever take for granted.”
Now for some fun questions! What’s the unusual place you’ve found inspiration for a song?
Kylie: “I find myself doom scrolling at times, and one time I was watching this video about how a man found expensive diamonds in the sidewalks of NYC, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever, so I wrote a song about that… not sure if it’ll ever see the light of day, but I have had many epiphany moments after long doom scrolls [laughs]. That’s how ‘Shoebox’ from my new record was born too.”
If you could only bring three records to a desert island, what would they be?
Kylie: “Impossible question. But Parachutes by Coldplay, Swimming by Mac Miller, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You by Big Thief.”
Finally, are there any upcoming shows or events that fans should be aware of?
Kylie: “I have my album release show on October 3rd in Nashville at the OG Basement, the first venue I ever got to play in Nashville, and I could not be more excited.”