by mariah estran
photo by gaptooth shorty
Kevitch is painting pictures one song at a time.
Formally known as Lindsey Kevitch, the singer-songwriter and producer is merging those visually enhancing lo-fi beats with pop energy. “I think the lo-fi world that was attractive to me was the elements of the things that you can feel and see,” she explains. With four songs already released, stories depict scenes ranging from romance in “Secrets” to feeling young and free in “Don’t Let Go.”
Kevitch’s vibey, serene-like structure molds around her enticingly tender vocals as it initiates a divine dream state. “I just want people to relate,” she explains. “If you’re going through it, listen. I want you to feel like my music gives you that special feeling.”
After releasing “Don’t Let Go,” she’s preparing to drop her debut EP. Her largest project to date. One which she hopes will bring listeners into that illustration she’s pasted on mood boards; and portrayed on VHS recorded music videos.
She took the time to tell us more about her work. The artist shares how she got into music, her love for lo-fi beats, being a visual mind, and developing her new EP.
Music has always been it for you. What was it about music that made you fall in love?
Kevitch: “Honestly, it was such an innate thing from when I was young. I didn’t even realize at the time, but it’s all I would do. For every school project, I would do music. When I look back, it’s so embarrassing. I’ve always had that creative outlet all my life.
When I was young, I would rush home from school with my waitressing money. My first big purchase was this nice microphone, and I would just record songs in GarageBand and try to edit it myself.”
When you first started making music, were you in the genre you are in now, or were you just kind of experimenting?
Kevitch: “I feel like I’ve always had that specific vibe, but cultivating the actual sound took a minute. I went from doing very moody, melancholy — almost trappy vibes, but it still incorporated the same feel. It had jazzy chords. It still had the element of my vibe. Also, with each producer they add their own special touch.
The first crew of producers I worked with in Miami were very trappy, so they added that in. I came to LA, worked with a bunch here, and it started getting very pop, very R&B. It just took a minute for me to pull together the sound I have now.”
So, I read in your bio that you are very much a visual person. That comes into play when you create in the studio to when you’re writing songs. How has that creative thought process shaped your work?
Kevitch: “I think it’s just the imagery that keeps it consistent, and I think, just being inspired by that — it comes out in each song. Every song sounds a bit different, but you still feel that.”
On the other hand, I understand that it did become somewhat of a challenge. As with all creatives, we learn and express ourselves differently. Trying to portray what you imagine visually can be hard to explain to others. How did you navigate how to voice yourself when collaborating?
Kevitch: “Definitely hard because I am very shy. I think there was a moment where I had to learn how to speak up. A lot of times, I would go into these sessions and feel nervous to say something, nervous to really express; and have that vulnerability. It took a few years to come out of that shell and learn how to speak up.”
You want to bring lo-fi beats to the mainstream — you are with these latest singles. What is it about that sound that intrigues you and makes you want to integrate that within your sound?
Kevitch: “The lo-fi world that was attractive to me was the elements of things you can feel and see. Like, rain, that is setting the picture or painting the photo. Birds, beach, daytime, nighttime — you can create that imagery through the sounds. I’ve liked that it wasn’t always perfect. I feel like combining that with more mainstream elements, like pop, brings that world from that underground, lo-fi DJ world that doesn’t have that spotlight to the forefront.”
So, tell me the visual you are trying to portray with this new EP?
Kevitch: “I think just very freeing. It is the idea of you running, being with friends, and falling in love. Being in that world of everything that’s kind of exciting and hopeful. That feeling when you’re young and experiencing everything. Not like too much pressure, not overproduced.”
What do you hope listeners learn about you after listening to this debut?
Kevitch: “I just want people to relate. If you’re going through it, listen. I want you to feel like my music gives you that special feeling.”
What was it like collaborating with other artists on this project?
Kevitch: “I love it because I feel like each person brings something different. I like when things have consistency, but nothing starts sounding too much alike. I don’t want anything to be over saturated and repetitive. Everything has such a cool feeling. Working with different people, I feel, gives you that.”
Lastly, what do you have planned next?
Kevitch: “We’re focused on bringing this out — I’ve never put out a huge body of work. So, I’m just excited and excited for people to hear it, see more visuals. I think once things start coming out, we can start figuring out the live performances, but I’m excited.”