I don't think I've ever known an artist work at this speed before and Kiffie has kindly taken time out to discuss his music.
Big thanks for the interview Kiffie, can you tell us about your musical background, where we might have heard your work before and how best would you describe your style? My background in music as Kiffie started in April 2020. I bought a cheap synthesizer, drum machine, piano and microphone and started to make up tunes and songs whilst attempting to record them. At first they sounded terrible, like a child had pressed record on an old tape recorder. Before this I had played bass guitar in a band, playing the same 10 tunes every gig. Has the lockdown situation impacted you creatively at all, and how have you coped over the past 18 months? Without lockdown I wouldn't have started this adventure. There wouldn't have been time, and I wouldn't have had the energy. But that wasn't the only thing that inspired me. A day job that over the last few years has become more and more depressing, difficult and stressful also inspired me. Lockdown was a release. I have coped well mentally. Physically it has taken it's toll because the pools were closed and swimming is the only exercise that I enjoy. I am glad that in the UK lockdown is over, the damage done to many millions will be with us for many years.
The speed of your releases is epic, what's your latest release and what inspired you to make it? My latest release was 'No Heartbeat', an EP of 4 songs written, composed, produced and released in 12 hours. I wanted to see if it could be done... and people were asking how I manage to be so prolific, I thought I would show them and when each track was mixed by not fully produced I released them as drafts on soundcloud. It is about death and loss of love... when you have no heart beat to feel next to you, and literally, when you have no heartbeat. On 2nd September I will be releasing my 8th album of 2021, 'Kandy Karnival' it is a tale of two young people that meet at a fair, a kind of Romeo and Juliet tragedy. Where can folks get to listen to your music? Some of my music is on most streaming platforms. For new, experimental or draft versions there is soundcloud, and all my released music is available on bandcamp.
Can you list your social media links so that folks can get to find out more about you? https://twitter.com/Kiffie8
What's next for you Kiffie? I am going to release more tracks from my long term project called 'Ancient Witness' - an electro-hip-hop-classical opera. I am also going to release 2 more full albums before Christmas, maybe 3, one at least will be an indie-britpop type album inspired by bands like Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins and Suede.
Anything else you'd like to add about the project, or a message for the readers?
I like to surprise people and always do what I say. Everyone that listens to and loves my music is hugely loved by me. Without those people the world would be a very lonely place.
Many thanks Kiffie
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