To run in your own lane within an industry that aims to paint your lanes, is extremely impressive. Kali Uchis has definitely created her own and redefined all the lines that surround them if any at all. At the Full Moon festival this past weekend on Governors Island, Kali took the stage to a full crowd and played to some die hard fans. Before her performance, I sat down for a quick chat with the singer, producer, songwriter + music video director to explore how she has established so many professional hats. Her incredible heritage and playing again for the first time this year in New York City. Kali Uchis is the truth, take look!
Mm: You have a huge fan base which I really took note of, on the way to the festival. When I asked most of the arrivals who they were there to see they said, Kali Uchis. Within all of that, what I really admire and share with you is that, I was born in another country (Zimbabwe) yet grew up in the USA (Texas). You were born in Columbia yet grew up in Alexandra. It’s really shaped who I am as a person and I am curious as to how much of your creative world and music is rooted in your unique foundation?
KU: Being a Columbian American, your American but your roots are culturally elsewhere. It is a little bit confusing for a bit―― some people don’t even know their homeland language and some people just never go back to their homes. I feel like its always really important, just to figure out where your family came from. So personally its always meant a lot to me to keep visiting my family. I did a whole music video in Columbia called Riding around—where we shot it in Columbia and I used my whole family in the video. My dad was in the beginning drinking coffee. There is a scene where we are going down the street with the car and I use to run around that same street when I was little. I feel like moments like that are really important to always maintain a sense of — showing homage to where you come from and your family. At the same time its like figuring out your identity, growing up and the mixing of the worlds. When you can’t call yourself just one thing, like for instance when people ask me where I’m from? I’m like, I’m from Columbia but…
Mm: I lived here than I was raised here it gets all blurry.
KU: Yea exactly. It’s definitely a culture shock to be coming from both countries. To come from one to the other and to go back and see everything, how things changed in my country. Even just how privileged we are in America to have some of the opportunities that we have. I feel like everyone should definitely take advantage and see how other people live and understand how fortunate we are. Really the world is our oyster. In a lot of other countries and with the power of the internet and the stuff that we have now it is a lot easier for people to be able to show their talents and be able to do whatever they want to do in their life. It’s a lot easier now. But especially back then it was like if you grew up in that town you were never going to get out of that town.
Mm: Speaking to the world is your Oyster, I feel like you are very much in your own lane. I like that because its not like, I just look at you and see that but I feel that. I feel that in your artistry, your music, and your vibe in person. I feel as though you creatively drive your image. Do you have a team as well or you just trust your gut and go for it?
KU: I just like working with different teams. I haven’t found like one team that I feel like fully gets me yet.
Mm: It can be hard to find a team right?
KU: Yea, like I direct and I sit and edit everything myself.
Mm: What do you edit on?
KU: Final Cut Pro
Mm: Nice, me too!
KU: Mostly, I just need people that like — when you’re in front of the camera you can’t monitor every shot you have. A good Director of Photography is what I am looking for that likes the same thing, I am looking for. I like symmetry and I’m very particular and picky about what kind of shots I get. Like sometimes after a video, I will be like I didn’t even notice that you fucked up that whole shot. That shot was suppose to be wide and its already over and you can’t really go back and refill those things.
Mm: In regards to your performance today, how have you prepared creatively and what is the intention and feeling you want to leave with your fans afterwards?
KU: I’m performing a little bit of new music so I’m really excited to see how those go performance wise cause sometimes when you make shit, you make it from your heat and you don’t really think about how it will sit with the audience. Or even how it will sit in a performance. Like my first project, the mixtape that I made, when I performed it I was like damn this is really awkward to perform. A lot of it was really slow and I didn’t have a band at the time. It is a lot easier with a band forsake to keep the energy up. But like just seeing how the music translates and having a lot of fun cause this is my first time performing in New York this year. I performed here like last year and I have just been taken away from any types of shows because I have just been working on my album “Study Everyday” so I’m just excited to be here and show my fans some of the new music and have a lot of fun.
Mm: I can’t wait, and I thank you so much for taking your time to chat with me. I can’t wait for more.
KU: Thank you, and yes next time! We come here often.
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