Author: Aon the Artist
Just recently we had the pleasure of hearing from Kai Nanfelt and what lies behind his artistry. His interview can be seen below:
What is your greatest inspiration for your music?
Depends what you mean. My inspiration to pursue music is simply that songwriting is what fulfills me the most. My main point of emphasis in my writing and branding is mental health, and discussions based around topics relating to that. As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety, myself, songwriting is my outlet. It saved me from myself. Moving forward, my motivation is to help others strive for the same sense of Equilibrium and purpose.
My main inspirations as an artist are Ed Sheeran, John Mayer and Brandi Carlile. Ed inspired me to start singing; John inspired me to start writing; and Brandi taught me to believe in myself. She’s the “big one” – I want to inspire others the way she inspired me to live my life unapologetically to its fullest.
What’s the hardest subject you’ve ever written about?
This is such a loaded question! I purposely write about topics are people are too afraid to write, or even talk, about. My song Sober is about my best friend’s struggles with substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. I’m releasing songs in the future about anxiety, depression, domestic violence, racism, abortion, eating disorders, and overall mental health. You could say these topics are my “trademark” – too many people are reluctant to discuss the REAL issues at hand, simply because society often considers them “taboo.” I want to challenge that notion, and that’s why I write about these subjects.
What are the challenges of being an artist?
The main challenge for me is believing in myself, despite all of the “noise.” The world of music is so saturated now, and it’s nearly impossible to “break through” without relentless hard work. At the end of the day, it’s all about diligence, willpower and unwavering confidence.
Are you planning on releasing new music soon?
Yep! I’m actually releasing 12 singles in 12 months. As an independent artist, it’s a lot easier to market my songs as singles. It also allows me to learn from each subsequent release, which helps me more effectively promote my work. And let’s be real – no one has the attention span to listen to a full album by an “unknown commodity” like myself. It’s 100% a strategic move, but I want to give all of my songs the best opportunity possible to be heard. Essentially, it’s a “slow burn” release of a full-length album.
Check out Kai Nanfelt’s latest single “Take My Shit & Go” on Spotify below: