What is your name?
Kristina Bazan
What is your genre of music?
Hard to describe as I hate genres ahah, I’d like to keep my music as open as possible without having to put it into a category. But I would say it’s some dark, sensual indie pop with rock, electronic influences.
Give us a little bio about you.
Well I am currently 24, I was born in Mink, Belarus before moving to Kentucky in the US when I turned 4. I lived there 2 years before relocating again with my family to Switzerland where I grew up pretty much most of my life. At the age of 17 I started a blog called Kayture that very quickly gained a lot of attention from the fashion world and I ended up living an absolutely insane life for a few years, even getting into the Forbes 30 under 30 list. Eventually however I moved to L.A to pursue my long time dream and passion which is music, so I kind of stepped back a bit from the fashion scene. Now I live in Paris where I work with an incredible team at E.47 Records and I have my first EP coming out end of the month.
What made you go in to music?
I always loved writing. In fact I’d say writing is one of my biggest passions. I am much better at writing than speaking. I also started my blog for this reason, because I absolutely loved sharing words like that with people, and stories. Throughout all my childhood I kept a diary where I would write everyday, then my father bought me a keyboard and I began songwriting. Music became my diary reflecting a more subconscient part of my life. Music helped me understand so many things about myself and about life… It is a healer. So I hope my music can have that affect on others too, put words on emotions that are hard to express and find beauty in melancholy and sadness. I love the idea of making people happy with something sad or dark… Showing people not to be afraid of that side of themselves.
Are you a signed artist?
Yes I signed with my record label E.47 in Paris about a year ago.
You released your new single ‘VR’, tell us more about it.
Yes I did, it is my favorite song I’ve released so far. I really love 80ies music and all the glam, psychedelic rock scene from the late 70ies, bands like Blondie or Siouxsie and the Banshees… I wanted a sound that would be dark, enigmatic and melancholic yet fun and sensual. I wanted to create a track that makes you want to make love, honestly that was the whole point of it for me. And the subject itself is one that I am really interested by. I am fascinated by technology and our progression in that field. I think VR is going to take over the world in a massive way and will revolutionize entertainment in general as well as our social dynamics.
What was the writing process like?
Actually, I wrote this song in 10 minutes. I had a voice note on my phone of the first few melody chords, that little intro loop, and then it just all came super naturally. I had a different chorus at the beginning, something much more slow and moody, but then I wanted to make it more fun and sexy so it became what it is today. As for the lyrics, I knew from the beginning I wanted to write a song about virtual reality but place in a social context, reflecting something about our generation and specifically dating.
What was the recording process like?
Very smooth, fun and easy. It’s the kind of track you have such a good time recording, because it’s not like a deep, emotional ballad where you go into the darkest parts of yourself, and so everyone gets super intense in the studio. It’s an up tempo, retro-futuristic Goldfrapp type of sound. So the whole recording process was so enjoyable. This song created a fantastic atmosphere in the studio. I was so excited to share it.
What is the message you want listeners to take from the single?
I think we live in such a fascinating time where things change and evolve extremely fast, faster than ever before. I think technology and the digitization of the modern world has affected massively our human interactions. So I’d like this song to question the nature of illusion and reality. If it makes you feel something, even if it’s virtual, can it replace reality?
Describe the track in two words.
Retro-futuristic.
You also released the music video, how was creating the video and filming?
As soon as I wrote the track, I saw the entire music video in my head. In fact it was so clear that I began working on the storyboard that very day. For me sound and visual are very connected. So usually I judge the quality of a song by the kind of images it triggers in my mind. If the images are strong enough, the track is good. If I don’t see anything, it means there’s still a lot of work to do. Here in this situation the song has such a strong identity, the music video came very naturally.
Any memories from the shoot?
So many in fact… I felt like the luckiest girl on earth. A lot of my friends came to support and played in it. All the actors you see in the clip are all good friends who so generously gave their time and beautiful energy. Also I had the biggest pleasure working with one of my best friends, movie director Giovanna Gorassini. She’s definitely one to watch out for.
You are also set to drop your EP what is it called and what can we expect from it?
It is called EPHV1, which stands for EP Honey & Venom 1. This EP is the premise to my upcoming album due next year which will be called Honey & Venom. It’s like an introduction to what will follow… What to expect from it? Nothing, have no expectations, just have an open mind and let it take you somewhere new…
Describe each track in two words.
Well all the songs are not revealed yet… But there is a song on it that I am dying to share. It’s one of the favorites songs I’ve done so far because it doesn’t talk about love relationships, it talks about our human nature confronted with the technological evolution of the world… And it has a very particular structure. Won’t say more.
Will we be seeing it released soon?
Yes! My EP is coming out October 26th!
Do you have gigs coming up or a tour in planning?
Yes, more news on that very soon 🙂
What else can we expect from you this year?
I should have another single dropping before the end of the year, and I absolutely hope to be more and more on stage. That’s all I want, is to be able to share this project with an audience, interact and share energy.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
I absolutely hope so! I’ve been working with a few friends of mine, everything is still work in progress, but we will definitely have some surprises planned for the album.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Definitely, I love collaborating. Music is supposed to be shared and lived with other people. They can just reach out on Instagram, I check my messages 😉 @kristinabazan
Do you play any instruments?
Yes I do play the piano and a bit of guitar. I am not a crazy master genius though, but I play well enough to song write which is the most important for me. My main instruments are my voice and mind.
Who are your influences?
So many, each song for example has it’s own influences. But in general I am very moved by electronic music. I especially love the contrast of electronic and classic, the past and the present, or more specifically the future. Also I love artists who explore on subjects like gender, norms, social identity… People who play with perceptions and with standards, Davie Bowie, Grace Jones, Annie Lenox to name a few…
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
It can come from so many places… Usually it comes from movies or books I read. I love when a song becomes a story on it’s own.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Less in front of the camera and more behind. Art directing and making more music, especially making more music with or for other artists.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I chill, I write, I go out… I love to enjoy life. In french we say “être épicurien”, this is my life motto. Being an “épicurienne”, it means enjoying quality things and living for pleasure of good food, good wine, good talks, simplicity…
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I have to say that Kate Bush’s songwriting influenced me massively because she is one of those artists that always remained very mysterious about her private life, she has such elegance and discretion and yet her songs are so rich and deep. I love how she always wrote music based on books, folklore stories or movies. She’s a woman who seemed to be very connected to her inner child and cultivated her imagination throughout her career without ever falling intro norms or standards, and without ever over doing it.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
There are many words I hold close to my heart. I think one is that everything happens for a reason, or at least you have to give a reason to everything that happens and make sense of it all. Life has a mysterious way of operating.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
To be careful when it comes to compromises. Not make too many, but also make a few. There’s something truly wonderful at being an idealist, but sometimes by being too much of a perfectionist you alienate yourself from your audience who can’t follow up. I think music is made to be shared and it’s important to keep that in mind.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Destiny is an illusion, it’s an excuse to wait for things to happen instead of making them happen.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
I highly recommend anyone who swings by Switzerland to make a stop in Montreux. We have each year a wonderful music festival there called Montreux Jazz and great artists come everytime. It’s magical.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? Home, in Paris.
2/ Who do you see first? My best friends.
3/What do you eat first? Pasta, pasta, pasta.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My lyrics, my lyrics, my lyrics and my lyrics. Oh and the 5th, probably my head.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram is my main one!
