Bubbling Brooklyn-bred artist Kevin Holliday is a rising indie talent whose musical expression defies categorization. In fact, his musical influences and inspirations range from Prince to Solange to Pharrell Williams. His striking lyrical abilities and all-encompassing sonics distinguish him among the 2021 class of independent stars-to-be. Kicking off 2022 right, Kevin unveils his latest offering “Expensive Taste” and is bringing a lot of it!
The Sounds Of Kevin Holliday
Holliday’s sound is unmistakable, yet impossible to pin down and his fresh new hit single, “Expensive Taste” proves it once more. To no disappointment, Holliday takes elements that once defined the pop, funk and R&B music of prior decades and makes it his own. His music graces listeners with something both nostalgic and fresh, making for a great listen.
The self-mixed, mastered and co-produced offering draws inspiration from some of his greatest influences like Prince, Michael Jackson and Pharrell Williams.
“I made the track with two producers I always work with: Chasen Smith and Keizo Fish,” explains Holliday. “When we made it, we were specifically channeling ‘Off the Wall’ by Michael Jackson. That’s by far my favorite album of his, so we sat and listened to it a bunch before we even started to make anything. We wanted something with a similar energy that built upon everything I’ve released until now.”
– KEVIN HOLLIDAY
The Making Of Magic…
The independent artist channels everything that made the 1980s iconic through a contemporary lens on the upbeat, bass-slapping track. Also, the heavily funk-inspired sound will appeal to oldies fans, while Holliday distinguishes himself from his contemporary peers. In addition to Chasen Smith’s shimmering production (frequent collaborator with rising artists Binki and others) which complements the song writing’s clever juxtapositions.
Holliday’s fast growing fanbase is made up of strong and supportive fans. Prior to the pandemic, Kevin devoted fans and friends coming from all over the city and from their colleges in the tri-state area to attend his shows in Brooklyn, SoHo, LES, and Queens. Additionally, in the spring of 2019, Holliday opened for Rico Nasty and Japanese Breakfast in front of an audience of over 3,000 people.
Working shifts at his family’s Bed-Stuy laundromat during the day, Holliday prioritizes final mixes and perfecting his craft. His work ethic is unrivaled, as an absolute self-starter who built his music career from the ground up in his Bed-Stuy brownstone just a few years ago.
Kevin Holliday : The KAZI Magazine Interview
- Hey Kevin Holliday! Thank you so much for chopping it up with KAZI Magazine! Let’s jump into our interview to talk — “Expensive Taste”, the inspiration, what’s next and more. Please tell us who Kevin Holliday is and where it all began.
I think more than anything at my core, I’m just a curious person. That’s where my art stems from. I take everything I picked up from my childhood and the sounds I heard around the house and wanted to create something completely new. Also I grew up in Brooklyn, and always saw it as a very eclectic place that embraced a lot of different things. I think that’s why my music sounds the way it does. I’m not afraid to try anything.
- What’s your creative process like? Explain how you piece together & layout your records?
My creative process is very freeform. Most times it starts with the beat, but not always. A lot of times I’ll just scream in the mic or freestyle until something sticks. I think of it a lot like painting. You want to layer until it feels right.
The Artistry Of Kevin Holliday
- Also, with a distinct sound and style, you set yourself apart and we are all here for it! You tapped into musical history and made it your own. Who or what inspires your musical style and sound?
My sound comes directly from my family and my childhood. As a kid, I was exposed to a lot of different types of art, not just musical. I would love going to Brooklyn museum and spending the whole day there. More than anything my childhood taught me to stay curious and never rule anything out. I think why my music sounds different from a lot of things, because it’s a constant, ongoing experiment. I’m always looking for the next thing and drawing from my roots.
- Next, as a multifaceted musician — what does music mean to you?
Music is one of the only ways I know how to express myself. It’s almost as natural as breathing to me at this point. For me, it is purely about expression. I would do it whether people listened or not. The fact that people want to hear what I say and relate to it is the most flattering thing.
- Throughout your artistry, you are a true genre-bending artist who is influenced by pop, rock and R&B elements… in the new year could we expect more expansion? Maybe hear some AfroBeats, Hip Hop, etc?
I think that’s the point of art in my eyes to create something completely new. If I’m just trying to sound like something else what’s the point? I definitely have a bunch of things that are going to come out in 2022 that sound entirely new from anything else I’ve done.
Expensive Taste —
- Personally, I love the record! The old-school elements meshed with today’s modern day vibe make for an intriguing listen. Did you have the production before the lyricism or vice versa? Did the beat inspire the single or did you pen the record first and found a captivating sound that fit?
“I usually do the beat first. On this one I worked with two producers I work with a lot, Chasen Smith and Keizo Fish. We all made the instrumental together, then I recorded a demo to it. I’m the type of artist that needs to hear something first to go off of. Once I hear something though I just record the first thing that comes to my mind and worry about tweaking it later. I rarely write things down and write that way, it feels too boxed in for the way I like to work.”
- What does “Expensive Taste” mean to you?
“The track is written from two perspectives. On one hand, trying to impress someone with material things, and going down a wormhole that only gets bigger. On the other hand, getting exactly what you want out of a situation, even if that means hurting someone else’s feelings. The track is a playful take on the dynamic of impressing a lover.”
Kevin Holliday Continued…
- Next, how long did the record take you to curate?
The track itself didn’t actually take that long to make. We made the beat in one day, and it took me another day to record the vocals. The thing that took the longest amount of time was mixing the song. That’s probably the most tedious part of the process in my opinion. If it feels that way during the creation process I try not to put it out actually. I always want things to sound free flowing. I think that frustration often comes across in the final product.
- With this trendy track, there’s no doubt there will be a visual to bring the audio to life. With that being said, do you have a drop off date for the “Expensive Taste” music video?
I think it’s the type of song that would do well with a visual for sure. The lyric video, which was done by my friend Zu, gets some of that initial emotion across to assist the storytelling.
What’s Next? —
- Love it! I’ll be on the lookout for the official music video! Additionally, we are excited to hear more about your craft and what you’re currently focused on. What’s next for Kevin Holliday in 2022?
In 2022 I’m focusing on booking more live shows and making genuine connections with fans. I’m looking to play a few festivals and get my music in front of bigger crowds. I also have a lot of music I’m sitting on—and it’s definitely my best stuff I’ve made—so I’m really excited to put it out.
- Lastly, is there a message that you’d like to leave with fans?
Just that there’s a lot of cool stuff coming out in 2022 that you should look out for.
FOLLOW KEVIN HOLLIDAY:
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