Diandra Interviews: Khodara Has Got The Spirit For Soul

You ever talk to someone, and become surprised by the depth of their answers. It is not that you thought he or she superficial, but you did not expect your small questions to earn such a vast response. I always ask an artist what I genuinely want to know about them because it is only fair that “real answers” are gained through “real questions”. Yet, there is something “magical” when the answers of someone teach you about the greatness of their being and how yours could achieve the same: Khodara gave that to me with her responses.

Khodara is a bright singer aiming to bring soul-pop to your radio, and she aims to do it through her heart. She is a disciplined songstress with a sincere belief that life is much bigger than what we see before us, and has more to offer her though music. Such faith in herself and her talent is something we all wish we could have for our spirits and their creative capacities. Thus, before you read my review of Khodara’s Where’s Your Love EP, see the radiant soul behind this radiant album.

Diandra: What is your happiest musical memory? 
Khodara: When I was a young child, I visited a spiritual community with my family and experienced the divine presence of my own musical talent through chanting.  Music and happiness have always gone hand in hand for me.  At age 5, I came downstairs with star-shaped sunglasses declaring to my father that I was a “star rock”.  He quickly responded, do you mean rock star?  I always knew I wanted to be a professional singer.  That self-confidence is what keeps me going.

Diandra: If you could describe your relationship with music in a catchy chorus what would it be? 
Khodara: Singing in my head/ singing in my mind/ every day and every night/ I’m singing all the time

Diandra: Making your debut EP is a huge, defining step. What was the biggest aspect of yourself and your sound that you wished for your EP to elaborate? 
Khodara: Where’s Your Love EP represents my past to date.  Although it is only 4 songs, producer Billy Pavone was brilliant in capturing the dance-y pop sound I wanted.  I am an emotive, bright pop-singer and the production mirrors my voice perfectly.  I want people to feel good when listening to the EP.  

Diandra: Being based in NYC, the city is filled with inspirational locations. What are three places you go to when you need to feel creatively inspired or you need a musical break? 
Khodara: I never need a music break. When I need to think clearly and be inspired, I lock myself at home to write songs.  Writing is discipline for me as I start with so many ideas that I struggle to finish.  Working with Billy at the studio was another place I went to finish ideas and be creatively inspired.  I need to be around artists to recharge.  The population density in NYC is wearing so I also often walk in Central Park or Gracie Park on the Upper East Side to clear my head, get some space, and expose myself to nature.

Diandra: Where’s Your Love? is an intriguing title for an EP because it could have multiple meanings as a question. When was the last time in your life when you asked someone, a situation, or yourself “Where’s your love?” and why? 
Khodara: Everyone’s family dynamics are ripe with the potential for experiences of unrequited love.  My life experiences have motivated me to write a song called Where’s Your Love? to empower people to go deeper into their interpersonal relationships.  So many people are in denial with themselves and others, never asking the important questions.  The song was the first one ever written with Billy so we made it the title track.  

Diandra: You are a trained singer, and have been formally learning music since childhood. What early lessons about singing have you seen to always be true and thus always keep with you? 
Khodara: The breath is where the voice lives.  Without the breath, a singer has nothing.  Because the voice lives on you as a singer, you have to really take care of yourself.  Sleep, good food, moderation on everything…   It’s funny that I’ve had so much training in childhood and early adulthood because I’ve really shied away from it.  The structure of school helped me flourish, however I struggled to just sing the notes on the page.  I always wanted to create my own version of the song and that wasn’t encouraged until I found an incredible voice coach, Norma Garbo.  Norma has helped me find my true voice using my breath.  Biggest lesson learned to date is breathing before starting to sing.

Diandra: With your mother being an artist based in nature, you grew up with the outdoors being apart of your artistic life / aesthetic. If you could compare your music to any element in nature, what would it be and why? 
Khodara: I grew up in the art world with my mother, Martha Madigan, as a prominent figure in the history of photography.  She has been shown in many major museums around the world and taught me what it is to be an artist.  Her art is based on the elements and therefore, it seemed natural to base my songs on them as well.  If I could compare my music to an element, it would be Earth because of its grounding nature.

Diandra: Your music carries Soul in it. What about this genre most relates to your life experiences? 
Khodara: I’ve always loved the depth and emotion in Soul music.  Mariah and Aretha were my earliest music influences.  I am a firm believer of connecting with energy and my spiritual path therefore I hope it translates in my music.  I try to put my heart and soul in everything I do.

Diandra:You were an American Idol Season 9 contestant. What did the show teach you about the music industry? For better or worse? 
Khodara: I had an absolute blast on American Idol.  I made friends with everyone and still maintain many of those relationships today.  In retrospect, I would have fought harder to win instead of going along for the ride.  When waiting in line with 100,000 people in Boston, I knew I was going to make it to LA.  My experience on Idol taught me that you must give it your all to make it in the music industry.  The entertainment business, especially Hollywood, is brutal.  As soon as I was eliminated, it was as though I never existed to the producers and judges.  When we first started filming Nigel Lythgoe, Idol’s executive producer, told us that the goal was to make good TV so take nothing personal.  Right before I was eliminated, Ellen DeGeneres told me never to give up.  I’ll continue to take both lessons with me throughout my career.

Diandra: Which song of the EP felt most personal to you, and why? 
Khodara: Definitely “Magic”.  I’ve always fallen in love easily throughout my entire life, but nothing compares to what I have with my husband Greg.  For years, I held onto so much pain from past heartbreaks that seemed to fade away while growing deeper in love with him.  Greg is super pragmatic, contrary to the spiritual world I live in.  Billy helped me verbalize the dichotomy of perspectives in my relationship with Greg in “Magic” – “I can’t say it was magic, you can’t say it was true, we’ll just have to call it me and you…”