Diandra Interviews Kiiara: Reflection Is Liberation

In life, we all will have a “dark period.” Call it karma, self-destruction, or plain old “life happens!,” but to whatever you attribute your rut, the point is that you see your triumph is dependent on you. I always say, “Others can cause your wounds, but you cause your healing!” Of course, that is beautiful, but it also sucks. Yet, for Kiiara, lil kiiwi is what happens when you realize who you were caused your pain, but who you can be can heal it. Subtle joy rides through the seedy synths and shattering basslines to give the album an undercurrent of revival. lil kiiwi is the sonic tale of a young woman with the capacity to make catchy, pop tunes based on really rough times. In our interview, Kiiara discusses how music helped her see what it is to be your own saboteur and, in turn, your own liberator. 

Diandra: What is lil kiiwi based on?

Kiiara: My album lil kiiwi is based around who I was early in my career. With this album, I wanted to welcome people into the world of lil kiiwi.
Kiiara – So Sick [feat. blackbear] (Official Audio)

Diandra: You describe your first experiences with the industry to be rattling. What advice or clarity about being an artist in the industry do you wish you had had back then?

Kiiara: I wish someone would’ve told me not to be so self-conscious, defensive, and guarded.

Diandra: Describe the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Kiiara: The kindest thing someone has done for me is hug me in the middle of the night on the tour bus while I cried over a guy. I remember waking my best friend up in the middle of the night while we were driving from one city to the next on tour and she sat with me while I cried for hours. Everyone else on the bus was asleep and then there I was emo AF.
Kiiara – I Still Do (Official Video)

Diandra: It has been years since you released an album How do you see time as an artist’s best friend?

Kiiara: I’ve actually been releasing a lot of singles between my EP low kii savage and my debut album lil kiiwi. Almost enough singles to make an album. I don’t think time is an artist’s best friend especially when ur a perfectionist with a lil bit of ocd. The more time I have to work on a project, the more I overthink it all.

Diandra: You have said you are shy. What about being an artist or a music force attracts the introvert in you?

Kiiara: I spend a lot of time in the studio which is great when you are an introvert like me. I’ve been in the studio nonstop these past 4 years. It’s my safe place in this world. The vocal booth is like my safe lil bubble. I never wanna leave because I’m anxious AF. Almost everything else in life scares me. When I’m not in the studio, I’ll end up having panic attacks for hours over the wildest shit that doesn’t even make sense.

Diandra: What has creating this album taught you about being independent and leading yourself? What are 3 things you leaned to love about yourself in making it?

Kiiara: Creating this album has taught me that being independent is great, but also veryyy lonely. While making this album I learned to love how emo I am, how unpredictable I can be, and how restless I am.

Diandra: What is one fear or shame you healed through this album and one joy you learned to embrace?

Kiiara: Through this album I healed from regret. I learned to embrace my voice and emotions.
Kiiara – Numb [feat. DeathbyRomy & PVRIS] (Official Visualizer)

Diandra: What is one thing you have learned about how you choose relationships through writing a love song?

Kiiara: I learned that I self-sabotage a lot of relationships, especially the potentially good ones.

Diandra Ultimately, what do you want Lil Kiwi to say about you and your personality?

Kiiara: The world of lil kiiwi is filled with reckless, unpredictable, indecisive, and ignorant tendencies along with a lot of vulnerability.

Diandra: Having self-medicated for your anxiety, what are the rituals you do today to keep calm?

Kiiara: I self-medicated to mask my anxiety for years. I don’t take anything for it anymore. I’ve continuously been working with the same psychologist for the past 10 years or so. I run, read, listen to music, meal prep, and play video games to cope with my anxiety now. 

For More Information Kiiara Click Here.