Diandra Interviews Zandra Kaye: Old School, New Me
Zandra Kaye has a voice and style that makes you press replay, which is why her upcoming music is so exciting. Like most artists, time makes you more settled in yourself, emotionally, which means that the art gets deeper and clearer. In our interview, we discuss the fellow artists and tools Zandra has used to make her “old school” sound feel new.
Diandra: How are you?
Zandra Kaye: I’m actually doing pretty well. Thank God! My loved ones are healthy and my friends have remained healthy. That is the most important part. When the pandemic first started, there was no creativity. There was just this nervous energy. Now that we are months in, and veterans at this, I am connecting to my creativity in a very deep way. I, actually, went to the studio and recorded a new song. So I am planning to release new music and not hold back. That is one thing that I have learned in this pandemic. Don’t hold back. Unless, you are holding back for a really good reason: release it. We don’t have too much time.
Zandra Kaye – Know Your Roll (Official Video)
Diandra: Is that the theme?
Zandra: I think for my new, upcoming work my theme is….. I just feel more free. I feel more connected. Zeefunk was my first project so I was really stressed about releasing it. With this new project, it is about self-love, identity, and trusting the process. I can be my biggest critic, but the new stuff is about standing on your own two feet and reflections on what it is to love yourself. I never felt like I fit into any genre, and, now, I am embracing it. I am versatile, and I make what I feel in my heart.
Diandra: Your music is defined as “old-school” would you identify with that idea?
Zandra Kaye: I definitely identify with the late 80s and early 90s. I am a huge D’Angelo lover. When I listen to him, I can listen to him for a whole week solid. It is kind of hard to go to anyone else once you listen to D’angelo. He just gives me chills. You kind of have to just keep listening to him because there is no one like him, and the same is with Erykah Badu. Although I can get down to some contemporary Trap music, my go-to is like, for instance, Styles P: the early, “in your face” poetic Hip Hop. I also grew up with jazz like, Nina Simone. A lot of beautiful, strong black women helped me find my voice.
Diandra: I have interviewed other “old-school” style artists, and they say past music felt more tender?
Zandra: For me, message is everything. Lyrics are everything, even if they are kind of mysterious and not just surface-level. I think that is so true. Older generation music has so much to it. When you are listening to it, they are speaking from their souls. I don’t want to say music, right now, is lacking that, but I think they can be super-produced. When we got into the new millennium, we got into pop-bands and labels became more accessible and everything felt more available; I think it was about producing as much content as quickly possible. So things became more gimmicky, more about money, and people sounded the same, but back in the day everyone had their own niche. They didn’t sound the same and that made it so special. The Stones didn’t sound like ACDC.
Zandra Kaye – Sorry Not…(Official Video)
Diandra: So the past held more innovation?
Zandra: I think so. Music is so universal, and I feel that a lot of stuff is recycled ideas. I think we are always trying to fill a void, and music is trying to connect what was with what is happening now.
Diandra: You went to film school. What movies inspire song in you?
Zandra Kaye: I love Darren Aronofsky. He grew up, like me, in Brighton Beach. South Brooklyn! I love his films. Wes Anderson. I love his use of colors and he is so quirky. I love when films are honest but also farce. Sofia Coppola is also a beautiful director.
Diandra: A recurring theme in your music is being grounded. Who do you think you are?
Zandra Kaye: Great question! I always viewed myself as a funny, quirky kid, even though I am an adult. You can have maturity, but, at the end of the day, we are always maturing and growing. So, in a way, we never stop being kids. I noticed, as I got older, I stopped putting my parents on pedestals and seeing they are human. We all are growing and, in that sense, we are always children. It is sad to lose that magic. My brother used to call me “Bruisy Alexandra” because I was always running around, having a lot of energy, and falling. I was always good-humored, and I would define myself as a humanitarian. I am always thinking of everyone and trying to put a good face for everyone. I also am very independent. I have a loving family, but I was always running off to do my own thing, and right now I am just trying to enjoy whatever the universe presents to me.
Diandra: I feel like your music is a pretty response to the ugly in life.
Zandra: I wish we could all get along: peace and serenity. The reality is life is suffering, and that is why we have music and art. It gives us peace with that and also we can relate with each other; something to help us all acknowledge what we are going through. There are times when I listen to someone’s perspective and I am like, “Wow, that is literally what I was saying in my brain!” Then, there are times when I hear a very different perspective, it can be enlightening. It is very enlightening to hear yourself in someone else’s work.
It is about building yourself, and music tells you that it is okay to have a bad day but don’t be bad to someone else. It reminds me that my energy is super powerful. Life is kinetic energy. It is like when you hurt you toe and you keep stubbing your toe. I just try to be positive and have awareness that you are flawed but don’t be toxic. Be kind.
Zandra Kaye – Garden
Diandra: Are there any qualities and flaws to you that have never changed?
Zandra: I was always really friendly and self-confident. I was always the one to start talking to someone and never afraid to introduce myself. Yet, I always had my self-image problems. I do get insecure. I had my baby chub, and I have always been curvy and voluptuous. Its hard being a woman and all these images of women that thin, lashes on, and super hot and doing their squats like it is nothing. You just need to find things that make you feel good, and connect your mind, body, and spirit. I’m dedicated to that practice.
Diandra: In singing to love, what have you seen you need from a lover?
Zandra Kaye: My love language is quality time. I love to look people in they eye. I grew up with ADD so it was really hard for me to focus and maintain attention. So when I am with somebody, it is about being present. My friends are my biggest inspiration. I hadn’t seen them for months, because of the pandemic, and I didn’t feel like myself. As soon as I came back from hanging out with them, I wrote a song. When I am with them, I am my best self and it is reciprocal.
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