Kaya Hoax Talks Debut EP, Musical Memories And More

Montreal based musician Kaya Hoax, you’ll find yourself nodding your head with a high energy blend of mischief and passive indignation. Her debut EP ‘Baby Gear’ is out now and she spoke to us about the EP, her memories and much more:

When did you begin songwriting?
I remember writing songs and lyrics as a kid in my little notebook, I must have been 7 or 8. I wrote songs
throughout my childhood and teenage years, but never showed them to anyone.

What is your earliest musical memory?
I remember being 3 or 4 years old and listening to “Barbie Girl” by Aqua. I would ask my mom to listen to
it on repeat, I loved that songs much!

Your new debut EP ‘Baby Gear’ is out now. How did you want to approach making the EP?
I wanted to use a very punk but very communal approach for this EP. We did everything with a DIY
approach, from the recording to the production to the video shoots. All the people who worked on this EP,
whether on the music or on the visuals, are all very good friends of mine. It’s a community thing!

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?
I mainly recorded the EP in my bedroom and in my co-producer’s home studios. The project was
produced by Funkywhat, INFOPOLICE, Loxley and myself.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
I hope the people are shook, and I hope that my performance meets my expectation.

One of the tracks is the single ‘Kicker’. What is the story/inspiration behind the track?
I’m glad you bring it up because it really is the centrepiece of the project! The lyrics of the hook were
inspired by an interrogation transcript between a sexual assault survivor and a cop, yet this song is mainly
about stepping into your power and leaving behind what no longer serves you.

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Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I like to use an MPC to trigger live samples during the show, and I sometimes use a Roland VT-4 vocal
transformer on my voice. As for microphones, anything wireless!

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
I am from Montreal, Canada. Cold weather and hot people.

How do you look after your voice?
Before a show or a recording session, I do a lot of vocal exercises, breath work for rappers, and I drink a
lot of tea!

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which
novel is it and why?
Bow Grip by Ivan E. Coyote is one of my favourite novels. It’s about a man who copes with the end of his
marriage by learning to play the cello. My music has nothing to do with cellos, but I’d give it a go.

Who created/designed the EP artwork?

Lou Malone created the EP artwork. She’s a tattoo artist from Montreal, and she’s also a very good friend
of mine. I wanted her to draw me in a park with my cat in a stroller, and she completely nailed it. She was
the perfect person for this.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
Some of my musical influences are M.I.A., Björk, Santigold, Charli XCX, to name a few. From Montreal, I
recommend you to listen to Noo Ji, Infopolice, Rosario Caméléon and Magi Merlin.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2024?
I am featured on a couple of tracks this year, but it’s a surprise I can’t say too much yet. Other than that, I
have started working on my LP and I will start dropping hints by the end of the year 😉

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024?
Not yet unfortunately, but I hope to tour Europe soon! I know I belong in the UK!

Was it a difficult EP to write?
It was a difficult EP to produce, but not to write. The lyrics and melodies have been stored in my mind
years before the making of. It’s easy for me to write stories and draw lyrics from lived experiences, it’s my
favourite thing to do.

What makes Kaya Hoax happy and what makes you unhappy?
Flowers make me happy. Genocide makes me unhappy.