Interview: SYLVIA KAY

Jarod Smith

Jun 7, 2022

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

My music teacher, Lisa Carione is the person who got me into music. I saw her passion for it and wanted to be just like her. To this day she continues to inspire me all the time. If I had not gotten into music I think I would be spending more time teaching kids writing.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

When I’m not playing music I love reading, I love taking a break by diving into someone else’s story and getting lost in it. I’ve written so many songs about characters in good books I’ve read in the past which have changed the way I see music completely.

How long has your band been around?

I’ve been playing with music teachers from school, they have helped me get started in the industry and I am so grateful to them for that. I’ve been playing with them since I was a little girl but started taking performing seriously about three years ago.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

They influence my music every day, they use their experience in the industry to teach me about what direction to go. They have helped me gain momentum and continue to make sure I am heading on the right path.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

My most memorable show was Happy Days in Bolton, the band was tight and the crowd was loud and truthfully as a musician that is all you can ask for. My very close friends and family came out and it was so nice seeing everyone together. I recently had the opportunity to play at Fionn MacCoals in Woodbridge where so many parishioners and friends came out from St. John’s Parish, including Father Bob! Which was so nice of them.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Festivals are my absolute favorite event to play at however in terms of venues I would love to play at Danforth Music Hall!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

If I could play any show with any lineup it would probably be a summer music festival with Kelsea Ballerini and Taylor Swift up on the ticket.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Some advice that I would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band is to not be afraid to stay true to what you want. It’s easy to get mixed up and lost in other people’s dream but life is really too short.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

If I could give advice to my past self, I would tell her to not be so scared of what other people think. To do what she loves because she loves it and never back down because of someone’s comments.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Legacy means the most to me, it’s really a diary entry about what the last few months of my life have been like. The last lyric re-write happened in and around December and it was a direct reflection of what I was feeling at the time.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

My favorite songs to play are really anything by Taylor Swift and Kelsea Ballerini. I also love playing Fresh Wind by Hillsong. My most requested song is Piano Man by Billy Joel.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Almost every song I sit down to write is something I’ve experienced. It’s a way of captivating a feeling, and trying to work my way through it. I often sit down at my piano, and find the melody first then add the lyrics. The lyrics change and grow as the process goes on but I always trust that it will all come together in the end.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

I always try to help to make my listeners feel a little bit less alone and understood. Like even if everything around them is going wrong they can find a small bit of refuge in my lyrics and melodies

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

We all work together to make our rehearsal and stage space a safe and welcoming environment!

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

We hope to play many shows to come, you can follow me on Instagram @sylviakay13 for updates!