In 2019, Kaiit almost missed her winning announcement for Best Soul/R&B Release for ‘Miss Shiney’ at the famed ARIA Awards due to a fingernail casualty.
That hasn’t stopped her from inspiring the masses through both her unique neo-soul sound and serving bold, bright fashion and makeup looks on TikTok. Now that lockdowns are over and the world is getting back on track, 2022 is seeing Kaiit fully embrace her authentic self through style and music.
“You need to go back to that child-self that lives in you,” she says.
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“It’s still there and it’s beautiful. Children love to play and aren’t so aware of their bodies, and that playfulness still exists in all of us. Being able to let your inner child come out is so important – even the way you dressed yourself as a child made you feel good, even if it was a damn tutu!
Style is not the only way the neo-soul artist has channeled her inner child. Known for her electrifying live performances that radiate her bubbly personality, including incorporating quarter pounders with extra pickles into her masterful songwriting, Kaiit makes a conscious effort to move freely with the mood.
“I feel like the main thing for me is feeling the spirit and just expressing freely. I may have planned something and on the day I’m like ‘Nah, this is what I need to do, this is what I need to wear. This is how I need to feel in the song’, then I’m going to do it because honouring that is important,” she explains.
“That’s the fun thing about live shows – you can do whatever you want and it can be different every time as opposed to a track that has been recorded and that’s how it will sound forever.”
Kaiit will be bringing that quality and more to her upcoming Brunswick Music Festival set, where she’ll be sharing meaningful new music and putting a twist on already released tracks in an expressive live setting.
“It’s been super lovely just being back with the band again and rehearsing. We’re going to be playing a lot of new songs that I have been keeping in my little arms and heart,” she confirms.
Birthed between TikToks during lockdown, the new music sees Kaiit explore her identity and lean into her vulnerable side.
“When you’re told you can’t go anywhere except for the bloody shops and you’re stuck home alone, you are just left with yourself and things that maybe you haven’t addressed,” she says.
“When we’re constantly moving around it’s easier to be distracted but when it’s just you, it definitely hits differently. So [these songs] have all been coming out, they’re expressions and they’re so special to me. It’s like being a naked baby! It makes me feel very vulnerable but that means it’s some real shit and I’m so excited for everyone to hear it!”
She continues, “I am so much more into myself and my voice. I feel like I sound so different to what Live From Her Room sounds like – even something as simple as an accent. I’m consciously singing in my accent now because I want my singing to sound like how I speak.”
Speaking of voices, Kaiit has recruited two big voices for Brunswick Music Festival, slick and soulful artist, PRICIE, and the emerging Eritrean Australian rapper, ThatKidMaz.
“I got to pick two people to support and ThatKidMaz is an old mate. We actually went to high school together” she laughs. “I’ve always supported him and his dreams and what he wants to do. It’s even better when you can hold space and create space for them, the homies. I’m thankful for having him right by my side…. and PRICIE – her voice sounds like the radio, it’s like you’re playing Spotify – she has an incredible voice and such a beautiful fun, strong energy. I’m so excited!”
Brunswick Music Festival is also littered with more of Kaiit’s friends including Ziggy Ramo, Foreign Brothers and the Bad Apples showcase.
“Being on that poster, seeing it around Naarm and counting all of your other friends on it, that’s pretty special that we’re together. There’s nothing like it.”
Catch Kaiit with friends PRICIE and ThatKidMaz at Gilpin Park on Saturday 12 March from 7PM. For the full program and latest news, head to the Brunswick Music Festival website here.
