Harmonizing Emotions: An Exclusive Talk with Kimmy Pidazo on Her Storytelling Melodies
By. Alicia Zamora
A Conversation with Kimmy Pidazo
In a world where music can often feel superficial, Kimmy Pidazo emerges as a breath of fresh air, offering a raw and intimate look into her life through her art. In her exclusive interview with Alicia’s Studio, she reflects on her lifelong devotion to music, a passion that has acted as both refuge and outlet for her emotions. For Kimmy, every note and lyric is a testament to her journey, creating a narrative that resonates not just with her, but with countless listeners who find solace in her songs.
As she navigates the complex landscape of self-expression, Kimmy reveals that writing music has been a crucial way for her to process her feelings and experiences. Each song is crafted with intentionality, aiming to capture the raw essence of what it means to be human. This personal approach to songwriting allows her to share stories that are both deeply personal and universally relatable, inviting her audience to join her on a journey through the peaks and valleys of life.
Kimmy goes beyond mere performance; she sees her music as a way to connect with her audience on a profound level. Through her heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies, she reassures her listeners that they are not alone in their struggles. It is this desire to be there for others that fuels her creativity and drives her passion. In a landscape filled with noise, Kimmy Pidazo shines brightly, reminding us of the power of music to heal, uplift, and unite.
Diving In
Alicia: Welcome back to Alicia’s Studio we have our sixteenth special guest!!
Kimmy: Hi, I'm Kimmy Pidazo, and I'm a singer-songwriter.
Alicia: Was there a specific moment in your life when you realized, "This is what I want to do"?
Kimmy: Growing up, I was always really doing music, but over the years, it very much transitioned into new things. I started off doing talent shows and singing in church, and then I did theater. But then, after high school, where everyone was going off and doing their own thing, I knew that I didn't want to leave music behind. I was trying to figure out how to carry it out with me, because it's scary to pursue music or anything in this industry. It's very, very scary, and I didn't know how I wanted to do it. At first, I was thinking I'll just do some songwriting, behind-the-scenes stuff, but it was really after I wrote one of my maybe my first or second song, and I showed it to my friends, and they're like, ‘Wait, wait, wait, is-this is you?’
Kimmy: And I was like, ‘Yeah.’ They’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you have to-you have to perform it, you have to sing it.’And so, it was really kind of after I started, performing my own songs in little get-togethers with my friend groups. I started going to open mics, and just receiving validation from complete strangers coming up to me and saying how much my lyrics meant to them. And it was just very eye-opening how strong music has [power] over other people too. It was really a lot of those little moments built up into me realizing I want to keep doing this. I don't know if there was just one moment, but it was definitely a build-up of a lot-of a lot of little moments.
Alicia: Okay, so it's something that's always been fond to you.
Kimmy: Yeah music has definitely not been a stranger in my life. When it comes to being an artist, it’s where I would say music took a different [turn]. It grew into something so much more than what it was growing up.
Alicia: And I know you mentioned you were doing theater and all that, so being on stage is something that's familiar to you. Now it's a little different performing in front of others. How do you separate that from what you used to do? And how does it feel? Do you get anxious, or is it a lot scarier than when you did plays and stuff?
Kimmy: In theater, It's kind of fun being able to play a character. I would say even when I'm doing my own shows, I'm still sort of playing this character, this persona. I think a lot of artists can relate to that, like, just an amplified version of themselves. So it kind of relates to that in that sort of way. But with songwriting,I think it's really cool that I'm able to tell a story and that I'm able to perform a story. It’s like my own story too. It’s kind of just reminiscent of performing other stories, when I would do theater and stuff like that.
Alicia: What’s your biggest source of inspiration when creating music? Is it personal experiences, films, literature, or something else?
Kimmy: Definitely personal. Maybe a little too personal, if I'm being honest. But yeah.
Alicia: I feel like that's just a lot of artists. I feel like music, or just writing in general for me, I know writing is an outlet to express your emotions.
Kimmy: Oh absolutely. You get it
Alicia: Do you have any hobbies or passions outside of music that influence your artistry?
Kimmy: I feel like answering this question, I always get scared when people ask me this question.
Kimmy: I'm actually a really boring person when it comes to outside of music. It’s because I've been doing it my whole life. In some sort of way, it kind of just took over my life, so it's really hard to see my life outside of music, but I don't know. I'm a normal-outside of music. I'm a normal girl who likes cheesy movies and good movies. I don't know where I was going with that.
I was really trying to just defend my reputation as an artist, and I was gonna list some cringey movies, but, I don't know.
Alicia: I was literally about to ask you, what's your favorite movie?
Kimmy: Oh. I have a list.
Kimmy: Okay, actually, off the top of my head, I have two that I can say off the top of my head, and it's by the same director, Wes Anderson. I would say Isle of Dogs and Fantastic Mr. Fox. I love those movies and I love their style. I think it's so satisfying. And-Oh, my gosh. Do you get it?
Alicia: Because my sister and I don't watch movies like that, I have no clue what you're talking about. But as soon as I saw her face, I think I know. I recognized the title of the movies. Literally I can't do movies. My attention span with movies is horrible.
Alicia: Since we're still on the topic of movies, if your music were to be the soundtrack of a movie, what would the film be like, and how would the music fit?
Kimmy: I would say that it would definitely follow a relationship. Honestly, if my music was the soundtrack of a movie, I would want it to be like my own story, just a little bit; I don't know if that came off narcissistic but I feel like that would be really cool. I feel like I already have the plot line going and it's very relatable because that's what people tell me. I think it would get a good score on rotten tomatoes.
Alicia: Okay the story is already written *laughs*
Kimmy: I know! Someone should hit me up. Let's make let's make it happen *laughs*
Alicia: Exactly guys hit her up. She has a plot and she has everything down. I know 20 pages in don't play.
Kimmy: Absolutely *laughs*
Alicia: Looking back, if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Kimmy: If I’m being honest, I would want some advice from my younger self. I feel like growing up, I was a really confident kid. Some might think it came off as obnoxious and some thought it was cute. I don't know how I would see myself as a kid but all I know is that she was confident. She knew what she wanted and I think she would be proud of me today. But yeah I honestly don't really know what I would tell. Maybe a good job or thank you or how did you do it.
Alicia: Yeah a little pat in the back because you’re doing it.
Alicia: Going into your EP “Even After Everything: The Live EP’ what was the most challenging part of recording it?
Kimmy: Honestly, it’s capturing the true essence of the song. I say the true essence of the song because there's so many words that came to my head that it's so hard to capture the sound, feeling, emotion and intention. I feel like that can be really hard. I’ve worked with a couple producers trying to figure out what sound I want with these songs. I enjoyed working with all these people. I've enjoyed where it's going, but it's just so hard when I'm hearing something new every day or every listen, I'm like, 'Oh, I should have done this, should have done this.’ So I would say it's really hard to keep the sound that's like going on in my head as an artist, like under wraps. At that point, it's hard to hone in but I eventually figured out what direction [to go at]. I know that I've always enjoyed playing live shows. I feel like whenever I perform the song, I'm able to capture the true essence of the song. I think moving forward that's kind of the way I want to go. My favorite artist, like Lizzie McAlpine, she just released such a beautiful album and it was all live or it was recorded live. I just loved that soundscape that she created for her music and it really inspired me.
Alicia: How do you know when a song is truly finished and ready for release?
Kimmy: Oh that's hard. That’s really really hard honestly. As an artist, it's really hard to feel satisfied with your end product no matter what it is. I know I feel like I know when it's ready to be released when my closest friends are saying that the song is the one. Like this is the mix, I’ll send it to [my closest friends]. With my closest friends, we all grew up doing music together, really. I really trust their artistic opinions and I know that they're very honest with me, especially when it comes to my music, my art. They know how much it means to them, or that means to me.
Alicia: I get that! I’m the same way, especially with what I’m doing right now. I feel like everything reflects on you and they know that too. I feel like always getting a second opinion by people you trust is always the way to go.
Kimmy: Yeah it definitely is.
Alicia: What do you do to keep your creativity flowing and stay inspired throughout the creative process?
Kimmy: That’s really interesting. I know a lot of artists and people who are able to do this and it’s really insane to me how they can just constantly create, create, create. I'm like, ‘Wow! That's so awesome for you.’ I think I'm definitely a person who's like I'll have like five months where my brain is constantly turning and I'm pushing like a song, like a good song out. But for the rest of the year, I'm pretty dormant. But I would say I'd feel like that's pretty good because I would say I'd live my life and then I'd write about it, and then I'd live my life, and then I'd write about it. So, yeah, I think recently I've just ended a little era where I've lived my life, and now I'm currently writing about it.
Alicia: Oo okay so things are coming.
Kimmy: Yes things are coming!!
Alicia: How has your approach to making music evolved over the years?
Kimmy: I would like to say it got better. In middle school, I would write songs. I would write songs and play my ukulele. But we’ve evolved. So back then, I would write songs about movies. I'm pretty sure I wrote a song about the movie I remember watching with my sisters in sixth grade A Walk to Remember. I was like, ‘Oh my God. Gosh, this is cinema.’ And I needed to write about it. I need to write this. I'm feeling so many things right now. Of course, 12-year-old me was feeling so much depth. But yeah, as you get older, new experiences and then you feel things a lot deeper. I got to the point in my life where I started writing what I would say is real music. I would say it was like a buildup of all that emotional depth.
Alicia: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
Kimmy: I would say if you like Lizzy McAlpine's music, I think you would enjoy mine. I was really inspired by her writing style. When it came to her lyrics, like you can tell that it's legitimately about her life, her experiences. I wanted to do the same thing. And the thing that I love about her music so much is that it's subtly very musically intelligent. She has intricate melodies if you really listen. So I thought that really grabbed me and that really influenced me when it came to writing my songs. I would say I really wanted to wonder. I wanted all of my songs to be somewhat a little musically interesting or like a little treat for musicians. So if you're a musician, I think you would really enjoy my music.
Alicia: Looking back at your journey, what’s the most significant growth you've seen in your sound or approach since you first started?
Kimmy: I would like to think I got better at singing. It’s all due to growing up being surrounded by a lot of music, by a lot of other talented singers and performers, especially in theater. If you did it as a kid, you know it's a little competitive. Like I was just surrounded by a lot of talented people. And a lot of those people are my friends today.
Kimmy: But yeah I think I got a lot better at singing just because I feel like I became more confident with myself. It’s like being surrounded by a lot of talented singers and performers and doing competitions and theater and stuff like that. There's a lot of people out there who can sing, and it's hard to not compare yourself in a way. But kind of once I escaped that atmosphere, and I just started to focus on myself. I would say that's really helped me finding and figuring out my sound.
Alicia: You released Even After Everything (The Live EP)—what was the inspiration behind that project?
Kimmy: My personal experience, especially with my last relationship. Yeah it was kind of a situationship. You can tell if you listen to it. I feel like that relationship really had a life of its own over the years it took place. So I would say that this EP and all my music really is a personification of that relationship. That relationship meant a lot to me, and I think that's what I'm going to say it meant a lot to this person. I just wanted to kind of show it in my music, and I would like to think that it has a good arc in it, yeah, listening wise, in order.
Alicia: From that EP, which song do you feel most represents you as an artist?
Kimmy: I would say 'Sunday Evening.’ I love that song a lot, mainly because it's really developed. Every single time I perform it, I feel like something new is added. I feel like when I sing it now, it means something different than what I meant when I initially wrote it. I love hearing a lot of people tell me that they really enjoy that song and I love hearing about what it means to them. It's crazy how that song really has a life of its own.
Alicia: Are there any exciting projects coming up soon?
Kimmy: I may or may not be releasing a song quite soon. It's very different from the songs I have out. It’s quite jazzy. If you like Laufey, you will definitely like this song! I'm really proud of this song. I've always been a lover of jazz, like I've loved listening to it growing up. But it's really hard to write a jazz song, and I wouldn't say that it's like explicitly jazz, but it definitely has a lot of influence. It’s really pushed my songwriting boundaries. I'm excited for that. It’s going to be called 'What If I Married You.’
Alicia: Looking forward to hearing it!!
Alicia: What are some of your biggest goals for the near future, both musically and personally?
Kimmy: I would say that I have a lot of music on my backlog, so I'm really excited to be pushing those—singles and potentially projects. And also getting more consistent in performing live. I used to be really good at being consistent and performing live, but this year, I wanted to slow down a bit. But I'm gearing up for next year, okay, so be excited, 2025! A lot of live Kimmy Pedazo.
Alicia: I feel like a little break is good though; I feel like it's refreshing, honestly. But we're looking forward to it
Alicia: Where do you envision yourself in five years with your music career?
Kimmy: Within the next five years, I would love to go on tour! I love that thing; I love that about music if it hasn't shown already. I love performing. I love that intimate connection between me and an audience. Being on stage and connecting with the crowd just feels great. I love knowing that there was a connection made. I think connection is so beautiful, and you know, I would love to be able to do that and travel. I feel like that would be really cool. The next five years, I would love to open and hope to possibly headline a tour.
Alicia: That'd be so nice. I feel like even if it's an intimate show, like you were saying connection, I feel like intimate shows are always better. Even if it's me going to see an artist that I've interviewed or anything, it's so nice because you can see when they're on stage performing how passionate they are. I feel like I talk about that so much. Like, when I went to go see Echo ,Thomas and Kelsey, and I was telling them, I was like, ‘When you guys perform, I can really see it. Like you guys love what you're doing.’ And it's so beautiful because like when you're in the crowd seeing that, it's like, ‘Wow, like you're really meant to be up there.’ It’s just nice seeing that with anything, to be honest, like any artist. But you got this. I know I’ll see you on tour.
Alicia: Every artist faces hurdles. What's one challenge you've had to overcome in your career, and how did it shape your music?
Kimmy: Oh, writer's block. It’s the worst, it's so bad! But you know what? It really is a blessing and a curse because it forces you to take a break and reflect on your life, the way you're living. So I try to be like glass half full with that. But oh, she can be really annoying because I feel like I would start writing a really good song and then I'd be like, 'I don't know where to go anymore.' But eventually, you know I pick it back up again and be like, 'Oh, I still got it.’ So yeah.
Alicia: I feel like writer's block for me, like when I'm writing a review, it's the worst. Because I'll stare at my computer for like two hours. I'm like, 'Okay.' And then it turns to like three months, I'm like ‘Okay.' And then it just...I don't know. I don't get that spark and all of a sudden, you're like, 'Oh, shit! Okay, yes, I'm back!
Kimmy: And it'll be like in the middle of the night or like just at the most random times, or I'll be driving, stuck in 101 traffic, and I'm like, 'Oh, my gosh! That's it. That’s the line I'm looking for!’
Alicia: Yes!! And it's crazy because why did it take my spark three months to get over here and I’ll literally go back to that same review I was writing before. I just got stuck on it and I look at it like if it's gonna write itself. Three months I was so stuck on that one review and I was like, ‘No, I can't.’ but then it's okay. I overcame it. But I feel like I don't know how to overcome writer's block. Do you have any advice for that?
Kimmy: Don’t fight it. Sometimes it can be good but for me personally, the more I push myself trying to finish a song, the more I'm not gonna be able to finish a song. I'm not gonna be able to finish a song, I'm never happy with the product and I think a lot of people can relate to that so yeah. Just let things happen the way they're supposed to happen. I mean for me I would like to say it eventually works out so yeah.
Alicia: Being an artist can come with a lot of pressure—how do you manage both the creative and professional sides of the industry?
Kimmy: I feel like as an artist, our work and our life bleeds into what we do, so honestly I don't know if I'm balancing it too well but I would like to think that my life as a whole inspires what I do, what I write.
Alicia: What advice would you give to someone starting their journey as an artist?
Kimmy: Expand your music taste! That always helps me!
Alicia: What kind of impact do you want your music to have on your listeners, and how do you want them to feel when they hear it?
Kimmy: I want them, if they haven't gone through a similar experience of what this song is portraying, then I hope that they can somewhat feel what I was. going through that experience. And I don't know if that's mean. But, like, a lot of people have, like, I have friends who are in happy, healthy relationships. And they are avid fans of my music. So I was like, ‘Are you guys doing okay? Like, should I be worried?’ And they'll be like, ‘Oh, we're good. We're good.’ It's just that you can really feel the emotion. And you can see the story that's playing out. And I'm like,’Oh, thank God. And thank you.’ you know?
Alicia: Yeah it’s just that good. Like, they're happy, but they get it.
Alicia: To wrap things up, is there anything you'd like to say to the people who have supported your music along the way?
Kimmy: Thank you. I can't believe that people like you are out there. I think that's really crazy. If I met you, if I haven't met you, thank you genuinely so much. You make me want to keep doing what I'm doing. And, yeah, I'm here for you guys through my music. So thank you for being here for me
