Where can music take you?
For this instalment of our blog series exploring the many ways that music can become a part of your life we spoke to Kiki O’Connell. Kiki is a British singer, songwriter and producer living in Nashville. She’s a music maker, music tech entrepreneur and advocate for gender equity in music.
Tell us something about yourself and your life with music?
I started as a singer-songwriter two decades ago, self-funding my music making by working as a business manager. In 2019, I joined Sofar Sounds/ Seated to work in People Operations. Today, I’m Global Managing Director at We Make Noise, a not-for profit organisation that advances global equity in music and tech through education, community building and creating opportunities. I co-chair We Make Noise’s Nashville chapter with shesaid.so, a global community of women and gender nonconforming people in the music industry. I’m also building a platform that artists can use to navigate all the tools that exist and understand when to use them in their journey.
What sparked your love of music?
My dad is really into music and Hi-Fi. When I was little, he'd kitted out our living room and would sit and listen to music. I loved dancing along and soon realised I loved singing along too. The first songs I loved singing were I Will Always Love You, the Whitney Houston version, and Think Twice by Celine Dion.
How does music fit in with your life right now?
I write, sing and produce songs but along my musical journey I fell in love with the business and tech side of the industry. Now I work across several projects that help artists to create, access opportunities and navigate their career. I still make music, more as a hobby right now but I'm going to start releasing some tracks and pursuing some sync placements. Sync for TV, Games and Film is an amazing way for writers to monetise their music.
How do you benefit from your involvement with music?
Working with artists and producers, particularly those with diverse backgrounds who don’t always have the same opportunities to grow their careers, is the most fulfilling thing for me. People have limitless potential and grow more quickly if they're believed in, educated and nurtured. That’s my joy, helping people then seeing them succeed at something!
What music have you been listening to or playing lately?
I love Griff, a British female artist and producer - her songs are sweet and poppy but unique. I also just discovered an awesome American artist called Alexandra Kay - she writes the most beautiful, truthful country ballads. In terms of playing music, I use BandLab's SongStarter to get AI generated tracks that I write lyrics and melodies to for fun.
Can you tell us about a musician or musicians that you admire?
Griff for sure as a more up and coming artist. I'd say Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans are top for me on vocals. BUT! The artist I most admire is Kate Bush as she was writing and producing at the top of her game when it was even less common for women to do that than it is now.
Can you tell us about a memorable musical moment?
When I was 19, I recorded some backing vocals for the X Factor UK tour - it was wild hearing my voice in arenas! Another moment was when a music manager said to me "Do you think you can just walk into a major label or publisher, and they'll help you?" Not long after, I emailed an A&R guy at Sony/ ATV who set me up with Tony Briscoe, who had produced Beverly Knight – one of my favourite artists. He then helped me develop my sound and inspired me to learn to produce!
The world is full of people who are negative or tell you that you aren't capable, good enough or can't achieve amazing things – they're all wrong!
