59. “My Gut Has Never Led Me Astray” – KĪ on Trusting Yourself as an Artist

KĪ picked up a ukulele during COVID with no music background, posted a few covers, and a Nashville management team came calling. Now she writes, produces, and releases everything herself.The Seattle-based pop artist started her music journey backwards: Nashville songwriting sessions and LA recording studios before she ever learned to produce on her own. But out of necessity came self-reliance, and out of self-reliance came the truest version of her art. KĪ talks about surviving domestic violence, teaching herself production because she couldn't afford not to, the 16th-century word that inspired her breakout single, and why trusting her gut has been the only thing that's never steered her wrong.IN THIS CONVERSATION, WE GET INTO:The 16th-century word "respare" and how it became her breakout singleLearning to self-produce out of financial necessity — and falling in love with itSurviving domestic violence and finding music on the other sideWhy trusting your gut is the most valuable lesson she's learned as an artistThe burnout trap: why "grind culture" is making indie artists miserableABOUT KĪ:KĪ is a pop singer, songwriter, and producer from Seattle. She writes and produces her own music, blending accessible pop melodies with emotionally rich, hope-centered songwriting. Her singles include "Respare," "Loveless Sea," "Symphony of Sadness," and "The ChaCONNECT KĪ:Linktree: linktr.ee/Ki_musicofficialInstagram: instagram.com/ki_musicofficialYouTube: youtube.com/@ki_music_theofficialThreads: threads.net/@ki_musicofficialWebsite: ki-musicofficial.comBandcamp: ki-musicofficial.bandcamp.comPAST EPISODES REFERENCED:Ep 44: Why Most Artists Quit, and How to Survive the Silence with That Boy A.B.: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/44-why-most-artists-quit-and-how-to-survive-the/id1810336818?i=1000748365005Ep 42: Making Positivity Cool & Redefining Success in Music with AMACULENT: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/42-making-positivity-cool-redefining-success-in-music/id1810336818?i=1000746200392MORE RESOURCES:Follow the OFFICIAL "loves music" playlist on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX"loves music" playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBgCheck out the "loves music" podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417Check out Julian’s book: https://a.co/d/0hzWNkiDThis podcast is managed by Wildwave Podcasting: https://www.wildwavepodcasting.comMUSIC MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Songs:"Respare" — KĪ"Loveless Sea" — KĪ"Symphony of Sadness" — KĪ (co-written with Kyle Reynolds & Kaylian Lowe)"The Chase" — KĪArtists & Bands:KĪKyle Reynolds (songwriter/producer)Kaylian Lowe (songwriter)AB (artist referenced by Julian)Ali Mac (previous guest, referenced by Julian)Frank SinatraNat King ColeCheetah GirlsPost Malone (referenced via Ali Mac)