JAMES STRECKER: Please tell us about one or more projects that you have been working on or have recently completed. Why exactly do they matter to you and why should they matter to us?
KALYA RAMU: I wrote and recorded a five-track album of original Jazz music called Duo with my friend and pianist Ewen Farncombe. These songs are manifestations of the many forms of love, not only directed towards a person, but to the various pleasures in life. The goal was to release some positivity out into the world during this time of isolation.
JS: How did doing these projects change you as a person and as a creator?
KR: This project has inspired me to “keep keeping on”. Even when faced with a world-wide pandemic and lockdown, I was able to find the motivation to keep creating and sharing music.
JS: What might others not understand or appreciate about the work you produce or do?
KR: The amount of unseen effort that I put into every part of my music. Writing music that you are happy with and prepared to send off into the world feels like a rare thing. I am very meticulous with this, so it takes a lot of effort and time to come up with and successfully marry the melodies, lyrics, and harmony.
JS: What are the most important parts of yourself that you put into your work?
KR: I like to think that I put a lot of my humor and imagination into the music I create. I believe that humor is such an interesting and entertaining ingredient in the arts, especially in music.
JS: What are your biggest challenges as a creative person?
KR: Writing a good song that I am happy with. A song that I can perform over and over again with the same enthusiasm I had when I first wrote it. Composing a song that is “timeless” is probably one of the biggest accomplishments for a songwriter. I don’t feel I’m there yet, but it’s something I hope to achieve.
JS: Imagine that you are meeting two or three people, living or dead, whom you admire because of their work in your form of artistic expression. What would you say to them and what would they say to you?
KR: What I’d really wish for is to sit in a room with a grand piano and play with either Oscar Peterson or George Shearing. These pianists are well known for both their solo careers as well as their skill in accompanying vocalists. I feel like the musical interaction with one of these phenomenal musicians would be so beneficial to me as an artist, having a conversation through music.
JS: Please describe at least one major turning point in your life that helped to make you who you are as a creative artist.
KR: I’m still waiting for it reveal itself! I’ve had some smaller turning points such as the first time I recorded and performed with a big band when I was 12, that really guided me to where I am today. Another event was my first full day in the studio when I was recording my debut album Living in a Dream. Events like these are more like sparks that light the fire of passion for what I do. I am looking forward to what is yet to come.
JS: What are the hardest things for an outsider to understand about your life as a person in the arts?
KR: I think that many people are unaware of how much time and effort goes into being a musician. Aside from the years of music lessons and schooling, musicians, a lot like athletes, have to stay in shape, both mentally and physically. Another aspect that is perhaps more hidden is the fact that being an artist can be incredibly difficult mentally. Creativity has its own ebb and flow that is not consistent. This can be hard to deal with and manage especially when it’s your career. Finding a balance for yourself between creating art and knowing when to rest is important. Having a good support system of friends and/or family is also key.
JS: Please tell us what you haven’t attempted as yet that you would like to do in the arts? Why the delay so far?
KR: Touring! While having had many in-and-around-town gigs lined up since I graduated from Humber College in 2015, I haven’t had the chance to take my band and music on the road yet. Performing concerts and big Jazz festivals worldwide is a dream that I am committed to seeing through, but a certain amount of funds and PR momentum is required to make a tour successful. Once live music is an option again, I plan to apply for a touring grant for my next full album release (date unknown) and eventually perform all over the world.
JS: If you could re-live your life in the arts, how would you change it and why?
KR: I don’t think that I’ve had enough time in this life so far to determine what I would change yet. I’m quite happy with the way this first try is going and looking forward to where it’ll take me!
JS: Let’s talk about the state of the arts in today’s society, including the forms in which you work. What specifically gives you hope and what specifically do you find depressing?
KR: With most events being cancelled, postponed, or moved to an online platform, it’s been near impossible to make a living as a performer nowadays. So, this has been quite a depressing time in that sense. That being said, I have heard from many friends and family members, who are avid live music supporters, that there’s a big empty hole where live music used to live in their hearts. Perhaps there will be more respect and higher pay for live music at venues and private events once the world has opened back up…fingers crossed!
JS: What exactly do you like about the work you create and/or do?
KR: My favourite thing about creating music and performing is the effect it has on my listeners. Since I was little, I loved making people smile and laugh, bringing out emotions in the people around me. Singing for me is giving, sharing a feeling, telling a story or sharing a memory with my listeners, rousing a physical or emotional response.
JS: In your creative life thus far, what have been the most helpful comments you have heard about your work?
KR: In this industry as an artist, the most helpful thing I have been taught – as cliche as it sounds – is to be myself. I have found that whenever I let go and stop overthinking the way I act or move on stage, the more I connect with my audience. The more I connect with my audience, the more I enjoy performing.
JS: What do you yourself find to be the most intriguing and/or surprising things about you?
KR: Recently I’m very surprised at myself – I’m 100 percent a dog person, I grew up with dogs my whole life, but lo and behold, my partner and I recently got a cat. I’m obsessed.
JS: How has the pandemic affected your career as a person in the arts?
KR: 1) I’ve been asking musician friends to create quarantine collab videos with me – it’s been wonderful to sing with others again, even virtually. You can find these videos on YouTube and all my social media outlets. 2) I’ve learned how to record myself (as professionally as I can from home) and acquired basic mixing and video editing skills – very helpful for creating new music to release online. 3) I was able to write, record and complete a whole EP of original songs with Ewen Farncombe and release new music into the world!
JS: Where/how can people purchase your creations? Any events coming up?
KR: All my albums are for sale on my Bandcamp page https://kalyaramu.bandcamp.com/, where you can purchase digital or physical copies of my latest works. Ewen and I are performing together live on Friday May 7th at 7pm. You can watch the free live-stream show on the JazzinToronto Facebook page via this link: https://www.facebook.com/jazzintoronto/. Hope to see you there!
