Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyleigh Jehlicka.
Hi Kyleigh, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I got my start in music as a little kid listening to music in my house. My mom was really into music specifically R&B and so listening to that throughout the house on weekends and Sunday cleaning days was how I first became introduced to music. From there my love for it grew, I learned that I could sing, and I was just hooked on all of her favorites like Sade, India Arie, Prince, Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Erykah Badu, etc. As I got a little older I started doing musical theater and found that I also had a passion for performing on stage. I ended up doing that from the time I was eight years old until I was 18. Meanwhile I began dabbling in songwriting from the same age of 8- my best friend at the time and I used to play Popstar and we made up a little fake band that we had together. We wrote songs together in this little notebook that I would bring on the school bus with me everyday. I still have that notebook to this day of the very first songs I’d ever written. It wasn’t until I was about 17, 18 that I really realized that I wanted to take songwriting seriously, and that my life purpose and passion was in story telling on stage. By the time I was ready to graduate high School I knew I wanted to start a career in the music industry which is what led me to Nashville where I went to college to study Music business and continue working on my craft of making and performing music. Ever since then I’ve been working to create the project that you know today as Kyleigh.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think you pray for flowers and you get rain. And it took me a long time to realize that; that you need to able to realize when God is working for you, for the betterment of some situation that it might not always look exactly like what you asked for. There have been plenty of obstacles and challenges that come up simple things like shows getting canceled or plans having to change at the last minute. But the most important thing to remember about that is that something greater is at work and everything happens for a reason.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer, song writer, & artist. I like to say that my sound is Alternative R&B because it pulls from a number of different influences and those shine through sometimes, while still having R&B at the core of what the music is. I really love writing songs about my personal experiences. I use my music as a means of coping and processing things a lot of times and I tend to really lean into it. It’s like diary entry music that I try to use to connect with listeners and also help them to feel seen and have their truth validated. I think the more honest you get, the more you speak about the things that no one feels like they can say, that’s when you strike gold. I think that’s one thing that sets me apart is just the intentionality behind the lyrics and expressing things that truly mean something to me. I’m really proud about that. I think that’s something I’m known for, as well as being known for the tone of my voice – I’ve been told it’s very distinguished and unique and that’s just something I’m blessed with that I’m grateful for.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I would just say take your time and pray. Don’t give into the idea that you have to be famous or mainstream by a certain point/ age or else you’ve failed. Take your time discovering who you are and what is important to you as an artist. Take your time discovering your sound and what kind of music feels good to you. Take your time finding your tribe of supporters and collaborators. Take your time imagining your brand and your vision for your project. Take your time developing. There is literally no rush. The truth is the world needs what you have to offer, if it is truly meaningful work and something you’re passionate about, it will come in the right time that it needs to. Knowing that the world needs what you have to offer and the world will still be there by the time you figure out what that is will hopefully give you the peace of mind to just take your time. And pray about whatever you’re struggling with. Giving the pressure and burden of what you’re going through in the process of creating to the creator is the most peace giving experience I can offer. Dealing with it all on your own is going to do more damage to your progress than anything else because it can be discouraging and keep you from feeling free to continue moving forward. Giving up the things that feel to heavy for you will create space in your mind and heart for the good things that you’re excited to hold. You have time and you don’t have to deal with any of this process of becoming on your own.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyleighjehlicka/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kyleighjehlicka?si=cVxuRCBkj3ytVbll
