Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Azna.
Hi Kay, 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?|
Where do I begin… I guess the title “art geek” is something I’ve been able to claim for as long as I can remember because I can’t think of a single time in my life where I haven’t had my hands in something creative. When it comes to music specifically, I think the earliest instance was when I was 5 years old, because my late grandfather’s wish was for all of his grandchildren to learn to play piano, as he’d played and built them for people for years. From there, I got involved in school choirs, band, dance- all because as a little kid I decided I wanted to be a Spice Girl since Scary Spice (my favorite) had the coolest outfits and all the girls made performing look like a fun time with your friends. Although, I’m not gonna lie, I held off on even trying music professionally for a while because I managed to convince myself I sucked for some reason. I guess because nobody had really said anything to me one way or another in the years I did choir, I figured I was so-so and never pushed it, even though it was essentially instinctual that I knew I’d eventually end up doing it. It took a few years of modeling and acting that the opportunity to do music even came about, and it was because of a pure chance meeting with a music exec, where my simply offering to help with something he was looking for turned into him introducing me to my vocal and songwriting coach, a number of producers, and ultimately…. things all starting to fall into place. I’m still a work in progress, do not get me wrong (Then again, when are we ever done learning, right?), but I like to think I’m headed in the right direction these days. Now I’m finally starting recording songs I’ve been working on with my OG crew of talented band members, I’m getting ready to start working on even more with some talented musician friends of mine, and as of September 1st, I’ve got a new live show on the Japanese app, Pococha, where I’m streaming my own content, covers on request, and chatting with those who tune in about any and all things music and entertainment!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Music has definitely not been a smooth road, despite my ability to make everything I do look easy. To put it pretty simply, one of my friends in college once said to me that I manage to fit more into a week than he did in a year! And honestly…accurate. I put in the work of a full-time job and a half at minimum, just on music and developing myself and my work, between everything from taking guitar lessons so I can be a better collaborator as a songwriter (I’m really more a lyricist- that’s 1000% my strong suit in the songwriting department), to creating and teaching choreography for my dancers who join me on the bigger stages around town, or even just memorizing lyrics to something I’m doing for a fundraiser concert in town. And at this stage…I’m still picking up external gigs to balance everything out, despite the popular belief outside the music community that musician= rich. But…give it time, or at least that’s how I like to think. I was on a 25-story billboard in Times Square as a model a couple years back, thanks to my friend Heather and I collaborating and then trying something crazy. It’s not unreasonable for me to think I could do something of that caliber again, or bigger, speaking as an optimist. Plus, I can’t say I’m afraid of doing what others think is crazy anymore. Crazy seems to be my good luck charm these days.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am quickly getting a reputation around here for being the tallest, sparkliest, “Savage provocateur of rock n roll”. In my stage heels, I tend to range from 6’4-6’8, not counting my taste in hats, about a third of my closet involves glitter, and despite people seeing me and initially taking me for a pop singer with all that glitter, I’m a bit of a wild, hard rock surprise for people. I tend to be one to rip the bandage off of life and let the truth bleed. I’ve got songs on everything from betrayal, to abuse, to the thought process I had thinking I was going to die as I heard the roof peel off my former home during the tornado last year. I’m not one to hold back really in any area of my life, and that seems to speak to people in my music because, after every show, it seems there’s always at least one person who approaches me with a deep personal connection to something I wrote. And that’s why I do it, because both as a writer, and to those connecting, it’s my own version of music therapy. Sometimes you just need that blunt person to say what you’re thinking, but simply afraid to say aloud, and I have zero shame in being that person for people.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If the goal is to be an original artist, don’t be anyone less than yourself. It doesn’t matter if someone else got successful doing a certain thing. Your story is always going to be different, so don’t get yourself caught up in doing what everyone else does, because the goal should be to be the flamingo in a flock of pigeons. I don’t say that to put anyone down, do not get me wrong, because it’s super easy to get caught up in that when you’re getting started as an artist. Heck, when I first got started, I really ran with the whole “You sound like Adele!”, or, “You sound like Amy Winehouse!” feedback I was getting before figuring out my own sound. However, if you’re wanting to make a name for yourself as an original artist, the goal is to make sure YOUR name is the one people are asking for not just asking who you can sound like or be like. Also…jump on all the new apps early. Never know which one is gonna blow up.
Contact Info:
- Email: kayaznamusic@gmail.com
- Website: www.kayazna.com
- Instagram: @realkayazna
- Facebook: facebook.com/realkayazna
- Twitter: @realkayazna
Image Credits
Ryan Hillier
Kevin Donnelly
Deirdre Harper
Jackie Heffelfinger
