In this insightful interview, indie musician Lyubov Kay takes us through her artistic journey, from her early days of blending poetry with piano to the unique style that defines her sound today. With a passion for creating, performing, and constantly surprising her audience, Lyubov has built a distinct musical identity marked by her seamless fusion of pop, jazz, and multilingual elements. She discusses the challenges of being an independent artist, from adapting to varied performance spaces to balancing the many roles that come with her career.
Lyubov also opens up about her creative process, where melodies often come to her in the flow of everyday life, and the personal themes that inspire her lyrics, from heartbreak to self-discovery. As she prepares for new releases and looks toward her future in the industry, Lyubov remains dedicated to her art and dreams of building a community of listeners who connect deeply with her music.
This conversation offers a heartfelt glimpse into the life of an artist committed to evolving, connecting, and sharing her journey with the world.
Can you tell us about your journey as an indie musician? What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Doing music wasn’t a deliberate choice I made. Instead, music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and I can’t imagine going a day without it.
I started playing piano and writing poetry when I was really young. Eventually, the two came together and I wrote my first song. What’s kept me going all these years is the love I have for creating and performing!
How would you describe your unique style and sound as an artist? What sets you apart from other musicians?
I’ve always loved combining music elements and languages you wouldn’t expect. I often transform my pop tracks into jazz versions for live shows, perform songs in a different language, or create mashups. I want to keep giving my fans surprises, and love seeing their reactions to my new releases!
Could you share some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an indie musician and how you overcame them?
As an indie musician, you perform in different venues and gigs that may not always be able to accommodate things like your favorite mic, or a full band. I’ve had to improvise by stripping down my shows to be more intimate with just a sax player, or learn to work around technical requirements. It’s all part of adapting and makes you a better performer in the long run.
What is your creative process like? How do you approach songwriting and composing music?
For me, songs usually start with me sitting at a piano playing chords that align with how I’m feeling in the moment. Generally I’ve written music that reflects my emotions, and it’s been easier to write when I’m sad or feeling down. Lately though, I’m experimenting writing music at any moment of the day. I could be sitting in a cab humming a melody that sticks, and transform it into a song that same evening.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music? What inspires your lyrics?
My lyrics are generally inspired by heartbreak or self-discovery. For example, the track “lately I’m not me” in my last EP “every color” is about conforming to what others want you to be and trying to break past that. I have a new song coming out on November 22 that’s about using dreams as an escape to see someone you miss but don’t have in your life anymore.
What are your long-term goals as an indie musician? Where do you see yourself and your music in the next few years?
I want to go on tour or be the opener for a bigger artists that aligns with my creative vision and values! I’ll continue building a community of people that resonate with me and I don’t see myself ever quitting on music. It’ll be in my life forever. In what shape or form? We’ll find out.
