CULTED SOUNDS: KENZIE TTH TALKS EGO-CHECKING, INSPIRATION FROM THE UNLIKELY & INDUSTRY ICKS
Kenzie TTH is the artist weaving everyday occurrences into soulful narratives. Already having gained a loyal fanbase and plays on Radio 1, the musician has also collabed with Leon Vynehall, who she counts as both friend and collaborator. Smooth lyrics over infectious lo-fi beats seem to be her speciality – but Kenzie’s sound seems to transcend the already-dissolving binary of genre.
Music isn’t her only strong suit, though. Crossing over into the fashion sphere, Kenzie has been both a Chloe and Bottega Veneta girl, featuring in a Bottega campaign alongside names such as Little Simz, Slowthai, and Skepta. She also co-founded the platform Sick Sad Girlz, a community of over 22,000. We caught up with her to talk all things music, her journey, and her biggest ick in the industry ahead of her EP release next month, set to be entitled We Stayed Too Long.
Hey Kenzie! Take us through your journey – how did you get into music?
Hi ! I remember being really little and having a conversation with my dad where I was basically like ‘how do people get to sing on the radio’, and my dad was like ‘you need songs’ and I was like ‘where do I get those?’ And kind of figured if no one was going to turn up at my door and give me a song, I had to write my own. That’s kind of been my approach to every creative endeavour since.
What’s been a career highlight for you?
Honestly, working with Leon Vynehall on this EP has been a big one. We’ve been friends for a long time, but he’s also someone whose music and creative process I admire so deeply, it was really cool to be able to make something that we both loved so much and that I think challenged and surprised both of us throughout the process. I don’t know man, making stuff you love with people you love is just always the way I want to do it. I think most of the really special moments I’ve had so far have been set up like that.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Follow the momentum. Momentum is God speaking to you” – Caveh Zahedi. It wasn’t really given to me haha I heard it on a podcast, but now I’m quoting it everywhere I go.
What about your favourite lyric you’ve ever written?
“I heard you’re getting help, you said it’s bitter hell, your mouth’s a wishing well. Still wishing you well” from Driveway (Credits) is resonating right now
Who (or what) are your greatest inspirations?
Don’t get me wrong I am very inspired by good people and beautiful things, but a lot of my inspiration comes from the not-so-shiny parts of existence when it comes to music. Musically I think that’s why this EP was inspired by so much 90s alt rock and pop. There’s a lot of big feelings and anger and wailing haha. And films! Watching a good film is maybe the best inspiration, especially if I don’t have another immediate way to change scenery or escape my reality for a bit. I think I probably rewatched Vanilla Sky 10 times during the making of We Stayed Too Long. And if it was on the Vanilla Sky soundtrack, it absolutely got played while we were making this EP. Don’t ask me why it had to be that film but if a great visual is paired with the right music, it’s the pinnacle for me.
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If you had to describe your sound as a Tinder bio, what would it be?
6’9, loves to think out loud, not looking for anything serious
Take us through a typical day-in-the-life for you.
I’ve got big house cat energy. Today my morning routine was very stretching and pills + potions heavy (I’m a girl with chronic illness), which is pretty standard. There’s usually a meeting, followed by one of many half-finished creative ideas waiting on my laptop for me. Today, I’m rehearsing for a gig for the rest of the afternoon and in the evening I’ll be hosting one of our weekly community meetings for the platform I run with my best friend called Sick Sad Girlz (@sicksadgirlz) . It’s a nice safe space where people share what’s going on for them and how they’re feeling, and then I’m actually filming something late tonight which is not typical, but should be fun.
What’s your biggest ick (within the music world)?
People who can’t check their ego in the studio, and just apparently live to fuck up the vibe. Huge ick.
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Lastly, name 5 tracks you’re loving right now and why.
MallRat – Teeth
This song blisses me out. Mallrat rocks and the fact that the track is called Teeth just makes it a perfect song. I’m Kenzie TTH, my label is called BBYTTH (Babyteeth). I just feel like this song gets me haha
Yves Tumor – Secrecy is Incredibly Important To The Both Of Them
This song and the video send me. The drums are incredible and Yves perfect tone over the top just puts me in such a cruising mood
Empress Of – Turn the Table
When I tell you I’ve stopped what I’m doing to hold a solo dance party every time I put this on. So good.
Madonna – Ray of Light
It’s in the title. I guess what these songs all have in common is they give you that euphoric feeling. This whole album bangs.
Minnie Ripperton – Les Fleurs
The harmonies on this will never not send shivers up my spine. The explosion in the chorus is so extra in that “everything I never knew I always wanted” kind of way.
