“The lyrics often come to me in the process of recording. I consider my voice another instrument. It starts with a few key words that feel right to express the emotion that I was already putting into the music.” This quote from Kazy Lambist perfectly summarizes the essence of his artistic process—intuitive, emotive, and deeply connected to the music he creates. A vibrant blend of diverse influences that refreshes and delights the listener.
In our interview, we delve into Kazy’s creative journey, his inspirations, and the process behind creating his upcoming album Moda.
Photography by Christopher Brown
The single “Nirvana” is an ode to meditation. We love that! Could you tell us about the personal experiences or artistic inspirations that led to these themes?
I played a few different instrumentals I had recorded for Julietta, and she instantly loved this one. Then, the theme of reaching Nirvana through meditation came from her. There was already a chimerical atmosphere to the piece, which I think matched a feeling Julietta wanted to express at that moment. So, it really felt like a true collaboration that led the track to this.
Working with Julietta on “Nirvana” seems to have brought a unique dimension to the track. What did she bring to the project that was unexpected?
Julietta not only added to the theme; she also brought a new dimension to the vocals. Before our collaboration, the song had no vocals yet except for a recording from Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami that I had sampled and put in the intro of the song.
You’ve mentioned that your forthcoming LP, ‘Moda,’ draws inspiration from a variety of locations, including Turkey and Italy. What do you love most about these places?
I spent two years in Rome during the making of this album. To me, Rome is the most magical city in the world. Time seems to pass slower there, so I felt like I could more easily disconnect from reality and create. Istanbul is a place I visit as often as I can. I love the creative energy in Turkey, where I’ve met musicians from diverse backgrounds, many of whom became collaborators. The name ‘Moda’ actually comes from a picturesque neighborhood in Istanbul known for its artistic vitality, where I recorded several of the songs.
“To me, Rome is the most magical city in the world. Time seems to pass slower there, so I felt like I could more easily disconnect from reality and create.”
Creating ‘Moda’ over several years must have presented unique challenges, especially with your travels and collaborations. What were some of the most significant hurdles you faced?
I started making this album with the idea of creating a new sound. I wanted to challenge myself to go in new directions I’d never explored. I made hundreds of songs using vocoders, autotune, and rhythms I never had before, but I was never fully satisfied. You know a good wine by how well it ages, and I too quickly got sick of those tracks… So, I started over again. In the end, this album sounds a lot closer to my previous work than I’d originally planned… It sounds like Kazy Lambist.
Your music often includes introspective and philosophical lyrics. Can you discuss your approach to songwriting and how you develop the lyrical content of your tracks?
The lyrics often come to me in the process of recording. I consider my voice another instrument. It starts with a few key words that feel right to express the emotion that I was already putting into the music. Those words that come early in the process are the most important and drive the rest of the lyrics. I write melodies that highlight the key words and come to me without thinking. I don’t want to overthink lyrics. It’s more about a feeling.
“I don’t care if people believe a song is ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ What interests me is if they keep listening to it. Do they want to play it in the car on their way to work? …”
How important are the opinions of others to you?
My project Kazy Lambist was born because I wanted to give my friends a better soundtrack to play video games to. I would send them tracks every week, then I would check which ones made it onto their gaming playlist. If a song stayed on their playlist for a while, it meant the song wasn’t too bad. Rather than asking for their opinions, I measured the tracks this way. I don’t care if people believe a song is ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ What interests me is if they keep listening to it. Do they want to play it in the car on their way to work? Do they put it on when they pour a glass of wine for their girlfriend? To me, music is nice as a soundtrack for life and should not necessarily be the focus of critique in the same way a painting or a film would be.
What is your most inspirational place to write new music?
I like writing music in a somewhat hostile place. It pushes me to create beauty in the absence of it. I’ve discovered that every time I set out to compose music in a gorgeous place, the environment does not create an urge to create. I’ve also found that most of the songs I’m happy about were made with malfunctioning gear and poorer quality instruments. It’s like it pushes me to find new ways to make new things work. I’ve never even had a perfectly equipped and organized home studio. I guess I thrive in chaos.
Where do you hope your life journey will take you in the next 10 years?
I would love to compose a film score. I’ve been writing soundtracks for the real world, and next, it would be absolutely thrilling to create a soundtrack for a fictional world. It’s something I’d really like to do in the next 10 years.
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