Meet Emmett Kai

Open up your ears to the kind sounds of Emmett Kai. This alternative pop songbird has a sound smoother than the smoothest of soft-serve ice cream pours. Emmett Kai’s 2020 release “Freak Pop Novelty” combines a myriad of pop motifs into something wholly unique. Check out the album and get to know Emmett Kai in our latest interview.

A self-portriat by, Emmett Kai

Would You Rather

be trapped in an elevator alone, or with two other people? Who would you want to be trapped with?

I would rather be trapped in the elevator with my partner and a friend Joe. Joe would help us get out, and my partner would keep me sane.

Some questions with Emmett Kai

How does your latest release, “Freak Pop Novelty,” compare to your earlier work?

I'd say Freak Pop Novelty is just a more up-to-date sound for me. Being someone who's worked on all types of genres, I find it really fun to experiment with different styles. My first records, "Juicy" and "Midnight," we're literally the first songs I wrote under my own name. I think my catalog has something for everyone to enjoy. Freak Pop Novelty was so fun to work on because it was conceived between California and New York, then I mixed it with Abe Seiferth at Transmitter Park Studios in Brooklyn. Before this, I had never been in a professional studio for a record, I've always done everything myself. It was so sick getting to work with another person on the final touches.

What have been your greatest influences to date?

I have been listening to a ton of Yves Tumor, Jai Paul, Mirror Gazer, Mk.Gee, as of late. I'm inspired by so much shit all of the time that it gets overwhelming at times. I was recently reunited with my vinyl collection from years ago before I moved to New York, and listening to all these amazing records that I used to sample has given me so many ideas to draw from. It's fun to just dig around in my old collection because of all the random shit I hardly ever listened to all the way through. I'm reliving these records. People like Amhad Jamaal, D'Angelo, Death, Creative Adult, Miles Davis, omg the list goes on and on. I try to submerge myself with influence when I'm not writing or producing songs. Just passive listening and taking little notes, then later i'll go in and those little ideas will come out much more naturally, rather than contrived and under the heat lamp of imposter syndrome.

Who would be your dream director to work with on a music video?

Harmony Korine would be sick to work with, but even just to have lunch with the dude would be cool. I like weirdo's, and he seems like a class act freak.

How have you been navigating the current state of the world as a creative and artist?

It's been rough. When all you have is time to make music and be creative, you find yourself just dicking around on your phone or waiting for some good news to come through the platforms. I found spending as much time out in nature as possible to be very refreshing and helpful towards creativity. It's so depressing all of this shit we're going through that making music seems like a distraction sometimes, but I smoke a little weed and get over it so that I can get into the studio and do what truly makes me happy.

If you had control of all bats on the earth what would you do with them? 

I'd let them run free in the white house.

What do you hope listeners will take away from your music?

I hope my listeners feel disconnected from the bad shit, and plugged in to the good. Whether it's letting go of stress or feeling energized for the day, I really just want my music to work in your favor.

What movie has your favorite soundtrack?

Lets Get It On

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Do what's good for you and your neighbors. Have fun and live. Break up with your abusive partner. Protest for what you believe in. Practice self care. Go for your dreams.

Emmett Kai