Meet Kami Maltz

We love a good mix of sounds! It’s music to our ears, (Yes, that’s a bad pun.), and Kami Maltz is in the business of mixing.

Born in Israel, hailing from Argentina, this international chanteuse is a now a Brooklyn denizen. Maltz delivers sweet songwriting with an interesting blend of electronic-folk — plus a good heaping of some fluffy candy kinda pop for good measure.

Below, we pick this artist’s brain about her collaborative process, her musical crush, and what brought her to the Big Apple. 

Scroll, scroll, scroll, my internet friends! It’s all at your fingertips! 

JULIUS CAESAR, A Mad-Lib by, Kami Maltz.

Julius Caesar was born in 102 B. K. He was a BRILLIANT general, and between 49 and 58 B.C. he defeated the Gauls, the Goths, and the GIRLS. After that, he SUPPOSEDLY became more famous and defeated Pompey at the battle of BROOKLYN at Pharsala. The Romans then elected him permanent MUSICIAN, and he used to walk around wearing a circlet of ivy leaves on his EYES. Then Caesar went to Egypt, where he met Cleopatra, the teenage SUSHI. When he conquered the Syrians in 46 B.C., he sent back a message saying, "Veni, vedi, CHE CAZZO." In 44 B.C., a soothsayer told Caesar to "Beware the Ides of AUTOHARP ," but he ignored the warning and in March he was stabbed in the SUN by a group of senators. His last words were, "Et tu LEONARDO DA VINCI?"

Would You Rather

Would you rather be a vampire cowboy in the old west or a werewolf knight in medieval times? Please tell us why.

Geez, I think I couldn't pull off either. I may be able to be a vampire in medieval times though! I'm pale enough and I don't look too suspicious. 

Some Questions with Kami Maltz

What was the best music video of all time?

So hard to pick out just one. The first one that comes to my mind is "MIKA - We Are Golden", probably because at the time it came out, (2009!) it was one of the most vibrant music videos I've ever seen. Also, it pretty much looks like me when I'm alone at home dancing.

What was the collaborative process between you and your producer on “Perfectly the Same?”

I wrote and produced a bunch of songs on Ableton, and they sounded pretty much like the final EP but they were lacking some sort of finesse. I kept thinking "I need another pair of ears to listen to this" and went producer-shopping. I reached out to a few and went to see some of them live until someone suggested I checked out Jake Sherman.

I remember I was thinking his material was pretty different from mine, but it could be interesting to see what we produced together. I would come into his home-studio, we would listen to the songs I brought and take separate notes. (pencils and paper and all that!) Then we would read them to each other and decide which ones are good and start working.

Jake made a lot of really smart, both sound and production decisions, and I'm really glad he helped me take my music to the next level.

What is the best dive bar in NYC?

Pete's Candy Store! (it's considered a dive bar, right?)

What was the first instrument you learned how to play?

Both my parents are musicians, so I always had access to instruments. I played a lot growing up and didn't really pick one. I think I was probably the most serious about guitar, but my hands are tiny and I got really discouraged when I realized I probably would never be able to play barre (like F chord) so I stopped taking classes. I was 12.

How do you stay creatively fulfilled?

I don't! haha, that's why I keep making music.

How did your background shape your music?

I never really made a big deal about it until I moved to New York, which is when I realized how my life was (and is) so different than most people my age here. The system and mentality in Israel are very different from here, so to make a long story short - I am very straight forward and honest (for better or worse) and I think it probably comes across in my music/lyrics and when I'm on stage. (or on social media).

What was your first email address and or AIM username?

My first email address is still my current one, so I'll keep to myself.

Did your parents’ taste in music influence your own?

My parents are classical musicians, so I had a lot of classical music and very little access to pop/folk music. I think we had 4 CDs that weren't' classical music; "Simon and Garfunkel the concert in central park" "Cesaria Evora - Best of" and a couple more by Israeli musicians. 

Who is your musical crush?

Joni Mitchell, I would love to meet her or to sing for her. But I'm pretty sure she'd hate me. She seems pretty done with people and the world.

What is the best ride at an amusement park?

The last time I went I was 13 probably, and I loved those flying chairs if that's how you call them. I would go up again and again and enjoyed flying! Now I just think about how dangerous it is.

What was your best hiding spot in hide-and-go-seek?

I used to hide in the bushes.

What brought you to New York, and what is keeping you here now? 

Love, music, being curious, challenging myself. not necessarily in this order. I love how there's always a possibility to meet new, interesting creative people from different backgrounds. Oh, and the food! I love having so many cuisine-options available at all times.