Kylie Gale Upside Interview

It's exciting times for Kylie Gale with the release of her first EP, Upside, which debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart.

Upside is a collection of six original songs from the Lake Macquarie singer-songwriter, including three previously released singles.

This EP has been a goal of Gale's for many years and she's excited that it's had such a strong reaction from supporters with not only a No.1 on the iTunes Country Albums Chart, but No. 10 on the iTunes All Genres Albums Chart.

"It all feels a little bit surreal because I didn't know if I'd even do a physical EP and it's taken a couple of years," she said.

"It was a goal I couldn't let go of, though, and, after releasing three singles, I felt like I had to have a finished product."

The infants schoolteacher by day said the process of producing the EP had been rewarding seeing it all come together.

"It's been a labour of love and after years of playing live, I feel like I'm ready for this next step," Gale said.

"Because it's my own songs, you know where they started and where they are now and what a progression that's been."

The focus track for the EP is Torn In Two and, like all her songs, was inspired by Gale's life of juggling full-time work, music and her family.

"Pre-COVID I was gigging a lot and I felt like I was never home," she said.

"Torn in Two is about wanting to play all the time, but you're also leaving the kids at home all the time and they're asking, 'where are you going this time and how long are you going to be?' It's about finding that balance, following what I want to do, but also loving the kids when I'm home."

Gale wanted Torn In Two as the featured song because it's an upbeat track that listeners can relate to, with a positive feel.

"The highlight of releasing this EP is getting my music out to more people and the reward of doing it mostly myself and knowing how hard I've worked to get this out," she said.

"It was never the right time until now because I was never confident enough, but it's the best time for me."

Upside is a multi-faceted EP that gives listeners an insight into the person and artist that Gale is with a variety of sounds and influences, with Simon Johnson from Hillbilly Hut in the production seat.

"It's about the lyrics and songwriting for me," Gale said.

"This is an EP I hope listeners put in the car to cruise along to."

Upside is available on all digital music platforms and physical copies can be ordered by sending Gale a message via her Facebook page @kyliegalemusic.

Interview with Kylie Gale

Question: How would you describe your music?

Kylie Gale: I would describe my music as having heart felt lyrics, with a singer/songwriter feel. I love all sorts of music and love music that can move you, either to dance or have that emotional connection.


Question: Can you tell us about Upside?

Kylie Gale: Upside is my debut EP and it's a collection of the best songs I have written over the last 2 years. It has all sides of my personality, with some upbeat and a couple of songs that sit really close to home emotionally for me.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Kylie Gale: There's a couple of songs on the EP, Pushback and Upside Down, where there is an uplifting message of hope and where sometimes you have to dig deep to get out of a rut that you may be in. I'm a firm believer in following your dreams and thinking positively, as life is way too short, and if I can get listeners to feel like they could get through something difficult from listening to my songs, that would be amazing.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Kylie Gale: I love both for different reasons.

I think performing live with a band is just awesome, as the rush of adrenaline that you get is just the best feeling. To have the band's support behind you, just gives you the confidence to really perform and let yourself do the best you possibly can.

I also love recording in the studio, as the overwhelming feeling you get when a song you have written down in a book comes to life in the studio is so rewarding. To see a song that you wrote from beginning to end, grow into a full instrumental and vocal track, it's unbelievable.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Kylie Gale: Pushback is probably my favourite one off the EP to play live at the moment, as there's lots of opportunities to get the crowd to participate and people really relate to the song. It's a country rock feel and people can get into it. I think everyone has had a time in their life where they have felt hard done by, and the song reflects how sometimes you want to say something and stand up for yourself.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Kylie Gale: I love hearing stories about people or reading good books. I usually hear a phrase or think about a situation and write a song from that.

Most times, there's a personal connection of some sort for me, as that's when the emotional connection comes in and the lyrics come more from the heart or what a person has gone through.

I'm getting better at putting together phrases, lines or ideas in my phone notes. I have so many paper songbooks with bit and pieces in them, so I'm trying to keep ideas just in one spot. And I'm trying to write down those ideas you get just as you are going to sleep….when the creative brain switches on for me!

Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Kylie Gale: I love listening to Katrina Burgoyne, Carly Pearce, Catherine Britt, Lori McKenna, Troy Cassar-Daley and Brad Cox, just to name a few. I love lots of different artists and it's all about the song/lyrics for me.


Question: What moment in your career stands out the most?

Kylie Gale: I don't really have one moment, though in Jan 2019, I did the Academy of Country Music in Tamworth and I had to perform in front of lots of professional people and just before I started to play, I heard my kids yell out from the audience 'Go Mum!', it was such a great feeling. After the concert, I got to speak to Troy Cassar-Daley, and he really didn't know who I was, until I said I played in the Academy concert tonight and he goes, you were the performer whose kids yelled out before you started – how cool was that! Ha, so that was a pretty cool moment for me.

Also having Shane Nicholson play on my EP after being a fan for a long time is a bit surreal.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Kylie Gale: My inspiration was heading to the Academy of Country Music in Tamworth in 2019 for a 2 week intensive workshop about the country music industry. I had sung and played for a long time before the academy, not really knowing what to do with myself and the academy gave me the skills, confidence and connections to pursue something I always thought I wouldn't ever do. I have made life-long friendships, where other artists and myself are supportive of one another and help each other out.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Kylie Gale: Probably Keith Urban, to see where he has come from and where he is now, it's just amazing!


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Kylie Gale: Ummmm YES!! But then I write another song and then I'm like, I'd love to record that song!

I just can't let it go yet as it's in my blood. It's my creative outlet and I love it, even though it can be full on. I get lots of encouragement from friends and family as well, and that really helps.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Kylie Gale: Meeting and making new music friendships and supporting each other in what we are doing. Everyone is so different and there's a place for everyone and their music. I also love writing with other artists and learning new skills with my song writing. It's so great to be a part of a musical community.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Kylie Gale: Well, I am a mum of 4 children, 3 teenagers and a nearly teenager, so that's full on and I work full-time as a teacher, so my life is never dull. I've learnt over the years to be a great juggler and putting on lots of different hats.

So my day would be, getting up early, getting lunches ready and heading to work. After work, there's the sports and work drop offs etc, cook tea, wash up, all the mum stuff to do.

Weekends, kid's sports, plus gigs if they are booked. Trying to catch up with friends and family too and do schoolwork. It's crazy but great!


Question: What's next, for you?

Kylie Gale: I am currently writing for my next project and keeping the dream alive to one day release a full album. I see it as something that my kids can see me do and know that they can follow their dreams too if they really want something - they can definitely do it.


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

Kylie Gale: Facebook 
Instagram 
Thank you so much x


Interview by Gwen van Montfort