Keiandra is the name on everyone’s lips right now, and for good reason. Her latest track, ‘Milk Tooth’ has piqued the interest of many music-lovers, and our first FGRLS CLUB interviewee has racked up recent features in Sunday Girl and DIY. We grabbed a quick chat with the 19 year old Newcastle Native on her hopes, inspiration and advice. Listen closely:
What’s your day to day life like?
I grew up in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. I’m still based up here but I find myself travelling up and down to London more and more at the moment. Day to Day life for me involves many cups of coffee. These days I try to sit and play an instrument every day, and write and sing a little something. I always feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. I spend most of my time listening to music, talking about music, emailing people about music or playing music.
I’ve read before that you started making music at 16, could you tell us a little bit about the beginning for you?
The music I was writing when I was 16 was straight up pop. I was quite limited in what I could play on guitar at that point so everything was quite basic because I’d just started to learn. The kind of music I listen to has changed significantly from when I was 16 and that’s probably played a big part in explaining how I sound now. Back then I didn’t really know any musicians other than classical ones, then I went to college and did a music performance course and met like 80 other musicians which really encouraged me to develop and push myself musically.
Your latest track, Milk Tooth, is so dark and decadent. What inspired the song?
I like to call ‘Milk Tooth’ my discovery track – I’ve learned a lot since I picked a guitar up a couple of years ago. Milk Tooth reflects on heartbreak, lessons I’ve learned and focuses on where I am now. I think everything I write has this dark side to it, and if I think about how I got there too much ill just try too hard instead of letting it just happen naturally.
If no one and nowhere was out of reach, where would you love to play and who with?
I REALLY want to play Alexandra Palace one day with Tame Impala.
At FGRLSCLUB we’re all about supporting other gals, are there any girls you think are killing it at the minute?
Amber Bain, a.k.a The Japanese House, is doing amazingly music-wise. I got into her music after her first EP and it’s just really nice to see someone grow as quickly as she has.
Style is something the minds behind FGRLSCLUB are passionate about, and we think yours is dreamy. Who are your style icons and what go-to do you throw on?
On rushed days, when I need a ‘no time to think about it’ outfit I’ll always go for some kind of patterned trouser, a shirt and an oversized long jumper. Some kind of jazzy shoe will probably be thrown in there too. In terms of style icons, I think Elle fanning is really cool. Audrey Hepburn and Debby Harry are just another two of my many style inspirations.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
My family give me some of the best advice, so I feel it’s my duty to share a little bit of their wisdom with you. My mum told me once “Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks, be individual; be unconditionally you.”
Listen to Milk Tooth here.
Follow Keiandra here.
Words by Sara Macauley