All about atmosphere. Noah Kahlil puts listener into a dreamland, where listeners are free to be who they imagine themselves to be. Check out the exclusive Interview below:
1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
NOAH KAHLIL: Always been making music. Grew up around so many different types of people I never really felt like I fit in, but journeying through life I realized it was a blessing. I’ve met people all over, see the commonalities between groups that swear they’re opposite from each other. With my musical journey I found more direction when I realized I have this bridge like essence as music does: bringing all sorts of people together.
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
NOAH KAHLIL: Started with piano lesson, then classical guitar, then just guitar, then in highschool I joined the choir because what I really loved was to sing. But I also felt like I could get my message across better through rap. So I’m exploring how to mix it all!
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘NOAH KAHLIL’?
NOAH KAHLIL: The Beatles and the Beach Boys for sure. Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Micheal Jackson. And that was young days. Later on Smino, Kehlani, Frank, SZA, the guy formerly known as Kanye West, Trey Songz, Pac, Jonas Brothers, Justin Beiber, really all over.
Noah is my first name, Kahlil is my middle. At first I was trying to come up with one, but my whole core as an artist is about being genuine. How better can I represent that than using my given name.
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
NOAH KAHLIL: I think it’s just that I actually want to do this. I am many things, but my favorite is to create art. Yea sure money coming in from it will be cool, but I do it because I want to no matter what’s going on. Sonically I’d say a fusion of pop and R&B with Hip-Hop undertones. I say hip-hop because it’s a culture.
I hope to evoke wonder, reflection and a vibe.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIPHOP?
NOAH KAHLIL: I refuse to publish covers. I’ll perform them, but honestly sometimes originality has been my hinderance. Everyone loves a good cover, it gets attention, and I’m more open to it now. These days, production wise I trust that even if I’m using someone else as a framework, it’s how I fill in the details that makes it me. Less trying more being. Melody-wise I definitely pull pieces from here and from there. If it sounds like so and so it very well could be drawn from there.
6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
NOAH KAHLIL: Hmm yea yea for sure. I was talking to a friend the other day and she all art is political. Which makes sense since politics is the distribution of resources, the distribution is biased along social cultural lines, we’re brought in that and our expression is influenced by it.
Every song I’m addressing something. My challenge was to not be so on the nose with it. Like in Cheba or my other song Candy it’s a bit masked. My song Karma Collects or When I’m 83 it’s more up front. But it’s all culture and social, because that’s the root of the political. The political doesn’t change until the social and culture changes. The technical elements allow you to be more of a master of the craft, but I know so many artist who channel so much better not knowing too much.
7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?
NOAH KAHLIL: At the moment no, but it will.
Music and I had a rocky relationship for awhile because those external elements were to at the forefront of my intention. As soon as I rewired to be in love with the process I don’t think about that anymore. That said, this is a high investment low return career for the first little bit.
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
NOAH KAHLIL: I’m in world creation these days. Musically I’ve been on a hiatus. Consuming, forming intentions, practicing here and there. I need to get back to do 10-15 minutes every day. Adding little elements each day adds up! Friends sending me tracks they want guitar or vocals on helps me get back into a flow for sure.
9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
NOAH KAHLIL: Getting over the external elements. Thankfully moving to LA forced me to wrestle with that and I’m definitely proud and excited with where I’m at. Determined to keep growing in spirit.
10. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
NOAH KAHLIL: I think what I’ve struggled with most is it just being passed over. If a hater wants to help me feed the algorithm so be it.
11. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
NOAH KAHLIL: Home environment for sure. That’s how I’ve done it and it’s what my body knows. The peace is key. Then you gotta do live. Live is everything if you’re intention is to connect.
12. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
NOAH KAHLIL: No – they’ll attach their own meaning either way. Once you put it out in the world you can’t control the perception or the way it’s connected to. Having the chance to tell my intention is definitely appreciated.
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