Kylie Auldist

Kylie Auldist after a giant 2016 with the massive ‘This Girl’ by Kungs vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners single hitting the global charts and the release of her stunning album ‘Family Tree’ album,  Australia’s no.1 Soul sista kicks off her 2017 with a giant Northern Soul number with UK hip shakers, Soulnaturals.

 

Happy New year Kylie! Where in the world are you right now?

Thankfully Melbourne! I’ve just been around the country with a Davie Bowie tribute band, md’d by Mick Harvey and celebrating the Berlin trilogy! And prior to that I was touring my latest album ‘Family Tree’ around the huge continent of Australia!! Right now I’m making up for lost time and spending the day at my son’s basketball tournament. I think its called binge parenting.

 

The best piece of new music you have heard today since rolling out of bed…

I had 3 pre teens sleeping over last night, a rehearsal and my mum and brother visiting from the country. I did an early morning drop off to the airport then came back and organised the kids for b-ball. When we got in the car Shania Twain’s ‘Looks Like We Made It’ came on and it felt like an anthem! I refused to let the kids change the station and I let Shania keep me calm.

 

How did you first get into singing?

It just came naturally to me. It’s not something I ever started or stopped. I would sing with my family at home and my dad and I did gigs in the pub in my home town when I was about 15. When I moved to the city (Melbourne) I just joined any and every band that would have me and climbed my way up from there!

 

Who are your biggest influences?

The Beatles, BB king, Prince, Chaka Khan, Aretha, George Michael. The list is endless.

 

You’ve just had a really exciting year with your huge single ‘This Girl’ with Kungs vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners, how did that come about?

We recorded the song 8 years ago. It did quite well on the itunes RnB charts. The Kungs boy randomly came apon it on the internet, liked it and remixed it.
It’s a very European sound and just kept on climbing the charts in pretty much every country in the world!

 

Did you ever imagine it would become a worldwide hit?

Well it was always a very lovely song, but I think the remix has made it more accessible to kids!  Kind of sugar coated it and made it more generic. The junk food version!
But hey, if it gets it out there then thats a win for us all.

 

Will you be making more dance music records in the future?

‘Family Tree’ was already more electro and dance oriented than my previous albums. I’m also collaborating with a few djs and house artists so the answer is yes!

 

Talk us through a couple of your favourite tracks from ‘Family Tree’ and what to expect?

The title track was the first song we wrote! It is kind of a bridging track between the old and the new sound! It’s still quite old school funk with big horns. The new tracks use a lot of trademark 80s sounds-Synthesizers and beats. ‘Waste Of Time’ is one of my favourites and is a breezy sweet song. It reminds me of Prince’s ‘Strolling’ a little bit! It’s the first track on my 12″ out on Freestyle records.

 

How does it compare to you 3 previous albums –  ‘Still Life’, ‘Made of Stone’ (2009) and ‘Just Say’ ?

It’s not Soul, but it’s still me! It has its roots in funk, which is what I love, but it visits my hey day of 80s and 90s electro boogie.

 

You’re next single sees you team up with the Soulnaturals on ‘You Make Me Feel Like I Can Change The World’, tell us about the song

It’s a ball tearer! I didnt actually write the lyrics but I put my heart and soul into singing it. Im looking forward to singing it live in the UK.

 

How did you hook up with Soulnaturals?

I think we just found each other on the internet. It was a while ago and its all a bit of a blur! The world is a much smaller place nowadays. Do I sound like a nana when I say that?

 

Is Northern Soul a big genre for you?

Not really, just that my first single Community Service Announcement was in that genre and wonderfully supported by a lot of UK djs and our very own Vince Peach who is a UK expat and very influential in the Northern Soul scene here in Australia.

 

How do you typically go about writing a song and where do you get your inspiration from?

I can’t play an instrument so i mainly listen to a track that I’ve been sent, or helped to write and then the words come to me.  The melody probably comes first and that informs the lyrics. It’s usually just about anything thats in my head. I’m not very political or world changing sadly.

 

How do you feel you have musically grown and where do you see your sounds heading?

Its definitely become easier to write. Although I have written as much as I can about my family. Probably need to change it up.

 

What was the first record you ever bought?

Disco Dazzlers! A compilation of awesome 70s Disco tracks from my local record store.

 

What’s the most favourite part of your job, writing and singing in the studio or touring?

Probably the after party!!! I enjoy when a song comes together nicely and singing live is exhilarating. Theres really nothing better than a responsive and loving audience.

 

Who would you most like to work with?

Well, all my heroes recently passed away, so I think the main person I admire and would love to work with is Nile Rogers. A duet with Justin Timberlake might be fun too.

 

What have been your biggest obstacles?

Probably living in Australia. They don’t appreciate Funk and Soul and we are very far from anywhere that does. As much as I love Australia it is somewhat of a cultural wasteland as far as music is concerned. Also maybe being a mother. I would never not want to be a mother but parenting and music have a difficult relationship.  I love that quote (was it Bill Gates? ) “your parents werent always this uncool they just got that way from looking after you!! “. And no matter how far I get in my career my kids will always be cooler than me.

 

What have been your biggest achievements?

Managing to tour overseas and sing original music to big crowds. Making any money at all from music is an achievement.

 

Who is currently rocking it on the Australian scene who we should be looking out for?

Friends of mine called GL are currently making waves with their electro pop duo! Graeme Pogson (G) wrote my album with me along with Lance Ferguson from the Bamboos.
I hardly get to listen to other bands unless Im at a festival – i saw an awesome band called Parcels at Woodford Folk Festival. They are from Byron Bay but apparently living in Berlin.

 

And with summer in full swing in Oz where are the best festivals to get down this year?

There are so many festivals! My particular favourite is Riverboats in Echuca Feb 18. I grew up on the river so I love it there.

 

Your favourite moment of 2016?

I’m not good at remembering these sorts of things. But I did win a couple of awards – The Age Vic music award for best Soul Funk album, and a Cherry award for best Soul/ Thursday band at Melbourne’s famous Cherry Bar.

 

Your biggest desire for 2017?

To sucessfully change my sound and have it accepted in a live forum. To cross the great divide between Soul band and electronic outfit. And to see a bit more of my family!!

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Whats coming up next from you?

I’m writing a lot. On dance tracks and also on a forthcoming Bamboos album which Im excited about. Also hopefully a tour to the UK with my band and the Soulnaturals to play for you guys!!!

‘You Make Me Feel Like I Can Change The World’ will be released on Friday 17th February 2017 on British Soul Standard.