This is Kylie Hughes, a fun-loving southern California girl who has coined a name for the style of her poppy, retro, chilled sound … Calipopicana. We love it, and as she has performed so far with the likes of John Mayer and Jewel, we’re guessing they’re fans too! Check out our piece on Kylie below and we think you’ll love her as much as we all love her music.
YA Mag: Hi Kylie, nice to meet you over email. We hear you hail from Malibu, California … can you give us a snapshot of your childhood?
Kylie Hughes: Growing up in Malibu, everyday can be a beach day. Mine and my extended family all live within a mile of each other, therefore summers were spent running over to cousins houses or visiting grandparents. We’re definitely a close bunch.
YA: Related to that … you’ve coined a name for your sound: Calipopicana. What does that mean?
KH: Calipopicana is a term I made up unintentionally while describing my sound. It’s a blend of California, Pop and Americana. It’s a little bit retro but also brand new surfy, beachy, sassy and happy music. It also means that I have the freedom to make whatever kind of music I feel like that day and it will always be true to me
YA: That’s also the name of your EP. You recorded it with Earle Mankey, who has produced for the likes of The Beach Boys and Elton John (which is a huge deal). Do you think that his past work comes across in the production style?
KH: Earle is a laid back California guy. Both of our style is easy going and collaborative… so it made it a really fun and relaxing recording process. He was always open to new ideas and patient when I wanted to try something that I was still getting my head around.
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YA: What is it about music that inspired you and made you know that you wanted this for yourself as a career?
KH: When you have a love for music, you try to do other things but like any great love it keeps pulling you back and there is nothing more fulfilling then doing what you were created to do. Writing songs and expressing myself through poems and lyrics came so naturally that once I learned a few musical instruments, there was nothing else I would ever want to do.
YA: You’ve also played some really exciting live dates, including opening for Jewel at the 20th Annual Staglin Music Festival for Brain and Mental Health. Was that an important cause for you?
KH: I love working with charities and non profits because there is something so gratifying about giving back with your gift. I believe music has the ability to heal and when I was asked to come perform up in Napa at the Tug McGraw Foundation, I couldn’t refuse. Opening up for Jewel was just a bonus because it was personally one of the most exciting weekends I have ever had! Jewel was lovely and later that weekend my song “Calipopicana” debuted on a Napa Radio Station. I hope they ask me back next year!
YA: In addition to that, you shared the stage with John Mayer last year when you performed the National Anthem at his concert. Is he a new pop crush for you?
KH: Performing the National Anthem is always a nerve racking occurrence. John Mayer on the other hand isn’t a NEW pop crush though… I have always been a fan of his. I got to sit front row during the concert and that man can shred.
YA: What do you like to do when you aren’t working? We’re guessing typical Malibu pursuits such as surfing and yoga … are we close?!
KH: Haha, I’m not really a yoga person but I do feel zen in and around the water. I’ve never lived or been too far away from the ocean for long. Malibu is so laid back and relaxing but when I’m not in the music, I’m usually in transit on some weekend get away. I love to have a bag packed and be on a road trip with my friends. I am rarely at home for more than 2-3 consecutive nights before I need to adventure!
YA: On that subject, you also contributed two songs to the Lakey Peterson documentary Zero to 100: The Lakey Peterson Story… did you get to meet Lakey and hang out? Go surfing with her? What was she like?
KH: That girl still owes me a surf lesson! I am more of a fair weather, warm water, long board surfer.. so I could use some shred tips. Lakey and I met a few years ago through her brother and became friends immediately. It was funny how well we got along even though we are kind of opposites. She likes to quote me when one time I jokingly said “you should always look your best” because she is kind of tomboy and is literally the definition of always on the go. But we are both competitive and laid back so it was fun to hang out and even vacation together. While she was filming her movie, I was recording and when her director Aaron Lieber was looking for soundtrack songs, my beach vibe was a natural fit and so we collaborated. She is such a cool and genuine soul, we both cheer each other on in music and her surf career.
YA: Which current artist would you most like to get on stage with?
KH: I can only pick one?! Well, the reason I picked up a guitar was because of Michele Branch’s album The Spirit Room. After that album, I decided I wanted to be here and have been rocking and rolling ever since. I don’t know what she is up to now but if she ever wanted to write or collaborate together, I’d about die. dead.
YA: Where and when can we catch you live?
KH: Check up on my site: www.kyliehughesmusic.com and my twitter: @misskyliehughes for my next shows. I post on those the minute I know, but until then you can find me on itunes and spotify, etc.
YA: Which five songs do you have playing on your digital music player?
KH: Well it’s on shuffle, and I think the last five were: “Let Me Go” by Haim, “Cool Kids” by Echosmith, “Californication” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Vices” by Bad Things and “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne.
link to Kylie’s EP on iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/calipopicana-ep/id928527537