Kymara

Growing up in the Netherlands and raised by a beautiful queen, Josje, Kymara was taught the importance of talking about and expressing your feelings. This upbringing is incredibly present in Kymara’s music, particularly heard in her honest lyricism. Music has always been a major part in her life, but in her mid 20s she started to find her own unique voice through songwriting. It was there that she was able to draw from her own life experiences and put it into her music with themes of love, race and personal growth. Her music is a beautiful combination of Nina Simone's storytelling, D'Angelo's soulfulness and the purity and rawness of Janis Joplin. We sat down with Kymara to find out a bit more about her and her journey.

NEO: How would you describe your music journey?

KYMARA: It's been a very interesting one. I never thought for my whole life that I wanted to create music or I wanted to sing. When I was 18 I said to myself I wanted to do something with music but I never knew how to write my own songs, I never really sang or had experience in music in any way. I started to develop myself as an artist in the Netherlands. I auditioned a lot for various things and no one at the time seemed to be impressed with what I was doing. After 3 years I thought I needed a change and I moved to Brighton and studied music because I realised that no-one was taking to me in the Netherlands so I thought a change would be best. Out of the 3 years I spent 2 of them finding myself and my sound.

NEO: How long have you been making music?

KYMARA: Writing music i would say 3-4 years

NEO: Who are your top 3 present artists and why?

KYMARA: First of all D'Angelo is just a real talent who does everything. I love his music and his vibe and he once pointed at me in his concert and I was with my mum. Honestly the best day ever!

The second one is definitely Dave, he is an incredible lyricist

The third one would have to be Melody Gardot, not because her music is similar to mine (Jazz) but because she is a really grounded woman and her melodies are incredible. She knows what she is doing and owns the stage incredibly.

NEO: What three words would your friends use to describe you as?

KYMARA: I like that question! A bit crazy, a bit calm and sensitive

NEO: ​What is your favourite quote?

KYMARA: I’m not really into any quotes but something my friends and i always say is ‘My body is a temple’

NEO: What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?

KYMARA: Definitely moving from the Netherlands to Brighton and being in a long distance relationship for 5 years. I move easily from place to place and i have been doing that from the age of 18 and i take to new hing quite easily

NEO: Give us 3 things on your bucket list?

KYMARA: I want to go to Tokyo, when I have children I want to buy my own campervan and travel along the sea with my kids and boyfriend. I would love to learn an instrument of some sort.

NEO: What is the first thing people notice about you?

KYMARA: Normally people say I am quite introverted. I am a watcher and a listener and I am never the loudest in the room. I prefer to observe.

NEO: If you had a controller that had the power to rewind or fast forward which one would you press and why?

KYMARA: Rewind, Definitely and go back to meet my dad

NEO: Do you have any up and coming projects you are working on?

KYMARA: Yes, i am working on my first EP at the mooment. We are writing the songs and hopefully recording them in August. I also have some gigs booked in the Netherlands ironically.

NEO: Let us know where to find you on social media

KYMARA: @kymaracc