Meet Kaiya Gamble, a singer-songwriter making waves with her powerhouse vocals and genuine storytelling. This young Calgary-born artist has a soulful sound and a big year ahead. She’s currently working on her debut EP with top-tier collaborators like Ron Lopata, Tawgs Salter, and Simon Wilcox, and is gearing up to headline her first tour at Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser’s Wickfest this winter. We caught up with her for a quick Q&A to get a glimpse into her world and the inspirations behind her sound.
What initially inspired you to pursue a career in music?
It was actually my 4th grade music teacher who told my parents that I had natural musical ability! Both of my folks are not musical at all, so they put me in piano lessons! I really enjoyed them, but it wasn’t until I learnt to play the chords of my favourite songs by ear, and accompany myself on keys while singing that something clicked in my heart. I felt so at home and so curious all at the same time. I’d spend hours when I should’ve been in bed on school nights belting out “Rise Up” by Andra Day and “Lost Boy” by Ruth B. It may sound silly, but I knew then in those passion filled moments, that music was what I was meant to do for the rest of my life. My love for storytelling and for music only grew as I started performing, songwriting, and diving deeper into singing, piano, and other instruments!
Can you share a memorable moment from your musical journey that has had a significant impact on you?
I’ve been so grateful and fortunate to have several that stick out, but one that immediately comes to mind is receiving a Golden Ticket on Season 22 of American Idol. Auditioning for the show was something I never intended to do, but I was scouted on social media, and I thought if the casting directors found me, it was a sign to at least try. I went through all of the zoom auditions for producers in my basement in Calgary, and eventually out of 60,000 virtual auditions, I was selected to audition for Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan in California. The whole experience felt so surreal, especially being 16 at the time. From leaving the audition room screaming with a golden ticket in hand, to competing in an airport hanger in Santa Monica for Hollywood Week, and then learning I was one of two Canadians my season to make it that far, it was an experience I’ll remember forever. Most of all, my time at Idol taught me countless lessons about resiliency, how to deal with extremely high pressure situations, and staying true to myself!
What influences have shaped your style of music?
I’d say, as cheesy as it may sound, my music is a blueprint of my heart! All of the artists, genres, instruments, sounds, and musicians that I love come together to make up my sonic identity! As I continue to go through life and transition from a teenager to a young adult, my artistry grows with me, constantly evolving and changing! Especially in my own songs, reflecting my innermost thoughts and feelings, almost like a diary entry!
If you could create a soundtrack for any historical event, which one would it be and why?
This is a good question oh my gosh! This isn’t necessarily a historical event, but a second passion of mine is acting, so I think it would be so cool to play a legacy artist in their "BioPic" someday and to be able to tell their story to a new audience. I don’t know who that would be, but we’re manifesting it! (and therefore manifesting writing some original songs for the score too)!
If you could teleport to any concert in history, which one would you attend and why?
Live Aid, 1985, Wembley Stadium. One of the most iconic and influential concerts of all time. From a musical standpoint, getting to witness Queen, U2, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and so many others at the heights of their careers would be surreal. Every time I watch back footage from that show, I can feel the electricity of the stadium through my screen. I’m also always an advocate for charitable causes and music coming together, so the fact that the concert was raising money for the famine in Ethiopia was just phenomenal.
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
I’d say Jon Batiste! Not only is he a one in a million musician who has vast musicality in so many genres, but he has made a massive impact on my life personally. His albums have been the soundtrack of my days for years now, and meeting him after his concert last year was one of the greatest moments of my life (I cried like a baby)! I remember watching his acceptance speech at the Grammys in 2022 for Album of the Year, and him saying that “music is a spiritual practice.” You can truly feel that passion in every piece of work he touches. I am countlessly inspired by him, and it would be a humongous 'pinch me moment' and an honour to collaborate with him.
What's the most memorable feedback or reaction you've received from a fan?
Once a month I perform on Zoom for the patients, staff, and families at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Australia. Hearing the feedback from the music therapist about how the music has helped these kids through unimaginable circumstances means everything. So, I’d say a lot of those patient interactions standout. That being said, every message, comment, interaction or dm I get truly is meaningful and memorable to me. All I’ve ever wanted as an artist is to make people feel less alone, so the fact that I can do that even if it's for one song is the coolest feeling ever. I wrote lyrics for a fan to get them tattooed which was incredibly surreal, I’ve spoken to fans on zoom and some have started crying while meeting me and talking about how my music has saved their life.
How did your collaboration with Plunge Audio begin?
It was award winning bassist, musical director, and producer extraordinaire (who also happens to be my mentor and friend) Justin Kudding who recommended that I start to use IEMs! Justin was truly a guiding light in the early years of my career, and he of course is a part of the Plunge team so naturally he recommended I use Plunge! Not to mention literally every musician I respected, admired and worked with at the time also got their IEMs from Simon, so it was a no brainer to go with them! I remember the day they were delivered, I was so excited! After using them for the first time and witnessing the seamless execution, I was hooked and have never looked back!
What specific features do you look for when choosing IEMs for your performances?
When I’m on stage, my IEMs feel like an extension of my body! So I look for reliability, comfort and clarity! When I only relied on wedges, I used to hate having to second guess whether I could hear myself on stage. Now with my Plunge IEMs, I don’t have to worry! I can hear individual details in my mix, and can therefore focus on telling the stories of the songs and enjoying the performance!
What advice would you give to other musicians who are considering using IEMs for the first time?
Well first things first, get yours from Plunge! Simon and the whole Plunge team care so deeply about the musicians using their IEMs and of course the quality is amazing! A piece of advice a musician gave me once in regards to getting used to how IEMs feel / sound, is listen to music the way you would with headphones, with your IEMs! It helps you adjust to the sensation while also having the familiarity of songs you love!
