Meet the Multifaceted paulkyte!

The singer, songwriter, and producer talks about the artists who shaped his own sound, songs people would be surprised to learn he contributed to, and more!

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them?

I’m [kind of a] perfectly balanced musician. My music is too hip to just be classified as pop music but too pop to just be on the hipster scene. I think it’s just my character. 

Who or what first inspired you to pursue a singing career? 

I’ve always liked to be surrounded by music. There were three phases [of getting inspired]. H.O.T. and god were first. I was obsessed with music, but at the time, I was way too young and couldn’t seriously think about what [I would do for a career]. After high school graduation, I decided to [make] music [and] was so obsessed with Maxwell, Craig David, D’Angelo… And I have to say Michael Jackson. To me, MJ was the last puzzle [piece] who solved my musical wandering. He showed me the way to live with various styles and genres. 

When did you develop an interest in making songs, as opposed to just singing them? 

It was so natural to do that. My curiosity and ADHD were activated in good ways [when making music]. I was always interested in so many things, like playing many instruments (guitar, piano, and bass), doing remixes, and songwriting. 

Please describe your newest single, “Grown up man.”  

It’s been years [since I released new music], but I’ve kept concentrating on my new direction and strategy to get more [of an] audience for my music. I’m so satisfied with my previous music, but I feel like it’s a little selfish and unkind. I decided to focus on what people can notice easily, like good melodies, not on less important details [that] I cared way too much about before. It’s not like I’m [going to] make “easy pop” music; it’s more like focusing on the essentials. From that point of view, “Grown up man” is my successful first step.

Please talk about each of these songs:

“Who Knows?”: I bet no one noticed that it’s about my slump. I achieved some goals, like being a full-time musician, working with famous artists, [and getting a] nice reputation in the music industry, but my life is still the same. I started to get afraid: “What if I [lose] interest [in] music?” The answer to that is [in] the outro: “Stop thinking and move!” I know I was arrogant, [and] fortunately, I still have many things to achieve.  

“Our Paradise”: It’s about [a] student who gave up her music career. She said no one, including her professor, guided her the right way, but only [pushed her and were] so tough. Thinking about how hard the entrance examination for music colleges is, it’s so irresponsible [to] do nothing to take care of [the students who take it]. Most music students think [of a] famous music college as a paradise that can lead them to successful next steps, but [that’s] like an illusion. But I [can’t] blame anyone [in particular]. That’s why the lyrics start with “You don’t have to listen to me carefully, ‘cause I’m still confused.”

Any song from SMALLTALKTHIEF: I’d like to pick “낭만” (“Romance”), the title track of my debut EP. It wasn’t the title track at first, but most of my pals voted [for] this track and threatened me to pick it! To me, “Tonight” [seemed like the ideal] title track [to] represent my music, [but I am] lucky to have wise friends! 

Any other song you want to talk about!: I’ll pick “wwyd” from The Wheel. When I wrote this one, I felt like it [was] too cute to come from me. I was [kind of] nervous that [I would get] some feedback like, “Why did he make [a] light and childish song like this?,” but surprisingly, no one mentioned it.  

What are some of the songs that people might be surprised to learn you helped make?

Wow, great question. I’ve never thought about this, but if I have to pick right now, I’ll pick “Willing & Able” by Disclosure [ft. Kwabs] and “Weight in Gold” by Gallant. Those two songs opened my eyes; [I] learned so much from them.

Before 2014, I [was an] acoustic music lover, but when I fell in love with DAWs and MIDI, [I] naturally got [interested in] electronic music. 

Do you have a different mindset when you are “paulkyte the singer” versus “paulkyte the producer”? Does one role bring out a different side of you than the other? 

I think the producer role helps me achieve self-realization. As a producer/songwriter, I can try any type of music. Recently, I [have been making] lots of rock songs, dance songs - even techno! - [and] hip-hop tracks for other artists. It’s also [been] good for stress relief. 

What is one career goal you have already accomplished and one career goal you are still working towards? 

My favorite artist in Korea is Yerin Baek. I’ve been a huge fan of hers since around 2013, and I really wanted to work with her. Finally, in 2019, I [sang] with her onstage, and we still try to co-work constantly. [I have] such a lucky and blessed life! 

Someday, I will live in LA and do all my music business there. I’m so open to the global market, especially the American music scene.

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music? 

I’ve been so quiet and static, but I met the perfect partner in my new label, January. With [an] amazing staff, we’re gonna show you something I’ve never shown before. Welcome to my new chapter, and stay tuned. Thanks for all kinds of support!

Check out paulkyte’s newest single here, and follow him on Instagram here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Photo courtesy of January.