Soulful sister act, KTJ & CARLY released their dynamic debut single, “On Your Mind” on July 19th, 2019. Performers since the age of five, the sisters have taken their musical education seriously, with KTJ focused on piano and production taking pre-college courses at NYU’s Music Production and Technology and Carly immersing herself in an intensive at Carnegie Mellon University. Their influences range from the synths of EDM to pop hooks and the vivacious vocalizations of urban music. This mix of inspirations have taught them to come at every track with fresh eyes, and it shows. Flawless harmonies, youthful energy, and fire hot chemistry only sisters can create, make their music a uniquely expressive experience.
KTJ and CARLY’s euphoric and distinctive debut single immediately draws you in with their honed vocals melting over the melody as the slow, rhythmic groove builds to a hypnotic falsetto-layered chorus. The instrumentation oxalate’s from booming urban beats to hints of synthy electro pop sounds, making for a surprising alchemy of musical magic. All the while, the sisters shine as the centerpiece and focus of the entire track, which reflects on the uncertainty of relationships and the unfortunate side effects of egotistical men, by bringing plenty of attitude to the table.
I got the chance to chat to this rising pop duo that’s headed for musical stardom, on the brink of the release of their debut single;
Ktj: When I was a little girl, I knew in my heart and soul I would always be a musician. I’ve taken piano lessons since I was in preschool, I started singing as soon as I was able to form words, I taught myself the ukulele, and if I wasn’t jamming out, I was always listening to music.
Being so young, I never questioned why I had this dying passion for music, it was just what came natural to me, as it’s always been apart of me. I guess I knew it was my passion when I realized not only does it come natural to me, but that it’s still a challenge, and it helps me grow in all aspects of life. Music makes me feel alive, who I am, and more than anything, music is an escape. It’s a safe place where I can express my feelings while leaving room for interpretation. My first memory of “performing”, was when I got a Britney Spears CD player and a barbie guitar for Christmas. Carly and I would trade back and forth between the CD player and the barbie guitar, and we could not stop singing “Hit Me Baby One More Time”.
Who inspired both of you as artists growing up?
Ktj: Growing up, we were mostly inspired by our family and friends. Our family means a lot to us, and music has always been a huge part of our family. My dad and Grandad (mom’s dad) were both in bands in their days, and our parents got us into lessons early on in our childhood when they noticed the potential we had, also because we would never stop singing and it was annoying them, haha. As far as artist that inspired us growing up, I would say The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Mac Miller, Beyonce, and Rihanna. Now that we are older, we are more into DJs and EDM artists, but the music we were inspired by growing up helped develop our unique artistry and sound, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without these amazing artists. But more than anyone, we inspire each other. We would feed off each others idea and to this day, we push each other to be better versions of ourselves everyday.
What’s something you learned early on in your career that made you a better artist?
Carly: Something I learned very early in my career that has made me a better artist is understanding the fact that you can’t please everyone, and what matters most is that you please yourself. Of course, you want the people on your team and the people you collaborate with to be satisfied with whatever art you have created. However, when it comes to yourself, peers, family, and outsiders, the person that should be satisfied with your work the most is yourself. If you create something so other people will like it, it won’t be truthful. Not everyone will dig the music My sister and I make, and that is okay! As long as we are satisfied with it that is what is important. An artist should, “Never play for the gallery.” It is what so many artists are doing today and it can be one of the most detrimental things. The reason someone ever creates anything, its because something deep inside them thought that if they could manifest it into art, they would. So creating an art for other people, can easily make it synthetic. It isn’t truthful. That is something I learned early on, and it has benefited us both. Now, I’m not saying that an artist can’t always appeal to a crowd. Example: when Freddy Mercury wrote We Are the Champions, he created it to appeal to the crowd. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t come from within HIM. Not because he thought that other people would like it. Great artists create art within themselves, not within others.
Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?
Both: Our dream artists to collaborate with would be Odesza, Tame Impala, Kendrick Lamar, ZHU, Sia, Kid Cudi, Galantis, Marshmello, Petit Biscuit, Kasbo, Diplo, or Calvin Harris. To record a track with any of these artists would be such a dream.
What is involved in the creative process of your songs, and how do you both agree on what subjects or stories to write about?
Carly: We always come up with and idea on what to write about before we start writing. We typically find a topic, story, or situation and start writing based off of the story, rather than putting together lyrics and then deciding this is what its about. We talk for a long time before we start writing about it. That way it is fresh on our minds, and close to our hearts. The stories we write about always come from a certain place, but the end product is always about an emotion that the story brings. That way when people listen, they can connect to it more.
If you could change one thing about the music industry what would it be?
Both: If we could change one thing about the music industry, it would be a way of getting music in high rotation. Nowadays, with the streaming era, it is much harder to make a living doing music. The music industry is constantly changing the ways of monetizing. Several years ago, people weren’t making any money off of their music because of illegal downloading websites and practices such as Payola. Recently, they found a loophole around it, by allowing streaming and monthly subscriptions, but the thing we would change is the constant change of monetizing. It feels like nearly every five years people find a new way to pirate music. I mean, in all honesty, we aren’t really that passionate about it, because we don’t do this for money; we do it for the art. It is just a lot harder to make a living off of music because it. It makes it much harder for your music to be heard too.
What’s the best and worst thing about being a musician?
Ktj: The best thing about being a musician is that when I’m working, it’s not even work because its always a blast. Being a musician is what I love to do, and that is the best part. It’s adventurous, and I am all about adventure. I can be unapologetically myself, having the freedom to express myself in a way that people can relate to and cherish with others. And if someone doesn’t like it, then who cares because someone out there will vibe with it.
There’s two negatives about being a musician. One, having to have a second source of income. The pay isn’t going to pay the bills at first, which I don’t mind, because I love keeping myself busy and on my feet. The second worst thing about being a musician, (at the same time, is a blessing in disguise) is that serious relationships are hard to come by. With traveling to producing to writing and everything in between, it’s not fair to the other person in a relationship. Being a full-time musician in a full-time relationship will cause a lot of toxicity, but I guess artists find ways to make it work so I could be wrong. The positives however completely outweigh the negatives.
What’s been your biggest challenge so far?
KTJ: The biggest challenge that we have faced so far is getting a following when we don’t have any music out yet. I mean, it is a build, and we are in for the long run, so we will just keep doing our thing.
Let’s talk about your debut single “On Your Mind”, tell me what’s it about and talk me through the creative process of the single?
Carly: Most of our songs come from either a personal space or it comes from an imaginative space. This time around, it came from a more personal space. Katie had been in a relationship that wasn’t good for her and everyone around her knew it. Finally after everyone telling her she realized. We wrote this song like a timeline, the same one that she experienced. The way that we interpreted the song was the first verse talking about how they are intrigued by this person who is mysterious and suave, how they are attracted to them. Then in the pre-chorus realizing their distraction from what is important and the chorus, the second verse, through the end almost work as a timeline. Someone starts off fascinated by their distractions and then they come to find out what they are: a distraction and selfish. They are people who think that everyone benefits when they are around when in reality they only hold you down. This song is about relationships, it’s about curiosity of the unknown, it’s about magic, and it’s about toxicity. It’s about anything the listeners want it to be. It’s up for interpretation.
Why did you choose “On Your Mind” to be your very first song?
Ktj: On Your Mind was the first song that I produced while being in this band. It was the start of this incredible journey we are on, therefore, we thought it should be the first one to be released. I learned so much producing this song, and it has opened my eyes to a whole new way of production. Because of ‘On Your Mind’, the songs we have lined up to be released next have huge potential. On Your Mind is like the delicious appetizer to our upcoming songs. We can’t wait to release more music we have cooked up.
Can we expect an album or EP to follow?
Carly: We will constantly be releasing new music. We are going to consistently release singles this year and next year. Our plan is to release an LP or EP around the end of 2020. We are just going to see where the year of new music takes us!
Do you have any intention of making a video for the single?
Carly: Every-time we write a song, we always have music video ideas while writing it. We were going to do a music video, but we decided to put more of our resources into playlisting and branding. We will be releasing some visuals for this song, not a full music video, but the visuals in the near future, so stay posted!
What message do you hope people talk away from your music?
Both: Our music is always up for interpretation. All art is, of course. We want people to feel inspired, to feel understood, or maybe just to feel happy, sad, or content. For example, I personally listen to music to connect to the lyrics, and use that as an outlet or an escape. We want people to feel that they can escape the harsh world to our music. The best moment is when you can find a song, and it’s almost like it is speaking directly to you. That is what we are aiming for; for our music to be a safe haven.
My favourite song at the moment has to be PRETTY MUCH – “Gone 2 Long”, Who are some artists you are currently listening to and what’s your fave song at the moment?
Ktj: I’ve never heard that song before, but I just added it to my library I really like it. For some reason it reminds me of this song called Girl by Jamie xx.
These are my favorite songs at the moment :
Spaceship (ft.Effie) by Galantis, Starry Eyes by Young Bombs, My Life (ft.Tame Impala) by ZHU, Kill the Lights (with Nile Rodgers) [Audien Remix] by Alex Newell, and Westworld byEVAN GIIA.
I have a million favorite artists:
Tame Impala, Odesza, Foster the People, RÜFÜS DE SOL, SALES, Skrillex, MØ, Phish, J Balvin, Beyonce, Alicia Keyes, John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Chloe x Halle, Billie Eilish, Galantis, Ellie Goulding, Calvin Harris, Alison Wonderland, Diplo, Sia, Jessie J, Harry Styles, Tom Misch, Tyler the Creator, Vampire Weekend, The Weeknd, The 1975, Chet Porter, Chainsmokers, Zara Larsson, Julia Micheals, Zedd, Willow Smith, Labrinth, Lady Gaga, Marian Hill, Lana Del Ray, Lorde, Louis the Child, Mac Miller, Maggie Rogers, Moby Rich, Oliver Tree, Petit Biscuit, Post Malone, Rich the Kid, Rihanna, The Beatles, Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexah, BROCKHAMPTON, Illenium, FKA Twigs, Kanye, Kendrick Lamar, The Flaming Lips, Flume, Flux Pavillion, Frank Ocean, Glass Animals, J Cole, Jhene Aiko, Bazzi, Noah Cyrus, Tove Lo, David Guetta, Khalid.
These are just a few lol.
Carly: Some artists I’ve recently been listening to are Elohim, Machine Gun Kelly, Jaden Smith, Clairo, Julia Micheals, Young Bombs, and Miley Cyrus. I am constantly listening to different artists, this is just in the past two weeks. I always try to keep myself updated on music, not just in the states, but all over the world. I love reggaeton artists and south African artists. I just started listening to a lot of french pop music recently. Some notable ones are Lewis OfMan, Matahari, and Indila. My favorite song at the moment is Give Me by Boy in Space.
What’s your ultimate goal you hope to achieve in the music industry?
Both: I just want to give the people something to listen to in the car with their best friends on an unforgettable road trip, something to listen to to make them feel less alone after a break-up, and a reason to keep moving in order to live their best life; unapologetically happy and free. I want people to not be afraid of being themselves, and to let them know that even though there are times where the idea of moving on from something seems absolutely impossible, to know that it will always get better. That no matter what beliefs someone has, with something bad there’s always something beautiful and great that comes with, that life is too short to worry about what anyone thinks of you, whether it be social media, at school, at work, and all around you. Our ultimate goal is for our music to be there for anyone who needs comforting, relief, or just a good jam.
Ladies thank you for your time, but before you go is there any final words you’d like to say to our OLC! followers and the world?
Both: Thank you so much for having us and taking the time to get to know us! Make sure that you download our song On Your Mind https://cdbaby.lnk.to/FRZl3bV9 We are so thrilled to finally release some of our original work.
