Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
Kayden Muller-Janssen can currently be seen starring in her breakout role on the hit Disney series The Villains of Valley View. The story follows teenage supervillain Havoc who is forced to relocate to a Texas suburb with her family under a new identity as “Amy Madden” after standing up to the League of Villains. Muller-Janssen plays Hartley, Amy’s outgoing classmate and neighbor who unknowingly befriends the villainous Madden family. The cast also includes James Patrick Stuart, Lucy Davis, and Isabella Pappas just to name a few. Season 2 is airing now. You can read the TV Line exclusive here and watch the trailer featuring Muller-Janssen here.
A multi-talented performer, Muller-Janssen has also made a name for herself as a singer-songwriter with her deeply personal songs about relationships, self-worth, and empowerment. She was recently featured as one of People Magazine’s “Talented Emerging Artists Making Their Mark this Winter.” Things aren’t slowing down for Muller-Janssen. Her fun summer single Meant To Be is set to be released July 14th. Her debut EP Unraveled is available on all streaming platforms, and her cover of I’d Rather Go Blind was added to the rotation on SiriusXM’s Velvet. Her previous singles include No Maybe, Crave as well as Kiss Kiss Baby, which landed a #1 spot on Radio Disney and was a top 5 most requested video on Music Choice along with her song Walk. You can listen to the tracks here.
Can you tell us more about your journey as a musician, and who inspired you to want to be a recording artist?
There were many artists I listened to growing up that impelled a musical spark in me, but it was my family who really inspired me and believed I could make music as a full-time career. When I was a kid, I found a stack of random CDs in my house with female artists from different genres like Adele, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Nina Simone. I became obsessed, I would listen to each album, every song, until I knew all the words. I think it taught me at a young age to appreciate different genres and styles of singing that still inspires a lot of my song writing today.
What inspires your songwriting, and do you like to take your ideas from personal experiences?
That depends. Some of my best songwriting comes from my personal experiences, but sometimes I like to make up storylines to change the perspective and switch up my music taste. I personally like when a song has a certain message or story to it, whether it’s inspired by someone’s own experiences or make-believe. I think that’s what music and art is all about: having fun and challenging yourself by exploring new things. I try my best to represent that in my music.
How did it feel to be featured as one of People Magazine’s “Talented Emerging Artists Making Their Mark this Winter”?
It was shocking but so awesome! I was so honored to be featured in such an iconic magazine alongside many other great artists!
What makes music so special to you, in comparison to other forms of creative expression?
Music has always helped me when I’m feeling emotional or conflicted, there’s something so therapeutic about it. It’s so powerful that just playing your favorite song for 3 minutes and dancing around can make you feel better. So, when you get to create your own music and just belt out whatever you’ve been feeling, it’s one of the best coping mechanisms and is so healing.
Could you share some insights into the creative process behind your hit summer single “Meant To Be”?
“Meant To Be” was probably one of the fastest songs I’ve ever written. I was in the studio with my producers, Matt and Dave, and we needed to come up with a pop song for the summer. I had been working, traveling, and dealing with a lot so I went back home for a bit to Wellington, Florida, where I grew up. I had to reset myself, came back with a clear head, and wrote this song. It’s about realizing how far I’ve come, knowing that no matter the stress, the hard work, or the drama, it’s all worth it because this is exactly where I am meant to be in my life.
Talk to me about your debut EP “Unraveled”, why did you decide on this for the title and what can people expect from it?
I like to think my EP represents the beginning of my musical journey. I was venting all my thoughts and feelings into these songs, in a way I hadn’t really done in my music before. It felt like I was unraveling myself, letting my guard down, and really seeing/healing my insecurities through my music and I knew “Unraveled” had to be the title.
How would you describe the overall style and genre of your music?
Normally I would describe my sound as a mix of R&B, Soul, and Pop, but as I’m getting older, I find myself wanting to explore more genres in my music. I studied, sang, and performed so many different styles of music growing up that I feel like I can’t keep putting myself or my music into one box. I’m still young and testing my limits so I would have to say, when it comes to my style of music, expect the unexpected at all times.
What can we expect from you in the future, in terms of new music or projects?
Soon, I will be releasing a new single that opens the door into a new style of music for me. I’m really excited to see people’s reactions and hear what they think! You can also expect new songs coming all throughout this year.
What is your ultimate goal you hope to achieve as a musician?
My goal is to make whatever genre of music that feels right in the moment and I hope to reach an audience, no matter the place or age, that can enjoy my songs in any way that suits their lifestyle. Whether it’s vibing out in the car, belting your heart and tears out, dancing the night away or just relaxing at home. I want my music to resonate with people in any way they need it, and hopefully one day they love it enough to come sing the songs with me in person.
