Introducing The Multi-Talented Singer-Songwriter… Kay Nambiar

Kay Nambiar truly is a man of many talents. His multi-disciplinary career has seen him in a band for a decade, a photographer and a model for some of the biggest brands in the world. Now, the Dutch native has opened the next chapter of his career as a solo singer-songwriter, creating gorgeous and captivating music, all evolved from voice notes recorded on his phone.

We were able to chat with Kay about his debut single, ‘Speaking In Tongues’, how he returned to making music, and his plans for the future.

Hey Kay, how are you today?

I’m good thank you. 

How does it feel for your debut single to be out into the world?

Feels good. I was listening to it in the car yesterday and felt proud that I pushed myself hard enough to finish and release it. 

You mention that ‘Speaking In Tongues’ was written after attending a party that left you paranoid and unable to fall asleep. Is there anything else that inspired the direction of the song?

The feeling of discomfort was the starting point. I didn’t really think much of it at first, but after I played it to a friend she said she really felt it. Her remark made me look to it again and finish it.

The official music video is really interesting, and rather chilling in parts. Would you be able to go into more detail about the narrative, and creative direction of the visual?

The video was made by my friend Sam de Jong. He’s a great film maker and has a unique view on things. He told me the video is a story of a young man, caught up in an amour fou. Enchanted by the wife of the goth farmer he is working for, he is desperately looking for real feelings.

What do you hope people will take away from this single?

For me, writing and recording this was a form of catharsis. It would be a beautiful thing if this song could be of any meaning to someone else but me.

You’ve had a very diverse and interesting career before delving into songwriting. What made you decide to move into making music?

After playing together for ten years, my band split up.  At the time I felt everything I wrote wasn’t any good and music became a disappointment.  I went through somewhat of an identity crisis, because I’d been playing music most of my life and I now felt doing it made me unhappy.  I decided to pursue a career as a photographer, and didn’t think l would ever release music again. A couple of years went by, I became quite busy, but never stopped playing and recording ideas.  I remember being on a plane one day listening to some of my sketches and realising I felt what I was hearing. Shortly after that I finished the songs and decided to record them. 

Do you have any particular goals in mind with your musical career?

Hopefully i will continue to feel inspired enough to write music and grow as a musician. To go on tour and perform live again would be amazing.

If you could collaborate with anyone in the world, who would it be?

To have Rick Rubin shine his light on things would be amazing.

Any artists you’re loving at the moment that you’d like to shine the spotlight on?

I have friends who make great music: artists like Sofie Winterson, Zeeland, Nambyar and The Nicholas.  

What’s coming up next for you?

I’m now working on the release of my first EP, which is due on October 28th.

Make sure to tune in to Kay Nambiar’s debut single “Speaking In Tongues” here or below.