Kylie Cantrall Talks New EP 'Valley Girl Problems' And First Headline Tour
The Valley Girl Problems EP has a very distinct narrative, structured with phone calls and a sequence of life events. Listening to the EP feels as though you are listening to a friend relaying a crazy story over drinks. Where did the idea to craft the EP in this way come from?
Kylie: It was in the studio with Tayla and my other collaborators, Lisa and Jim. They've known me since I was quite young. They have seen me through every phase: boyfriends, situationships, like everything. I feel very comfortable to open up to them about the deepest parts of myself and my life. I think it was through our conversations on the couch. It didn't even look like we were getting work done. We were just talking, and they were letting me vent, like, "Look at this text I got, omg, can you believe she said that?" It was through us having natural conversation. The natural way the lyrics flow in a lot of these songs are like sound bites from my journal diary entries or just conversations we had in the studio. Growing up in front of the camera and having that acting side of myself. I look at everything very theatrically. I wanted to feel chronological and have those interludes so that it felt like, oh shit, this is an actual story. This is the climactic moment, the catalyst that then transitions us to the last three songs on the EP that are way more heartfelt. Send the narrator down on this journey that they’re on. I think I viewed it as almost like listening to a movie, that you could be there in that place and time.
Were there any songs that almost made the project but didn’t? What was the process like for selecting the final choices?
Kylie: I think it's really interesting when you're writing for an EP or album, at least for me. I had a different idea of what the project was going to be. I wanted it to feel very uptempo, fun, baddie anthems; we’re in the club having a good time. But then, my real life was not reflecting that narrative. So I was like, I feel like I need to write something that is actually reflecting what I'm going through in this moment instead of being too conceptual with it. Let me just write as if it was me telling the world, this is what I'm going through and how I feel, and this is the music I'm drawn to make. There were a lot of songs I loved that I was like, this just doesn't fit this project; it doesn't fit the world of Valley Girl that is very much vulnerable, sensitive, and me peeling back the veil. There were a lot of songs that I was like, okay, I will save it for when it makes sense down the road. This is just its own kind of entity and story that needed to be told at this time. I'm so happy I was able to put out this project the way it is. It feels like every song that was essential to it was on there. I was very proud of how it turned out. There is a lot of songs unreleased and soon to be released.
Which part of the creative process did you enjoy the most in the creation of Valley Girl Problems? Was it ideating, writing, recording, or something else?
Kylie: I think the writing phase; I think there is something magical. Honestly, every step of the process is so essential; you can't really skip a step. For me, it's really special having a drop of an idea and then coming to the studio and flesh it out with other people that I adore working with and who have interesting perspectives. I think that's really cool about collaboration. You can come in with one idea and perspective, and someone can be like, "What if we flip it on its head and actually say it this way?" You're like Oh my god, I didn't even think about it like that; that's so much cooler. It was a lot of that going back and forth.
There was a lot of chemistry between me and the writers I worked with. Very much just a hub of us coming in every day and talking about life. It's like a real friendship; it felt very natural. Taking things from the idea phase to actually fleshing it out. Coming up with the structure, words, melody, and then you get to the point of recording it. The song reveals more and more of itself through each of its phases. It's always special when you listen at the end, and everything falls into place. You're like, okay, it took every little decision and choice to get it to this point, and it's even better when you're happy with the final result. It doesn't always happen. Sometimes you try an idea and record it; you're like that didn't turn out quite as expected, but when it does work out and you're proud of it, it's the best feeling.
I love the title because it plays with the “Valley Girl” stereotype, while the emotions you explore throughout the EP are anything but superficial. How did the title come about, and how are you redefining what it means to be a “Valley girl”?
Kylie: I started this series back in November called Life of a Valley Girl. It was kind of a cute Sex and the City mini series I did. I posted it on Instagram and TikTok, and it would show the places I would go. Little excerpts from my daily life. Me with friends, at the studio, driving in my car. People responded really well to that series. They were like Oh wow, this is an interesting world you're bringing us into. A lot of my fans and people who listen to me are from all over the world, so they don't know what the Valley is like, what growing up in LA is like. I felt like I could kind of showcase that and show a more authentic side of myself. I think it was through doing that series that it became very apparent that, oh, this is the era I'm in. This is such a big part of my story: where I'm from, and that shaped me in so many ways. It felt very essential to hone in on that. With Valley Girl Problems, that was my way of saying it's cute, glitzy and glam on the outside. But this is the reality of what's going on and how I'm feeling. It was a cool juxtaposition. It was a story I needed to share, and I'm so happy that I did.
If you had to assign one of your songs to each of the characters you’ve played, what do you think would be their favorite Kylie Cantrall songs?
Kylie: Well, I have to start with my origin. I played a character Gaby; she would be into "Denim"; she wore a lot of denim. It's a fun song. Dani from High School Musical; she was kind of mean, sassy and girly. For her, I would say "Closet" or "Goodie Bag". Red: she's a rebel and a menace, "Girls Like You" or "Yuck". The more rebellious and more bold songs she would be into that.
In three words, how would you describe what fans can expect from the tour in terms of choreography, vocals, and fashion?
Kylie: It's definitely giving valley core, very fierce, sparkly, girly and personal at the same time.
These songs come from such deeply personal experiences, including heartbreak. After your sold-out show at The Roxy, what was it like to now hear fans singing those words back to you and connecting with experiences that were once so private?
Kylie: That show was really special. Especially because I was so taken aback. So "Space Between," which is a ballad on the project, got leaked accidentally. I was really sad. From The Roxy show, 'cause it was before the EP came out; people didn't know the new stuff, but they knew "Space Between" from that clip. That was the first time I heard them singing the lyrics and seeing their faces, and seeing them connect to it. That song is so deeply personal, and it always felt, this is my experience, my story, my song. Then, when I saw them in the crowd singing it and getting emotional. I realized this is not my song at all; it's for everyone who has gone through the worst heartbreak ever. Whether it be a friend or an ex or whoever it may be. It's for anyone who's gone through a similar feeling. That was a moment I was like, Oh wow, it's not about me. It was very cathartic and cool to share that special moment with them. And to recreate that on tour, it's going to be so, so cool. I'm looking forward to singing that song.
What song are you most excited to perform live and why?
Kylie: All the new stuff, of course; there is so much freedom to be able to bring it to life. I haven't performed much of the new stuff. I was just in Mexico and did an intimate acoustic set; that and The Roxy are the only times I performed the new stuff. I'm excited to bring it to a bigger stage and showcase these songs with choreography, visuals, and a story. I love the live show aspect. Also, going deeper into my discography, the ones my fans know and love. Whether it's "Denim" or "Goodie Bag," or "See You Tonight" all the songs I played on the last tour. I'm excited to bring those back and have a fun, nostalgic moment.
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