“Brandi Baby” is Kylie Fox’s Coming-of-Age Song
Like the tides of the Bay of Fundy on which she was raised or the steadfast city line that broods along its port, Kylie Fox has been devoted to honing her craft as a songwriter for as long as she can remember. Growing up with a mother who would sing to her, and a father who sat at the helm of every kitchen party with his Yamaha and uninhibited voice, it became clear to Fox from a young age that music was how to show love, how to express identity, and how to connect with the people around her.
Grand, ethereal, and epic,
“Brandi Baby” is Fox’s “coming-of-age song. It touches on my awkward high school years where I had the confidence to go to a school dance by myself, my early touring years where my ambition and my schedule prevented me from dating much, to when I found real big love in my now fiancé and drummer Ryan, where I feel so free and safe.”
She continues,
“I used to straighten my hair to Brandi Carlile everyday in high school, and she became a big influence for me becoming a musician. ‘The Story’ was the first song my partner and I danced to and we are going to use it as our first dance at our wedding next year.”
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello readers! My name is Kylie Fox, I’m an indie-folk singer-songwriter based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. I love to travel, I’m inspired by Joni Mitchell, and I am a Dolly Parton impersonator. When I am not writing my own songs, I music direct for local theatre companies (I’m developing a musical atm!), and I have a few voice students who I adore. My dream collaboration would be with Brandi Carlile.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
Brandi Baby is my coming-of-age song. It touches on my awkward high school years where I had the confidence to go to a school dance by myself, my early touring years where my ambition and my schedule prevented me from dating much, to when I found real big love in my now fiance and drummer Ryan, where I feel so free and safe.
I used to straighten my hair to Brandi Carlile every day in highschool, and she became a big influence for me becoming a musician. One of her songs was the first song my partner and I danced to and we are going to use it as our first dance at our wedding next year. Brandi has seen me through a few big stages! I’ve seen her live twice. I’m in the Bramily. She’s probably my dream collaboration.”
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
Normally I get an idea when I’m moving about my day. I’ll make a quick note or voice memo of it, and then it gets lost in a mass of other song bits. I need to schedule my writing time or else those bits will never get flushed out. So there’s an intuitive element, and then there’s more of a puzzle-fitting, creative, editing down element. Both I love.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
There are two more songs that we will be pushing before the album comes out on September 13th. The videos for those songs are really fun. On September 14th, my band and I are performing a tribute concert to Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark and will be encore-ing some from the album. It is part of the Harvest Music Festival and will be a kick-off to a busy Fall of touring Eastern Canada.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
I was driving around in my Grampy’s old Lexus, touring the country by myself singing to half-empty rooms for a long time. Moving to Fredericton and finding a stellar band has changed the game for me. I’m very grateful to have such a talented, dedicated band who I love to be on stage with and who have made me a better artist. My songs would be nothing without them!
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
I’d love for your readers to check out some great artists from New Brunswick! The Hello Crows and Maude Sonier are upcoming acts here that are doing awesome work. I’ll also give a shoutout to Ryan’s other band, Too Bad Jim – they are a lot of fun for you rock lovers.