Q+A: KID HASTINGS

Jake McEvoy also known for his moniker, Kid Hastings, released his latest single “Call Me Up” via Ourros. The track speaks to the struggle of expressing one’s own identity when launching into a new relationship, the accompanying visual acts as a delightfully deranged take on the odds of identity as it flows fluidly across time. The song was inspired by a particular jazz style while the production fuses fuzzy synths with a plucked guitar while being immersed in glitchy layered drums. Channeling that dichotomy in his production, the singer-songwriter leaps into 2021 with an ode to freedom within his own identity, dancing across the duality of masculine and feminine within the visual. With the assistance of fellow creative and friend, Ava Doorey, the two were able to create a video that embodies the complexity of Kid Hasting’s Persona. 

We had the opportunity to speak with Kid Hastings via email about the process behind “Call Me Up” along with what's next for the rising star

Do you mind introducing yourself?

I’m Kid Hastings, I was born in England, raised in New Jersey and I am now an indie-pop rock artist and producer living in Los Angeles.

When did you start getting into music?

I started singing in choirs really early on when I was around 7, then I moved into the jazz and theater world before writing my own stuff. Everything I make now is all super inspired by the worlds of choir and jazz, harmonically and sonically.

Do you feel that growing up in NJ has influenced your sound or visuals at all?

New Jersey has a really cool underground rock and house show scene that got me really into indie rock at a young age. It made music feel so accessible, so that was the first kind of stuff I ever wrote.

All your visuals have this incredible cinematic and nostalgic feel to them. What’s the creative process like behind producing your visuals?

Thanks :) The process is basically to get as weird and fun as possible, but also to make something truthful and intimate. We drew on a lot of wide variety references for this one, everywhere from burlesque cabaret to Goodfellas.

Do you mind telling us more about your recent single “Call Me Up”?

After the end of my first real relationship of two years (and the entire inspiration for my first musical project), I found myself in a very intense rebound relationship shortly after. It only lasted a week until they left - I fell in love hard only to have it end almost immediately. This song was a plea to return to that brief flicker of happiness but also a testament to my confusion at the time. It's jarring and raw at points, but then floats into a more lush, ethereal sound in others.

What can fans look forward to next?

Another single next month and the month after that!! Also some out of pocket Tik Tok content. And some live-streamed chess games.

Moving forward will your new music have a similar pop feel like “Call Me Up”?

I think it's all gonna feel pretty different - my main thing with this upcoming project was just to have fun and make good songs. Some of them are more pop like this one, some are more rock and some are just weird and experimental. Something for everyone, hopefully.

Who are you currently listening to? 

Mk.gee and Charles Mingus have been my most listened to by far for the past few months. It’s looking like it’ll stay that way for a bit.