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Kiwi: Sharing Pieces of Myself


Residing back to The Valley it's Kiwi! Not only do we welcome her return, but this upcoming show on June 27th establishes her T.I debut. As an artist that revolves herself around various facets of creative expressions how did shape her and her drive onward to keep creating.


Kiwi has the answers for us in a few, but first she'd like to share a few shout outs

"First and foremost, shout out to my parents. They've supported me through a lot of weird creative pivots and have always encouraged me to pursue what makes me happy.


Shout out to my friends for believing in me, coming to shows, listening to my ideas, and reminding me why I do this in the first place. Especially, a huge shout out to my music teachers. Every opportunity I've had in music can be traced back to lessons I learned from teachers who took the time to invest in me and help me grow, both as a musician and as a person."



Kiwi, how did you start? I see you make your beats. Did you start with creating or was there a prior experience that led you down this path? "Music has always been a part of my life. I grew up singing, started playing flute in 6th grade, and spent most of my school years involved in music in one way or another. In high school I participated in marching band, jazz band, concert band, musical theater, all-region choir, and all-region band. I was even a drum major for a time, so music was pretty much my entire life.


That passion eventually led me to study music at Angelo State University, where I continued developing both as a musician and as a performer. Looking back, every stage of my life seemed to point me toward a career in music, even if I didn't know exactly what that would look like yet.


Even though I had all of that experience performing and studying music, electronic music wasn't really on my radar at first (besides jamming out to skrillex and benny benassi in the car with my mom when i was a kid). That changed when my dad taught me how to DJ. What started as curiosity quickly turned into an obsession. I fell in love with the energy of dance music and the idea that you could create a shared experience between hundreds of people through sound.



DJing came first, and producing came later. The more I played music for people, the more curious I became about how these tracks were made. Eventually I wanted to move beyond playing other people's music and start creating something of my own.



Looking back, my journey has taken me from choir rehearsals, football fields, concert halls, and theater stages to clubs and dance floors, but it's all part of the same story. Every chapter taught me something different about music, performance, and connecting with people, and I carry all of those experiences with me every time I step behind the decks." So, not only having the school engagement with music, but having your own teacher right beside you. Your dad, showing you how to DJ and bringing forward those first steps. I'm curious now to know what your parents think and feel looking upon photos of you behind the decks in front of crowds. Certainly these experiences have led up to this. Wow!



Looking at the Soundcloud, podcasts, and the youtube channel. Various facets of creative expression especially with your one video "pondering my creative identity." How would you describe yourself more creatively now than months ago? 

A few months ago I think I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to figure out exactly who I was as an artist. I wanted a clear label, a clear lane, and a clear answer for what 'Kiwi' was supposed to be. Especially in a time like now where having a 'brand' is one of the most important steps to marketing yourself.

Now I think I've become a lot more comfortable with the fact that creativity doesn't always work that way. I've realized that all of these different outlets, DJing, producing, YouTube, podcasting, even just having conversations with people, are all expressions of the same curiosity. They're not separate things competing for my attention, they're all feeding each other.



The podcast taught me how to communicate ideas. YouTube taught me how to be more comfortable being seen/on camera. DJing taught me how to read a room and tell a story through music. Producing taught me lots of patience and gave me a way to create something from nothing. More than anything, I've stopped trying to fit myself into a box. I think my creative identity now is someone who loves exploring ideas and creating experiences that help people feel something. Sometimes that takes the form of a mix, sometimes it's a song, and sometimes it's a conversation. I've learned that I don't have to choose between all of those things. They're all part of who I am." Having the YouTube channels where one is making beats/recorded sets. Being a "teacher" per say with your tutorials, having words of guidance with other topics via the podcast and the soundcloud filled with your creations. Yes, it revolves around your experiences, but it's also coming "full circle" that now you're the one returning what's been giving onto you in your own way.



Now producing, from producing your beats to bring them out to the crowd. How has that experience been for you? Especially your first night to the most recent.

"It's been incredibly rewarding, but also humbling. When I first started DJing, like many others, I was mostly focused on the technical side of things. I was thinking about transitions, BPMs, and trying not to mess up.


Over time, I've become much more focused on the experience I'm creating for people. Now when I play, I'm thinking about energy, emotion, tension, release, and how I can take people on a journey throughout the night.


One of my favorite things about DJing is watching a room lock in together. There are these moments where everyone is moving, singing, dancing, or just completely present, and you realize that for a few minutes all of these people are sharing the same experience. (awe humans are so cute)

Producing has made that feeling even more special because now I'm not just sharing music that I love, I'm starting to share pieces of myself. Hearing something you've spent hours working on in your bedroom come alive on a sound system is a really surreal feeling. Looking back, I think the biggest difference between my first set and my most recent one is confidence. Not confidence in the sense that I think I've mastered anything, but confidence in trusting my instincts and allowing my personality to come through in the music I play." Honestly, I've thought about it that way. The way someone creates in their bedroom, living room, garage ect. You've created it for an experience, but then comes the kicker. It's time to play it out in front of hundreds of people. That mix is set to create the experience. While most of us aren't catching BPMs and transitions we're catching what's happening around us and what it's making us feel. We definitely feel what's being put out.



I see Dance, Techco, Jersey Club under tags, but how would you describe your sound? Rather the sounds you identify with yourself and why? If I had to describe my sound in one phrase, I'd probably call it emotional dance music with a sense of humor.


I love music that makes people move, but I also love music that surprises people. Some of my favorite moments in a set are when the crowd hears something completely unexpected and starts looking around at each other like, 'What is happening right now?'


Genre-wise, I pull inspiration from a lot of places, techno, trance, jersey club, hard groove, hyperpop, eurodance, house, experimental, but I'm usually less interested in genre and more interested in creating a feeling. Sometimes that feeling is euphoric, sometimes it's nostalgic, and sometimes it's just pure chaos.

I also think humor belongs on the dance floor. I love throwing in funny samples, unexpected edits, and tracks that make people laugh or freak out (in a good way)  before immediately locking back into the groove. If the beat sounds weird, there's a good chance i’ll play it.



Beyond the music itself, I also love performing. For me, DJing isn't just about standing behind the decks and hitting a lil 1,2 step. I like dancing, interacting with the crowd, and becoming part of the energy I'm creating. The most fun nights are the ones where it feels like everyone in the room, including me, is participating in the same experience.


At the end of the day, I want my sets to feel like stepping into a different world for an hour. A little emotional, a little ridiculous, and a lot of fun." As Kiwi mentioned the moment of "what is happening right now" is real. I've had moments looking at my friend next to me or catching myself making a comment about the moment. It is also about the engagement. You have your one hour set, one hour. What will happen within this hour and the set speaks for itself.



Now you are a part of an upcoming line up with Memphy, Lil Duende, and Sasha Bunnie! This being your Touching Infinite debut, correct? How does that feel for you to be a part of this? It feels really exciting. As a DJ, you're constantly working on your craft behind the scenes, so getting the opportunity to be part of something like this feels both rewarding and motivating. What excites me most is being able to share a lineup with artists whose work I respect while also getting the chance to introduce people to my own perspective as a DJ. Every lineup is a conversation, and I'm excited to contribute my voice to that conversation.



I also love what Touching Infinite is building. Events like these create opportunities for people to discover new artists, connect with their local scene, and experience something they might not find anywhere else. Being invited to be part of that means a lot to me.


I'm especially excited to see Memphy perform. She has such a distinct and fun artistic vision and energy, and I think bringing artists like that to the Valley is incredibly valuable. It's opportunities like these that help scenes grow and inspire local creatives to think bigger. As someone who moved back to the Valley fairly recently, it's been really exciting finding creative communities here and meeting people who are passionate about pushing culture forward. It makes the scene feel alive.


More than anything, I'm just grateful to be part of the night. The lineup is stacked, the energy is going to be incredible, and I can't wait to be on that dance floor right alongside everyone else." The debut is INSANE! AHH! This is the first of many. Not just regarding of shows, but your involvement in various ways. Your involvement in creative communities and your involvement in pushing it "forward." Now im curious in how you'd make the "scene feel alive" or what that means to you. While it is a thought I'm sure you'll find your way of doing so.


What will you be bringing forward on this 1 Night With Memphis? What can we expect during your set and what you wish to evoke onto the dance floor? "For this one, I'm bringing the flirty sister of my usual sound.

Expect some club music, expect energy, expect a little bit of mischief. I want people dancing with their friends, losing themselves in the music, and feeling cooler, hotter, and more confident than they did when they walked in.


I love sets that feel like a night out with a really good plot. There should be tension, release, surprises, moments where everyone screams, moments where everyone locks into the groove, and moments where you look around the room and realize everyone is sharing the same experience.


My goal is to create a dance floor that feels playful, sexy, and alive. Expect infectious grooves, a few unexpected turns, and tracks that make you want to throw your hands up or that booty back, toss your hair around, and forget about whatever was stressing you out before you walked through the door.

More than anything, I want people to feel free. I think we spend so much of our lives worrying about how we're being perceived. The dance floor is one of the few places where you can let go of all of that and just exist. For a few hours, nothing matters except the music, the people around you, and the moment you're in.

If people leave sweaty, smiling, and wondering where the last hour went, I'll consider that a successful night." I've been wondering what to wear >.< but I know exactly where to go to feel just right!


Which one of your mixes from SoundCloud would you recommend and why? To have a taste prior to June 27th "I would probably recommend my most recent mix: DIRTY FILTHY BEATS [DIRTIER EDITION].


I think it does the best job of capturing where I'm at creatively right now. It's high-energy, playful, a little chaotic, and doesn't take itself too seriously. There are moments that feel euphoric, moments that feel absurd, and plenty of moments that just make you want to move.


One of my favorite things about DJing is keeping people on their toes, and I think that mix showcases that really well. Just when you think you know where

it's going, it takes a left turn.


If you want a preview of the kind of energy I like to bring to a dance floor, that's the mix I'd start with." To those reading here is your taste or if you'd rather keep it a surprise. There's always June 27th for Kiwi's debut. Either or you won't be disappointing.



Do you have a message for those coming out to witness 1 Night With Memphis?

First of all, thank you. There are a million different ways to spend a night, and the fact that people choose to spend theirs supporting artists, DJs, and local events is something I never take for granted.Come with an open mind, wear comfortable shoes, and don't be afraid to let loose a little. The best nights happen when people stop worrying about how they look and start focusing on how they feel.


Whether you've been part of the scene for years or this is your first event, I hope you leave with a few new memories, a few new favorite artists, and maybe a sore neck from dancing too hard.


See you on the dance floor. ♡



Now that you've returned back to the RGV what is that you look most forward to? Especially in terms of continuing your creativity through your outlets

What I'm looking forward to most is connection.


The Valley has so many talented artists, DJs, producers, photographers, designers, and creative people, and I feel like I'm still just scratching the surface of what's here. Every time I meet someone new, I leave inspired by what they're creating.

Beyond the creative side of things, moving to the RGV has also allowed me to spend a lot more time with my Hispanic side of the family, which has been really meaningful to me. Family has always been important in my life, and being able to reconnect with that part of my culture while building a life here has been really special.


I think creativity thrives in community. Some of my favorite ideas, collaborations, and opportunities have come from simply being around other passionate people, so I'm excited to continue building those relationships and finding ways to contribute to the scene.


I'm also looking forward to continuing to grow as an artist. Right now a lot of my focus is on producing music, refining my sound, and creating experiences that feel uniquely Kiwi. I feel like I'm entering a chapter where I'm becoming more confident in my artistic voice, and that's a really exciting place to be.

Mostly, I'm just excited to see what happens. Some of the best things in my life have come from saying yes to opportunities and following curiosity, and I have a feeling there's a lot more of that ahead.


P.s. cooking with kiwi but with t.i. Residents?? Say lessss

Dude, seeing the cooking with Kiwi videos. I immediately thought about this haha. Would love to see one!



What would you say makes a mix "kiwi" itself? What is your creative process behind making a mix or what you choose to play behind the deck? "I think a Kiwi mix is one where you can tell someone had a lot of fun making it.My process is honestly pretty chaotic. I'll spend hours digging for music and saving tracks that make me laugh, make me dance, make me feel something, or make me stop and think,


'Who on earth made this?'


I love finding songs that probably shouldn't work together and figuring out how to make them coexist in the same universe. Sometimes I'll hear a track and immediately know it's a Kiwi song because it's weird, dramatic, beautiful, ridiculous, or all four at the same time.


When I'm building a mix, I'm not usually thinking about genres. I'm thinking about momentum. I'm thinking about surprise. I'm thinking about whether the next song is going to make somebody's eyes light up .At the end of the day, if a mix feels a little unexpected, a little theatrical, and like it was made by someone who genuinely loves music, then it's probably a Kiwi mix." While in terms of artistry there are artists who are distinguishable through their style. The artists I've met locally. Then there's sound. You just know hmmm you catch it. You carry your own and people will notice it. It's you, as Kiwi mentioned earlier. You are sharing pieces about yourself when you aren't focused on the technicalities. It will speak out that this is "probably a Kiwi mix" at first to nailing it afterwards.


Any final comments you'd like to make?

Just gratitude, honestly. I'm incredibly thankful to everyone who's supported me throughout my journey, from my family and music teachers to my friends, fellow artists, promoters, and everyone who's ever shown up to a set, listened to a mix, or taken a chance on something I've created.


I think we're living in a time where it's really easy to stay home, stay in our own bubbles, and experience everything through a screen. That's why I think spaces like these are so important. There's something special about being in a room full of people sharing a moment together in real time.

So if you're reading this, go support a local artist. Go to a show you've never been to before. Talk to someone new. Dance a little harder than you normally would.

This life is short. Be weird. Have fun.


**SURPRISE if you made it this far


WRISTBAND GIVEAWAY LIVE.

Comment the guest you wanna bring and share the flyer to your story for a chance to win 2x wristbands, 2x drinks and a @dripnailsrgv giftcard! Winner will be announced Friday on afternoon

 
 
 

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