Kim Kuzma

By Alex Teitz

Kim Kuzma is a new force in Canadian music. Her CD, Contradictions, has been charting and selling well with HMV records and Kim’s name is slowly spreading. Her vocals are bold and clear. For more information on Kim Kuzma visit http://www.kimkuzma.com

FEMMUSIC: What made you decide to pursue music professionally?

KK: It was never really a conscious decision…it just made sense. I sang throughout my school years, then moved to Vancouver, continued to work my way into the scene here while working during the day.  Finally, as of two years ago, I took a leap of faith and decided I needed to do music full time.

FEMMUSIC: Describe your songwriting technique?

KK: Well, I find songwriting a somewhat difficult process…it usually comes to me when I’m going through a difficult period.  So many people write about love, myself included, perhaps because that when we tend to feel the most…the emotions, the roller coaster effect, our hearts are laid out in the open, so I write what I’m going through, in a journal manner, and those words work their way into a song eventually.

FEMMUSIC: How did you meet Dale Penner? How was it working with him on Contradictions?

KK:  I had heard of Dale through friends, met his wife a couple years prior, but never met him personally.  I figured, ” what the hell “, I’d give him a call, not really thinking he’d be interested as I knew he had just worked with Nickelback, Holly MacNarland, that he may not want to work with me, considering I wasn’t as rock oriented, etc.

We finally met, I played him what I had on tape, strummed some stuff on a guitar, and he later let me know that he wanted to work with me. I really liked what I had heard so far of the productions he had been involved with, so I was excited to record with him.  Dale was a joy to work with…extremely organized in the studio, kept our schedule on time, etc.  He keeps a really relaxed ambience in the studio, yet at the same time, very focused. He’s an absolute pro. Spending so much time in the studio with someone can be very trying, so I was grateful to have a good experience with him.

FEMMUSIC: What was the biggest challenge making Contradictions?

KK: Having to meet people’s schedules!  Vince Jones produced two tunes, and his schedule was extremely busy so I had to fit in where I could which took months to get together, then he was too busy to finish the CD, and was doing other productions, so I was suddenly faced with having to find another producer…I remember feeling a little discouraged, to say the least.  It took a bit for me to approach Dale because I was worried he wouldn’t be interested, and I was losing the ‘oomph’, the excitement, in the whole project by this time.  That was a huge challenge…to keep the inner belief that it was all going to work out, and not get discouraged by the amount of time that was passing by.

FEMMUSIC:  What was the best experience making Contradictions?

KK: Obviously the end result was a wonderful feeling, working with such talented musicians, some whom I’d never met before, suddenly lending their ‘gift’ to my music making it all come together.  The most memorable experience though was a moment Dale and I had together while leaving the studio one night, about to get into our separate vehicles, and I revealed to him what an astounding experience recording the CD had become for me. My personal and professional fears were working themselves out, the discouragement I had felt previously was now replaced with feelings of achievement, a sense of pride of what had been accomplished, especially personally.  Recording your personal experiences can be very baring, extremely revealing…and when you hear it afterwards, and are so pleased with the outcome, it can be a wonderful but emotionally overwhelming sensation. In a good way though, don’t get me wrong!

FEMMUSIC: Who have been your biggest musical influences?

KK: As for singers, I admire the strong, emotive voices such as Annie Lennox, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and George Michael’s smoothness.  Plus there are the amazing singer/songwriters such as Paula Cole and Jann Arden.

FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to see changed about the music industry and why?

KK: Hmmm….If the music industry could be more about what the MUSIC is about – not about who just signed the youngest artist ever, etc.  I feel that there are way too many younger adults these days thinking that some of the artists that they look up to, are the epitome of what they’re supposed to be themselves.  Talk about huuuuuuge pressure… not everyone looks like the younger female artists topping the charts.  It is a MARKETING MACHINE…and when you’re independent, it is difficult to compete with a record label’s cash flow and instant connections, etc.  Age shouldn’t matter, what’s being ‘said’ through the music should carry it’s own weight.  Gee, do you think that will happen in our time?  It does in some sense, but rarely.

FEMMUSIC: As a woman in the music industry, have you been discriminated against?

KK: I think that’s an easy way out for a woman, to say, “she’s been discriminated against”… no doubt there’s some people out there who like to play “old boy’s school” with some women, but that happens in all types of work! Not just music and not just to women alone!

If anything, I’d have to say that female artists have had a wonderful run the past few years!  We have surged onto the music scene and have attracted attention all over the charts!  I think it’s been a wonderful time for female artists, more so than years ago.  It’s just too bad that “image” is such a large part of it all, touching on what I talked about in the previous question.

FEMMUSIC:  What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

KK: SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!! Of course, do not give in… listen to that voice in your head that go you here in the first place, learn all you can about the business, whether it be marketing, self promotion, recording, etc.  Remain humble… you never know who you are talking to, they may be a huge supporter in the future. Keep in mind that you are NOT better than someone else… you too have made the decision to be in this business, and it is cut throat, so it’s best to make allies. There’s power in numbers.  And finally, let your passion steer you.  That’s key.