Don is ready for a new chapter
We last interviewed Don (aka Kayslee Collins) a few years ago, so we thought it was time we caught up with her for a chat about her brand new EP. Our editor Bobby asks the questions:
Hiya! Long time no speak. How have you been?
A lot has happened since we last talked. Excited to catch up!
Congratulations on your new EP, Selfish Baby. Tell us about the creation of the EP. Have some of the songs been around for a while? Are they all new? A mixture of both?
Thank you very much! I started practicing I guess you could say / writing on my own about 5 years ago. I’ve worked with multiple amazing producers. Definitely took me some time to get where I am now. I started working on this EP a little less than a year ago with Joseph Keefe. Something instantly just clicked for me as an artist and our dynamic together just worked. I was living in the home we wrote/recorded the EP in so that was amazing to be in that environment daily. We started everything from scratch. So I guess you could say from the start of the writing process to the release it took a little less than a year.
Could you tell us a little about your songwriting process… Do things happen in a certain order (lyrics first? music first? etc) or is it different with every song?
A little combination of both. For the most part we or I will have an inspiration of the type of song I want to make and we will start making the track and I mostly freestyle write on the mic. I go with my first gut feeling. Then we will go back and rework the lyrics (if necessary) which seems extremely vulnerable but that’s what I like about it. I’ve honed this method over the years and I know immediately where I want to go melodically and lyrically. It’s crazy to hear back some of those straight-through takes because I literally make them up as I go.
You used to release music under the name Kayslee Collins. Don is your middle name, right? What prompted you to start going by Don, musically? Does it represent a change in focus/direction?
Don is indeed my middle name. This was a decision I made a long time ago when I started writing. I’ve always loved my middle name. My name / first name is unique (my parents were very creative) but when you add my middle name in there I feel it truly represents me. I have had a successful career in modeling and I wanted to be reborn in a way. I love what I’ve done and the success that I’ve had but my ultimate goal has always been music. It’s time for a new chapter. It’s strong and I truly believe Don represents who I am as an artist.
You’ve played live shows since the EP’s release. Will you be going on a full tour at any point?
I have played one and one show only EVER. I was fortunate enough to be invited to play school night (Chris Douridas thank you). I hope to play many many more. To be on tour is a dream for me. I would love nothing more but to speak to strangers not only through a speaker but face to face. Also, I am a performer naturally and I truly have always known thats what I want to do.
So playing live something you enjoy, or do you prefer creating music in the studio?
I just love music. I love it all!
What else have you got going on at the moment, aside from your music?
Honestly, I am just focusing on this. My focus is on evolving and just becoming a better artist.
What does 2020 have in store for you?
I’m currently collaborating with a few artists that I’m a big fan of. Can’t wait to share these! I’m also continuing to write new material and hope to get on the road for a run of shows.
Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. What are you going to do now that this interview is done?
I am going to go write a song, lol. No but seriously, thank you for supporting me!
…
Keep up to date with Don on Instagram
Interview by Bobby Townsend.
