Meet The Musos: Get To Know Genre-Bending, Multitalented Muso K. FLAY

US singer K.Flay has joined forces with Pierce the Veil's Vic Fuentes to unleash their latest single Irish Goodbye — a fierce and unapologetically intense track that dives deep into the complexities of self-preservation versus toxic desires.

The song, which drops today, marks a thrilling preview of K.Flay's upcoming studio album, MONO, which will be blessing our eardrums on September 15th via Giant Music.

Irish Goodbye shines as the heaviest and most hard-hitting entry in the album, presenting an intimately detailed portrait of the internal struggle between choosing one's well-being and succumbing to potentially destructive cravings.

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Reflecting on the creative process, K.Flay, (aka Kristine Flaherty), revealed: "I was screaming in the demo to that song and eventually I realized, 'I have a friend who screams professionally, so maybe I should get him on this.'"

The release of Irish Goodbye follows K. Flay’s single Shy, which had people paying attention in June alongside the announcement of MONO. Additionally, the album's captivating lead single, Raw Raw, released in April, preceded K.Flay's co-headlining tour across the United States with grandson.

MONO, K.Flay's fifth full-length studio album, emerges as a profound statement of resilience and creative rebirth, an achievement even more remarkable in the face of a life-altering setback.

A sudden and permanent hearing loss in her right ear threatened her musical journey, raising questions about her ability to continue crafting her distinctive sound. "For a while, it was upsetting to even listen to music, so at some point I had to ask myself, 'Can I still do this? Do I still want to?'" shared K.Flay.

Despite the challenges, the artist returned to the studio, igniting a renewed sense of purpose. "I felt an urgency I hadn't experienced in quite some time," she confessed.

"It was like this massive sensory change had put me back into a beginner's mind, where I felt so free but also compelled to put everything I had into making the record great."

The album's 14 tracks venture deep into her psyche, unravelling essential truths about the pain of loss and the transformative power it holds.

Representing a new chapter for the boundary-pushing artist, MONO not only marks her debut with Giant Music but also serves as an exploration of personal evolution since her early days of spontaneous rapping and songwriting at Stanford University in the early 2000s.

As anticipation builds for the release of MONO'on September 15th, we caught up with the multitalented muso to find out everything you need to know about K. Flay.

Give us the story behind your name?

K.Flay was my nickname in college when I first started making music. I didn't think much about it, as I never imagined I'd have a career in music. But here I am, haha. k.flay forever.

If your music was a flavor, what would it taste like?

Double fudge brownie with gummy worms.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences and how have they impacted your own sound and style?

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metric, Santigold, Missy Elliott, Liz Phair - artists with specific lyricism and genrelessness throughout their careers. I'm most inspired by music that feels tough and free, which is what I aim to create.

What’s been the biggest moment in your career so far?

Recently, I achieved my first platinum record in the US, a significant achievement. My manager and I made a deal to get tattoos when that happened, but he's hesitant. SETH, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU MUST DO.

What's the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you've drawn from when writing a song?

The sudden and permanent loss of hearing in my right ear was an unexpected source of inspiration. I talk about this experience on track one of my new record.

What are the top three tracks or artists you’re vibing on rn?

Madi Diaz - Hangover

Wallice - Loser at Best

Kylie Minogue - Padam Padam

What’s something that fans might not know about you?

I'm extremely afraid of bugs!

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles. This album encompasses a wide range of emotions, from melancholy to triumph to silliness, making it suitable for various moods in life.

What's in the works for you in 2023?

My new album, MONO, is set to release on September 15th. This is a significant milestone. I'll be touring and traveling to support the album, and I'm incredibly excited about it.

MONO (Track Listing)

1 - Are You Serious?
2 - Carsick
3 - Raw Raw
4 - Punisher
5 - Irish Goodbye (feat. Vic Fuentes Of Pierce The Veil)
6 - Hustler
7 - Spaghetti (feat. Kid Sistr)
8 - Bar Soap
9 - Watch Me Pt. 1
10 - In America
11 - Shy
12 - Watch Me Pt. 2
13 - Chaos Is Love
14 - Yes I’m Serious
15 - Perfectly Alone