In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.

This time we caught up with Northern Irish multi-instrumentalist Kitt Philippa.

We recently featured this musician, songwriter, singer and producer with the release of their singularly captivating single ‘Fahrenheit'. This electronically-driven track was intricately composed in theatrical fashion, showcasing Kitt’s intuitive songwriting style. What’s more, ‘Fahrenheit’ gave us our first taste of the forthcoming Human LP. We’re expecting a few more electronic moments on the record, although Kitt is passionate about expressing stylistic variety as much as possible as so strains of their You EP can also be found, which should come as good news for fans of that previous release. Notably, and unsurprisingly, the album will feature title-track ‘Human’, as heard on the aforementioned EP and also lauded as Single of the Year 2018 by the Northern Irish Music Prize. With all signs pointing north, we’re getting ahead of the full record release and learning more about the industrious Kitt Philippa in the interview below. 

TMR: Hey Kitt, how are you?

Hello, I always find this question has an impressively broad scope; currently I am focused on these questions! Thanks so much for asking me to be involved.

TMR: We recently featured ‘Fahrenheit’ as a List Pick, a track that is quite different from your previous material. Does this feel like a turning point for you sonically?

Yes, thank you very much for that, I really appreciated it. I am constantly developing both as a person and a musician. ‘Fahrenheit’ is certainly more electronically based than most of my previous work, but I have an extremely wide appreciation of music and sound so, for me, it is just a continued exploration. 

TMR: How does ‘Fahrenheit’ fit in the span of the Human LP? Are there similar styles, sounds or themes?

The sounds within ‘Fahrenheit’ are quite unique - I’m not sure another track on the album featured the woodblock, for example. ‘Fahrenheit’ is very detailed and this is something that is prevalent in all the tracks. Thematically, a form of searching, or trying to understand, is shared most notably with ‘L’. The LP’s namesake, ‘Human’, is also electronically based.



TMR: The way you describe your music is fascinating, for example “I very much see all the individual parts like components of a greater structure - they have their own characters.” Have you always viewed song creation this way?

I think so. It’s probably due to detail; in ‘Fahrenheit’ some of those details are quite contrasting - but they occur very naturally together. The interactions and formations within tracks can be very interesting. On the new record, the penultimate track, ‘Atlas’, becomes orchestral at the end; it felt important to have a plurality of instrumental voices to express the intentions of the track.

TMR: An unprecedented amount of public figures are embracin their non-binary identities, such as Sam Smith. Is the industry more accessible to all genders in your opinion? Or what still needs to be done to level the playing field and create avenues for everyone?

Listening to a variety of respectful thoughts and experiences will contribute to a society that understands the people within it. 

TMR: With each release, there’s been a noticeable progression towards electronic sounds. What’s inspired this?

It hasn’t been a conscious decision from me, at least - I love working with all sounds. Within more electronic based genres; I enjoy the production on much of Mura Masa, Flume and FKA Twigs’ records. We are influenced a lot by our surroundings and the mediums that are most accessible to us. 

TMR: It must have been affirming to have three songs from your upcoming Human LP nominated for Best Song by the Northern Irish Music Prize?

Very much so, yes; it is very encouraging. It is wonderful to be a part of something that celebrates music from Northern Ireland. I am also very grateful to those who have supported and shared the music. I make music primarily out of a need; to then offer it to others and for that response to be appreciation is special.

TMR: There’s a great tradition of folk music in Northern Ireland, was this what encouraged you to first pick up an instrument?

I was first interested in pressing an instrument: the keys of the piano in my house. It was simply the sound itself (of my mum playing) that drew me to my first instrument. Seeing orchestras perform and being able to hear a fairly broad scope of sound, from a young age, is something that I’m very grateful for. Northern Ireland has a lot of great music within it and the variety is deepening. 

TMR: What’s the last song you listened to?

‘Initium’ by Keaton Henson.



TMR: Is there anywhere that listeners can catch you for a live performance in the near future?

Yes - London: Set Dalston on Wednesday 23rd October and Dublin: The Sugar Club on Tuesday 26th november - thank you.