A Chat with Kimaya Diggs (16.02.23)
Described as a complex artist with soulful RnB style to warm audiences’ hearts, Kimaya Diggs is a songstress with something special to share. Featured in numerous publications, such as Less Than 1000 Followers, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Under The Radar, and The Boston Globe, US-based Diggs is garnering a following on an international scale. We speak with Diggs about her new album Quincy, future plans, what music means to her, and much more!
OSR: What made you decide to pursue a career in music?
Diggs: I’ve been singing since I can remember – my mom used to say that I played her ribs like a harp before I was even born (sorry!!). When I started writing my own songs at 22 I realised that storytelling and singing are truly meant to be central parts of my life, and I invested all my time and energy into it from there.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Diggs: Music gives you an opportunity to tell a story or convey a message in a way that incorporates so many of your senses. It allows you to connect with listeners on so many different levels, and to share more depth of narrative. I’m a social person, so I’m here for anything that will connect me to more people. That will help us find common ground.
OSR: What can you tell us about your album Quincy? Is there a backstory or theme?
Diggs: Quincy is named after my late great dog, the retired racing greyhound Quincy Bones. Most of the songs on the album were written as I explored my role in the various relationships in my life – as a friend, a daughter, a partner, a lover. Quincy represents the many parts of me that exist in tension with one another.
When I started writing and recording this album, I had a mom and a dog. And now, they’re both gone. Strangely enough, these songs about discovering who I am and evolving and changing have been the one thing that’s been constant for me over the past three years.
OSR: What is your creative process?
Diggs: I’m a slow and solitary songwriter. I struggle to put the pieces together when writing songs, but I also find the process really meditative, as I try to let my voice guide my songwriting process. Quincy gave me an opportunity to play a more active role as a producer, and much of my creative process through 2021 and 2022 centred around trusting my gut and my taste even though I’m new to producing.
OSR: What were the most exciting and most challenging things about producing Quincy?
Diggs: I was really lucky to record in my spouse’s studio, so we really got to take our time experimenting with instrumentation, arrangements, and vocals. It was really exciting to know that we could take risks and try things just for kicks.
I found it really challenging to look at the big picture of every song. I don’t think of myself as a strong arranger, so I relied a lot on my collaborators to help shape the arc of every song. I’m proud of what we ended up with!
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
Diggs: This music is for the people who feel sadness and shame and sorrow and doubt but always put on a brave face. It’s for the people who can’t go on any longer but do it anyway. It’s for anyone who’s grieving, it’s Taurus music, it’s eldest sister music. But I also hope that these songs feel truthful and meaningful to anyone who listens to them. I hope that listeners feel seen in bittersweet moments by these songs.
OSR: What do you believe makes you unique as a musician?
Diggs: Growing up in Western Massachusetts, there aren’t many Black and Indian musicians. As I get older, I find myself returning to the cultural customs that I was raised with, and I think both cultures show up in my music. Being mixed is a great way to feel ostracised by both cultures, but I’m really proud of the space I’ve built for myself both in Western MA and in the broader music community.
OSR: If you could spend the day with any individual (not a musician), who would it be and why?
Diggs: Patti Harrison! I imagine it would be a kind of hectic day, but I’m ready. I think she’s so brilliant and her commitment to chaos is honestly very inspiring to me.
OSR: How would you describe yourself as a person and do you believe your personality comes through in your music?
Diggs: I’m always tired!! But maybe that’s a medical problem. Personality-wise I’m a hard worker and extremely stubborn. I love my friends and family like I love water and sunlight. I struggle with depression and I also feel like I need to accomplish as many things as I possibly can in my life! My two modes are 1) yes, I can do everything, and no one can stop me and 2) laying down wondering why I do anything and wishing I could fall asleep.
I do think that my personality comes through in my music. I try to always include a sense of wonder or hope or beauty even in the saddest songs. Many of my songs are about the work I’ve done to understand myself and how complicated that is.
OSR: What are your future plans as a musician?
Diggs: Other than Quincy, I’m playing lots of shows this spring and summer, working on new songs, recording vocals for various friends’ projects, and having taco nights with my band! I dream about going on tour supporting any of my favourite musicians!
Also, when I was eight, I wrote in my journal that I really wanted to be a soloist for the Boston Pops Christmas show, so….
Many thanks to Kimaya Diggs for speaking with us! For more from Kimaya Diggs, check out her official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
