Kit Hepburn Left Alone Interview

Enigmatic lo-fi master KIT HEPBURN has released his hazy new single left alone, an entirely self-produced track that draws upon ambient soundscapes and R&B elements, and feels particularly representative of the shutdown the world experienced in 2020 due to COVID-19. The dark, brooding song is accompanied by an appropriately moody video clip, made in collaboration with filmmaker Lucas Haynes. 
 
left alone really does feel like an auditory response to the isolation and loneliness experienced by millions during the coronavirus lockdowns across the globe. Gentle electric piano and dreamy beats push this song forward with slow assertion, as KIT HEPBURN's voice floats dreamily amongst the atmosphere. Exploring heartache and the desire for closeness whilst feeling adrift in a relationship, Kit Hepburn offers insights into the inspiration behind the song, saying, "I was living on my own during lockdown, which was a blessing in some ways and a curse in others. I wasn't able to see any friends or work, so I'd just spend my nights driving around real late. There's something about driving around late at night on empty roads that feels otherworldly, particularly at that time. I think that feeling is in the song for sure…this song is an expression of wanting closeness, but also having walls up."
 
That eerie feeling of driving around late at night on empty streets is perfectly conveyed in the film clip for left alone. The video feels a little trippy, but scenes of night-driving and streetlights are identifiable – it's like a visual reflection of the uneasiness of this act. Driving around late at night can often make one feel as though they're the last person on earth – and this video captures that brilliantly, as KIT HEPBURN reflects, "We wanted to capture that feeling of being lost at night on the road. So Lucas, myself and the crew jumped into a bright green convertible and started driving around real late, getting footage on an old VHS camera. It was very in the moment, but I think we captured something special."
 
The self-sufficient artist, originally from regional Victoria but currently based in Melbourne, wrote, produced, mixed and mastered left alone entirely by himself during Melbourne's extended lockdown, as he says, "It feels so good to be releasing left alone. I was obsessed with getting this song just right, so it feels good to be finally sharing it with the world and getting it out of my bedroom."

Interview with Kit Hepburn

Question: How would you describe your music?

Kit Hepburn: The music I make is hazy, melodic, and very atmospheric. Capturing a certain vibe and mood is always number one for me.

Songs often start with just me at a piano messing around - finding melodies and then working on lyrics. Then I build the song out with production and sound design.

Stylistically I draw a lot from electronic, alternative rock, hip-hop and r&b influences, and I also love finding new sounds and textures that create a unique palette for whatever track I'm working on.


Question: Can you tell us about left alone?

Kit Hepburn: I wrote 'left alone' in the middle of the big lockdown. I was living on my own in regional Vic and was feeling kind of stuck - all that time with not much to do made me pretty reflective, I think it was like that for a lot of people. I had also just gotten out of a relationship and was feeling pretty torn about it, on one hand wanting that person to be there, but also knowing that the relationship wasn't working; feeling stuck in another way. That definitely informed the song lyrically. I've got an old red 90's coupe and I'd often drive around late at night just on my own through the empty streets just blasting music thinking this stuff over, then I'd go home and record. I think 'left alone' really captures that feeling.


Question: What inspired the music video?

Kit Hepburn: So my friend Lucas Haynes is an amazing filmmaker. We were actually in the middle of a two day shoot for another music video, we were both super exhausted. Lucas has this old green convertible that looks awesome but the engine is a bit cooked - anyway we jumped in and filmed some footage driving around those same streets late at night, hoping the engine wouldn't die. We shot the video on an old VHS camera - we just wanted to capture the moment, and that same feeling that the song has visually. I think we nailed it.


Question: How did you experience creating new music during lockdown?

Kit Hepburn: It was definitely interesting, being stuck at home made me pretty restless so being creative was a big release for me. I was lucky in that I've got a pretty decent studio set up so I would just record all day, every day. That part of lockdown was fun for me. I have an exercise book filled with crudely handwritten songs that I wrote through that period.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Kit Hepburn: I want my music to be something that can take people on a journey - that can soundtrack the moments in life. That's the amazing thing about music - I have such pivotal moments in my life that are connected with certain songs. I want to make music that makes people feel something, I'm all about creating an emotional experience.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Kit Hepburn: I love both, I record a lot but it's been a minute since I performed live so I'm keen for that - What I love about performing live is that you can create something that can only be heard in that moment by the people in the room - it's dope. I also have a background as an actor, so put me in front of a crowd any day. Big Leo energy.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Kit Hepburn: It's always about expression for me - trying to capture the feeling of where I'm at and what I'm experiencing. I try not to overthink things when I make music - the best stuff I write always comes when I just let it pour out, when I'm not even thinking about it.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Kit Hepburn: Right now I'm listening to a lot of Brent Faiyaz, Westside Gunn and Burial. Also heavily vibing the new Genesis Owusu album.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Kit Hepburn: I started with teaching myself how to play on my friend's Grandma's piano - I found that I liked improvising and playing around rather than learning other people's songs - so I started making little compositions when I was in my teens. Then when I graduated high school I got a beat making app on my phone, I was hooked instantly so started putting together my own studio and learning how to produce. From there I got work composing music for a contemporary dance performance in Melbourne - I had no idea what I was doing but I just winged it. I often like to dive into the deep end of something difficult, I think I learn and grow so much more that way. I just kept on working at music and finding my sound from there. It's unreal to be putting out music at the moment, it's something I've been working towards for a long time and I've got so much more to share!


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
Kit Hepburn: Hmm.. there are so many I'd love to work with but if I had to pick one.. I'd probably love to work with Frank Ocean. I've watched and read so much about how he makes and records his albums - his song 'Nights' is one of my all time favs so it would be a dream to work with the man and who knows, maybe even feature on 'Nights, Pt. 2'.


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Kit Hepburn: I think it was a world that always felt mysterious which definitely drew me to it, I was aware of it from the outside as a fan of music for a long time so it's pretty cool to now be working within it.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Kit Hepburn: Ah there are so many things I love about it - but probably being able to share my music with other people and get it out into the world, especially after being cooped up all of last year. I used to be super nervous about sharing my music, so it feels amazing to have taken that leap.


Question: What's a typical day like? Kit Hepburn: My day to day varies quite a bit as I've been super busy working across a few different creative projects recently which is awesome. I like to get up pretty early, go for a walk and grab a triple strength coffee and then smash whatever work I need to during the day - I'll go out, see friends then record music pretty late into the night. My neighbours aren't so happy about it.


Question: What's next, for you?

Kit Hepburn: Right now I'm getting ready to start playing live soon - I've got a whole new stack of songs that I can't wait to get out into the world so I'm working on getting a killer set together. I've also got an EP in the works and another music video being edited at the moment so watch this space, there's going to be a lot more coming soon.


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)



Kit Hepburn: Facebook 
Instagram 
Spotify 
Soundcloud 


Interview by Gwen van Montfort