Music Personified: Q&A with Kadhja Bonet

by Gemma Brand-Wolf

When I saw Kadhja Bonet perform at a SoFarSounds LA show, I was instantly mesmerized by her unearthly voice and atmospheric range. Kadhja’s music evokes the image of a different dimension, a tropical world of bright clarity. Above a web of strings, percussion, and many other instruments, Kadhja Bonet’s voice floats gracefully over the complicated interconnected instrumental background. Of her music, Kadhja explains that,

“She’s elusive, and I spend most moments considering how to get back to her the quickest, how to treat her better when I do.”

Below, Kadhja speaks about her experience writing music and performing live, what it means to be inspired, and her relationship with her personfication of music.

SOD: How did you first start making music? When did you decide that you wanted to be a professional musician?

Kadhja Bonet: I don’t remember if I was keen on it or not — my older sisters were already playing and I began to play too. I know it was part of my father’s vision. A family of musicians. But I didn’t decide to consider it professionally until I was already in my twenties, and it was the only thing that made sense to me, however impractical.

SOD: How do you use music as a means of expression?

KB: I write songs when I have something I have to say. It’s cathartic, it’s a form of self therapy. Because of that, all my songs are self-reflexive in some way, directly or indirectly. They are the means to which I cope with reality.

SOD: How does your life influence your music? How does your music influence your life?

KB: Lately, my life just takes me away from music. There are so many non-musical things to do when you have music as a career. It’s quite ironic. There’s so much hustle that there can be little time for making it. I think I made more music, wrote more songs and practiced more, when it was just a hobby. So if you want to maximize your musical output, a career may not be the only choice. The business part of music is more than a full time job. But music guides my life, whether or not I am making it. She’s elusive, and I spend most moments considering how to get back to her the quickest, how to treat her better when I do.

SOD: How do you get inspired when you write?

KB: I don’t write unless I’m inspired. I only write when I have something burning in me to say. So the songs come out how they have to, in a sort of urgency. Sometimes there are long lulls when I have nothing to say. That’s terrifying. I think “XYZ” was the last song I will have ever written…. what a shame. And then some time shortly after that something else is stirred up and materialized.

SOD: What does it feel like to perform live?

KB: Performing live is different for differing personalities. Most performers relish it. They are beautiful, enthusiastic hams who lust for the stage. I’m quite an introvert though, so performing is always a challenge. I am always wondering where I should be looking, what I should be doing with my body — feeling the burn of people’s gaze. It gets easier, I’d like all my fellow introverts to know, but it never gets easy. The trick is learning how to quiet your mind long enough that you can be really present for the songs, instead of present for the bright lights and awkward moments. I’ve only had a few fleeting moments of presence, and they were my most enjoyable.

SOD: How do you want your audience to feel when listening to your music?

KB: I want them to feel comforted, mostly. I want them to know there is someone out there sharing in the multitude of human experiences that weigh on them. I want them to feel rested and rejuvenated, and ready to confront the next thing that comes up.

SOD: What advice would you give to the Doodle community?

KB: Let people in. And keep letting people in. Even when it backfires. Even when all your insecurities are on high alert and you are raw and exposed. Let people into your art, let them into your love, let them into all your peculiarities. You will never run out of inspiration in this way. You will never run out of directions to grow. You will surprise yourself with the depth of your own heart, and you may even scare yourself. That’s a good sign… let people see you.