Owen Smith, a.k.a Kilcool, was introduced to music at a young age and has been obsessed ever since. Beginning in chorus at 8-years-old, Owen learned about chest voice and crescendos, but he didn’t stop there. After becoming acquainted with Logic production software at 15, Owen entered the world of beat-building by teaching himself music composition via YouTube videos. All of this eclectic music experience contributed to how he identifies genre-wise. Self-described as “Sound-Cloud R&B” with an EDM/hip hop twist, his songs are jam-packed with uniqueness and authenticity. In fact, one could say he’s not “killing cool;” he’s giving it life!
A New York native, Owen has first-hand experience with the innovative music scene the Big Apple has to offer. This has contributed to his own creative sound and style, even characterizing himself as “Spike Lee in Do The Right Thing meets Neo from The Matrix.” Decked out in a black tux on the cover of his first album and a pair of board shorts in the next, it’s clear that Kilcool can do it all. He currently plans to take the East Coast culture out West, where he hopes to get a taste of the sunshine and coveted warm weather. With albums titled Low Tide and High Tide, his songs remind us of the best of times—lounging on a SoCal beach, soaking up the sun, and watching the waves splash. What listeners can expect in the future of this two-album act is even more brilliant beats, online performances, and of course, an ever-expanding library of TikToks. So where can we learn more about Kilcool’s craft and coolness? Right here, as SHEESH! was lucky enough to chat with him.
What inspired you to begin making music?
When I first started around 2012, I was inspired by a lot of the guys making more experimental production heavy stuff like James Blake, Toro Y Moi, Flume, Disclosure and of course Kanye West. It wasn’t until 2016 when I started recording my own voice over my songs that I was inspired by singers I used to listen to when I was younger like Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Marvin Gaye, Sting etc. Very weird mix, but there are honestly too many to list.
What genre would you describe your music as?
Kind of like Soundcloud R&B. Basically just R&B with a little bit of that Soundcloud EDM/hip hop twist. It’s tough because I make some house music, too, which doesn’t really fit into that mold. Alternative-R&B is probably the easiest label but that’s so broad.
What are your personal favorite songs from your albums, Low Tide and High Tide?
That’s really tough because I really do like all of them pretty equally. Obviously some songs bump harder than others but the songs I would say that were the most important to me while making them were “Insecurities” and “Come In,” Neither of them were the most successful songs of the two albums, but the lyrics were the most raw. Felt good to make a track about depression and insecurity because it’s something I know a lot of people can relate to.
Any interesting backstories to your songs?
Almost every one of those songs has a funny back story. I’ve made videos about a couple on TikTok. The one on “Reside” was a big one, but one story I haven’t told yet is how I made my song “Come Upstairs.” I was at my friend’s house for a party last year and I heard my friend’s girlfriend say to him “come upstairs with me,” and I was immediately like ‘oh that’s a hit right there,’ So I ran to my friend’s out of tune piano and in my not-so-sober state I started banging out these chords with the lyrics “come upstairs with me.” I actually recorded a video of it on my phone to remember that hook which I ended up posting on my Instagram to promote the song when it dropped. Anyways, the very next day I went home and refined the chords, finished writing the song and recorded it.
So, what are your future plans regarding your music?
I’m working on ideas for a music video for my song “Reside.” Outside of that, it’s tough to have a set plan with music when you’re an independent artist trying to grow a fan base. As of now my plan is to keep making music and promoting it and hope that something gets picked up. I look at both High Tide and Low Tide as mixtapes, and eventually, in an ideal world, I’d love to get some kind of record deal to be able to do some of the things I want to do that aren’t really in my budget.
Any tour plans or online performances?
Yes actually! I’m playing a live stream show at Bowery Electric in NYC with my band on November 19th, all with high quality film/audio equipment so it’ll be like a real show that you can watch right on your couch!
Click here to get tickets.
You’re on the east coast. How has that contributed to your music? Any plans on moving west?
That’s actually funny that you ask because I’ve had a tentative plan to move out to LA for a couple years now; I just haven’t made it happen. I absolutely love New York; I was born and raised here, but I am definitely longing for that warm weather. As far as New York’s effect on my music goes, it’s been monumental. My parents listened to a lot of jazz, rock and older R&B, but growing up in the city, I was constantly surrounded by hip hop and 90s R&B. I think that mixture had a pretty significant impact on my taste and output.
You’ve also made TikToks showing how you produce your songs. Is that new for you, and are you going to continue with it?
Oh, absolutely. It’s fun to show people my process and give tips to other producers and musicians looking to start writing music. YouTube was super helpful for me when I first started producing, so I’m happy to share some of my knowledge with the community. It’s also a great way to promote my music. “Reside” has now become the most streamed song on my Spotify by far because of people on TikTok.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened in a live performance?
I had a show in August 2019 at this local music festival in the Lower East Side, and after our first song, the keys stopped coming out of the monitors, and the mic was so hot that any time I’d walk forward on the stage, it would feedback super loud. I kept trying to tell the sound guy, but he wasn’t really paying attention. So, I was pissed, but I had to keep my cool because we had a full audience. Finally, the guy came onstage to fix the wiring and plug the keys back into the speakers, so the band and I had to improv for a good 5 minutes. We ended up, completely unrehearsed, breaking into “Don’t Let Me Down” by the Beatles, which was really fun.
What’s one cool fact about you?
When I was 10, I recorded back up vocals in the studio with Neil Young for his song “The Way,” and 8 years later, with the same group, we performed at the 9/11 memorial museum opening on Live TV in front of President Obama, the Clintons and a bunch of other well-known New Yorkers.
Besides music, what else do you hope to break into?
I want to break into as many facets of show business as I can. I love acting; I’ve always been fascinated by Broadway. I love fashion and design. Music is definitely my main focus, but I don’t want to be tied down.
Check out Kilcool’s Instagram to keep up with new releases and listen to his finished projects on Spotify. Kilcool is now producing merch for the first time ever! Available on kilcool.com beginning in November. And don’t forget to secure tickets to his virtual performance on November 19th.
For interviews with other small artists, check out Sofía Valdés: Upcoming Dreamy Pop Artist and Artist Yasin Has Aspirations Bigger Than Rap.
