What it just came back to was just reflecting upon myself and which of the two interests I wanted to pursue more in the moment, and I instinctively gravitated more strongly to music just because it’s a passion that’s been with me all my life.
For some reason, I thought that putting the two together would perhaps be a good idea - combining my interests in both music and theater - but funnily enough, that was decidedly not the case. Kiyu: Yes, 100%! I actually came into college wanting to do musical theater, mostly because I was really interested in both acting and music. WSN: When did you first realize that music was something you wanted to pursue? Was there ever a moment of epiphany that you can trace it all back to? I’m actually thinking of changing it because people keep mispronouncing it as “kai-you” over here.
You know what I mean? So I added a “y” to it to kind of balance it out. Kiyu: It’s from my Cantonese name - I took the last character but I thought that it looked a bit weird on its own. WSN: Can you explain your moniker “kiyu” to us? My music is very melodic in the sense that it follows a lot of what Hong Kong artists tend to bring with their bands and their music - they all use instruments to support a really good and consistent melody line, and that’s something that I believe is also intrinsic to my music. My musical style mostly follows the styles of artists like Jeremy Zucker and keshi and EDEN, with some hints of the styles of bands like The Script or The Fray, with more intimate elements. I went to an international school, so a lot of my musical influences came from the States or overseas, and I want to be where my influences are. Kiyu: Yeah! My name is kiyu and I’m originally from Hong Kong and now live in the United States for my studies, and also because I feel like my music belongs here in the States more stylistically than it does back in Hong Kong. WSN: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your music? This interview has been edited for length and clarity. I spoke with kiyu over Zoom to discuss his musical inspirations, how NYU has helped shape his musical identity, his long-term goals and more. Having performed his first live show in New York City last month, kiyu has only just begun his musical journey. In his semi-autobiographical songs about the complexities of growing up and struggling with mental health, kiyu’s deft songwriting abilities and mellow vocals provide his listeners with a soulful listening experience. Indie musician and NYU junior Jackie Chak Kiu Chan, originally from Hong Kong, is voicing your deepest anxieties and worries through subdued indie pop as kiyu.
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