10 Things - Kit Dylan Arrieta

Kit Dylan Arrieta was born in Manila, Philippines, and migrated to the United States (via Honolulu, Hawaii) with her family at the age of five. She is a talented musician, releasing her first album "Cry on Cue" in December 2008. The entire album, compiled of songs written during a time of self-exploration and heart-felt desire, received a Grammy Nomination in 2010 in the "Alternative Pop/Rock" category. To learn more about Dylan, check out her official website!

If you wanna see Dylan live, she'll be playing on Saturday, November 20 at Rock Bottom at 10pm! For more information, contact Dylan at via her website or leave a comment here and we'll get back to you!


LINKAGE
facebook.com/kitdylanarriet


1. Where did you grow up?

A: I was born in Manila, Philippines. I grew up on the island of Oahu. I spent my college and post college years in Seattle. After ten years of living in Seattle and working on my music there, I moved back to Oahu to be closer to family and to pursue more music writing in my hometown.

2. What made you realize that music was your path?

A: I realized music is my path when I spent all my time and money on cassettes, CDs, music DVDs, and concert tickets when I was in grade school. I was convinced that music is my life when I was teaching a friend of mine play the guitar, and I told her, “I want to be a rockstar” (strum strum strum). She replied, “What’s holding you back?” That was the start of my professional musical career.

3. How would you describe the music that you typically create?

A: The music I typically create are lyrically driven, acoustic and folky, pop-rock tunes. I take my experiences from the people I meet and I regurgitate them in a journal. I give myself some time to wallow and marinate in these experiences, and when I’m ready to move on from these connections I create songs out them. I would like to describe my music as very poetic, heart-felt, sometimes comical, and beautiful.

4. Who are your biggest musical influences?

A: Oh, I have plenty, but to name a few, they are: Dave Matthews, Damien Rice, and the Indigo Girls.

5. What makes your music unique?

A: It takes a vision: Throughout history music has been the savior to humanity. Music explores the highest form of human emotion and empowers one to give life to their own creative inspiration. This is the experience they call the “artistic truth”. What makes my music unique is that it is uniquely my own. My lyrics come from my soul. Most people wear their hearts on their sleeves; I bear mine through my music.

6. Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you're most proud of?

A: Yes, of course; I have two proud moments. The first: In my start of my musicianship, I mostly wrote songs and kept them locked up; I rarely sang them out loud as I was afraid to sing in front of people. It took me a minor in theatre to get over my stage fright in addition to the many different styles of fears I carried around regarding public performances. After years of participating in open mics and improv theatre, I became more comfortable in my own skin and learned my capacities as a performer. I can proudly say that I humbly welcome humility to shape me into becoming a better person and musician. The second: In May of 2008 I released my first EP Suffocated. The EP also released the music video Suffocated. In September 2008, I released two more music videos Cylon 8 and Cry on Cue. I believe my most proudest moment was when I wrapped up the Cry on Cue album, a two-disc set, which was released Christmas of 2008.

7. What's next for you?

A: As a solo singer/songwriter and performing musician, I have had the pleasure of working with very talented studio musicians, all of whom have supported me through the making of my first album. After releasing Cry on Cue, I moved to back to Oahu to do more music writing. I thought this would be a great opportunity to go back to my hometown and play live music, which I rarely got a chance to do while I was recording my first album in Seattle. Upon my arrival to the island, I was fortunate to have put together a band to perform with me. We have been playing on live TV and Radio and in main hubs such as China Town and Honolulu. Currently, we are wrapping up the mixing and mastering tunes for the second album. In the next month or so, we will be filming our next music video. Within the next year, we would like to tour Europe and Asia.

8. When you’re not working on music, what are you doing?

A: I am a movie buff. I enjoy going to the movies. Horror and Action/Adventure flicks are my favorites. I also enjoy working out at the gym, playing basketball and beach volleyball, and doing outdoorsy stuff, such as hiking and camping.

9. What is your favorite food to eat?

A: Tough question. I like to eat a lot of things. Veggies, dairy, fruit, all types of meats, complex carbs, and sweets. Did I cover the pyramid? I am a bottomless pit. Thank goodness for high metabolism. I don’t know what kind of life I would have if I didn’t have these food options. Oh wait, I am a starving musician.…

10. What is your favorite holiday and why?

A: My favorite holiday is April 27 because that is the day I came out 13.5 years ago. I officially made that day my second birthday.