19-year-old award-winning pop singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kaiya Gamble is known for turning her vulnerabilities into lyrical catharsis. With a voice that captures raw emotion and lyrics that read like pages from a diary, Kaiya is already making waves on the global music scene. Her performance at Calgary’s Lilac Fest, posted on social media, caught the eye of a casting producer for American Idol. Kaiya then made it to the celebrity judges, where she was one of only two Canadians to earn a Golden Ticket on Season 22 of the show. This also allowed Kaiya to perform at the Ryan Seacrest Foundation at the Cohen’s Children’s Hospital in Queens, NY that year. Kaiya’s storytelling and distinctive voice have also earned her praise from renowned artists, including Tori Kelly, Jon Batiste, Leslie Odom Jr., and David Foster. Kaiya’s songs resonate deeply with both audiences and fellow musicians. She has performed at over 200 live performances across Canada, including opening for artists like JP Saxe, Jamie Fine, Virginia to Vegas and showcasing at festivals BreakOut West and Departure (Canadian Music Week). She has also built a strong community online that has encouraged her fanbase to be authentically themselves and love who her fans are. With a deep sense of service and a belief in the power of music to connect and heal, Kaiya often performs in support of charitable causes. One of her most meaningful roles is as an ambassador for A Sound Life, an Australian organization that allows her to perform for patients, families and staff at the Sydney Children’s Hospital through Zoom from her home in Calgary once a month. Born and raised in Calgary, Kaiya was recently named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 20 Under 20. With her soulful sound and growing list of accomplishments, Kaiya is poised to leave a lasting mark on the music world and to continue to inspire generations to come.
Name:
Kaiya Gamble
Genre:
Pop
Founded:
2017
# of Albums:
10 singles
Latest Album:
I don’t have an album out (yet!!!)
Latest Single:
High School Play
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Alessia Cara, my Canadian queen!
Favourite musician now:
Remi Wolf, Jon Batiste, Leon Thomas!
Guilty pleasure song:
Baby by J Biebs… It’s a banger!
Live show ritual:
Tons of lozenges, a hug from my family, vocal warmups and a good playlist!
Favourite local musician:
I have sooo many! Kate Stevens and Jade Elephant come straight to mind!
EP or LP?
Right now, I’d say EP (because I’m working on my debut EP), but I’ll always be an LP girly at my core!
Early bird or night owl?
Night Owl for sure! I respect early birds endlessly because I could never!
Road or studio?
Live performing is and always be my first love, but recently I’ve really been obsessed with writing new music and loving that process! So can I say both? 🙂
Any shows or albums coming up?
My debut EP is releasing in the summertime! I’m really excited for you to hear it! My latest single, “High School Play,” will be on it! That song has such a special place in my heart. It was about the utter confusion you feel when you’re figuring how you feel about someone you’re close to. It’s been so incredibly surreal and cool to see people connect to that song in their own ways, and it actually got me my first-ever billboard in Dundas Square in Toronto for Amazon Music! So the response to the song has really inspired my writing process for the rest of the EP! I’m writing new songs with fans in mind. They’ve pushed me to be as vulnerable as possible, hoping someone will feel less alone when they hear I’ve been through similar situations!
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | TikTok | Website | YouTube
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Okay, I lowkey want to gatekeep them, but Weeds Cafe. Oh my gosh. I’m gluten-free, and their gluten-free sandwiches/bagels are to die for! The vibes are also immaculate! I also love Essence of Saigon in Brentwood for Vietnamese food, and Cornerstone Music Cafe in the South for overall charm and delicious drinks!
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Kensington Road! The overall atmosphere in Kensington is so hip and cool! From Higher Ground, to Pages, to the Plaza Theatre, there’s always something to see and experience!
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
I love Prince’s Island Park! It’s central to the city, in the summertime, there is tons of Canadian Geese, squirrels and wildlife, and they have beautiful walking trails!
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
Calgary has so many fantastic venues! From an acoustics standpoint, I LOVE performing at the Jack Singer Concert Hall and the Bella Concert Hall. Performing at the Palace Theatre was a bucket list moment, too!
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Recordland is legendary, it has Canada’s largest selection of music and largest selection of vinyl, which is beyond amazing that it’s here in Calgary!
