Today we’d like to introduce you to Edi Kí.
Hi Edi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story… well it is still being written. How I got started well I basically had to reinvent myself to use the skills that were already placed on the inside of me. I tend to overshare my thoughts, feelings, trauma etc… and over time I began to notice people honestly really don’t care. I was dealing with so many painful things and I hated life so much that I almost took myself out of here. I even have to pay my therapist to listen to me if you know what I mean. One day I was stabbed in my chest and I almost didn’t recover. I was in a coma for 1 week after that and when I woke up I realized I didn’t want to die anymore. It was the scariest moment of my life. So I began to write and write and write about everything that I was thinking and feeling it became a pattern and then I began to play and play and play what I felt. Music is the only way for me to process life, identity, love, heartbreak, growth, and the different versions of myself that I was becoming. One day I wrote a song so good I was like this song is AMAZING how could I not share this with someone? I always knew that I was meant for more but I just didn’t know what that exactly meant until now. I realized my journey as an artist has really mirrored my journey as a person. I’ve gone through so many eras, especially becoming comfortable with myself as a transom, and every version of me has influenced the music I am making now. However my story is still being written honestly this is my first ever interview for a magazine it’s so surreal writing this as I am working from home currently using my break to do this. I started by using music to find myself, and now I am using music to let the world come find me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ha! It absolutely HAS NOT been a smooth road. Especially when first trying to introduce yourself to your local music scene. You have absolutely NO SUPPORT starting off. I play an instrument when I perform and most places don’t have a mic stand. I would often have to recruit someone from the audience to hold the mic for me while I played my song. It was a nightmare. A lot of the venues that are for artist make you pay to play and it’s super counterproductive because I mean I haven’t made it yet so I am poor. I guess I just wouldn’t play?… I have faced ALOT of no’s for performance inquiries because I didn’t have a fan base and I was unknown plus the type of music I play isn’t really what the venues market for. I could go on an on…
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well I do multiple things to not only stay busy but also they are purpose driven. I work from home for my main source of income. During the week I take calls for 8 hours from Apple customers so you can imagine how that feels. It’s such a drag. Luckily I get my weekends off to relax or do more creative work. I started my own company called “The Dream Den” it’s a production studio. In its beginning stages but it’s off to a great start locally. I built a stage in my backyard as I was heavily influenced by LaRussell to embrace the independence. So my company The Dream Den hosts monthly open mic nights in my neighborhood. The event is called “The Kí of the Night”. I am absolutely the most proud of THAT. As I said alot of what I do is purpose fueled. God told me to build a stage so I did. I am meeting my community where WE ALL ARE. I knock on doors the week prior and let everyone know the new show date. It’s free to get in, there’s free food and endless live music. I want to help rebuild the community the best way I know how. It also provides a space for local creatives to be seen by a new audience.
I believe my whole life sets me apart from others. Nobody can live my life and tell my experience but me. I don’t believe with what I have gone through anybody could’ve lived it better than I.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am PRO risk-taking. I was always the child that needed to touch the hot stove to know that it was truly HOT versus trusting someone else’s word on the matter. I might have trust issues but hey they’ve helped me be successful so far lol. I explained before about me starting my own company and then launching open mic nights (The Kí of the Night). Well I live in Shreveport, LA and it get’s pretty dangerous around here. So building a stage in my backyard and telling the whole city to come over is a HUGE RISK. I had to ask God a few times on if I heard correctly that I was supposed to do this. Each event has been A SUCCESS since we launched so that’s my confirmation on this risk being a rewarding one. I also travel to other cities often to perform anywhere I can like Dallas I often perform at “The Freeman” and in New Orleans I perform at “The Dew Drop Inn”. In those locations my music is always again the target market for most venues so I take risk each time I step on a stage. If I didn’t well I wouldn’t be here writing to you all now. I have a quote hung up somewhere in my house that says “You won’t know how to do the thing until you do the thing.” I live by that. How will we ever fail if we never do?
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddy_cayne?stkn=em9saDM0MHN4M2o%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CanBrzmtr/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EdiKi318
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thedreamden_?stkn=bG5wMDd6dzIxdGRs&utm_source=qr
