Turkish/Australian artist Kaya Byrne follows up his 2024 debut single ‘Lily Brown’ with the equally captivating ‘Stasis’. While ‘Lily Brown’ showcased Byrne’s songwriting prowess, ‘Stasis’ elevates him to new heights, revealing an artist with a knack for crafting slick, memorable indie tunes. Having shared the track late last month, Kaya has now unveiled the equally enjoyable music video, directed by Michael Ralph.
Born out of lockdown frustration and the feeling of creative stagnation, ‘Stasis’ is both introspective and surprisingly uplifting. Byrne’s soulful vocals glide over punchy guitars and driving drums, creating a groove that’s impossible to ignore.
“This song was born out of lockdown, at the end of 2020,” Byrne explains. “I wanted to write something that encapsulated my frustrations of letting an entire year slip by without feeling like I had progressed at all as an artist. Since writing it, I’ve still had many periods where the lyrics of this song resonate with me, as I constantly feel like I’m running out of time to achieve what I want and going through bouts of being completely uninspired.”
Despite the potentially heavy themes, ‘Stasis’ maintains a lightness and sense of self-assurance. Byrne’s expressive vocals are central to this, guiding the listener through a journey of frustration, reflection, and ultimately, acceptance.
The Canberra/Ngunnawal Country native, now based in Melbourne/Naarm, has balanced a successful theatre career with his passion for music. Having toured Australia in various musical theatre productions, Byrne’s stage experience shines through in his music, adding another layer of depth to his already engaging sound.
Byrne’s influences range from contemporary acts like Gang of Youths, Last Dinosaurs, Middle Kids, and Janelle Monae to classic cinema and Broadway soundtracks. “I’ve always been a sucker for nostalgia and anything involving memory and a feeling of what could have been,” he shares. “I think this is where the appeal of old movies/plays really plays a part for me, as I have always had a romantic fascination with the look and feel of old black and white films, and the image of that time that’s so stylised and romanticised.”
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