Kiash Arjun is a fourth-year dentistry student who you may remember from his PDBY features over the years. More recently, Kiash has released three new singles and may have some exciting news for his fans. If you are not familiar with Kiash, his songs can be found on most major streaming sites and watched on YouTube. Kiash writes and sings heartfelt and gentle songs. Give his
music a listen if you are a romantic at heart.
Your new releases, “Stars”,” Promises”, and “Butterscotch” have all been released within a year! Were these special lockdown projects, or do you think that you still would have made their releases a priority regardless of the situation?
It is crazy that I’ve released them within the space of one year, but I am happy I did. “Promises” was essentially a special lockdown project precisely because I recorded it during the very first lockdown. The other two songs were just developed during a less restricted time during 2021. These songs are all very special and I would have tried to release them regardless of a lockdown. I think they needed to be shared, because whatever I was feeling at the time of their creation wasn’t influenced by the lockdown restrictions.
Have you had more time to focus on music during the pandemic, as opposed to before COVID-19?
During the first lockdown of the pandemic in 2020, I would say I had more time to focus on music because I was not physically going to campus (even though we were fully invested in online learning). That was when I created my debut EP Fire & Ice (among other unreleased gems which I hope to share one day). Before COVID was a thing, I did not have a lot of time to spend on the music because I was in my third year of dentistry, and it is notoriously time-consuming. I guess it’s not about having time if you’re passionate about it, it’s about making time.
“Butterscotch” is a very gentle song, and is reminiscent of Ed Sheeran’s music. What kind of audience were you hoping that this song would reach?
I was hoping, and still am hoping, that it reaches as wide an audience as possible. I want everyone to enjoy my songs. Referring to the Ed Sheeran aspect, I guess that deep down I wanted to appeal to all the hopeless romantics stuck in their dreams about someone they had a crush on, or people that like the simple singer-songwriter vibe. I listened to Ed a lot when I started writing my own songs, so his influence is quite apparent in my songs whether I intend it or not. You are what you listen to, I guess (I think that’s how the saying goes).
How have you been promoting your music, considering that your last three singles have been released while everything has been online?
My friends are the best people on planet Earth – they are responsible for most of my promotion. Whenever I have an upcoming release, I’ll gather a few of my friends together on social media and ask them to share some videos or pictures in preparation for the release. They are so generous and always share without hesitation. I also believe that accessibility is a big aspect in promoting content. So, when I promote the songs, I prefer to do it in a way that is easy to share. Links on Facebook and WhatsApp stories are easy to click on, Instagram reels or videos are easily shared to stories, and just engaging with people about the backstory of the song could motivate them to listen to it.
Your newest release, “Stars”, is incredibly touching. Where does all the emotion behind this song come from?
“Stars” was written about someone that is really close to me and I care a lot about said person. They were in a really low place, and I wrote this song in some hopeful attempt to alleviate the bad emotions (which I’ve been told was a successful one). I thought it sounded pretty and it was rather catchy. Then, at a later point when I thought I’d lost contact with the person, I wrote the emotionally charged second verse. This song was practically written in segments at different points in my relationship with its muse. Things eventually fell back into place – which I’m grateful for. Emotions were in high concentrations in this song because I cared a lot about the person who inspired it. I still do.
As the world is slowly opening again, do you think that you will be performing anytime soon?
I would say that the country has been opening and closing with respect to the waves of infection in our country. Since the first lockdown restrictions were lifted, I received so many invitations to perform at bars and restaurants around Pretoria. So, I have been performing regularly, at places like Fokof Bar, Railways Café and Whisk Wine Bar. I had the massive honour of being selected to open for James Deacon, Ruiter Piet and Fokofpolisiekar at Ram Festival at Loftus Park this year. I cannot wait for future performances.
How do you balance creating music with the demands of being a student?
This whole see-saw started off with music being an escape from the stressful demands of student life. Since my gigging career started, music has become more of a small living for me. I’m passionate about dentistry and music and finding that initial balance involved a lot of trial and error, which did have its damaging effects on my mental health. Eventually, I realised that it is necessary to make time for the things that are important to you. Prioritising what is happening in the moment helps with that balance; when there are tests, that’s what I focus on, and when I’m rehearsing, I don’t think about academics. There are still times when I feel worn out, mentally, emotionally and physically, but then I take a step back from everything, recalibrate and go back to the living. I firmly believe that it’s possible to fruit all aspects in this life.
Are there any exciting releases that we can be expecting anytime soon?
2021 has been an interesting year. A lot of crazy experiences with a lot of new people have led to the creation of many (unreleased) songs inspired by such. Some were better than others, some were more sober than others and some were just unbelievable. University is keeping me quite occupied, but I am still managing to create some symphonies in the background. There may or may not be a song about a pretty bird coming out in November. It’s one I am extremely proud of in terms of melody construction, lyrics, vocals and how well it was received by the people that heard it first. Keep an eye out!
My name is Ashleigh Pascoe and I am doing my Honours in Publishing. This is my fourth year studying at UP. I would describe myself as a bubbly extrovert with a passion for written work and writing!