cloud collecting #38: Kaela
on getting others involved, leaning into trust & the act of creating shifting everything
Kaela is a genre-blurring singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer whose music transports listeners into vivid, otherworldly realms. Her debut album Supraliminal, a fusion of ambient, experimental pop, and analog synths, offers a portal into a deeply personal cosmos. Released on Other Suns, the label founded by M83's Anthony Gonzalez, Supraliminal is a lush and introspective journey, blending ethereal soundscapes with emotional revelation. A classically trained pianist and skilled synthesist, Kaela wrote and produced Supraliminal in her Los Angeles studio, weaving intricate compositions grounded in analog warmth and swept up in surreal, celestial layers. Her commanding voice and nuanced storytelling shine through tracks like the kaleidoscopic Devotion, the haunting Ending (Skull Waterfall), and the interstellar instrumental Valley Of The Moon. The album showcases her talent not only as a singer but as a sonic architect, dedicated to creating an immersive emotional experience. As a key member of M83 since 2016, Kaela has contributed extensively to both live and studio projects, including the band’s 2023 album Fantasy and its world tour. She has collaborated with artists like Sofi Tukker, King Princess, Troye Sivan, and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. With Supraliminal, Kaela has stepped fully into her expansive vision, creating a world that is at once cerebral and visceral, cosmic and intimate.
It was such a joy to meet Kaela in person recently at a show I DJed women of ambient selections with Green-House, Saapato, and Ki Oni. We had been orbiting similar circles for a while, so finally crossing paths in real life felt long overdue. We caught up afterward to talk about creativity, sound, and the spaces in between, and I know you’ll find creative wisdom to carry with you in her thoughtful answers.
Having been part of M83’s expansive dream-pop universe, what were the biggest creative or personal lessons you learned when committing to building your own ambient electronic world with your debut solo album?
Expansive is a good word. With M83 I learned to take it all the way. To be meticulous and ambitious with my vision for the music, and the execution. Anthony Gonzalez (of M83) has very high standards, and doesn’t take shortcuts. Over the years I’ve had the good fortune of experiencing the fruit of those high standards, with shows and albums that I’ve been so proud to contribute to. I’ve learned the value in ruthlessly cutting away what’s not working so you can focus on what is working. I wrote a note to myself which was on my desk while working on my album that said “kill your babies,” which was very helpful because I get very attached to all my ideas. I had to learn to be objective and choose the best to go forward. I can be a bit of a maximalist, throwing tons of ideas at the wall, and that’s great when writing, but a discerning and objective ear is so important if you want to make something others will connect with.
Another thing I’ve learned being part of M83 is to get others involved. I made this album mostly by myself, but once Anthony became involved and decided to start a new label, (Other Suns) to release it, I had the opportunity to bring in others to finish it. Having a great mixer (Yoann Lê), mastering engineer (Dave Cooley), and two great musicians on one of the songs (Joe Berry, Mark Guiliana) really elevated the album. When it came to building my live show, I asked for advice from a very smart technician (Justin McGrath) who gave me some brilliant advice and was very generous with his time and expertise. Feedback from Anthony and from my partner Joey Armario was crucial in helping me get outside myself to find that objectivity. Finishing an album and building a live show is a big mountain to summit, and I had always gone it alone, so these collaborations were basically miraculous for me.
In an age where external noise often takes over, how do you preserve creative clarity and stay connected to that "eternal, patient posture" you mentioned during the writing process? Has that mindset changed the way you relate to your creativity day-to-day or even to yourself outside of music?
There is so much external noise, so for me it is important to allow time. Of course, there are deadlines that I try to reach, but in the case of making a song or album, the result is more important than reaching a deadline. Because it takes so much time, I’ve had to cultivate a lot of discipline, patience, and endurance. It’s not done until it’s done. It’s not done just because I want it to be done. It’s done when I’ve given it everything it’s asked of me. It’s important to listen to my intuition so I can discern if it’s asking anything else of me. Instant gratification happens in the early phases of creation, but then it becomes a laborious, twisty journey with thunderstorms and mirages. Mindfulness and physical movement help clear the path so I can be discerning.
The eternal, patient posture is enabled with TRUST. I must believe that I’ll get there, and know that I will. While I’m trying to trust, I might feel useless, terrible, hopeless, frustrated, angry, and on and on. These feelings are like the weather. They come and go. Good work can happen on an emotionally rainy day though. It might not appear like something good is happening, but I found that when I put in the work every day, good things happen. In the past I always wanted the perfect situation, environment, and mood in order to be creative. I’ve learned that it won’t always be so, and it’s really not great to rely on the perfect conditions.
How do you cloud collect (connect to childlike wonder) in your creativity?
The act of creating can shift everything. Creating is mindfulness, and it’s also a way to connect with myself. It was really important for this album that I took time to follow my interests, so I read a lot of books about quantum physics and theories of consciousness and reality, listened to a lot of music, went on a lot of walks and spent time in nature, looking at the stars and the moon, the clouds and the sky and taking in sunlight, and tuning into my emotions and attempting to unravel my inner self, by journaling, contemplating, having inspiring conversations with loved ones, and with some therapy too. Physical practices like yoga, breathing, and meditation helped make space for curiosity, cultivating patience and endurance while also helping me relax and build strength. This was important on a daily basis to get me out of fight or flight mode and into a curious zone. When I came across an idea which made me really excited and resonated very deeply it often translated to song. Curiosity is fuel. Rituals like lighting a candle or burning incense, walking, or making tea helped me designate time and space for that curiosity. By following my interests I discovered what ideas were most exciting for me to channel into my music. Thank you for giving me the space to recollect on my journey thus far!
The best places to find Kaela are her Instagram + Bandcamp.