We recently connected with Khi Lo and have shared our conversation below.

Khi, appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

You need a real job to make art until you start making real money from being an artist. Don’t listen to the crazies.

It was 2017, and I was a sophomore in college, wasting away in a film studies elective class. I perked up when I overheard a few of my peers talking about a music video they were editing. As an artist myself, I decided to approach them for what was my first hit song (a SoundCloud-only release titled ‘Unlimited’ with 40,000 plays). That was the worst call I ever made!

In the year after our interaction, I was around this group enough to say they can only be described as a cult–with a charismatic, Charles Manson-type ringleader to boot. At that point in my life, I was naive, vulnerable & malleable. “Manson” saw that and exploited it for free labor under the guise of building a network and a future. What a load of crap.

That music video I mentioned? It’s been almost 5 years and I still don’t have access to that project. The friends and family I started that school year with? I still don’t talk to half of them. The story got better though, because I cut ties with the cult around the same time they asked me to cut off my remaining friends and family.

In retrospect, I learned how to maintain a feverish work ethic, as well as talk to people in a professional manner. Both of those things help me in my adult, 9-to-5 job everyday. In turn, my real job funds my art (until it takes off). Don’t be crazy.

Khi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My real name is Nikhil, but I prefer my stage name Khi Lo.

I am an Indian American, multi-genre Singer/Songwriter & Rapper from the DMV. My genres include Hip-Hop, Pop, Alt Rock and R&B. Most of my music is anthemic, and meant to be catchy/listenable.

My influences are the great storytellers and multi-hyphenate artists that somehow remain underrated despite being household names (Childish Gambino, Matthew McConaughey, Shel Silverstein).

My brand can be condensed into three words: Ever So Punk.

Cinematic chords have been the staple of my debut, coming-of-age album ‘Rosslyn’. It’s based on the D.C. metro area I have lived in my entire life. The extended metaphor of transportation and a cyclic routine helps convey how the destination is just part of the journey.

I’m very proud of the music I am working on, and it’s already at an industry-level in terms of song structure and mix quality. By the time I’m filling out bigger venues, I’m going to be a force to reckon with!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think my dedication and passion is hard to quantify. I wake up thinking about my music, and it keeps me up late at night if I can’t help it. I was not always this way though. Before I turned 16, I had zero intentions of being a musician.

Art is something that keeps me going. There is no limit to self-expression, you just need to experience life. Somewhere along the road less traveled, I landed on songwriting and vocal performance to be my medium.

My consistency will help me achieve my dreams, of course, but it also keeps me leveled.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

A friend of mine passed away in high school so I would say she pushed me onto this creative journey. I have stuck with it and continue to do so because I truly enjoy being an artist, day in and day out.

When all’s said and done, I would hope that I have left behind a body of work that someone could show me in my old age.
I worry that I’ll end up with some form of brain fog or dementia, so maybe my music and art could bring me back.

As far as my goal, I just want to have a curated discography. Every album better than the last. Every song good enough to change someone. To affect someone. Who knows how good I’ll get?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eversopunk.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eversopunk
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/eversopunk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC52P2HUxRypL1bZlX1DjQ_g

Image Credits
Photos taken by Alyssa Duong & Ali Safdar