Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kynedi Verrett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kynedi, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I still remember the crisp California air that day; it was a pivotal moment in my life. The September month of 2022, I was a new individual to San Diego, moving from Santa Barbara and previously Los Angeles (where I was raised). During this time in late 2022, I’d always been swimming upstream in the vast ocean of the music industry. I wanted to be like my idols in my early childhood; Said the Sky, Illenium, San Holo. I was a dreamer, but not one that was always the most confident in my abilities. However, I was someone who saw melodies in the mundane and rhythm in the chaos of everyday life.
In the ensuing days, the San Diego scene began to unfold before me—partially welcoming, partially indifferent, but wholly brimming with opportunity. I became a fixture at local venues and coffee shops, connecting with other artists and exchanging notes on the complexity of sound engineering and the poetic nuances of music composition. Yet despite these burgeoning relationships, the palpable reality remained: I was still miles away from sharing stages with the luminaries I had idolized since my youth.
And so, I took the plunge into that ocean, submerging myself into the labyrinthine complexities of musical creation. Working on my first tracks became an all-consuming endeavor. Those were days and nights of relentless effort, the hardest I had ever worked on anything in my life. Each chord structure, each transition, each lyric, became a matrix of possibilities, demanding nothing less than my utmost focus.
Not all efforts bore fruit. There were failed experiments and moments of stark realization—compositions that sounded like dissonant noise rather than groundbreaking music. But those failures were never defeats; they were my best teachers. They instilled in me the virtues of persistence, and the courage to revise, rethink, and redo. It was an unflinching cycle of trial and error, each iteration bringing me closer to something that I could call my art.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of tinkering and soul-searching, I released my debut track “Help Myself” to the public. The risk was monumental. Would the world hear the labor and love woven into each note? The answer came swiftly and affirmatively. Streams amassed, blogs took notice, and my identity as a musician began to crystalize in the public consciousness. I gained 100,000 streams in my first month.
It culminated in an invitation to perform at NOVA SD, one of San Diego’s prime venues, in front of an audience of 300 people—an honor and a challenge rolled into one. Preparing for that night turned each day into a crucible of anticipation and rigor. In those weeks, my previous hard work seemed like a prelude to the symphony of effort that unfolded. I poured every ounce of my being into crafting a setlist that would resonate, entertain, and move.
When the night finally arrived, I felt as if I were on the cusp of a new horizon, backstage at NOVA SD. My fingers tingled, my heart pounded, but I was ready. As I took my place behind the decks and released the first beats into the atmosphere, I felt a connection—an electric, almost tangible link between my art and the hearts of the audience. That night, I soared. The applause and ensuing opportunities were gratifying, but what endured beyond that was an internal transformation.
What I had once viewed as failures, I now saw as stepping stones on a path leading to that stage, and beyond. The culmination of all those laborious days and nights, of the risks taken, of the setbacks turned into lessons, had manifested into a moment that was both an ending and a beginning.
The external validations—the numbers, the offers, the accolades—were heartening, but they were not the story. The story was this: that by facing down doubt and embracing both the highs of success and the lows of failure, I had carved a space for myself in an industry that was as ruthless as it was rewarding. My past failures had been alchemized into my current success, validating every drop of sweat, every furrowed brow of concentration, every moment of near-despair.
As I look to the future, armed with this newfound understanding, I realize that the journey ahead is but a continuation of this grand adventure. And whatever challenges and triumphs that journey may hold, I face it with the knowledge that the key to success lies not just in the art of creation, but in the courage to fail, learn, and rise again.
Kynedi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I go by the name 3CHO (Pronounced “Echo”), and I’m a San Diego-based producer specializing in electronic music, particularly within genres such as Future Bass and Melodic House. Music has been a lifelong passion for me, one that eventually led me to take the audacious step of turning it into a career.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and it was there that I first fell in love with electronic music. Growing up, I was heavily influenced by artists like Said the Sky, Illenium, and San Holo. These artists spoke to something deep within me, and I knew I wanted to emulate their ability to connect with people through music. I later moved to Santa Barbara and then to San Diego, where I really honed my craft and began my professional journey. It was a risk—entering an industry known for its competitiveness—but one that I felt compelled to take.
My music is a blend of dramatic and melodious elements, carefully structured to provide an emotive and compelling listening experience. I produce tracks that are available for streaming, and I also perform live shows that aim to not just entertain, but connect and move audiences. My live shows have graced venues like Iridescent Festival, Propaganda, and Extravaganza, and I’ve had the honor of opening for renowned names such as Taska Black, Kaivon, and Henry Fong.
In today’s saturated music market, there’s a growing appetite for authentic and emotionally resonant work. My music aims to fill that void. Whether it’s a track that gets you through a tough workout, or a live set that offers a brief but poignant escape from the rigors of daily life, my work is designed to touch the soul and lift the spirit. My journey has been marked by relentless hard work, self-discovery, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. This dedication has enabled me to create music that not only entertains but makes a meaningful impact.
I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that when they engage with my music, they are participating in a journey that has been crafted with utmost sincerity and dedication. My work is a window into who I am, and each track, each performance, is an invitation to experience and explore that world with me.
I hope this gives you a more comprehensive idea of who I am and what I do. I’m always open to collaborations, partnerships, and other opportunities that align with my brand and artistic vision.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My journey through the music world was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and it was during these troughs that my resilience was truly tested. In the early days of my career, I worked exhaustively on a track that I believed would be my breakthrough. I poured my soul into it, working harder than I ever had. When I finally released it, the reception was dishearteningly lukewarm. It was a gut punch, a moment where I questioned my place in this fiercely competitive industry.
But then, I realized that failure was not the end; it was a crucial part of my journey. I revisited my work, dissected it, and found areas for improvement that I’d been blind to before. And so, I got back to the drawing board, using that setback as fuel to drive me forward.
Fast-forward to my performance at NOVA SD, in front of an audience of 300 people. As I played my set, I couldn’t help but think of my earlier setbacks. They had fortified me, taught me invaluable lessons, and here I was, living my dream. It was an emotional moment that underscored the importance of resilience in the face of failure. Each past misstep had been a stepping stone to this point, and I wouldn’t have reached it without the lessons they taught me.
So, for anyone striving for success, remember that resilience isn’t just about enduring; it’s about learning and growing from your failures. It’s about using them as the foundation upon which you build your future successes. And that is a lesson I carry with me every day, with every new beat, and every new challenge.
How did you build your audience on social media?
When I started building my social media presence, it was much like starting a new track—exciting but daunting. I knew that in the age of digital connection, having a strong social media footprint was non-negotiable. I began by identifying my unique sound, my unique story, and then thinking about how to translate that into a visual and narrative form that could be shared online. Just like in my music, authenticity was key.
Initially, the metrics were humble, and the engagement was low. I felt the weight of every ignored post as keenly as a note falling flat in a live performance. But social media is not just a broadcast platform; it’s a dialogue. So, I started actively engaging with my early followers, taking time to respond to their comments and messages. I also made it a point to collaborate with other artists and influencers in my genre, sharing their content and earning shoutouts in return.
Failure and setbacks? Absolutely. Algorithms can be as merciless as a tough crowd. Some posts I thought would resonate barely made a ripple. It was discouraging, but each miss gave me insight into what my audience truly valued. Over time, those insights allowed me to fine-tune my approach, much like how a series of failed tracks led me to my first success.
My advice to anyone starting to build a social media presence is this: be prepared for a long haul. Success rarely comes overnight. Keep your content authentic and engaging. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and when something doesn’t work, view it as a lesson learned, not a defeat. Most importantly, engage with your audience. Make them feel a part of your journey, because they are.
Remember, social media is a tool, not a judge. It’s a way to share your story, your art, and your journey with the world. But that story is still yours to write, and if you stay committed, authentic, and open to learning from both successes and failures, your audience will grow with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: 3chomusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3chomusic/
- Facebook: facebook.com/3cho.official
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/3chomusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@3CHOofficial
- Other: Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@3cho.music?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2HHO45A9WV6uYRWzdqMU0Y?si=8DSYmORkS0qoYDZbG-2Npg