Powering through
Singer-songwriter finds new creative outlet after life-changing event
Kailynn West looked for a way to make a change after a lifechanging event.
While working at her job years ago, she was robbed at gunpoint.
Dealing with the aftermath was difficult. Isolation and anxiety set in.
The singer-songwriter looked for an avenue to help get better.
What was born is the power pop band Tiny Stills.
“It split my life into before and after the incident,” she says. “I had a hard time being in group settings, and I dealt with a lot of the fallout. I had to find a new outlet for my creativity. This came at a time where it made me feel better to get my feelings out.”
West is back with a new album, “Laughing Into the Void,” scheduled for release today..
The album process took two years, and most of the songs were started in 2016.
“A few of the songs took a long time to write,” she says. “I kept reworking many of the tracks, though some did come out really quickly as well. It was definitely a journey, because I wrote about 40 songs. The other songs that didn’t make the record may become an EP later.”
West is the nucleus of Tiny Stills, which has a rotating supporting cast that includes Henry Foster, Zach Comtois and Tony Thaxton.
She says the current lineup has helped her be more free with writing.
Tiny Stills recently released the single “Colorblind.”
The song was co-written by Anthony Raneri of Bayside and Steve Soboslai of Punchline.
“I co-wrote this song with Anthony and Steve and, we wanted to write a song about how being in love can really disguise problems in a relationship that needs to be addressed,” she says. “Sometimes by the time you figure it out, it’s too late and the relationship is unsalvageable. Sometimes love can trick you into thinking everything is fine, but in your gut you know something isn’t working.”
Heading back on tour, West is looking forward to the travel and meeting new people.
She is planning to play a good portion of the new album in the set.
“People have been asking for a lot of the songs to be on a proper album,” she says. “This is giving them what they want. The new material, I am really proud of it all. I can’t wait to experience it with the fans.”