Inside The Bubble: Exclusive Interview With Kicksie

One of the sharpest utensils in the art box of alt-pop is Canadian newcomer Guiliana Mormile who goes by the stage name Kicksie. What’s special about Kicksie is she does all her own vocals, mixing, and plays live recordings of most of the instruments. She released an album in 2020 called All My Friends that received critical acclaim everywhere on the internet. In our opinion, it was one of the best albums of 2020 because of the songwriting alone. Kicksie is able to write lyrics that, when laid out, read like a letter. She doesn’t get so complex that you need to solve a labyrinth of riddles to get to the point. We caught up with Guiliana to ask her some questions about the album and everything else we could think of.

Who Is Kicksie?

Bubblingbox: How did you come up with the name Kicksie

Kicksie: The name “Kicksie” actually came from my sister. I made music under a few different names before I finally landed on Kicksie. None of them felt right to me, so I spent at least a full year changing my name until one finally did feel good. One night, me and my sister were unloading the dishwasher after dinner, and I asked her what a good band name was. I had a long list written down of all the names I thought I might be able to use, but I wanted her input. She said “Kickstart” which I honestly thought was horrible, but I played around with it in my head and came up with Kicksie. I immediately texted all my friends and asked what they thought and they all loved it, so it stuck. I scrapped the long list I spent weeks working on and I took the name Kicksie and ran with it.

Bubblingbox: The album All My Friends Is about your experience at music school, which school was it? Shout out to any teachers there?

Kicksie: I was part of the 2019 Independent Music Production program at Seneca College in Toronto. I really do mean it when I say it changed my life, and I made a lot of friends not only in that program but the other music program that Seneca offers, which is Independent Performance/Songwriting. I actually ended up feeling so strongly for the people I met in that program that I decided to take it myself this fall! Huge shoutout to my professors John Switzer, Alfio Annibalini, Linda Moroziuk, and Blair Packham for believing in all of us and taking us all to the next level.

Bubblingbox: Aside from collection content for albums, what else did you learn at music school? Do you think it’s necessary for young artists to acquire formal training?

Kicksie: We really touched on a little bit of everything. Songwriting, production, business, theory, booking tours and even making merch. The most important thing I learned though wasn’t taught in class – it was the importance of community in the music industry. Until I went to college for music I had no friends in music, no one to be in my band, nothing like that. I was the band (I still am but that’s beside the point). I didn’t know how good it felt to connect with other musicians in my area or be able to drop everything and jam for 3 hours straight. What it’s like to be part of a community that wants you around and has your back no matter what was definitely the most important thing I got out of that program. Although I don’t think young artists necessarily need to go to school for music – before I went, I actually thought it was pointless – my outlook on that completely 180’d when I experienced what it was like. It definitely doesn’t hurt and honestly only benefits you when it comes to opening doors for your career, making important connections and lifelong friends, and turbo-boosts how fast you improve your craft.

Bubblingbox: How good are you at skating, can you do a kickflip?

Kicksie: I like to think I can pull my weight on a skateboard. I’ve been trying to land a kickflip for like, 7 years now. I can flip the board but under no circumstances will I land. I’m just way too scared I guess. I might have to become a scooter kid.

About The Album

Bubblingbox: “Banana Pop!” is your lead single from the album All My Friends, and the only song paired with a visual, what makes the song important in your view?

Kicksie: “BANANA POP!” is probably the most important song I’ve ever written. I used to write love songs and always had to change the pronouns because I’m from a conservative family who had me go to catholic schools my whole life so being gay doesn’t really fly. I spent my entire life hiding who I was and trying to force myself into the standards that were set for me. You can already imagine the sort of stuff people did and said to me that I had to deal with on a daily basis. I actually came out to my family when I wrote that song. I sent it to my sister one night and she figured it out of course. It’s the type of song I’ve always wanted to make ever since I started writing music, so when I wrote it, I had this moment of just “wow, I can’t believe I had this in me”. I’m really proud of that song and I hold it really close to me. It was the first time I was able to embrace who I am and write about whatever the hell I wanted to write about, and after that, I didn’t look back.

Watch the video for “Banana Pop!” below.

Bubblingbox: When it comes to the concept of the video, how did you land on animation?

Kicksie: I think it was the most obvious choice at the time. I didn’t have the resources to bring that sort of happiness and excitement that I wanted to be portrayed in the video using real film, so we got in contact with the wonderful Christian Arnder and he made it possible for the vision I had to come to life. I’m super grateful for all of the work he put into it. I love how you can really take animation any way you want, there are definitely limitations with film.

Bubblingbox: Are you planning on doing shows to promote the album, where can people see Kicksie perform live?

Kicksie: For sure! Hopefully, when Ontario gets its stuff together and venues start opening up again, I’ll be all over the place. Mostly in Toronto, but I’d like to expand the horizons and go wherever I can get booked. I’m not picky.

What Else?

Bubblingbox: What have you been up to recently?

Kicksie: As of right now, my girlfriend and I are moving in together on June 1st! It’s really exciting because we both are from outside Toronto but have always wanted to live in the city, so this is like a dream come true for us. I also get a whole room to myself that I’m gonna make the music studio, and she gets a room for her sewing, and it’s right by our college, it’s perfect. We’re really excited.

Bubblingbox: What’s your next obstacle?

Kicksie: My next obstacle is where to take the next album. I hit a very rough patch with my songwriting when covid took over the world – I write most of my songs based on experiences I have with the people around me – and there’s been no one around me for months. Coming out of that is gonna be really difficult, but there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. And when there is, there’s gonna be some of the best music I’ll ever make.

Bubblingbox: What do you want your fans to know about you?

Kicksie: Oxford the bunny loves you. More content from him soon. My favorite color is blue and I have the best girlfriend in the world. Pink “All My Friends” cassettes are available and waiting for you. Come and chat me up any time, I’m always down to meet new people! And that’s about it.

We would like to thank Kicksie and her team for giving us such a candid interview. We wish her the best in all future endeavors.