Additional Information
Born Cassandra Kouremenos, Kallitechnis is a highly sensual and introspective singer, songwriter, dancer, and visual artist born and raised in Park Ex, an well known immigrant neighborhood in Montreal. Since 2016, she has released singles and EPs, much influenced by soul, R&B and ethereal pop. Now based in California, she released the album MOOD RING on May 31, and she’s about to perform this new material in a North American tour where she will stop in her hometown, more precisely at Phi Center on June 16. And this is exactly why she answers PAN M 360 questions.
PAN M 360 : Since 2016 you have released singles and EPs. This year, 11 new songs on the album WOUND UP, preceded by 2 micro-albums with quite the same material. Big achievement! Where do you see yourself after at least 7 years as a professional singer?
KALLITECHNIS : I released one project called Mood Ring. The micro-albums that preceded the project were singles. It’s a type of release strategy called the waterfall method. Right now, I’m in an emotional and spiritual space I’ve never been in before. I’m looking to make some transformations and adjustments to the way I show up in music. I don’t know what that is yet but I know it’s necessary if I’m going to continue to try to have a sustainable career in this industry as an independent artist. What’s worked for me up until now won’t continue to work. The industry just moves too quickly and it’s becoming even harder for independent artists to support themselves.
PAN M 360 : How do you see the artistic direction of this new material, if you compare it to your previous work?
KALLITECHNIS : : The artistic direction for this new project is both grounded and ethereal. It’s colorful, very sensual, and centered around the cyclical nature of love.
PAN M 360: What is for you the artistic identity of this new achievement ?
Kallitechnis : This new project marks a progression in the quality of music I’m capable of. It’s a reflection of my growth as an artist and more particularly, as a songwriter.
PAN M 360 : Can you comment on your conceptual collaborators? Beatmakers, producers? What were you looking for with them?
KALLITECHNIS : I’m looking for someone to care about the collaboration just as I am. I expect collaborators to leave part of themselves in the work just as I always do. It’s always more gratifying when we’re both investing the same amount of care and energy into the work. I don’t like the idea of hiring collaborators to perform a service. The final product should be a reflection of you just as much as it is of me. We should both want the best for it.
PAN M 360 : Do you work with a steady nucleus of musicians? In the studio? Live?
KALLITECHNIS : I work with a group of musicians/producers that I have great chemistry with and who are equally motivated as I am.
PAN M 360 : Obviously, you love soul/R&B and pop. As a true singer-songwriter and a gifted singer in that style, what do you think that makes you different from other female soul/ R&B singers? What is your own angle? How did you break free from your role models? And who were those models?
KALLITECHNIS : I think my choice of subject matter, my songwriting style and my vocal tone separate me from some of my role models and contemporaries. Some of my inspirations include Sade, Destiny’s Child, Ne-Yo, Justin Timberlake and more recently, Victoria Monet.
PAN M 360 : What image of yourself do you want to promote as a pop artist?
KALLITECHNIS : I want people to listen to my music and feel less alone. I want them to feel love. I want them to feel connected.
PAN M 360 : Of course, what you are doing can reach the international market. What is your goal in that sense? Where are you in this quest?
KALLITECHNIS : I’m taking things one step at a time. Right now my goal is to play a lot more shows internationally and to continue refining my craft.
PAN M 360 : Montréal is the city where you grew up in a Greek-Canadian-Québécois family. How do you belong to Montreal at this stage of your career?
KALLITECHNIS : I live in Los Angeles currently. Montreal is my anchor. It’ll always be home. It’s a very big part of my identity. I don’t think I belong to it, and it doesn’t belong to me. We’re like great collaborators. We leave lasting impressions on each other’s lives.
PAN M 360 : What can we expect at Phi Centre next week? Band? Projections? Scenic lighting?
KALLITECHNIS : Moods. Colours. Lights.
PAN M 360 : This Montreal concert be followed by a North-American tour : New York, Chicago, Vancouver, LA. Could it mean a turning point for your career?
KALLITECHNIS : This tour marks a new experience for me to help me improve my recipe as an artist.
