Kacey Fifield writes a love letter to the past in her latest EP “Nostalgia Haunts Me”. The EP, which is streaming on all platforms, chronicles her high school experience on the cusp of the next chapter in her life. This very personal and sometimes haunting EP has such hits as “Never Replay”, “Self Sabotage, and “Vegas”. “Nostalgia Haunts Me” showcases Kacey’s talent and maturity as an artist. A freshman at Columbia University, she manages to juggle her music career and her school workload with the ease and grace at which she writes her music. During a recent break, Kacey took time for this interview about her new EP and her plans the future.
Can you tell us a little about your new EP “Nostalgia Haunts Me”?
I wrote most of the EP while I was nearing the end of my senior year, so the project serves as something in between a diary entry and a goodbye letter to my high school experience. But, more broadly, it is all about navigating difficult transitions in any stage of life. “Left Behind” is a track that specifically talks about being afraid of getting stuck in the past while everyone else moves forward with their lives. The future can feel terrifying, let alone when you add the pain that can come with lingering heartbreak into the mix. I hope this EP encapsulates those emotions in a personal but still lighthearted way!
How would you describe the sound behind it?
Sonically, I’d definitely describe the EP as a journey through several different moods: from the anthemic “Never Reply” to the dark pop ending track “Numb Pill,” the songs are synth-driven, cathartic, and, at times, very vulnerable. “Self Sabotage,” for example, is very simple production-wise to allow the authenticity of the lyrics to shine while “Vegas” is heavily produced in a dark, haunting tone, highlighting the facade that the titular “Vegas playboy” hides behind. Shout out to Robbie Rosen, Sam Beresford and Michael Kamerman who were my co-writers and producers on this EP.
What was the inspiration for the EP?
I’m an incredibly nostalgic person and the EP was inspired by a lot of reflecting on the past and reliving memories. Every song on the EP has a different story, but most of the stories are based on specific situations I experienced (or in some cases, my friends experienced)! I draw from my life big time, so the EP is super special and personal to me 🙂
What is your songwriting process?
It’s honestly so random – some songs are written in pre-scheduled songwriting sessions with producers while other ideas come to me completely out of nowhere! I got the idea for “Self Sabotage,” for example, when I was walking in an Office Depot parking lot with my best friend, and she jokingly asked if I could write a song about her ex. “Never Reply,” on the other hand, was completely created in the studio based off a fun guitar idea we had. It truly depends!
Photo Credit: Tyler Adams
What message do you hope your fans take away from this new EP?
I always want listeners to feel like they understand me better through my lyrics and find pieces of themselves within my songs. The best part of making music is connecting with others so it’s always so refreshing to realize that songs that were so personal to me are also special to other people.
If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why?
There are so so many artists that I love!! Conan Gray is one of my all-time favorite artists and I think we have pretty similar styles, so I’m going to have to go with that one!
What’s next for you as an artist?
I’m definitely always working on music so expect some new releases very soon! I also absolutely love playing live shows. I recently played The Troubadour which was the best time ever so I’m hoping to get the chance to play some more shows!
Where can we follow you on social media?
I post most of my updates on Instagram at @kaceyfifield! You can also find me on YouTube @KaceyFifieldOfficial, TikTok @kacey_fifield, and Twitter @kaceyfifield.
Photo Credit: Maiya Buck
