Artist Interview: Killinginthekitchen
Emerging from Florida’s vibrant independent music scene, killinginthekitchen is carving out a space all their own—blending raw vulnerability with poignant storytelling and emotionally charged lyrics. With over 10,000 lifetime streams and a growing social media following, killinginthekitchen is building a deeply personal and authentic connection with listeners—one song, one memory, and one lyric at a time. We caught up with the artist to talk about their latest release, their journey as an independent musician, and what’s coming next.
Q. "All Grown Up" released this April—what does this track represent for you personally and artistically?
A. I wrote my song “All Grown Up” during a time when I was missing my family and reflecting on my childhood. Being in my 20s, I often feel nostalgic and wish I could go back in time to be more present while growing up—to truly take in every moment and just be a kid again. This song allowed me to capture that feeling, and I also wrote it for my family, whom I mention throughout the lyrics. I’m so grateful for the memories I share with them. I think a lot of people can relate to the feeling of wanting to go back and live life to the fullest—because before you know it, you’re all grown up.
Q. You've performed across Florida in cities like Tampa, Gainesville, and Fort Lauderdale. What has been your most memorable live show so far, and why?
A. I think my most memorable live show was the first time I performed in Fort Lauderdale. I grew up there, so my entire family came out to support me—and they all wore my killinginthekitchen shirts. It was so cute, and I was extremely grateful to have them there. It’s moments like that when I feel especially appreciative, because if it weren’t for my family’s support, I probably wouldn’t be pursuing music.
Q. Your music has been featured in the short film "Industry". How did that opportunity come about, and what was it like hearing your song in a cinematic context?
A. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity for my song “biting the hand that feeds you” to be featured in the short film "Industry, directed by Khris Palma, who’s a really good friend of mine. Khris is an extremely talented director, videographer, and photographer. He’s filmed some of my music videos and also shot the cover art for my recent single “All Grown Up.” So when he asked if he could feature my song in his short film, of course I said yes. Not only was my song a part of it, but I also choreographed to it and was a featured dancer in the film. It was such a surreal experience, and I’m so grateful for it.
Q.Your songs carry bold and introspective titles—"Abandoned Loners Only Navigate Embarrassment" stands out. How do you come up with your song titles, and what do they mean to you?
A. Sometimes, the song titles come from a repeated phrase within the song or a message the song conveys. I vividly remember the day I came up with this particular title. This song specifically centers around the theme of loneliness, which is why the words in the title form the acronym “ALONE.” I wanted a creative and unique title instead of something plain, like just calling it “Alone” or “Lonely.” I wrote this song during a time when I was feeling incredibly lonely and found myself constantly people-watching—surrounded by friends who were either in relationships or always busy. I had no other choice but to navigate life alone. Thankfully, I no longer relate to the lonely feelings in this song or have to go through life by myself, because I now have my lovely girlfriend to navigate it alongside me.
Q. You blend personal storytelling with strong emotional themes. What inspires the lyrical content of your work?
A. I get inspired by everyday things all around me—other artists’ music, movies, books, life experiences, and my friends and family. I keep a list in the notes app on my phone, so whenever I get an idea, I write it down to save for later.
Q. As an independent artist, what have been the biggest challenges—and rewards—of forging your own path?
A.I think getting myself out there and building a fan base as an independent artist has been the biggest challenge I’ve faced. It’s so hard to get people to listen to your music or come to your shows without it coming off as begging. However, I’ve found that networking in the music scene and meeting people who are genuinely interested in my music has been one of the biggest rewards. It’s still crazy to go to local music events and have other artists approach me, asking, “Are you killinginthekitchen?” because they follow me online.
Q.With over 10,000 lifetime streams, how do you define success as an emerging artist in today’s music landscape?
A. Honestly, receiving over 10,000 lifetime streams felt like a huge success in itself. Before professionally producing music, I had been recording songs in my bedroom on GarageBand and putting them out, barely getting 100 streams. So when I released my song “Save My Place,” which was my first professionally produced single, and it hit 10K streams, I was blown away that so many people listened to my music.
Q. What artists or genres have influenced your sound and performance style the most?
A. As a musician, I’m, of course, a huge music lover—who isn’t? Though I’m inspired by many of my favorite artists, my sound is very different from what I usually listen to. Since I’m still new to professionally recording my music, I’m navigating my sound and experimenting with different styles as I record in the studio with my amazing producer, Mason Krüg.
Q. You’ve built a growing audience on TikTok and Instagram. How do you use those platforms to connect with your listeners?
A. I try my best to stay consistent on social media because I feel it’s the best way to keep people up to date and interested. It’s also how people discover my music. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes moments in the recording studio, posting covers, or even following silly TikTok trends, I love doing it all.
Q. How does your Orlando hometown influence your songwriting or creative process?
A. I actually grew up in South Florida but moved to Orlando in 2020 for college. I majored in Musical Theater but realized while in school that I really wanted to focus on songwriting and pursuing a music career rather than theater, as much as I still love it. While performing around the Orlando area and meeting other local musicians, I’ve found myself truly inspired by the people around me. Everyone has such different sounds and experiences, and I’ve learned a lot while networking and making friends in the Orlando music scene.
Q.What’s your usual process when writing a new song—do you start with lyrics, chords, or a specific emotion?
A. Honestly, all of the above. I find it harder to force myself to write a song. It’s always when I’m not trying to write that the song comes to me. Sometimes I start with lyrics and let the song come together on its own, and other times I’ll fool around with some chords, pull from a specific emotion, and let the song flow naturally from there.
Q. Can you tell us about the meaning or story behind your track “Save My Place”?
A. “Save My Place” was written at a time when I was just starting to navigate my mental health in a positive way and truly feel happy with the direction my life was going. All the stars were aligned, pointing me in the right direction. The lyric, “Save my place in line, I’m not that far behind,” basically means that I’m not far behind those who have already found true happiness and peace—so save my place for when I get there. It’s a song about discovering yourself, who you are, and who you’re meant to be.
Q. What’s something about your music or artistry that you feel people often overlook or misunderstand?
A. My artistry is inspired by artists like Taylor Swift, especially because I love including hints or Easter eggs in songwriting. I enjoy hiding Easter eggs in my music or referencing things in my songs. For example, in my song “Save My Place,” I have the lyric “I’m feeling fine but it’s clear that you’re not,” which references my unreleased song “Feel Fine” that I play at my live shows. Even on social media, before releasing a song, I love hinting at it well before announcing its release. People might not catch on now, but I can’t wait for the day when my fan base grows and they start looking for little Easter eggs like fans do with Taylor Swift.
Q. What role does vulnerability play in your songwriting, especially when exploring themes like loneliness or embarrassment?
A. Vulnerability plays a huge role in my songwriting because I’m most vulnerable when I’m writing music. It’s my escape from the real world and the way I make sense of unexplainable feelings. It’s my outlet for understanding my emotions, especially feelings of loneliness or embarrassment.
Q. Looking ahead after “All Grown Up,” what are your goals for the rest of 2025—more releases, collaborations, or perhaps a tour?
A. There are so many exciting things in the works following the release of “All Grown Up.” I’ve spent the last few months in the studio working on my debut album! I can’t share too much about it just yet, but I will say it explores a similar theme—the bittersweet experience of growing older that we see in “All Grown Up.” As for other exciting plans, everyone will have to wait and see.
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