Exposed Vocals just sat down with Barbara Kiss for an exclusive interview

Barbara began singing and dancing at a very early age of 6.

She started writing song at age 17 and never stopped since. She wrote her first song for her high school graduation and that song became ’Your smile.’

Barbara travelled to LA in the early 2010s to get to know the music scene in the US and met some incredible producers and songwriters. She recorded several songs including ’Catch me’, ’Glassbox’ and ’Shy Boy.’

Later on ’Catch me’ got the attention of several music companies and it got featured on a compilation album. That was Barbara’s first official release.

In 2012 she got signed to Roadhouse Records and since then released an album in 2013 called ’From me to you’ that received great reviews due to its unique sound and personal lyrics. Barbara wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on the album and directed most of the music videos that followed.

She performed at London’s O2 Academy and at Europe’s biggest festival Sziget Festival in recent years.

Barbara is working on her new EP and she released the first single ’This time’ earlier this year. She’s planning on releasing a new song from the EP and then a short video for it.

Her plan for the future is to keep writing, performing and making great music. She’s moving to New York to further her career and make the best of the opportunities she’s given.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Barbara Kiss: I was born in Hungary, in a town called Pecs. We travelled a lot when I was a baby due to my dad being a professional soccer player but settled down in Pecs by the time I started school. So I grew up there and I only left for college when I was 18 years old, I moved to the capital, Budapest. I started singing and dancing when I was 6. At that time I don’t think that I decided that, rather my mom did, but I remember enjoying every second of it. I think I realised the dream of becoming a professional artist when I was 12-13. So ever since then, that was my goal.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Barbara Kiss: Well, it’s pretty simple. This is my real name. We thought about adopting a stage name because it might by to cutsy, but we asked around and people responded well to the name, so I kept it.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Barbara Kiss: I grew up in a time when you were beyond excited while anticipating a new album or song coming out. When you went to the music store and tried to grab the copy of your favorite artist’s album, because there were only a couple of it in the store. Today it’s different. It’s easy to stream or even download the music of your favorites. You don’t have to wait that long. It’s not a bad thing necessarily because the music gets to a lot more people than before, but the fact that people don’t pay for music anymore is not the best part of it. I mean, we as artists put so much work and money into making one song. You write it for a couple days and weeks, then you go a record it in a studio for a couple hours and then you do the after work to make it sound excellent. So it almost a whole week’s work and then people just take it for free… If you look at it that way it’s not the best feeling. But at the same time you’re happy that your music reaches people in whatever way it can. I rarely give it away for free, but nowadays there are way to do that without artist’s permission…

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Barbara Kiss: At first it is important that you have some great songs, you know. That’s the base line, because if the music and the production is good it makes you look professional. Then you have to start building your fan base so that you will be able to fill the place you’d like to perform at. Then start contacting the local pubs, concert opportunities, send them demos, go there and talk to the manager of the place. Be charming, be humble and be professional. The same goes to radios. Have great material and just try to contact as many as you can.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Barbara Kiss: Well, sometimes I forget lyrics but it happens to everyone. And when that happens you just keep going and come up with some other lyrics on the spot. LOL

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Barbara Kiss:  It’s always fun to travel and do what you love. One of the best gigs I ever had was last summer at Sziget Festival. It’s one of the biggest festivals in Europe and it was a real honour. We performed some great country songs. The interesting thing was that after our performance a group of people gathered for a dance circle. It was pretty fun to see.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Barbara Kiss: There’s no one particular process or thing that I do to get inspiration. It’s very diverse. Sometimes it just pops into my head, an idea, a melody or a lyric. Also it depends on the mood I’m in, but the best songs always come out when I was a bit sad about something. Right now I’m writing a song for one of my best friend’s wedding, so it has to come from the happiest place there is. I’m ver excited about that.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Barbara Kiss: Yes, I have an official website at www.barbara-kiss.com. I use Instagram (@barbarakissmusic) a lot and also Facebook (@barbarakissmusic). I’m on Twitter (@barbara_kiss) as well, but to be honest I don’t use it that much.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Barbara Kiss: To be honest, I never really get embarrassed about the music I listen to. I am a music lover, period. So right now you can find Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Adele on there as well as Aaliyah, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears or even Celine Dion. I really love all kinds of music. One surprising song could be from an Albanian singer called Era Istrefi and it’s called Bon Bon.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it? 

Barbara Kiss: I’d probably spend it on new songs, videos and travelling to places I’ve never been and just perform there. Music and performing is my life, for now I don’t need a day off. 🙂

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Barbara Kiss: I recorded most of my songs in a recording studio in Budapest. I love the engineer here and we work great together. But we are relocating to the Greater New York City area, so I’m sure there will be some great opportunities there as well.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Barbara Kiss: Social media is a great way to do it and also I’m very fortunate to have Roadhouse Records backing me up with many press releases, promotions and stuff like that, so I don’t have to do it alone.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why? 

Barbara Kiss: Oh, so many places and artists. I would love to perform at Rockefeller Center with Michael Bublé when they turn on the Christmas Lights in New York. I love Christmas and there is no Christmas without Michael Bublé at my house.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Barbara Kiss: We’re releasing a new song soon called ‘Everything’ and after the relocation we are planning on some gigs around the New York area, but I always update my social networks and websites about what’s coming, so check them out.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing? 

Barbara Kiss: I would be in fashion, that is my other passion. I am actually doing that as well, I am a fashion stylist when I get a chance to do it. I love it and I think it is as much of a self expression tool as music is.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head? 

Barbara Kiss: I was 1995 and it was the Backstreet Boys’ first album called ‘Backstreet Boys’ that only came out in Europe. It was a cassette and I was over the moon, I think I slept with that cassette under my pillow. LOL

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Barbara Kiss: Organisation is key. I write all my appointments in my phone and also into my computer. If I’m not on my phone I use my computer so I can check all that what’s need to be done. And thank god, I have a pretty good memory so I can remember the tasks for the week ahead, but it’s getting harder and harder.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so? 

Barbara Kiss: Lots of fun videos on social networks, new music, videos, lots of gigs, fun pictures and lots of love.