We spoke with Kibi James ahead of their debut album delusions.

With upcoming debut album delusions on the horizon, Kibi James is ready to share their unique blend of '90s indie pop and shibuya-kei with the world. In this interview, the band members discuss the overall concept and themes explored in the album, the inspiration behind their singles and music videos, the collaborative process with producer Drew Vandenberg, and the role each member plays in shaping their sound. They also touch upon the influence of their shared domestic life on their songwriting, the significance of linguistic interplay in their music, and their aspirations for the future.

Congratulations on the upcoming release of your debut album delusions. Could you tell us more about the overall concept and themes explored in the album?

This album is a kind of culmination of the past few years which were pretty intense collectively. Making music together comes a lot easier when the people you’re collaborating with have been a part of so many shared experiences. 

‘Delusions’ is about friendship and working together to create the world that we deserve. It’s about the complexity of the self, and the romance and vulnerability that exists within friendship. It’s about self liberation from the oppressive systems that persist in a world under capitalism. There has to be some level of delusion necessary to achieve this as the landscape is built to divide us and perpetuate itself.

"Go Outside" is the first single from your album and the accompanying music video showcases surreal imagery and natural landscapes. Can you share the inspiration behind the song and its visual representation?

This song is about trying to get out into the world after a long period of interiority and introspection. It can be hard to change habits and some seasons of your life call for different things. The video feels like the twisted reward you get when you embark on a new adventure. Dani really gave the song new life with the music video!

Can you share the inspiration behind the lyrics of your new single ‘fuerza’? What themes or personal experiences influenced the writing process?

Fuerza is about the forces working against us. It’s about finding the best way to use the system to your advantage as you fight to defeat it. 

The accompanying visual for ‘fuerza’ portrays a figure trapped in a box, ultimately escaping into a free and open natural landscape. What symbolism is at play here, and how does it relate to the song's meaning?

We gave the director ‘a sun’ complete creative control to interpret this song as they wished. They are a very talented artist we’re honored to work with. I think the themes are pretty universal. Everyone has to find their own sense of freedom.

The band's sound has been described as channelling the blissful sweetness of '90s indie pop and shibuya-kei. Can you talk about the musical influences that shaped your sound and how they come together in your music?

We listen to so many different types of music and are all self taught musicians. I think we take a lot of influence from whatever we’re listening to but it’s hard to pin down. It’s always nice to hear what people find within our music because we have a hard time defining our own sound. It’s important to us to feel free from any genre or expectation because we never know what we make next will sound like. We want to make so many kinds of music. We definitely bump a lot of 90’s music and Shibuya kei so it makes sense that those comparisons are made for this album :-) I foresee many changes for the next…

Your album was co-produced, recorded, and mixed by Drew Vandenberg. How did this collaboration come about, and how did Drew contribute to shaping the sound of delusions?

Drew was suggested to us by Katie Garcia who we trust so much so we were  down to jump into it and try. Any fear that we had about compatibility dissipated as soon as we got in the studio. Drew is a pro at what he does and he’s just so fun to work with. It was our first time in a professional studio which can be intimidating but he made it approachable and was so patient. He really gave us the space and pushed us to explore each song to its fullest potential and because of that every track feels like it’s own little world. We’re forever grateful and hope to work together again.

Pomi, as the drummer, what role does rhythm play in Kibi James' music? How do you contribute to the band's overall sound and dynamics?

I think it’s different every time and that’s what keeps it interesting. 

MJ, as the bassist, your instrument holds the foundation of the band's sound. Could you discuss the role of the bass in shaping the atmosphere and mood of your songs?

With the three of us songwriting together I think each element is so integral. Though the bass can really define where a song goes we all inform each others expression a lot and talk about where a song is headed. 

The tone and feeling that the bass captured on the album does feel very foundational. The basslines feel solid to me, like you could build a house on them. 

What do you love right now?

Our house, cancer season, rainbows, our roommates.

What do you hate right now?

Cop city.

What artists are you still listening to from when you were younger and why are they still important to you?

Lily Allen, Corinne Bailey Rae, lady gaga. They’re timeless classics and always will be.

The band members of Kibi James find security and intimacy in their shared domestic life. How does this sense of home and togetherness influence your song writing and the narratives explored in delusions? 

The way we write songs reflects the way that we share space with each other. We each lead very separate daily lives but come together and share space in a way that is generative for our creative process. There is a lot of life lived in between 

The title of your album, delusions, carries a thought-provoking message. MJ mentioned that some level of delusion is necessary for artists in this capitalist world. Can you elaborate on the meaning behind the title?

A lot of manifestation could just be written off as delusion. You have to ignore a lot of people who will tell you you can’t do this or that. Historically a lot of things that were regarded as delusional are now the norm. People typically aim to suppress delusions for many reasons but would it be so bad if we embraced them instead? 

Your voices harmonize in both English and Spanish, intertwining in a cozy and intimate way. How does this linguistic interplay enhance the storytelling in your music and reflect your own experiences and backgrounds?

Every person in our band (and in the world) has their own unique background. This is just one way of expressing that. Music shouldn’t be limited by language <3 and our languages are our tools to further express ourselves. 

Mari, as the guitarist and keyboardist, could you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach crafting the melodies and musical arrangements for Kibi James?

Sometimes I can get stuck in the infinite amount of configurations of melodies that a song can have. Or lyrics and sentiments that I want to express. I am trying to get better at just committing to what wants to come through, and engage with it. I try to come from a mindset of abundance- there is so much more music to be written always 

Throughout delusions, you explore the nuances of relationships between people and the world, interpersonally and ecologically. How do you translate these themes into your lyrics, and what messages do you hope to convey to your listeners? 

We really just write from our experience. To live fully is to live within these intersections. They reveal themselves readily to anyone paying attention. We hope that anyone listening can find a shared feeling.  

With the release of your debut album approaching, what are your aspirations and hopes for the future of Kibi James? Do you have any specific goals or projects in mind that you would like to pursue?

We definitely want to play more shows and explore the performance. We want to keep writing and exploring. Since the music is largely based off our lives it feels certain that whatever comes next will be entirely different. The music is an expression of our lives so we will always want to pour ourselves through it.