Del Osei-Owusu talks to artists on the FOTN radar and gets them to tell their origin story over a cup of tea and biscuits. This week, Kylie Auldist is in the hotseat and she brought Tim-Tams as well as chocolate shortbread. She knows the way to Del’s heart!
Hello Kylie how are you?
I’m awesome! Busy – just how I like it!
Congratulations on the release of Hybrid how does it feel?
It’s been a long journey and it’s a relief. But it also feels good because the album is fabulous.
What’s the story behind the album?
-We wanted to stay immersed in the electro boogie feel and write an album of dance bangers! Obviously that didn’t quite happen but I still think it comes out of the gates swinging and then really delves deep into the mid tempo album tracks that I’ve always loved
What’s your favourite track from it?
U4Me – I mean it’s like choosing between your children! But I think the song is a very cute, bouncy and sweet! It was disregarded by the band at first but then I rewrote the chorus and it all came together!
What was the easiest and most challenging part of recording the album?
I’m struggling with this answer because I can’t think of an easy bit! Writing melodies over the music comes naturally but finding words to fit the melody is not as easy.
The most challenging part starts now- trying to sell it! Or at least encourage people to listen to it!
You’re an artist from Australia how did your journey begin?
My musical journey began as a child. I sang as soon as I could speak! It seemed natural that I would gravitate to bands and the stage when I moved from outback Australia to the city even though I spent most of my life singing along to my dad’s guitar.
What did you listen to growing up?
My parents’ record collection which included Charlie a pride, Merle Haggard, slim dusty, Aretha Franklin, BB King, Chuck Berry.
Then when I got a bit older and found my auntie’s record collection I got into Jackson Browne, Joe Walsh and Neil young.
Then in my teens I discovered Prince and Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, earth wind and fire and nothing was ever the same again!
I love so many different types of music from Henry Rollins to Fat Freddy’s drop.
Your experience of recording started when you were 6 years old, do you have a favourite part of the process?
– It was really just my dad recording me on a tape machine so we could send it to my grandparents who lived a long way away! I’ve recorded a lot of things but I think I enjoy singing to an audience better.
You are described as the high priestess of soul which soul artists do you look up to?
I was lucky enough to sing backing vocals for one of Australia’s first recognized soul singers, Renee Geyer. As much as she was quite an unpleasant person to be around I really respected her voice ,her knowledge of music and her ability to run a band with an iron fist.
Of course Aretha and Joni Mitchell are powerhouse women who had a big influence on me. I like to see women being authentic and not allowing age to define them or their art
If you could put together your dream funk band what would that look like?
I am in an enviable position in that I’m happy and grateful with where I am at and who I play with. It’s taken me a bloody long time to find musicians that I admire who want to be on my team and in a band with me. I’m making the music I love with these people and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world!
What are you listening to at the moment?
I’m listening to a lot of old music to get ready for a stage show I’ve just started doing – Bowie/ Prince and George Michael . But my go to for plane take off and landing is either Channel Orange by Frank Ocean or Seriously folks by Joe Walsh, and sometimes Doobies or Hall and Oates to make me feel happy!
What are you looking forward to doing in 2026?
I’m looking forward to making a new album!! Back to the soul vein with a community collaboration!!
