Canadian LGBTQIA+ pop artist Kyle Richardson brings a smooth vocal delivery and deep emotional arcs to a soulful modern pop sound. Writing heartfelt songs that channel past experiences and emotions, he delivers melody-driven, lyrically-rich music that is relatable, hopeful, and empowering.
On his way to finding his own distinct sound through his first slate of singles first slate of singles – “Bleed Forever”, “Pain Killer”, and “So Hot It Hurts”, Kyle also gained recognition as a featured vocalist with Will K and Gazzo in 2014 on “Forth and Back”, and for Bobina’s “Love is the Answer” in 2016, which gained over 1.5 million Spotify streams.
After the solitude of the pandemic, Kyle re-emerged as a seasoned songwriter and crafty pop vocalist with three singles in 2023 – “Can You Hear Me”, “Anything”, and “Fight the Good Fight”. With the release of his debut album, “Louder Than Words”, Kyle is building a legacy of positivity through the exuberance of creating the music that he loves.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I love to record pop music! I am a huge fan of most genres, so I like to include different elements from multiple genres in my work. Some songs lean more pop, some have a pop-rock edge, some are a little more soulful, and some have a throwback kind of sound. I truly love it all!
What are your musical plans for the next 12 months or so?
It’s a busy time! I’ve released three singles and music videos this year, along with my debut album, “Louder Than Words”. I’m also looking forward to releasing an acoustic album, and hopefully even more surprises to come!
What are your plans for any future releases?
My main focus right now is my debut album “Louder Than Words”, which is a really fun, uplifting, inspiring collection of songs that run the gamut of pop, rock, soul, and emotional piano ballads. I’m so excited to share new songs beyond this exciting collection of music!
Do you enjoy recording and production?
I absolutely love being in the studio working on music! It’s honestly my favourite place to be. Vocal day while recording a new song is always my fave part of the sessions. I love being able to build the vocals and get layers upon layers of backing vocals and ad libs, and paired with the music, get to see the full vision of the song come to life!
Do you plan your music releases, or do you just finish a song and release it?
I definitely am a planner… perhaps an over-planner! I had this entire album finished, and got all my singles and album artwork finished, got the final edits of four music videos, and finalized the track listing of the album, all before releasing the first single! I love being prepared. Maybe I need to embrace spontaneity a little more in the future, but being prepared for this album cycle has been really fulfilling so far!
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I do wish the market was more album-oriented rather than primarily focused on singles. I love getting into a full album and usually find albums tracks that I like more than the actual singles! I also miss the days when buying physical CDs was more common. I love the booklets that come with them that have different photos and album credits and lyrics.
Would you rather be the one in a movie who gets the hero/heroine or the baddie with all the good lines?
I would love to be the baddie with all the good lines. I have a sarcastic, sassy side, so I think delivering those lines would be so fun!
As a kid were you ever frightened of a monster under the bed or in the cupboard?
Not a monster, but we had a cat growing up who was this gorgeous calico cat, but she was a little bit on the feral side. I was always afraid that when I got out of bed, she would attack my feet from underneath!
What is your favourite board game?
I love Clue! I really love a good murder mystery and I grew up loving the game and still do to this day. The funny 1980s movie based off the game is amazing too!
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I’m currently watching “Only Murders In The Building”, as well as “The After Party” on Apple TV+. I guess I really do love a murder mystery!
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
A better question would be what do I NOT sing in the shower? I sing everything there, but honestly for some reason a lot of the time I end up singing old school tunes like Motown classics or something fun along those lines!
Kyle is thrilled to share his debut album, Louder Than Words, which was released on October 13th
An 11-track effort, Louder Than Words was produced by Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowland) along with Alan Poettcker (These Kids Wear Crowns) as a special co-producer on one song. Richardson was a writer on each of the album’s songs, with additional co-writing contributions from Dawson, Poettcker, Andrew Allen, and Tea Petrovic. The finished record showcases Richardson’s rich, polished vocals across a variety of pop genre branches.
Speaking about the release, Richardson says,
“For my debut album, I wanted to offer a mix of songs that draw from a range of influences but are still tied to a distinctly pop vibe that is engaging and uplifting. Instead of chasing trends, I focused on heartfelt lyrics, soaring melodies, and true-to-life storytelling. This album is an equal representation of who I am as an artist and as a person.”
Instagram: @TurnUpTheKyle
Facebook: @TurnUpTheKyle
YouTube: YouTube.com/@TurnUpTheKyle
Spotify: tinyurl.com/turnupthekylespotify
TikTok: TikTok.com/@turnupthekyle
