Her Incredible breakout Year
Kayden Muller-Janssen’s face is recognizable because you know her from playing Hartley in the Disney series The Villains of Valley View. But these days Kayden is all about tapping into her love for music and sharing her voice with the world. Her debut single Kiss Kiss Baby landed a #1 spot on Radio Disney and was one of the top 5 most requested videos on Music Choice. The rising talent was also recently featured as one of People Magazine’s “2022 Talented Emerging Artists Making Their Mark.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSEY RUTH @LINDSPHOTO
INTERVIEW BY ANGEL NEAL @ANGEL_STYLISTBEHAVIOR
Things aren’t slowing down for Muller-Janssen as she’s determined to make this an incredible breakout year musically. In this interview we discuss her debut EP titled Unraveled, featuring five intimate tracks that put her talent on display.
Most of us know you from being an actress on Disney. We’re blessed to live in a time where we can cater to all of our talents at once. Being a multi-hyphenate artist like yourself, would you say the music is most rewarding for you right now?
I think so. For me music is the way to let out any kind of emotions I have, whether I’m happy or sad. I feel like right now, in the place that I am in my life, I’ve really grown, found my sound and know who I am as an actress, and a singer. I’m very proud of the music that I’m making and who I’m becoming as an artist, and I think that really translates to my fans. Hopefully with the next few singles that I have coming out as well they’ll really feel like they can relate to the music.
One thing we love about new artists is their journey with finding their unique style, whether it be vocally or visually. How would you describe your music to someone unfamiliar with your sound?
Well, I would say the typical genre people like to place my music in is Pop, Soul, and R&B. Once again, growing up in Florida and listening to all different types of music, I feel as though I get inspiration from everywhere. I don’t really like to put myself in one box or in one corner, if that makes sense. I always tell people, my music is very personal, it doesn’t fit in an exact genre. Sometimes it’s a pop song, sometimes it’s a rock song. Sometimes it’s a little bit of R&B and in each song you listen to there’s going to be a story that’s pretty personal to me, and hopefully the listener can relate. Every song is different, and I hope it touches people in different ways no matter what genre they prefer. I want listeners to feel like they’re experiencing the situation with me. The lyrics are a story that they can relate to because that’s where my songs come from, when I’m feeling most emotional, or in a really dark place. That’s where some of my best songs come from. Other people will have different opinions, but I’ll definitely say that my sound is very personal and relatable.
Tell me a little bit about your latest single Meant To Be?
I love this song. This was basically supposed to be my summer banger that I wanted all of my friends and family to listen to, yet it also has a really deep message behind it. Living out in LA for the past two years, it can get a little crazy out here. The people, the industry, it’s very fast-paced. If you’re not the type of person who can keep up with that, it can be really difficult. I found that for me, I was happiest traveling between LA and Florida. At that time, I went to the studio and realized this is exactly where I’m supposed to be in my life. I’m so beyond happy with my music career, with my acting career, going back home, seeing my family. I have a roof over my head, food on my table, and I’m literally doing my dream job. This is where I’m meant to be. That song basically wrote itself as well. We were in the studio for probably 10 to 20 minutes and the song was done. The song speaks for itself. It’s literally explaining exactly how I feel that this is where I’m meant to be. Sometimes it can be really hard getting wrapped up in all of the LA craziness, but I go back home to see my family and friends, I see the beach, the water and I just go this is where I’m meant to be recharging my battery. It allows me to collect myself. It means a lot that everybody loves the song too. Everybody is like this is my favorite song of yours. It’s a banger.
Read the full interview in the Fall issue of Disrupshion Magazine Next Gen, releasing on October 25th. in the meant time listen to Meant To Be. You may Pre Order Kayden's issue here Disrupshion Next Gen Vol.1 .
Where can we follow you?
You can find me on all platforms @kaydenmuller.