Biography

 

 

Kayla Kavanagh is a multi~instrumentalist, Singer/Songwriter, Pop/Rock artist and composer. With a love of writing and performing using traditional and electronic instruments, Kayla has spent the last few years creating her own unique sound, brought to life both in her live stage shows and the recording studio. The music graduate qualified with an MA in Digital Performance in 2006, where she began experimenting with live looping using an array of traditional instruments, wires and technology.

Kayla Kavanagh - York Minster Kayla Kavanagh - Edinburgh Fringe High St Kayla Kavanagh Kayla Kavanagh - Live from the Kampervan Kayla Kavanagh - York Minster  

During 2008-2009, Kayla performed a national tour, including two successful runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and performances at numerous festivals across the country from her VW Kampervan. In 2010 Kayla will release her first album "Stranger Than Fiction" with engineer/producer Nigel Pease (Selva Sound). The debut album fuses her traditional roots with the live music technology from her stage performances.

Kayla has studied composition to postgraduate level, writing primarily contemporary and minimalist music. Her past work has been featured in films, theatrical productions and orchestral works, including a performance by the Kokoro Quartet (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra).With her own PA system and instruments, Kayla also performs at weddings and corporate events as a classical singer, piano vocalist or instrumentalist. Her extensive repertoire of classical, pop/rock, covers and original music lends itself to a large variety of events - for booking details contact Kayla directly.

Instruments

 

Kayla's "one~woman band" shows feature numerous instruments including keyboard, guitars, electric violin, flute, hammered dulcimer, eigenharp pico, looping pedals and vocoder. Equally at home on stage as a Celtic Singer/Songwriter or multi-instrumentalist, Kayla's unique abilities allow for a wide range of stage performances. Kayla builds up layers of vocal harmony, instrumental accompaniment and textures combined with vocoded vocals and live looping.

Kayla Kavanagh - York Minster

Hammered Dulcimer,
Electric Guitar & Electric Violin

Eigenharp Pico

Eigenharp Pico & Mac Laptop

Kayla Kavanagh - York MinsterElectric Violin & Akai E2 Headrush

Kayla Kavanagh - Edinburgh Fringe

Flute & Roland FP-7 Keyboard

Kayla Kavanagh - York Minster
Acoustic Guitar & Boss RC-50

 

Mental Health Advocacy

 

On the Borderline Kayla is an advocate for Mental Health awareness as she has for many years been living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). As one of the "New Faces of BPD", Kayla is committed to raising awareness of hidden illnesses such as personality disorders, using her musical creativity as an outlet for her experiences.

In November 2009, Kayla launched her special release single 'On the Borderline' at the inaugural PD Congress in Birmingham. The 1st National Personality Disorder Congress was a two day event celebrating success - innovation, knowledge & understanding. Kayla performed the single live at the event where she was invited to perform as a Keynote Speaker.

Kayla has also recorded a short video describing her experience living with BPD.

 

News Highlights

Kayla Kavanagh featured in VW Camper & Bus Magazine Article

 

VW Camper & Bus

January 2009

Kayla Kavanagh featured in The Chronicle

Chronicle Newspaper Article

February 2009

Hold on to the Future featured in Digidesign Training Manual

 

Kayla's Song used by Digidesign

April 2009

Stranger than Fiction

 

Debut Album Released

February 2010