Can you share the story behind “Into The Dark”? What inspired you to explore themes of rejection and abandonment in this track?
‘Into The Dark’ is about the experience of realising that someone you’ve been seeing was never as invested as they led you to believe. It’s that moment when you’re swept up in the idea of something special, only to have the rug pulled out from under you with no explanation. The abandonment comes in the aftermath, when you’re left questioning everything – the moments you shared, the connection you thought you had – and you’re haunted by the uncertainty of whether it ever meant anything to them. It’s a deep emotional spiral, wondering how someone could so easily walk away if they truly cared.
The music and lyrics became my way of channeling that hurt and turning it into something more than just a painful memory. Instead of letting the experience feel tragic, I wanted to create something powerful and cathartic.
The song evokes a dystopian and cinematic soundscape. How did you approach creating this atmosphere in your music?
Heartbreak, especially when it’s paired with so many unanswered questions, can feel apocalyptic. When I think back to that overwhelming sense of confusion and hurt, it felt like the world was crashing down around me. I wanted ‘Into The Dark’ to capture that “end of times” feeling. I layered synths and textures to simulate that intense emotional overstimulation – like when everything is building up inside you, just on the verge of exploding.
In my mind, the soundscape had to feel futuristic, alien – like a chaotic sci-fi world where nothing is familiar or comforting. This led me to approach the song as a synthwave track, creating a sonic environment that matched the sense of isolation and turmoil in the story.
You mentioned that you self-wrote, recorded, and produced “Into The Dark.” Can you walk us through your creative process for this single?
The process for ‘Into The Dark’ wasn’t overly planned or structured. It all started when an arpeggiated synth melody popped into my head one day, and I immediately began laying it down in my DAW before I could forget it. From there, the song almost wrote itself. I had a clear vision of the sound and structure, so I just went with it – building the instrumental, developing the lyrics, and finding vocal melodies as I went along.
At the time, I’d been listening to a lot of The Midnight, so I wanted to incorporate a saxophone solo, something I’d been wanting to do for a while. I grew up playing alto sax, so it felt natural to bring that into my music. Once the song was structured, I refined the production the next day, cleaning up the track and adding some extra touches like background vocals and vocoder effects. I think it was completely done – minus mixing and mastering – in 2 days.
For the visual concept of ‘Into The Dark’, I wanted to symbolize the journey described in the song – how the protagonist is pulled from the light, corrupted by their lover, and ultimately left in darkness. It evokes the image of an angel who has fallen from grace, tainted by the darkness (the partner) and left alone, reaching desperately for the light. And so, the cover artwork for the single was created.
You’ve drawn comparisons to the sounds of “Stranger Things.” Which artists or genres influenced your sound in this track?
The ‘Stranger Things’ score by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein is definitely a big influence for me. I also draw inspiration from artists like The Midnight, FM-84, Timecop1983, and CHVRCHES.
When I wrote ‘Into The Dark’, it was around when The Weeknd released ‘Blinding Lights’, which also tapped into that ‘80s synth-pop vibe. That song really pushed me to explore how I could merge synthwave with pop elements and vocals, and ‘Into The Dark’ became the result of that exploration.
The song delves into profound emotional themes. How do you balance personal vulnerability with the broader themes of heartbreak and isolation in your music?
In ‘Into The Dark’, I wanted to express my personal vulnerability while making the themes of heartbreak and isolation feel universal. While the song draws from my own experience, I focused on the emotional journey – feelings of doubt, confusion, and being left in the dark – that anyone can relate to. I aimed to tell the story in a way that allowed listeners to find themselves in it, even if their situation is different.
By embracing vulnerability, the song becomes a catharsis, not just for me, but for anyone going through similar emotions. Heartbreak can be isolating, but it’s also an opportunity for growth, and I hope listeners can find strength in that transformation.
The inclusion of vibrant saxophone and lush synths adds a unique layer to the track. How did you decide on the instrumentation, and what do these elements represent in the song?
The saxophone was essential for me – it’s such an iconic instrument in ‘80s music, and it has this power to grab attention in a way that no other instrument can. Growing up playing alto sax, it was always going to make an appearance in one of my tracks. In ‘Into The Dark’, the sax solo acts as the emotional climax, lifting the track just as the tension and emotion reach their peak. It’s symbolic of that emotional eruption – the point where all the pent-up feelings explode.
The synths and other textures were chosen to add a sense of mystery and depth to the song. I wanted to create an atmosphere that felt “chilling,” something that would leave listeners wanting more – just like the protagonist in the song, who’s desperately searching for answers that never come.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Into The Dark”? How do you want them to feel when they hear it?
I want listeners to know that it’s okay to feel your heartbreak, to go through the emotional rollercoaster without rushing to brush it off. ‘Into The Dark’ is about letting yourself go through the process and purging those feelings rather than burying them until they overwhelm you. But beyond that, I want people to take away a sense of empowerment. Heartbreak doesn’t have to define you – it can become something you transform into something epic. Use it to fuel your growth, and don’t let it defeat you.
How does this single compare to your debut release? In what ways do you feel you’ve grown or evolved as an artist since then?
My debut single, ‘Yearn’, introduced a confident, playful side of KYARA. It was bold, cheeky, and fun – a perfect introduction to my music. ‘Into The Dark’ marks a shift, though. It reveals a more vulnerable side, while still maintaining that confidence. Sonically, it’s darker and more cinematic, with a depth that wasn’t as present in my debut.
Thematically, ‘Into The Dark’ shows growth. While ‘Yearn’ was about desire and control – inspired by a deep fantasy, ‘Into The Dark’, explores a reality in some relationships – processing pain and vulnerability. It’s about embracing all sides of ourselves – the strong, the confident, the vulnerable. I’ve learned that it’s okay to be both, and that embracing the darker, more complicated parts of yourself can lead to growth and strength.
Can you give us a glimpse into what’s next for you after “Into The Dark”? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?
There’s a lot in the works. I’m continuing to explore the themes ‘Into The Dark’ introduced, diving deeper into stories of relationships, both romantic and personal, and exploring them from different angles. You can expect more dark, cinematic electronica fused with pop, but there’s definitely a shift coming. At some point, I’ll be telling these stories through a
sweeter, more romantic lens, and I’m really excited to see where that takes me.
I also hope to experiment with different sounds within electronic music to see how they can complement and enhance my existing sonic aesthetic.
How important is it for you to engage with your audience on platforms like Instagram and TikTok? What role do you think social media plays in the music industry today?
Social media is crucial, especially for independent artists like me. It’s not just about marketing – it’s about building a community and connecting with people who resonate with my music. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok give us the opportunity to share our work and stories with a broader audience, and they’re invaluable in creating genuine connections with listeners. For me, it’s less about just promoting my music and more about fostering a sense of belonging, where fans can connect with each other and with me. It’s how you can share the real side of being an artist, beyond just the music.
Additionally, social media is a valuable tool for receiving feedback from listeners. It allows you to consider different ideas and perspectives, helping you grow as an artist and better connect with your audience by understanding what they want to hear.
