May 17, 2025 • 17 mins
It's been a memorable 2025 for Kiwi country star Kaylee Bell, and she's got even more to look forward to.
She's played a music festival, she's done a collab with the Wiggles - and she welcomed her first child earlier in the year.
Bell says it's been 'awesome' seeing country music surge in New Zealand - and hearing her hits resound with Kiwi fans ahead of the Aotearoa Music Awards.
"It's just a celebration of the last few years - of just seeing this rise of country music and my career here in New Zealand, which is so important to me, it's where it all began."
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
This is Ring on It by Kaylee Bell, a funny
story about the song coming up in just a moment.
Joy twenty five has been a bit of a wild
ride for our country music star Kaylee Bell. A music festival,
a co lab with the Wiggles, this new single you're
listening to and She's had a baby the top it off.
Kaylee is at the four out On Music Awards at
the end of this month. Kaylee Bell is with me now, good.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Morning, good morning, how are you. I'm good, so.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Good to have you with us. Hey, let's start with
the awards. This is really exciting. You're a finalist for
four Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Best
Solo Artist, Best Country Music Artist. Is the local recognition
still important to you?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (00:53):
I feel like I don't know, I just never really
ever thought I would make categories that weren't you know
John specific So to be an album and single and
to have country music recognized in the mainstream now his
has just been such a dream come true.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
And yeah, just a celebration.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
I think of the last few years of just seeing
this rise of country music and you know, my career
here in New Zealand, which is so important to me.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
It's it's where it all began.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
And always dreamed of being able to tour this country
and hear my songs on the radio here, and it's
it's all finally happening. And it's reflecting in the olds
now too, which is just such a little cherry on
the top.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It's also it is I'm really excited that you've got
the album of the year.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
This is the first time.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Yeah, absolutely, and it's I feel like we're kind of
coming back to an album world too, you know. I
think it was very much single driven for a while there,
and I just I love having albums out, you know
it really it felt so different this last tour that
we did with the album out in the vinyl and
really connecting with fans back on that level. And I love,
you know, when fans discover sort of more of the
deeper cuts of the record and they're just it's just
(01:57):
such a nice feeling of having a project package together
and so yeah, just moving forth, I just always want
to make records now.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
That's really interesting. Do you find are you surprised sometimes
that the songs that people sing along with because they're
not always the single, the ones that they respond to.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
You're so right, And that's the beauty of playing live.
It's like you never really know and then you play
something live and that's when you get that little surprise.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
And it has been songs.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
That we didn't really necessarily know if they like, they
weren't released as singles, and that's when you know you've
got the hard course there that.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Are singing and I just love that.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Yeah, country music is kind of taking off a little bit.
You've been You've got behind the new I Heeart country
music station here in New Zealand And and your song
with you you you were the first artist off the rank,
which is that's pretty amazing. Yeah, what's behind you think
this this growth of country music and particularly here in
(02:50):
New Zealand because I'm you know, obviously we know it's
massive in other parts of the world.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Well, it's Australia too.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
It's the fastest growing genre basically in Australasia, which there's
never been a more exciting time. But I do think
that it's also been very underground for a long time.
You know, I think they're's been a lot of fans
and they just kind of haven't been fed their genre,
you know, on the mainstream radio. And it just took
a few singles, you know. I think Luke Colmb's had
a massive song with Fast Car and Morgan Wallen and
(03:17):
just a few singles that kind of just had a
wee moment and slowly got the ball rolling. And then
we've seen a lot of Americans come out here until
it in the last sort of twelve months. And I
just think it's just been a combination of all these things.
Kind of it's like a perfect timing situation. You know,
everything's exploding at once, and yeah, I just think it's
awesome now that fans can turn on a radio station
(03:37):
in their car and actually be driving around listening to it.
I know, I put on everybody onto the station and
it's yeah, it's it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Hey, motherhood. This kind of came as a bit of
a surprise, did Congratulation four?
Speaker 4 (03:53):
I do Little Boy James And yeah, very unexpected. We
found out we were having him in Nashville last year. Actually,
we just come off the road. We just toured through
New Zealand all of April May Nashville for CMA fest
and yeah, found out. So it's been quite a journey.
I've spoken on a few podcasts about my journey. I'm
(04:14):
not going to bore everybody with the details, but there
has been a long long ride for me with my
health and a few different situations and issues. And yeah,
it's just so nice now to have a little baby,
and we're just very much taking him on the road
and including him in our touring and our just in
our life, you know, because I just think what better
education than you know, travel.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
And meeting people and life goes on.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
And yeah, absolutely, and it's I've always also wanted to
prove that you can do both things, you know. I
think for whatever reason, there's females we still have that
little thing where it's it's just expected that we kind
of just carry on, you know, And I kind of
am making a point that you can do both and
enjoy both.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
It's kind of quite common though in the country music circles. Yeah,
I just do take their families with them. It's a
bit of a family affair, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
It is, You're right.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
I think it's the one genre that really embraces family.
It's spoken about in people's songs, but it's also lived
out on the road in tour buses and so I've
seen it in the country genre, which I think has
been a big help. But it's also something that I
think that we need to see more of. And so
you know, having him side stage and backstage it shows
(05:22):
and things like that will be something that I really
want to normalize as well.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
The change to motherhood though it's quite it's quite major,
and I mean you went from touring with US superstar
Caine Brown to having the baby. Six weeks later after
he was born, you were performing at a festival in Oz.
I mean you even released a single in this time.
Is this a sign of your work ethic and dedication.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Or am I crazy where you've got today?
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Or actually is that yes? Life goes on or is
it actually, Hey, I've spent fifteen years slogging it out
to get to where I am. I've now got this
huge success. I'm not sure if New Zealanders quite realized
how successful you've been overseas. You've got to keep the
momentum going. Is there some pressure on you to get
keep that momentum going?
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Yeah, And it's pressure that I put on myself. If
I'm being honest, You're right, though, I mean, this has
taken me years to get where I've wanted to go
and I'm still not there yet. And I think that
no one cares about your career more than you do yourself.
Hence why I've always been self managed and independent. I'm
a big believer and get the job done yourself. And
I think I really think that's you know, reflects the
(06:29):
key we upbringing that we have here. You know, it's
like that DIY like get the job done kind of mentality.
But it's it's really been something that I've needed in
this industry. And yeah, I just knew that there was
no time to take, you know, pedel off the metal.
It was like I had to be organized, and so
I finished my record at the end of last year,
(06:49):
knowing that I would then be able to release it
this year and carry on. And again, I just think
it's I always wanted to prove that you could do
both things, and it's just taken a little bit more organization.
And like you said, though, we haven't really slowed down,
and it's sort of I think that's great.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
We can just to carry on now.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
That new single rag On it is it a chicky
it could be.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
It was actually written as a joke. I wrote it
in New York last year and I was terrified. I
just would not play it to my partner for about
six months. And yeah, I never thought that song would
see the light of day, if I'm being honest. But
the amount of females that have sent me that song
been like this work. I'm like, Okay, it hasn't worked
for me.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Yet, but it's worked for you. That's great.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
I love the fact that you also did a co
lab with the Wiggles, which means that in about two
years time, you were going to be.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Regarded as a very cool mother. I know, right, I'm
still waiting for that.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
You're thinking about this very strategic You're going to be
able to say your child. But look, here's here's what
I did sign themselves.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
How much fun was that?
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Oh my god, that was actually such a cool day.
I filmed for a whole day in Sydney with the
team and they, I mean talk about work ethic, they
have something insane work that they all have families, and
I mean Katerina, the Red Wiggle, she just had her
two little twins. They were six weeks old and she
was back at it. She had a nanny. We were
out filming for like hours in the afternoon, and it
(08:18):
was just like it was probably what I needed at
the time, because I would just found out that I
was having a baby and I was just like, how's
this going to work? And to see them just make
it work was like a really important moment for me.
But also they were just so nice, Like they are
the nicest humans in the world. And I've had the
chance to see them at the Arias and a few
different places since, and I feel like I've just been
kind of part of that Wiggles family now. So, like
(08:39):
you said, in two years time, I'm going to be cool, mum,
and I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Are you surprised at the people that you do meet
and that you have meet along the way who are
very very well known?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
Yeah, at how grounded they are. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
I think if there's one thing I've actually learned, it's
like the more famous people are, the nicer they are,
which is really ironic, but I speak for that, you know,
each year and was like that Keith Evans like that,
the Wiggles are like that. It's like not that they've
got nothing to prove anymore, but I think they've probably
seen it all and they've been through every kind of
up and down that it's like nothing really gets to
(09:13):
them anymore. And I think that must be a really
nice place to get to.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Thinking back to when you start it out, there's so
much of a potential for young Kiwi artists now, Yeah,
are you excited about the opportunities for them or is
it still going to be a fifteen years log for
most people?
Speaker 5 (09:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
I mean, I don't want to scare anyone off, but
I think if you really want to do this properly,
it's you see people you know, have their little moments
off TikTok and things now that I think it's awesome
that being an independent artist and a self managed artist,
all those things I think would be a lot easier
now to get off the ground because there's a lot
more avenues, you know, with social media that you can
do it without needing to spend any money or like
(09:55):
we can do it from New Zealand and people in
America can see it, for example. But I still think
the long game is the most important game, and I
think that it all comes back to being able to
put on a great show live and things that take
time and I don't think you get the chance to
take any shortcuts in this industry.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
I think it all comes back to you if you do.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
It's like, yeah, there's kind of no secrets in this industry,
you know.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
It's interesting.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Was there a time when you kind of went after,
you know, performing gigs and things, you kind of went, Okay,
I'm getting this, I'm developing as a performer. I can
you know that you actually recognize Yeah, actually I can
kind of. I'm just constantly stepping up.
Speaker 6 (10:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
I think it was really when I made that call
with again the live show, to be like, I'm going
to have my band.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
That's going to be my band, and we're going to
work our butts off.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
We rehearse every week even when we don't have shows on,
and just that mentality of like, this is like my
career and it's not a hobby.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
It's my job. It's my job and yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
And I think once I really shifted into that headspace,
it was like we just always constantly want to keep
getting better, and I think that should be the goal anyway. Right,
So yeah, I think I hope that it's easier for
the next generation coming through, and I think there's now
a lot more avenues where it can be. But I
still think if you want to have a real career
in this, you've got to play the long game.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Yeah, do you ever go back? Have you got any videos?
Have you so many videos? Do you ever go back
and watch them? Not so much?
Speaker 4 (11:19):
It's yeah, way too humbling at this point. Actually it's
I mean I started so young. I was four years old,
and I've never really known anything else. You know. I
was lucky that Mum and Dad were just very encouraging
that we go and play music in but never ever
thought I'd do it as a career.
Speaker 6 (11:36):
You know.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
It was like the way to pay through my union
and be able to get some drinking money or like,
you know, like it was just always something that I
did but never really thought much of. It was always like, Okay,
you're doing that, but what are you actually doing? You know,
like what's what's the job? What's the And So I mean,
if that's one thing I can show, you know, the
next generation, that you actually can have a career in
country music in New Zealand, then I think that would
(11:59):
be an amazing thing to a legacy to leave behind,
because I didn't know that when I was coming through.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
What do you think of all these pop stars now
putting out country jumping on.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
The I know, right, it's kind of awesome.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
I mean Post mall Own's record was probably one of
my favorite country records that came out last year, and
it all I just all think everything. You know, the
more we collaborate, the more we knock down walls with genre,
I think is a great thing. And so I'm always
excited to see how you know, different artists like Lana
del Rey has such a different take on country music
than you know, somebody like an Ed Cheer and a
(12:28):
Fever did a country record, which I'm sure he probably.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Will also do.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
It's just like, I just love it all comes back
to the songwriting. So I love hearing their stories and
why they wanted to do it too. You know.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
So you're spending your time now between well, all over
the place, but New Zealand and Nashville they're the main
two bases.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Yeah, in Australia. We spent a lot of time playing
in Australia now too, which is awesome. But my goal
was always to live just to never have a winter,
and so it kind of works perfectly with the American thing.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Another tech Yeah, it's good.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
So what does the rest of the year hold for
you and the family?
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Yeah, I feel like we've actually I mean, I know
we're already in man. This year's kind of come up
with us in a raw, but we kind of haven't
even really got started yet. We've got a really crazy
end of the year. We're going to be out on
the road a lot more here in Australia as well,
so we're going to see a lot of our KII
fans over the next sort of six months, which I
can't wait to get back at and and we'll have
a lot more music to share with them as well.
(13:22):
So yeah, the rest of this year I think is
going to fly by super fast because there's just so
much coming and I can't wait to be able to
reveal it all the time.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Well I can't wait because right now, Kayla, you and
Aaron are going to perform your AMA nominated single Cowboy.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Thank You. We are all right, let's do it.
Speaker 7 (13:54):
Laugh me and Southron Coach Park out there.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
We had everything we needed and you treated me. Maybe
you wom the stars.
Speaker 7 (14:11):
I hung loose lit Brown Ice Cort my baby loose.
He have ever something in uist he got me thinking
maybe we could have it all.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Hey after all, now it's.
Speaker 7 (14:28):
He'll toll and around he goes.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
To rodeover now myfice baby bull topping, you pulled me back,
tilly ahead of that and see how baby drop You
gotta go crazy me and this guy ag b belie.
Speaker 7 (14:44):
An how you fall?
Speaker 5 (14:46):
If you think that, I'll move on and say it
alas travel up, trollow out, Hey, don't tell me down,
don't tell.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Me loose, just pull my name not next because I can't.
Speaker 5 (15:11):
Send the down the ring.
Speaker 7 (15:12):
They just they can't a hold everything that.
Speaker 6 (15:16):
I can't wait forever for you too.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
So it's he's.
Speaker 6 (15:21):
Rolling around me go it's a rodeo over.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
Now my fers baby through its chopping.
Speaker 6 (15:26):
He pulled me.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
Back till you edited, that is he? Ha baby, Johnny
couch go crazy.
Speaker 6 (15:33):
Read if it's got adri be in and read.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
You know how you fall?
Speaker 5 (15:39):
If you take down out the along this he and
a laugh trackle hill craglehaugh.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
He do cago crazy.
Speaker 7 (15:57):
It's he how baby he's holding around to go it's
a roade over now, mockers baby, but it's happing. He
pulled me back hell he edit that is he ha
Baby Willia beaverda re deliver Bambas bas A, w.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Hev you big there this aloud? Julia cow Warria, Hey.
Speaker 7 (16:26):
There you big there.
Speaker 6 (16:28):
All this aloud? Now loyal how Lloyer.
Speaker 5 (16:36):
You're dam the one here kills with out Cowboyer cowboyl.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Kayleie Aaron, thank you so much. That was absolutely fantastic.
It is just wonderful to have you in the studio.
Thank you so much for before.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Thanks, thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
That was the wonderful Kaylee Bell As I mentioned, Kaylie
is up for four Out Music Awards. A ceremony takes
place on Thursday, the twenty ninth of May, and this
year mark sixty years of music awards in New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
For more from this Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to News Talks at B from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
This is Ring on It by Kaylee Bell, a funny
story about the song coming up in just a moment.
Joy twenty five has been a bit of a wild
ride for our country music star Kaylee Bell. A music festival,
a co lab with the Wiggles, this new single you're
listening to and She's had a baby the top it off.
Kaylee is at the four out On Music Awards at
the end of this month. Kaylee Bell is with me now, good.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Morning, good morning, how are you. I'm good, so.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Good to have you with us. Hey, let's start with
the awards. This is really exciting. You're a finalist for
four Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Best
Solo Artist, Best Country Music Artist. Is the local recognition
still important to you?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (00:53):
I feel like I don't know, I just never really
ever thought I would make categories that weren't you know
John specific So to be an album and single and
to have country music recognized in the mainstream now his
has just been such a dream come true.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
And yeah, just a celebration.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
I think of the last few years of just seeing
this rise of country music and you know, my career
here in New Zealand, which is so important to me.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
It's it's where it all began.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
And always dreamed of being able to tour this country
and hear my songs on the radio here, and it's
it's all finally happening. And it's reflecting in the olds
now too, which is just such a little cherry on
the top.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It's also it is I'm really excited that you've got
the album of the year.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
This is the first time.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Yeah, absolutely, and it's I feel like we're kind of
coming back to an album world too, you know. I
think it was very much single driven for a while there,
and I just I love having albums out, you know
it really it felt so different this last tour that
we did with the album out in the vinyl and
really connecting with fans back on that level. And I love,
you know, when fans discover sort of more of the
deeper cuts of the record and they're just it's just
(01:57):
such a nice feeling of having a project package together
and so yeah, just moving forth, I just always want
to make records now.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
That's really interesting. Do you find are you surprised sometimes
that the songs that people sing along with because they're
not always the single, the ones that they respond to.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
You're so right, And that's the beauty of playing live.
It's like you never really know and then you play
something live and that's when you get that little surprise.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
And it has been songs.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
That we didn't really necessarily know if they like, they
weren't released as singles, and that's when you know you've
got the hard course there that.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Are singing and I just love that.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Yeah, country music is kind of taking off a little bit.
You've been You've got behind the new I Heeart country
music station here in New Zealand And and your song
with you you you were the first artist off the rank,
which is that's pretty amazing. Yeah, what's behind you think
this this growth of country music and particularly here in
(02:50):
New Zealand because I'm you know, obviously we know it's
massive in other parts of the world.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Well, it's Australia too.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
It's the fastest growing genre basically in Australasia, which there's
never been a more exciting time. But I do think
that it's also been very underground for a long time.
You know, I think they're's been a lot of fans
and they just kind of haven't been fed their genre,
you know, on the mainstream radio. And it just took
a few singles, you know. I think Luke Colmb's had
a massive song with Fast Car and Morgan Wallen and
(03:17):
just a few singles that kind of just had a
wee moment and slowly got the ball rolling. And then
we've seen a lot of Americans come out here until
it in the last sort of twelve months. And I
just think it's just been a combination of all these things.
Kind of it's like a perfect timing situation. You know,
everything's exploding at once, and yeah, I just think it's
awesome now that fans can turn on a radio station
(03:37):
in their car and actually be driving around listening to it.
I know, I put on everybody onto the station and
it's yeah, it's it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Hey, motherhood. This kind of came as a bit of
a surprise, did Congratulation four?
Speaker 4 (03:53):
I do Little Boy James And yeah, very unexpected. We
found out we were having him in Nashville last year. Actually,
we just come off the road. We just toured through
New Zealand all of April May Nashville for CMA fest
and yeah, found out. So it's been quite a journey.
I've spoken on a few podcasts about my journey. I'm
(04:14):
not going to bore everybody with the details, but there
has been a long long ride for me with my
health and a few different situations and issues. And yeah,
it's just so nice now to have a little baby,
and we're just very much taking him on the road
and including him in our touring and our just in
our life, you know, because I just think what better
education than you know, travel.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
And meeting people and life goes on.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
And yeah, absolutely, and it's I've always also wanted to
prove that you can do both things, you know. I
think for whatever reason, there's females we still have that
little thing where it's it's just expected that we kind
of just carry on, you know, And I kind of
am making a point that you can do both and
enjoy both.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
It's kind of quite common though in the country music circles. Yeah,
I just do take their families with them. It's a
bit of a family affair, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
It is, You're right.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
I think it's the one genre that really embraces family.
It's spoken about in people's songs, but it's also lived
out on the road in tour buses and so I've
seen it in the country genre, which I think has
been a big help. But it's also something that I
think that we need to see more of. And so
you know, having him side stage and backstage it shows
(05:22):
and things like that will be something that I really
want to normalize as well.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
The change to motherhood though it's quite it's quite major,
and I mean you went from touring with US superstar
Caine Brown to having the baby. Six weeks later after
he was born, you were performing at a festival in Oz.
I mean you even released a single in this time.
Is this a sign of your work ethic and dedication.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Or am I crazy where you've got today?
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Or actually is that yes? Life goes on or is
it actually, Hey, I've spent fifteen years slogging it out
to get to where I am. I've now got this
huge success. I'm not sure if New Zealanders quite realized
how successful you've been overseas. You've got to keep the
momentum going. Is there some pressure on you to get
keep that momentum going?
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Yeah, And it's pressure that I put on myself. If
I'm being honest, You're right, though, I mean, this has
taken me years to get where I've wanted to go
and I'm still not there yet. And I think that
no one cares about your career more than you do yourself.
Hence why I've always been self managed and independent. I'm
a big believer and get the job done yourself. And
I think I really think that's you know, reflects the
(06:29):
key we upbringing that we have here. You know, it's
like that DIY like get the job done kind of mentality.
But it's it's really been something that I've needed in
this industry. And yeah, I just knew that there was
no time to take, you know, pedel off the metal.
It was like I had to be organized, and so
I finished my record at the end of last year,
(06:49):
knowing that I would then be able to release it
this year and carry on. And again, I just think
it's I always wanted to prove that you could do
both things, and it's just taken a little bit more organization.
And like you said, though, we haven't really slowed down,
and it's sort of I think that's great.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
We can just to carry on now.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
That new single rag On it is it a chicky
it could be.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
It was actually written as a joke. I wrote it
in New York last year and I was terrified. I
just would not play it to my partner for about
six months. And yeah, I never thought that song would
see the light of day, if I'm being honest. But
the amount of females that have sent me that song
been like this work. I'm like, Okay, it hasn't worked
for me.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Yet, but it's worked for you. That's great.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
I love the fact that you also did a co
lab with the Wiggles, which means that in about two
years time, you were going to be.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Regarded as a very cool mother. I know, right, I'm
still waiting for that.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
You're thinking about this very strategic You're going to be
able to say your child. But look, here's here's what
I did sign themselves.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
How much fun was that?
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Oh my god, that was actually such a cool day.
I filmed for a whole day in Sydney with the
team and they, I mean talk about work ethic, they
have something insane work that they all have families, and
I mean Katerina, the Red Wiggle, she just had her
two little twins. They were six weeks old and she
was back at it. She had a nanny. We were
out filming for like hours in the afternoon, and it
(08:18):
was just like it was probably what I needed at
the time, because I would just found out that I
was having a baby and I was just like, how's
this going to work? And to see them just make
it work was like a really important moment for me.
But also they were just so nice, Like they are
the nicest humans in the world. And I've had the
chance to see them at the Arias and a few
different places since, and I feel like I've just been
kind of part of that Wiggles family now. So, like
(08:39):
you said, in two years time, I'm going to be cool, mum,
and I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Are you surprised at the people that you do meet
and that you have meet along the way who are
very very well known?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
Yeah, at how grounded they are. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
I think if there's one thing I've actually learned, it's
like the more famous people are, the nicer they are,
which is really ironic, but I speak for that, you know,
each year and was like that Keith Evans like that,
the Wiggles are like that. It's like not that they've
got nothing to prove anymore, but I think they've probably
seen it all and they've been through every kind of
up and down that it's like nothing really gets to
(09:13):
them anymore. And I think that must be a really
nice place to get to.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Thinking back to when you start it out, there's so
much of a potential for young Kiwi artists now, Yeah,
are you excited about the opportunities for them or is
it still going to be a fifteen years log for
most people?
Speaker 5 (09:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
I mean, I don't want to scare anyone off, but
I think if you really want to do this properly,
it's you see people you know, have their little moments
off TikTok and things now that I think it's awesome
that being an independent artist and a self managed artist,
all those things I think would be a lot easier
now to get off the ground because there's a lot
more avenues, you know, with social media that you can
do it without needing to spend any money or like
(09:55):
we can do it from New Zealand and people in
America can see it, for example. But I still think
the long game is the most important game, and I
think that it all comes back to being able to
put on a great show live and things that take
time and I don't think you get the chance to
take any shortcuts in this industry.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
I think it all comes back to you if you do.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
It's like, yeah, there's kind of no secrets in this industry,
you know.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
It's interesting.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Was there a time when you kind of went after,
you know, performing gigs and things, you kind of went, Okay,
I'm getting this, I'm developing as a performer. I can
you know that you actually recognize Yeah, actually I can
kind of. I'm just constantly stepping up.
Speaker 6 (10:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
I think it was really when I made that call
with again the live show, to be like, I'm going
to have my band.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
That's going to be my band, and we're going to
work our butts off.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
We rehearse every week even when we don't have shows on,
and just that mentality of like, this is like my
career and it's not a hobby.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
It's my job. It's my job and yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
And I think once I really shifted into that headspace,
it was like we just always constantly want to keep
getting better, and I think that should be the goal anyway. Right,
So yeah, I think I hope that it's easier for
the next generation coming through, and I think there's now
a lot more avenues where it can be. But I
still think if you want to have a real career
in this, you've got to play the long game.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Yeah, do you ever go back? Have you got any videos?
Have you so many videos? Do you ever go back
and watch them? Not so much?
Speaker 4 (11:19):
It's yeah, way too humbling at this point. Actually it's
I mean I started so young. I was four years old,
and I've never really known anything else. You know. I
was lucky that Mum and Dad were just very encouraging
that we go and play music in but never ever
thought I'd do it as a career.
Speaker 6 (11:36):
You know.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
It was like the way to pay through my union
and be able to get some drinking money or like,
you know, like it was just always something that I
did but never really thought much of. It was always like, Okay,
you're doing that, but what are you actually doing? You know,
like what's what's the job? What's the And So I mean,
if that's one thing I can show, you know, the
next generation, that you actually can have a career in
country music in New Zealand, then I think that would
(11:59):
be an amazing thing to a legacy to leave behind,
because I didn't know that when I was coming through.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
What do you think of all these pop stars now
putting out country jumping on.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
The I know, right, it's kind of awesome.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
I mean Post mall Own's record was probably one of
my favorite country records that came out last year, and
it all I just all think everything. You know, the
more we collaborate, the more we knock down walls with genre,
I think is a great thing. And so I'm always
excited to see how you know, different artists like Lana
del Rey has such a different take on country music
than you know, somebody like an Ed Cheer and a
(12:28):
Fever did a country record, which I'm sure he probably.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Will also do.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
It's just like, I just love it all comes back
to the songwriting. So I love hearing their stories and
why they wanted to do it too. You know.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
So you're spending your time now between well, all over
the place, but New Zealand and Nashville they're the main
two bases.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Yeah, in Australia. We spent a lot of time playing
in Australia now too, which is awesome. But my goal
was always to live just to never have a winter,
and so it kind of works perfectly with the American thing.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Another tech Yeah, it's good.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
So what does the rest of the year hold for
you and the family?
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Yeah, I feel like we've actually I mean, I know
we're already in man. This year's kind of come up
with us in a raw, but we kind of haven't
even really got started yet. We've got a really crazy
end of the year. We're going to be out on
the road a lot more here in Australia as well,
so we're going to see a lot of our KII
fans over the next sort of six months, which I
can't wait to get back at and and we'll have
a lot more music to share with them as well.
(13:22):
So yeah, the rest of this year I think is
going to fly by super fast because there's just so
much coming and I can't wait to be able to
reveal it all the time.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Well I can't wait because right now, Kayla, you and
Aaron are going to perform your AMA nominated single Cowboy.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Thank You. We are all right, let's do it.
Speaker 7 (13:54):
Laugh me and Southron Coach Park out there.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
We had everything we needed and you treated me. Maybe
you wom the stars.
Speaker 7 (14:11):
I hung loose lit Brown Ice Cort my baby loose.
He have ever something in uist he got me thinking
maybe we could have it all.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Hey after all, now it's.
Speaker 7 (14:28):
He'll toll and around he goes.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
To rodeover now myfice baby bull topping, you pulled me back,
tilly ahead of that and see how baby drop You
gotta go crazy me and this guy ag b belie.
Speaker 7 (14:44):
An how you fall?
Speaker 5 (14:46):
If you think that, I'll move on and say it
alas travel up, trollow out, Hey, don't tell me down,
don't tell.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Me loose, just pull my name not next because I can't.
Speaker 5 (15:11):
Send the down the ring.
Speaker 7 (15:12):
They just they can't a hold everything that.
Speaker 6 (15:16):
I can't wait forever for you too.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
So it's he's.
Speaker 6 (15:21):
Rolling around me go it's a rodeo over.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
Now my fers baby through its chopping.
Speaker 6 (15:26):
He pulled me.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
Back till you edited, that is he? Ha baby, Johnny
couch go crazy.
Speaker 6 (15:33):
Read if it's got adri be in and read.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
You know how you fall?
Speaker 5 (15:39):
If you take down out the along this he and
a laugh trackle hill craglehaugh.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
He do cago crazy.
Speaker 7 (15:57):
It's he how baby he's holding around to go it's
a roade over now, mockers baby, but it's happing. He
pulled me back hell he edit that is he ha
Baby Willia beaverda re deliver Bambas bas A, w.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Hev you big there this aloud? Julia cow Warria, Hey.
Speaker 7 (16:26):
There you big there.
Speaker 6 (16:28):
All this aloud? Now loyal how Lloyer.
Speaker 5 (16:36):
You're dam the one here kills with out Cowboyer cowboyl.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Kayleie Aaron, thank you so much. That was absolutely fantastic.
It is just wonderful to have you in the studio.
Thank you so much for before.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Thanks, thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
That was the wonderful Kaylee Bell As I mentioned, Kaylie
is up for four Out Music Awards. A ceremony takes
place on Thursday, the twenty ninth of May, and this
year mark sixty years of music awards in New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
For more from this Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to News Talks at B from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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