K. Flay on Blood Cells, Fan Collaboration, and the Power of Authentic Live Performance

0:19 This is the Pipe Man here on the Adventures of Pipe Man W4CY radio and I'm here with our next guest who is a definite badass and I totally love the idea of the newest video and And so let's welcome to the show, Kay Flay. How are you? I'm doing great. Thank you for having me. Oh, my pleasure. And I have to say that, like, I was looking at the story about this video, and it's the most brilliant idea ever, I think. I don't even know if it's ever been done before. So how did this brainchild happen for you?

1:03 Well, this song, you know, it starts with the song. And the song is about identity and freedom and coming into yourself. And for me, one of the hugest ways that I have done that is through music. And I'm sure you feel very similarly. Many people watching and listening feel similarly. It's this vehicle for authenticity and expression and honestly revelation. And so that's, that's what this song is about. And we were going to be in London. We're in the UK doing a bunch of shows and we were doing this, this small kind of.

1:50 Underplay at the bar fly in, in London. And that's how this all hatched. So what I wanted to do was really capture this feeling of the show. And I think the live show for a variety of reasons is like, it's a crucible in many ways. It's sort of like, it's a portal. It actually is a lot of very, very deep and resonant things. And I wanted to capture that experience from my perspective as a person on stage, but also empowering all the people who are in the audience to capture their perspective, their viewpoint.

2:37 And so what we did was we had, we had people kind of all throughout the venue who are just attending the show film. They were on iPhones, digital cameras, camcorders, like people brought all kinds of things and they all became directors of this video. So we've got 23 different perspectives of this show, this experience, and just this catharsis of like, we're all creating this energy in this room. What does it feel like? And how is it transforming us? What I, what I think is totally brilliant about doing it is because people are doing that anyway, and they're already going to spread on social media. Like, so like I even find it funny, even as a media person, when I do.

3:24 Festivals, if I have a photographer. And they get a photo pass that, people in the crowd can do what the photographer can't do. And it's already out there, you know? So I think it's amazing of you and brilliant to like, just realize that number one, but number two, make those people feel empowered because I think that's the way those fans will feel empowered in 2026. You know, there are different ways during different times of music and, making them part of the show and part of the video and part of the song has such a deep connection that I think for most people, then they become like the most loyal fan at that point.

4:16 Totally. And I mean, I think what you're getting at too is like, and I think about this often, a live show is a collaboration. Yeah. Like if you've ever, if anyone has ever, you know, performed on stage, you'll. Be very, very aware of that. Right. Like you're doing your thing, but like you're interacting with an audience. You guys are collaborating energetically. You're collaborating. Like audiences will do things that inspire you. You will do things that inspire them. Like it's, it's a dialogue, it's a conversation. And so I think just embracing that, in every possible way for me right now, where I'm at in my life and where my career is so important because like, not in a cheesy canned way.

5:03 Like I, I don't exist without those people, you. Know, like I, I can't, there's nothing, there's nothing for me to do without that. So it's like, we're, we're constantly in collaboration and like, you know, the songs that people go crazy to, well, those tend to be like the songs that. I, I'm like, oh, people like this song, right? Like there's just, there's so much that happens in that space of like knowing what the hell is happening. Like the internet and everything is like pseudo reality, but like the live show, we can hold on. I can actually see that it's happening with my own two eyes. And feel it. And feel it totally. You know, and to your point, I remember during COVID when they had the live streams and I'm thinking like, man that must be so hard for an artist to perform a concert with nobody there like even if there was one person to feed off of or the energy feeding back of each other just like I was covering a show last night and I mean like when you hear a crowd singing every lyric to the whole song like as an artist I'm thinking man that's gotta be the best feeling in the world And the fact that the artist appreciates it is the best feeling in the world to the fan out there singing it.

6:30 Totally. I mean, not to get too heady with it, but I think we start to delve into the. Territory of like, well, what is the point of a performance? And the issue with the internet and with kind of social media as it exists right now is we it's really changing the way that performance is enacted and how we. Create energy. I will say in a very kind of disturbing way, for most people, for a lot of people right now, the performance is to yourself because you're selfie mode, front facing camera, and we all know how to watch ourselves now, which is totally bizarre.

7:16 And- I understand the utility of it. And I'm not like a Luddite on here to say like, I'm never going on social media. I get what it's, what it does. And I know it can help me reach people. So I'm cool with it in that way. But like, I don't want to, I don't want to warp my mind thinking this is performance is me looking at myself. Like performance isn't for me. Performance is for a group. That's, that's my, that's my personal standpoint. And, you know, I was just at, I'm like a long time, huge turnstile fan. And I've been to a few of their, their shows on this, this run. And they were just playing again nearby LA. So I went and was at that. And, you know, I think they're a band that does such a great job, you know, throughout the set, they just put video of fans talking about the show, talking about the community. Like there's just such a sense of like, you guys are doing this. You're creating this energy, you know.

8:12 Like, You're the reason. And I think as a person, as a fan of that band, I sit there and go, you know what? Fuck yeah. Like, that's right. Like this doesn't exist without me going crazy. Like it doesn't exist without me put mosh in and put it like, that's what this is all about. And so I think like performance, like what's the point of a performance? Certainly it's not. To gaze at like your perfect filtered face and That isn't even a reflection of your own face. Like, holy shit. That's so, that's so grim. Like the performance is for, it's for the group. It's the performances so that we could create an energy bigger than us and maybe, maybe reach something better.

8:58 Like, holy moly. Okay. And that's why live music is so important. I agree with everything you said, because like, again, If you're going to do a live show, it shouldn't be a studio version. You're doing the studio. And I think there is a difference. And, you know, it's funny. You mentioned turnstile. Hetfield's a huge fan. Always their side stage. And Hetfield has said that like every time he does a song live, it's different. And I get that because it's going to be, you know, Otherwise, you're just scripted.

9:39 And my favorite bands are not scripted. If you get up there and you're just playing the album like you're in the studio, I don't need to be there. I could watch it on a screen. But when you really are real, I think that's the thing of nowadays different than any other time is is like so we live in this fancy world of filters and social media but in the real world if we could just all be real together and like we do want real we don't want polish just like in podcasts like you know there's times that I'll tell my engineer, yeah, I don't take out when I say, um, or whatever, because then it just sounds scripted. And I never use a script and I never use notes like, because it should be an engaging thing. That's real life. And just like this, if you're a fan and you don't need those things. And if you're an artist that loves the fans, you also don't need those things.

10:39 And, you know, even with the. Singing part, I can't tell you how many times I know for a fact that the times that the singers putting the mic to the crowd and they're singing the whole song, they might've forgotten the words. You know, like, and I've seen it happen, you know? And so it's like, Oh, cool. The crowd helped them out. Yes. Totally. And yeah, I think I agree with you. That the beauty of the live performance, you know, there's a sweet spot, of course, between preparation for me. Right. There's a sweet spot between I come to every gig prepared. Like, for instance, we have shows in a couple of days.

11:27 I haven't played a show in a few weeks. So I'm in my studio. I'm shedding. Right. Like I want to get on stage and be. dialed ready. You know, I'm sober. I'm this, I'm like, I'm here. I'm on the level at the same time. It's like, there's some, there's some adage and I'm going to butcher it, but it's like preparation allows you to improvise. Like preparation allows you to be in the moment. And so I think the interesting thing I have found in a lot of the bands I love, love, love to see are bands who are so dialed, who know this, who know this music, who know it front and back, and therefore have all this space to then play.

12:08 Because, because you're loose, you can be loose up there. So I think for me, that's, that's always the goal. And I love to watch that as, as an audience member. And, you know, I just went and saw this year, I'm going to so many shows, like I'm just inhabiting my fandom of all different kinds of music. And I was at, I was at a CMAT show here in LA a couple of weeks ago. And that was another great example of somebody who's, as a performer and her band, they're so dialed that there's so much playfulness. And as an audience member, you really feel like you're watching a one-of-one. And that's very special.

12:48 Well, and you're so right, too. I even think of it, I look at interviews, and I see other interviews. Someone just recently at one of the festivals. I did, and the dude... word for word. Was reading this script to a metal band like to me that's that's like sacrilege like how could you not how could you air view a metal band and not know metal enough that you have to read word for word and the problem is just like you said to your point that person can't improvise because they're so stressed and focused on that script that when the artists, which I'm the type, if I were the artist, I would fuck with you.

13:29 And get you off that script. Okay. And they, and it happens. And if you can't get back to your script without fumbling that, that's the point right there of what you're saying. Like, because you can improvise and then still get back to your preparedness. You know, like it's not about not preparing. It's about, If you're reading a script, you're not prepared, in my opinion. So therefore you can't improvise. Totally. That's exactly right. And it's funny because I think for me, I didn't. Fully understand this dynamic and relationship that we're talking about right now. Of course, until I started doing this, I wasn't a performer growing up, but I was an athlete.

14:18 And I think that that's a really similar analog. which is like, you. Know, athleticism, I play basketball, right. Which is a very improvisational sport in many ways. Um, and it's, again, it's all about energy. It's all about collaboration. And like, one of the things you do is like, you know, you rehearse the plays, you, you shoot a million times and then you do that and you get so comfortable in that, that you can be loose and all the great athletes have that ability to just like surprise us at every turn. And, um, it's when you, when you tap into that, it's a beautiful feeling because preparing for something and then having space for it to go differently is very, it's very self-esteem boosting, which I know is kind of a funny thing to say, but I'm sure you feel it in like in the interview space as well. When you come and you've got an idea of, okay, this, this artist or this person is up to this, I'm going to talk about this.

15:19 And then you're able to like, follow the flow it makes it's a. Good feeling no doubt 100% and it's funny that you said about the athlete thing because I think that's pretty common too like because I was an athlete until I found metal but and then I was just there reviewing a couple weeks ago Zach Wild at a festival and he was an athlete before he became the musician that he is and I think it is very similar in a lot of respects that's why it's an easy you know, change over in a respect. Totally. But yeah, like, and all those fans out there, like when you do what you did with your video, it makes me think that they also realize you're.

16:07 A fan too. And that's so important. Well, I am a fan and in this, in this year in particular, and as I'm putting out new music, one of the ways that I'm just staying, I'm staying the path I think is I'm just, I'm inhabiting that fandom in a big way. And it's really helpful not only to take, like to prevent any sort of like self-involvement, which of course is, is like one of the great enemies, but it also just is a constant. Reminder of the point of all of this. And, and you know, I really care and, I love I love the people who come to my shows and I and I love going to other people's shows.

16:55 And so it's felt like a great way to celebrate that. Well, you've definitely done that. And that's what makes you a great artist and a great human being. And so, yeah, everybody has to check out just yesterday. Blood cells dropped October. 23rd at midnight. And you need to check out that video because it is badass. And just because, listen, this music is for all of us. So let's all share it together. And I thank you for that. And do you have any final words you want to say that we haven't covered already? No, just, I hope, I hope people love this new music.

17:38 It's, it's really the, the most kind of authentic, expression that I can, that. I can create right now. And it means a lot to me. That's pretty cool. And that, that's another thing too, that I think is totally cool about you, especially nowadays with so much music being like formulas, you know, because of the whole algorithm thing, somebody like you that is like combining genres, bending genres, like doesn't give a crap about a label, just play the music that you should be creating. That I love most of all, because that's what makes you stand out.

18:21 Like if you sound like everybody else, there's too many in the sea right now. Like you got to be unique. And we all, no matter what type of music we listen to, we all like all kinds of genres of music. I don't think I know anybody ever that just says, I only like this. And if they do, they're lying. That's what we used to say in the 80s when we couldn't tell our friends that we liked other music. Right, right. You know, so God bless you for giving this great entertainment for us and bringing the fans together in your video.

19:03 That is so cool. And I love it. And anybody that doesn't listen to your video, they can't or watch your video. They can't listen to my show. Okay, well, I love that. Yeah, that's good. Yeah, see? There you go. Well, thanks a lot for being on The Adventures of Pipe Man. Thank you for having me. Thank you for listening to The Adventures of Pipe Man on W4CY Radio.