Sync success with Kiki Halliday

Kiki Halliday is an incredible indie pop artist who also has success in being a multi- genre songwriter, she’s a true lyrical genius. As a woman in the music industry, Kiki has made a name for herself while landing sync success on some of America’s favorite television shows including Queer Eye, The Kardashians, Love Island and Selling Sunset. After relocating to Nashville in 2017, Kiki prides herself on her home studio where she works remotely with talent all around the world while crafting custom songs for the television and Film industry. Her live performances and original songs are sure to have you in your feels after the first verse. Kiki is captivating in more ways than one and her ability to story tell through her candid lyrical style makes for a refreshing take on pop. She is what some would call- unstoppable.

Can you Introduce yourself and tell us about your musical background and how you got started as a singer-songwriter?

Hi! So I have been writing songs and singing professionally for over 12 years. When I was 18, I went to college and took a songwriting class. I wasn’t studying music as my major but I was inspired to keep writing and performing. From then on I “studied” music in the city of LA and a lot of opportunities compounded onto one another. For example, I sort of job-shadowed a music supervisor, who ended up helping me land my first sync placement, and has placed my music countless times since. I also interned at a studio where I bartered my working hours for recording time. One of those songs ended up as my first song placement in a movie. I posted an original song on Youtube, and Jess saw it and connected me with her family who has created so much music for major television shows. All of this helped me launch my career in songwriting for television and film. I moved to Nashville in 2017 and continued writing for tv and meeting some of my very favorite co-writers! I have had almost 300 placements since I got started and I am so grateful! Lately, I have been working on putting together a new EP. I am also in a band called KJ Wild with my partner and I am doing a lot of freelance singing work as well! I am writing with artists and producers in Nashville and traveling back to LA often for sessions as well.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music, specifically as a singer-songwriter?

I always loved to sing, and I always wrote in my journal as a kid. After my very first highschool heartbreak, I attempted to join the two things I loved and what came to be was a sort of poem-like song. I also really started learning the guitar around this time and from there I knew that I would always feel like the best version of myself if I was playing and singing and writing. I also really liked playing sports growing up, and had previously balanced choir with volleyball or softball. After I tore my ACL in a game with my new but short-lived rugby team, I turned towards music to stay focused and not feel lonely or hopeless. Music was always my thing but it became the biggest thing after that.

What are some of the challenges you've faced as a female singer-songwriter in the music industry? How have you overcome these challenges?

Up until recently I hadn’t noticed how often I was the only woman in the room, whether as the writer or singer or artist. I love all of the people I choose to work with, but I don’t get to write and produce with other women as much as I’d like to. It’s been important to me lately to speak up about this, whether it’s when I’m talking to my publishers about setting up sessions, or when I am taking meetings with A&R people or whoever. I have been so stoked on all of the songs I’ve made in the last year with other women.

Could you tell us about your experience with getting your music featured in television Shows?

I started out by doing vocals for songs that were written for music libraries- eventually I graduated to collaborating and I got to write songs too. I built up quite a big catalog of songs that are still getting placed every month. I have had songs in a Hallmark movie, an Apple ad, and tv shows like The Kardashians, Selling Sunset, and Monster High.

Can you give other artists inside tips on how to get their music in the right hands?

Look for any existing connections you might have. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t used connections that maybe had nothing to do with music until one day it did. You might not know anyone in the music industry, but someone you know does know someone. I would also try to get involved with producers and writers who are already working in the field or genre of music you want to be in. I think sharing your music online is important, even though it still feels hard every day to share and be vulnerable. Work with people who have the same values as you. Don’t forget to follow up!

When you're writing music with the potential for sync placements, do you approach the songwriting process differently? Do you consider factors in order to make your music more suitable for TV and film?

Definitely, usually it can be very helpful to the process of writing for sync to know what type of song style, theme and quality is needed. A brief of what a show or movie is looking for helps get the ideas going immediately, and there is a roadmap of sorts. There are recurring themes in music for television that always seem to work, like empowerment, overcoming challenges etc, and there is a different skill set that comes with writing music specifically for tv vs. artist songs meant to be performed on stage. My personal preference is working on music with an artist mindset, while also acknowledging that it could also work well for tv. This might be based on things like the emotional tone of the song, the dynamic production, or relatable but appropriate lyrics. It’s also possible to burn out on writing music for sync, when things might feel formulaic or unoriginal. That’s when I like to balance it out with making sure I am writing music for nothing at all but to write something I love.

Could you share a standout moment from one of your sync placements? How did it feel to see your music integrated into a TV show's scene, and how did it impact your career?

There are a few things that have felt really good! Definitely having a song of mine featured in an Apple digital ad. That was so cool because it was in the app store so anyone with an iphone who opened the App Store app during that week could and probably did hear the song. That’s a lot of reach and crazy to think about. I also have had some songs play during the closing credits of The Kardashians new show. It’s one of the most watched shows so that was really cool. All of these placements add up over time, and it’s been nice seeing my royalty statements reflecting that too!

How closely do you work with producers and directors when creating music and how do you maintain your vision and individuality with outside influence?

I work very closely with producers and co-writers. I like sharing the job of toplining a track because it almost always feels like “our” song even if I’m the one singing. It’s joint ownership, shared interest if you ask me. But if a producer isn’t super keen on writing lyrics or maybe it’s just not their best skill, then I am comfortable taking the lead and writing a more personal song if that’s what comes out of it. I love drawing inspiration from major artists and new singles when sitting down to write a song, but I don’t stress too much about trying to sound like something specific or on the other end of it, sounding too much like an existing artist or style. I just truly believe in my own unique creativity and I trust it will line up with the people I choose to write with! If the right energy is there, then I trust the process.

For aspiring singer-songwriters looking to break into the world of sync placements, what advice would you give them? Are there any key strategies or considerations they should keep in mind?

If you sing well, find producers that are already getting songs placed and who would find value in working with you. How does working with you line up with them chasing their own goals? Find where you are best and fill in where you are needed. Follow up on your emails, at least once a quarter, and send new songs out. Find productive networking opportunities- although a happy hour mixer can be super fun, usually something like an hour long online workshop will be a really good opportunity to make new professional and personal contacts! Label your songs correctly, have yours and your co-writers’ PRO info ready to go. An occasional cold DM isn’t always a bad idea, just be very confident in the song or idea you are sharing. Watch TV babes!! Listen and learn.

What are your plans for the future in terms of sync placements and your music career as a whole? Are there any upcoming projects or goals you'e excited about?

I really would like to release some music in the form of an EP or album. I write so many songs, but because I am involved in different collaborations or projects, it hasn’t always made sense to fully prioritize an artist project. Especially when toplining and recording vocals keeps me really busy and pays the bills, it’s becoming more important to me than ever to maintain my artistic heart and vision. I will always be an artist even if I am not posting or promoting it. I want to continue creating custom music for movies and tv. I would love for another show like “Nashville” to come around so I can write music with characters in mind. I would love to keep vocal producing and working with new artists.

To experience Kiki Halliday's sync success, check out some of her following placements.

• -  The Kardashians Episode 101, 103, 104, 202, 204, 205, 208

• -  Monster High (Nickelodeon/ Paramount+)

• -  2022 App Store Awards (Apple)

• -  Selling Sunset Season 5 (Netflix)

• -  Love Island Seasons 3 & 4 (Peacock/ Hulu)

• -  Hope at Christmas (Hallmark)

• -  The Young and the Restless (CBS)

• -  Queer Eye (Netflix)

• -  American Ninja Warrior

• -  Kung Fu

• Follow along Kiki's journey at:
  Instagram: @kikihalliday Twitter: @kikihalliday Tiktok: @kikihalliday Youtube: @Kikihalliday Website: https://linktr.ee/kikihalliday

Photo By: Chloe Eberhardt @chloe.delainey