Q&A: Kayla DiVenere Explores the Charm of American Imagery on “Blue Jean Baby”
AS SUMMER BURNS ITS LAST FEW WEEKS — you can still feel those Americana days on Kayla DiVenere’s latest single, “Blue Jean Baby.” Inspired by Western films and imagery, the singer-songwriter found something deeper within those iconic depictions.
The single takes typical romantic metaphors, using them to show two-sided ways of American admiration.
“I was kind of sick of writing a basic love song at that point,” she explains.“I thought it would be cool to play into the government and America. That freedom and wiping history away disguised through romance.”
“Blue Jean Baby” encloses that classic rock twang while still holding space for that alternative pop soundscape she’s come to mold. But now, it’s digging into her personal growth through impactful, thought-provoking lyricism.
After the release of “Blue Jean Baby,” the singer told us more about the song, getting into music, and her development as an artist. Read the conversation below.
LUNA: The lyrics of “Blue Jean Baby” play into deeper symbolism of different sides of American culture. But I wanted to learn more about that writing process. What moment made you want to explore this topic even further?
DIVENERE: I've always wanted to write like this Americana-type song. So writing a song called “Blue Jean Baby” could be cool — just talking about romance with an American boy. As we're writing the second half of the chorus, we’re like, “Oh, we can make this way more interesting. There’s so much to work with here.” I was sick of writing a basic love song at that point. It would be cool to play into the government and America — that freedom and wiping history away disguised through romance.
LUNA: You released your debut single in 2020, on the heels of you having some very notable roles on television. What pushed you to start releasing music?
DIVENERE: I have been playing piano ever since I was six. My dad introduced me because he was a drummer as a teen — he had a rock band with his friends. So he made it a point to introduce music to my brother and me at a young age. My brother got really into music. I overheard him in his room writing a song. He showed my parents, and as a younger sibling, I got so jealous. I was like, “Oh, you can write a song. I can write a song too.” We would have a battle of songs every week. It was a sibling rivalry that got me started. But I also just love music at its core. I never realized that I could do it as a career. I fell in love with everything about it.
LUNA: Your singles have continued to dive deeper into these emotional undertones while staying self-reflective — you’re growing and learning. How would you describe your lyricism? And has it always been easy to open up in the writing process?
DIVENERE: When I go into the studio, and other people are in the room, it can be hard to open up about things you’re scared about. I have been trying to disregard that. We're all there to make art and do the same thing. A session is like a therapy session — nobody judges you and speaks about it when they leave that room. My lyrics are honest and true to me. Starting the writing process, I was figuring out my lyrical style. Through trial and error, I fell upon something that felt most authentic to me.
LUNA: As you've continued to release music, how do you feel you're starting to grow as an artist?
DIVENERE: When you start something, you look at what other people are doing toYou’re listening to everyone around you, what they're telling you to make — you're experimenting yourself and you're unsure. Honestly, I feel like in the last four songs I've done, I’ve encapsulated everything I am. It feels amazing to have songs on Spotify that feel real and true to me. They show who I am, as a person, what I believe in, what I'm going through, and what I want other people to feel when I listen to music. It’s the best feeling ever when you've hit that “aha” moment of finding your sound, finding what is most authentic to you.
LUNA: On “Blue Jean Baby,” it’s a fun, unique mix of something that's very Americana combined with your personal touch. What were some of your inspirations while producing this?
DIVENERE: I'm Canadian, but I've been a fan of vintage, Americana aesthetics. There are many art forms of that through songs, Western movies, and Western magazines. Vintage Americana pictures from the ’70s — I have always thought it was such a cool vibe. When I was in the studio writing “Blue Jean Baby,” we found these vintage American Western magazines. I was like, ‘This is the perfect inspo for today.’
LUNA: Lastly, what can we expect next? More singles, maybe a larger project?
DIVENERE: More singles this year, which I'm excited about. I’m hoping next year I can do some sort of EP or a body of work; more live shows.
