Featuring in Wonderland’s Summer 24 issue, Alt-pop crusader Downtown Kayoto talks sonic roots, creative processes and his third EP, “Thinking With My Ears”, out this week.
Downtown wears Waistcoat CAWLEY; Trousers JONATHAN JAMES WILLIAM; Glasses BONNIE CLYDE; Hat CAWLEY; Watch GUCCI.
Downtown wears Waistcoat CAWLEY; Trousers JONATHAN JAMES WILLIAM; Glasses BONNIE CLYDE; Hat CAWLEY; Watch GUCCI.
Humans are curious creatures. “As people, I just believe there’s so much nuance when it comes to our personalities,” 23-year-old DOWNTOWN KAYOTO divulges on how art reflects our character. “Making anything, whether it be music, directing or cooking, provides a medium for you to express yourself and if we’re nuanced individuals then the product of what we make is going to naturally inhabit all our unique profiles as people.”
Biomedicine student turned Pop-polymath, Downtown is a Zimbabwean who grew up in the English city of Hull, a place which he describes as “an interesting city filled with very interesting people,” and continues “to fight to put it on the map as much as I can.” So, how has his diverse and unique geographical journey had an impact? “It has instilled within me a, ‘I can do anything, and it doesn’t matter where you are from,’ mentality. Also a stronger sense of self, since pretty much all my life I have been somewhat of an outlier and I’m okay with that. If anything, I’ve learned to embrace it.”
DK first dined at the UK Alternative banquet with the release of the 2021 EP “NAVIG8”, which featured hit single “Karma Called”, before cementing his seat at the table with 2023’s characterful sophomore project “Learning in Public”. The singer-songwriter and producer has now announced that his third EP will be unveiled in July, one that represents a dichotomy of “confidence and vulnerability.”
