Kyla Greening hails from Cambridge, and while Rich Girl is her first release as such, she is already known to many in the Waikato as an experienced performer and very capable singer who is comfortable in range of music situations. Fair to say that for many it could be said that for many, this release has been keenly anticipated,
Greening combines three key elements into Rich Girl - A thorough understanding of RnB/ Soul songwriting and arranging, sensitive and intelligent production/arrangements, and a sophisticated, melodic sensibility. The result has a maturity and musical sophistication that will always make for a rewarding listen.
Amongst the influences Greening cites, the names of Tori Kelly and Stevie Wonder resonate the most. These are excellent start points to the sound of Rich Girl in terms of their respective melodic and harmonic approaches.
Rich Girl is no pastiche, however. Greening's lyrical approach is her own and she is a musician who has more than enough command of the elements of musical style and genre to be defined by their limits.
Put simply, Rich Girl delivers. It's a cleverly written song that features an assured, mature vocal performance. Add to that a sensitive and intelligent arrangement and production, and the result is effective and engaging music. Frankly, this song has 'International market’ stamped all over it.
Hailing from a small community in Hamilton, New Zealand where everyone is your aunty or uncle, Kyla Greening always knew she wanted to sing. She remembers her father teaching her music theory in scrawled notations on the back of a surfboard, or family dinners where the sing-alongs were almost as important as the food.
With heroes such as Stevie Wonder, Mint Condition, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Tori Kelly, Kyla was able to study and be inspired by thick rhythmic grooves, soaring melodies and meaningful words. Music was not only a way to express herself and share her voice with the world, it was also a way for Kyla to give back to the people and communities that mean so much to her.
True to the title of her debut single, Kyla offers a rich sound brimming not only with warm vocals and lush instrumentation, but with heart, and the grounding reminder that often the most important things in life are the ones we have right here.