K.Flay

Since her debut in 2010, K.Flay has boldly crafted lyrics that explore both the light and dark corners of her mind. On her second full-length album, Every Where Is Some Where, the L.A.-based alt-pop/hip-hop artist delved deeper into introspection while weaving in political commentary. The result is her most intentional and dynamic work to date, a compelling album that encapsulates the chaos and anxieties of today's world.

Following her 2016 EP Crush Me—with the single “Blood in the Cut” reaching the top 5 on Alternative radio—Every Where Is Some Where elevates its rebellious spirit with a richly layered yet raw sound. “After Life as a Dog I was listening to so much late-’90s/early-’00s rock,” explains K.Flay, aka Kristine Flaherty, referencing her 2014 full-length debut. “I was absorbing the energy of artists like Karen O, Shirley Manson, and Emily Haines and felt completely inspired by it, resulting in more live guitar, bass, and drums on this record.” Collaborating with producers Mike Elizondo and Tommy English, K.Flay masterfully infused the album with intense passion akin to her performances alongside Passion Pit, Icona Pop, AWOLNATION, and Theophilus London.

A unique lyricist who cites novelist Marilynne Robinson as an influence, K.Flay brought a literary approach to Every Where Is Some Where. The album’s title seeks to “capture the flexibility of meaning and the narratives we create,” states Flaherty. “As a songwriter, my main pursuit is examining life events and constantly reframing them,” she shares. “Experience is subjective. We choose what's devastating, what's beautiful, and what steps to take next. In our life stories, we are both protagonists and narrators, wielding incredible power.”

In the lead single, K.Flay celebrates the power of clear self-awareness, delivering an energetically upbeat track. Blending her rhythmic flow with melodic elements, “High Enough” combines light rhythms and gritty guitar for a hopeful reflection on staying sober-minded. “There are countless songs about getting high,” notes Flaherty about the track’s inspiration. “Part of me wondered, ‘What if I’m already high enough? What if I only need what I have?’ There are instances—whether due to a person or a place—where I don’t want to feel altered. I want to fully embrace my feelings.”

A mosaic of moods, Every Where Is Some Where also includes haunting moments like “Mean It”—a vulnerably crafted piece about love, family, and lineage. Brimming with understated wisdom (“Remember what you love/So that when the world gets painful/You become your own god”), the sparely arranged song emerged from a deeply cathartic writing session. “‘Mean It’ was written in my L.A. bedroom late at night, and the song flowed out,” Flaherty recalls. "I was crying as I wrote it, which is unusual for me.” “It’s Just a Lot,” meanwhile, emerged while contemplating the vast, beautiful, yet sorrowful world, resulting in an upbeat yet poignant pop tune.

On “The President Has a Sex Tape,” K.Flay’s steady vocals and throbbing bassline sharply contrast with biting lyrics about current affairs. “Nothing seems sacred—the highest elected official is a reality TV star, incompetent and openly hostile,” says Flaherty. “The song began as a lament but became a rallying cry. I hope it serves as an anthem for those feeling disillusioned or alienated.” That anthemic energy intensifies in “Black Wave,” written post-election when “we stood on a beach, facing a looming black wave, aware it would consume us,” explains Flaherty. With frantic rhythms and urgent vocals, the track delivers a message of resistance and courage in confronting menacing challenges.

In some ways, defiance underpins K.Flay’s musical journey. Originally from Illinois, her entry into music was unexpected at 19, a decade after learning guitar from her dad. “I argued with someone and was dared to make a song—that started it all,” shares Flaherty, a Stanford University alum. “I began producing and performing at campus parties, as an escape from academia. Music introduced me to a world full of unpredictability and chaos, opposite my regimented daily life.”

After graduating, Flaherty moved to San Francisco, producing the 2011 mixtape I Stopped Caring in ’96 and signing with a major label. Shortly after releasing her 2013 EP What If It Is (including a Danny Brown collaboration), she launched her label for Life As a Dog. In 2016, she became Night Street/Interscope Records’ first artist, an imprint led by Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds, and released Crush Me that August. “Everything since I began making music feels like a series of somersaults,” reflects Flaherty. “I ended up doing this for a living, and it’s amazing to me.”

In crafting Every Where Is Some Where, K.Flay achieved new lyrical depth and honesty, as evident in the stream-of-consciousness narrative of tracks like “Champagne.” “Details are crucial,” Flaherty says of that song’s intricate lyrics. “There are limited ways humans feel but countless ways to express and embody those feelings.” Through this creative process, Flaherty realized, “You can acknowledge your smallness in this world while celebrating your unique identity and position.” This understanding became central to the album, imbuing it with unexpected hope. "Each song creates meaning from different experiences,” Flaherty says. “Even dark places are places. You’re still somewhere.”