The Boston singer-songwriter tracing the memories and people behind The years that made me.

KK Gordon remembers the date he met his girlfriend. He remembers the first time he performed a song that was entirely his. On his debut album, The years that made me, those kinds of moments become songs: “December 5th” begins almost as a private conversation before its arrangement grows, while “I’m Still That Kid” asks what stays with us as we get older. Gordon plays a remarkable number of instruments, though he still reaches for a guitar when he wants to write without overthinking. We talked about the bands that got him onstage, the demo that changed completely in the studio, and why he hopes listeners hear the person behind the record.

DicePressPlay: For someone discovering KK Gordon through this interview, who are you? What should we know before we get into the music?

KK Gordon: My name is KK Gordon and I’m a Boston-based singer-songwriter and versatile multi-instrumentalist. I play several instruments, including guitar, piano, saxophone, drums, and bass, but music has always been about more than just playing instruments for me; it’s how I connect with people and tell my story.

I’m very outgoing and I love meeting new people and connecting with others from different backgrounds. I was adopted from India and grew up in Massachusetts, and that journey is a part of who I am and how I see the world.

As an artist, I’m also someone who is constantly pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Getting on stage and putting my name out there can be scary, but I’ve learned to face those fears and keep going. Right now, I’m focused on growing as an artist, connecting with people through my music, and seeing where this journey takes me.

DicePressPlay: You grew up playing everything from piano and guitar to saxophone, bass, drums, and cello. Were you always the kid who wanted to try every instrument?

KK Gordon: Music started for me when I was really, really young. I started taking piano lessons, and then my older brother Jeff picked up the guitar. Being the younger brother, I wanted to follow in basically every footstep he took, so of course, I wanted to learn guitar too.

From there, I just kept discovering new instruments. With ADHD, I’ve always had a lot of curiosity and wanted to switch things up, so every year I’d find a new instrument I wanted to learn. I’d pick it up, learn as much as I could, and then move on to the next one. Eventually, that turned into me learning piano, guitar, saxophone, bass, drums, cello, and more. That’s been really helpful as a solo musician, especially when I’m recording the instruments I love.

Looking back, I think constantly wanting to learn something new actually helped shape me into the musician I am today. Instead of sticking to just one instrument, I’ve been able to understand music from a lot of different perspectives.

DicePressPlay: You’ve talked about being adopted from India and growing up in the U.S. When did you realize songwriting could be a place to bring those parts of your life together?

KK Gordon: I think I started realizing music could be that kind of space for me when I was really young. Music was always around me growing up. I started piano lessons when I was little, followed my older brother Jeff into guitar, and eventually kept picking up different instruments because I was always curious and wanted to learn something new. At that age, I didn’t really understand that music could become my career or that it could tell my story. I just knew that I loved it and that I felt comfortable expressing myself through it.

As I got older, performing started to change that. I remember watching the Grammys and VMAs for the first time and being completely fascinated by everything: the performances, the energy, the production, and seeing artists like Adam Levine and Ariana Grande on those huge stages. I remember thinking, “I want to do that. I want to be up there.” Then I watched The Voice, and that really opened my eyes to how powerful music could be. I loved watching people step onto a stage, no matter how much or how little experience they had, and tell their story through a song while having a room full of people listen to them.

But I think the biggest realization came when I started writing my own songs. That’s when music stopped being just something I enjoyed and became a way for me to actually understand and express myself. Being adopted from India and growing up in the U.S. is a big part of my story, and as I started writing, I realized I could take all of these different experiences, memories, relationships, and parts of my identity and put them into music.

Songwriting became a place where I didn’t have to choose one part of myself or try to fit into one box. I could just be me. I could write about where I came from, where I am now, the people I love, the things I’ve experienced, and even the things I’m still trying to figure out. That’s when I realized songwriting could be that kind of space for me and, eventually, that it was the life I wanted to chase.

DicePressPlay: Before your solo music, you played in bands, including Beatwellington. What did those experiences teach you that you still carry into your music?

KK Gordon: My first real band experience started in middle school at Landmark School in Beverly. My best friend Jack Bram, who is an INSANE musician, invited me during “recess” or “milkbreak” to join his band. We played crazy rock covers and fun songs at school events, showcases, and plays. It was honestly just such a fun experience.

Being in bands taught me how to work with other musicians, listen to different ideas, and just have fun creating music together. I didn’t even sing back then, but later in high school my friends basically “forced” me into chorus, and that’s when I fell back in love with singing.

Then Beatwellington was where I really started figuring out that I wanted to be an artist myself. Performing “Blames on Me,” my first released single, was the first time I got to step on stage and perform something that was completely mine. I was nervous, but I absolutely loved it. That feeling is something I still carry with me every time I perform.

DicePressPlay: Your debut album is called The years that made me. Which “years” were on your mind when you chose that title?

KK Gordon: When I first came up with the title The years that made me, I was thinking a lot about my childhood and growing up. But honestly, I don’t think I ever meant one specific year or even one specific period of my life. I was thinking about all of the years that made me who I am today.

The album looks back at different memories, relationships, experiences, and moments that have shaped me. Some are really happy and nostalgic, while others are about growing up and figuring out who I want to become.

I think that’s what makes the title so meaningful to me. Every year, every experience, and every person I’ve crossed paths with has played some part in making me the person and artist I am today.

DicePressPlay: The album looks back at memories, people, and earlier versions of yourself. Have you always been nostalgic, or did making the album bring that out?

KK Gordon: I think I’m naturally a very nostalgic person. I love making memories, I love being happy, and I really value those moments that you know you’re going to look back on years later and think, “Wow, I remember that.”

I always think about Inside Out and the idea of “core memories.” I love having those moments in my life that stick with me forever, whether it’s a place, a person, a relationship, a random night with friends, or even something really small that ends up meaning a lot.

So I don’t think making this album necessarily made me more nostalgic. I think it just gave me a way to turn that part of my personality into music. A lot of the songs are me looking back at those core memories and the different versions of myself that came with them, while also appreciating where I am now.

DicePressPlay: “I’m Still That Kid” is one of my favorites on the album. After all the years that shaped you, who is “that kid” to you?

KK Gordon: “That kid” is honestly, I think, just me: the younger version of myself who was always curious, always excited about music, and always dreaming about what life could become.

Even though I’ve grown up and gone through so many different experiences, I don’t think that part of me ever really went away. I still get excited about learning new things, picking up an instrument, making music, performing, and chasing whatever crazy idea I have in my head. I think that’s a big part of why the song fits so well on The years that made me.

The album is about all of the things that shaped me and helped me become who I am, but “I’m Still That Kid” is kind of a reminder that growing up doesn’t mean you have to lose the person you were. That kid is still in me, and honestly, I hope he always is.

DicePressPlay: “December 5th” starts so intimately, then builds into something huge. Did you hear that arc from the beginning, or did it take shape in production? And can you tell us anything about the date?

KK Gordon: “December 5th” is probably one of the most personal songs on the album because it’s about my wonderful girlfriend, Shaylee, and the day we met. She has genuinely been the most supportive person I’ve ever met. She’s my rock, and she’s someone who has been there for me through so many different moments in my life, especially as I’ve been trying to grow as an artist and put myself out there.

When I first wrote the song, it started as a much more intimate demo. It was very stripped back and felt almost like I was just sitting down and singing directly to her. But even from the beginning, I could hear something bigger happening at the end. I always imagined the song growing and growing until it felt almost overwhelming in a good way, with bigger harmonies, more instrumentation, and this huge emotional ending.

So the build was definitely intentional. I wanted the song to feel like it was starting with just the two of us and then slowly opening up into everything I feel for her. It’s really special to me because it captures both the intimacy of our relationship and how much bigger my love for her feels than I could ever put into words.

As for a tease… let’s just say December 5th is a very important date to me.

DicePressPlay: A lot of your arrangements start small and gradually open up. When you produce, do you already hear where a song should end up emotionally, or do you discover that in the studio?

KK Gordon: Most of the time, I actually come into the studio with a pretty clear vision of where I want a song to end up. I’m definitely the type of artist who thinks about the final product. I’ll come into a session with ideas for the production, the emotion, the arrangement, or even little details that I already hear in my head.

I’ve been really lucky to work with amazing producers like Jack Bram, Billy Canter and Asher DeVerna, along with a lot of other incredible collaborators. They’re really good at taking the vision I have in my head and helping me bring it to life. At the same time, I love going into the

studio and trying different ideas. Sometimes we’ll change an instrument, try a different arrangement, add harmonies, or completely experiment with something just to see what happens.

I think that balance is really important to me. I usually know where I want the song to end up, but I’m not afraid to explore different directions along the way. By the end of the session, I’m usually taking all of those different ideas and figuring out what works best for the final version. I really love that process of starting with a vision and then watching it become a finished song.

DicePressPlay: Did any song from The years that made me change completely between its first demo and the final recording?

KK Gordon: Yes!!! Definitely “Take Me Away.”

I went into the studio with one idea for the song, and somehow I came out with a completely different version that I absolutely loved. The change was SO big. It was one of those sessions where you just keep throwing ideas around, trying things, laughing, experimenting, and suddenly you realize you’ve created something way different from what you originally walked in with.

It was honestly one of the most fun studio experiences I’ve ever had. I absolutely love the final version of the song, and I think the fact that it changed so much is what makes it so special to me. It reminded me that sometimes you have to be willing to let go of your original idea and see where the music takes you.

I actually loved the original version so much too that I decided to release the demo of “Take Me Away” separately. I wanted people to be able to hear where the song started and then hear where it ended up. I think it’s really cool to have both versions out there because you can hear just how much the song evolved.

DicePressPlay: Which song was the hardest to finish, musically or lyrically? And which was simply the most fun to make?

KK Gordon: The hardest one was probably “Time Machine.” Musically, the song was already there, and I really liked where it was going. The harder part was figuring out what I actually wanted to say. I wasn’t completely sure what message I wanted the lyrics to have, so finding the right words and making the story feel complete took a lot more time. It was one of those songs where I knew I had something good, but I had to really work to figure out exactly what I was trying to communicate.

On the complete opposite side of that, “I’m Still That Kid” was THE BEST ever. That song was so much fun to make. Everything about it just felt natural and exciting, and I had such a great time bringing the idea to life. It’s one of those songs where I can look back at the process and just remember how much fun we were having making it.

So I think those two songs are a pretty funny contrast. “Time Machine” challenged me lyrically and made me really think about what I wanted to say, while “I’m Still That Kid” was just pure fun from start to finish.

DicePressPlay: You released Everywhere at Once before your first full album. When you revisit that project, how do you hear yourself changing as a songwriter?

KK Gordon: When I listen back to Everywhere at Once, I can definitely hear how much I’ve grown as a songwriter and as an artist. That project was such an important stepping stone for me because it was one of the first times I was really putting a collection of my own songs together and figuring out what I wanted my sound to be.

Since then, I think I’ve become much more confident in my songwriting. I’m more comfortable being honest in my lyrics and writing about specific memories, people, and experiences instead of always trying to make everything sound perfect. I’ve also learned a lot more about production and how I want my songs to feel as a complete picture.

The years that made me feels like a much bigger representation of who I am now. I still have the same love for melody and storytelling that I had when I made Everywhere at Once, but I feel like I understand myself and my sound a lot more now.

I’m honestly really proud of that earlier music because I wouldn’t have gotten to this album without it. It’s cool to listen back and hear the different versions of myself along the way.

DicePressPlay: When you write, is there an instrument that feels most like home, or does it depend on the song?

KK Gordon: I think guitar probably feels the most like “home” to me, especially when I’m songwriting. There’s something about picking up a guitar and just being able to sit down, start playing, and let an idea come out naturally.

But honestly, it really depends on the song. Because I play so many different instruments, I’m not afraid to start an idea on piano, guitar, or even build something around a completely different sound. Sometimes the instrument itself can change the direction of the song.

I think that’s one of the things I love most about being a multi-instrumentalist. I don’t feel like I have to write every song the same way. I can follow whatever feels right for that particular idea, but if I just want to sit down and write without overthinking it, I’ll probably reach for a guitar.

DicePressPlay: When you write something personal, do you share first and think about the consequences later, or do you draw a line between what becomes a song and what stays yours?

KK Gordon: I tend to overshare a little bit, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I do it because I feel that a song, or whatever I’m working on, can reach people on an emotional level and feel relatable.

DicePressPlay: What have you been weirdly obsessed with lately, musical or otherwise?

KK Gordon: Something that I have been weirdly obsessed with is charcuterie boards and Aperol spritzes! I have also been really trying to find a non-music project to do like painting, crochet (I am TERRIBLE at crocheting) etc. It is honestly kind of crazy how I truly hyperfixate on a certain thing and just tend to focus on it for weeks or months on end. Tate McRae has also been one of my all-time favorite artists. She is such a creative writer, I have loved her music since before her days of fame and I truly have never seen a better writer. My two favorite artists are Alex Warren and Tate McRae.

DicePressPlay: What’s one song by another artist that makes you think, “Damn, I wish I wrote that”?

KK Gordon: A song I wish I had written has to be either “Empty Room” by Jamie Miller or “Boy I Almost Was” by Alexander Stewart. Honestly, both songs are just incredible. They each capture such different emotions, but they do it in a way that feels so real and powerful.

Every time I hear either song, I’m like, “Damn, I wish I wrote that.” I love how emotional and honest the songwriting is, and how both artists are able to take a feeling and turn it into something that you can actually hear and feel in the music. Those are the kinds of songs that make me want to become a better songwriter.

DicePressPlay: Now that the album is out, how do you imagine bringing these songs to the stage? Are there any shows or live plans we should watch for?

KK Gordon: Sadly, I don’t have any shows officially planned at the moment, but I’m definitely working on what I want my live set to look and feel like. Now that the album is out, I really want to build a set that feels like an experience rather than just playing the songs one after another.

I want the live version of these songs to feel intimate but also INTENSE. There are definitely moments where I want it to feel like it’s just me and the audience, but I also want to build into those huge emotional moments where the energy completely takes over the room. I’m currently working on arranging the set and figuring out how I can bring the album to life on stage, so hopefully there will be some announcements soon!

DicePressPlay: Your debut album is finally out. Are you already writing again, planning shows, taking a break, or thinking about another project? What’s next for KK Gordon?

KK Gordon: What’s next for KK Gordon? Honestly, I’m already working on new music. I’ve actually written a couple of new songs since finishing the album, including “Strangers” and “Who I Am Today,” and I’m already working on bringing them to life.

Even though The years that made me just came out, my brain has already moved on to the next chapter. I’m constantly writing, recording, and coming up with new ideas while also working on my live set and looking for more opportunities to perform. I’m definitely not taking a break anytime soon. There’s still so much I want to create, and I’m really excited about where the music is going next.

DicePressPlay: If someone finishes the album knowing one new thing about you, what do you hope it is?

KK Gordon: If someone finishes and comes away knowing one thing about me that they didn’t know before, I hope they understand just how much I value the people and moments that have shaped me.

This album is really a collection of different memories, relationships, experiences, and emotions that have made me who I am. I’m someone who cares deeply, loves making memories, and gets really attached to the little moments in life that can sometimes seem insignificant at the time.

More than anything, I hope people finish the album feeling like they got to know ME, KK GORDON, not just the artist. I want them to hear the songs and understand the person behind them: the nostalgic, emotional, sometimes chaotic, always curious person who is just trying to enjoy life, make memories, and figure out where this journey takes me.

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