Finding Your Creative Voice: KayFly on Overcoming Burnout, Classical Jazz Covers, and the DIY Artist Journey

 Every independent artist hits a point where the fear of releasing music collides with the frustration of sitting on unreleased demos. You wonder if the production is clean enough, if the vocals hit the right pitch, or if anyone will even care once you hit upload.

On this episode of The ZHZ Podcast, hosts Zak Davis and Matt Allen sit down with Salt Lake City singer-songwriter, rapper, and multi-creative Karen "KayFly" Flynn to discuss breaking through creative blocks, stepping out of comfort zones, and why mastering your musical craft matters more than chasing short-term social media trends.

From Van Demos to a Full Debut Album

KayFly’s musical path has never followed a traditional route. From spending time living in a van while writing and recording daily ideas to finally assembling her 2020 debut album Just Wait, her work has always been driven by honest storytelling and persistence. 

During the conversation, KayFly opened up about the mental hurdle that pushed her to finally release Just Wait. It came down to a stark realization: keeping songs locked away out of fear of judgment serves no purpose. Pushing through perfectionism allowed her to document her artistic growth, address deep personal experiences, and build a genuine connection with listeners who relate to raw, unfiltered songwriting.

Reinventing Rock Staples with Classical Jazz

After establishing her acoustic and hip-hop foundation, KayFly shifted directions with her project Jazz Covers (Classical Jazz Cover). Her take on Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” trades heavy distortion for lush piano chords, upright bass, and emotive jazz phrasing.

Taking an iconic rock track and reimagining it through a jazz lens challenged her vocal delivery and arrangement skills. For independent musicians, experimenting with genre-bending covers is an incredible way to stretch your musical boundaries and showcase your vocal versatility without the pressure of starting a track from a blank page.

Focus on Your Craft Over the Algorithm

One of the biggest takeaways from the interview revolves around the pressure on independent artists to become full-time content creators. KayFly offered a grounding reminder: spending hours gaming social media algorithms won't fix a weak song.

She encourages creators to protect their studio time, study their instruments, practice vocal control, and focus on genuine songwriting. When you pour real effort into developing your musicianship, your marketing becomes much easier because the core product speaks for itself.

The ZHZ Takeaway

Zak and Matt loved KayFly’s honesty because it highlights what independent music is really about: showing up, doing the work, and staying true to your creative instincts. Whether you're producing your first track at home or searching for live collaborators to fill out a horn section, her journey proves that resilience, humor, and dedication will always carry you further than waiting for the perfect moment.

Connect with KayFly & Watch the Full Conversation

Check out KayFly's latest music and follow her upcoming projects:

- Visit her official website at KayFly Online

- Stream her cover of “Nothing Else Matters” on Spotify

- Connect with her on social media: @realkayfly

To watch or listen to the full interview with KayFly, check out the episode on Riverside.