Kylie Hughes’ Songs Are Video Concepts Come to Life

Kylie Hughes (Credit: Lauren Brown)

An LA-based singer/songwriter will make her OC debut next week.

Kylie Hughes — who sings poppy, original songs a la Michelle Branch and Sheryl Crow — will perform at Casa in Costa Mesa on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.

The songstress’ musical career began when she was a teenager and picked up a guitar for the first time. A poet, Hughes began writing songs in high school.

Now, the singer’s songs have lyrics inspired by love, heartbreak and Will Ferrell movies (sort of).

Her music video for “Heat,” which premiered exclusively with Huffington Post, features a Talladega Nights theme, with Hughes playing the hot wife of a racecar driver.

“The song is playful, but the bare bones of it are hot girl, hot guy, fast car,” she said. “I was trying to find a way to make that interesting, and at the same time, I think I looked up and saw that movie was on TV. When inspiration hits, it connects the dots pretty fast.”

Hughes — who released a self-titled, 12-track album last May and has worked with top-notch producers like Ben Jaffe, Mike Shimshack, Mark McKee, Brent Bourgeois and Brandon Friesen — enjoys giving her input in all things involving her music from her music videos to graphics and set design.

She said she can’t help but think of those elements.

“I’m lucky that I always knew how I wanted each song to sound and look like,” she said. “When I sit down and write a song, I can’t help but think what the music video would look like.”

For “Leave It Alone” — her latest video and her directorial debut — Hughes was inspired by “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The clip features a femme-fatale vibe with vampires.

And for her “Never Ever” video, which features Hughes running around in a wedding dress and longing after a marriage that never came to be, she donated said dress to Wish Upon a Wedding. The non-profit organization provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing serious illnesses.

“It’s kind of like Make-A-Wish,” Hughes said. “I’ve known people with cancer, and I’m getting married in March, so it all felt very personal to me.”

For her Costa Mesa show, in which Hughes will play with a full band, she expects to play a selection of original songs, some as they sound on the record, and others more stripped down.

She also expects to “get personal” by telling the stories behind her songs.

“When I go to shows of artists that I know, I’m excited to see them and get a little extra by hearing them talk about their songs,” she said. “I like to do the same for my fans.”

Kylie Hughes performs at Casa, 820 W. 19th Street, in Costa Mesa on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. Entrance to the show is free. For more information, visit www.casabarcostamesa.com or www.kyliehughesmusic.com.

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