Marking KC Star‘s return on the global music scene, ‘in my dreams’ showcases once again the pop lusciousness and catchy storytelling enjoyed by the Los Angeles-based creative. A collaboration with fellow artist Austen the Poet, ‘in my dreams’ follows up from last year’s EP ‘love songs about no one’, revealing how much KC has grown since then. While the lyrical references are the same – evocative, lovable energy that’s relatable and introspective – the production feels punchier and more anthemic, a quality that fits KC Star and Austen the Poet very well.
Originally featured in the aforementioned album, ‘in my dreams’ finds a new lease of life, still staying true to its roots, but supercharging its listening experience. Perfectly fitting the contemporary pop landscape, the record signals the third collaboration to date for Star and Austen, who also enjoy a certain eclecticism in their musical action.
Intrigued by the single, we caught up with KC Star to learn more about his artistry and future goals… Interview below!
Hey KC, it’s great to connect again. We have featured you a couple of times in the past, and we appreciate your longstanding commitment to creating bright, uplifting pop anthems with mainstream flair. Before we get on to ‘in my dreams’ – your latest single – I’d like to just check on you, how have you been?
First off – thanks for having me back! I’m a big fan of what you do at Mesmerised, and I’m honoured to be featured again. As for me, I’ve been doing well! I’ve had a busy personal year since my last release, but I’m excited to be back and dropping new tunes!
Your latest EP ‘love songs about no one’ dates back to April 2024; What have you been up to since, from a music standpoint? Are you still writing and making art? Or do you find it difficult, given the gloominess of our world?
I took a step back from the music for a bit to focus on some other endeavours, but I couldn’t stay away for long. I find that when inspiration strikes me, I can’t ignore it. The new stuff I’ve been working on is all very fun and upbeat – I find pop music has always been an escape for me, and I think we all need that right now.
Just so we have a clear perspective on who KC Star really is, can you briefly tell us what influenced you in taking up a music project? Do you have a favourite artist?
Pop music always has and will be my lifeblood. I grew up watching incredible pop stars create and change my life. And then one day I realised that there’s nothing stopping me from making my own music – sure, no one may listen, but it quickly became such a vital outlet for me, and I got to live my pop star fantasy a little bit. My all-time biggest inspiration is Kesha – what she stands for, the versatility of her artistry, and how well she can write a banger! I learned everything I know about songwriting from listening to her, and I hope you can hear it in my music.
You have just unveiled your latest effort, ‘in my dreams’ – not sure whether we should call it a comeback single! 🙂 In it, you team up with Austen the Poet. What does the song mean to you? Do you feel it is representative of who KC Star is in 2025?
So ‘in my dreams’ was originally featured on my last EP as a solo song, but after I dropped it, I hit my dear friend Austen up, and he so graciously added his magic to it. It’s been over a year since he sent me back his vocals, and it took me this long to finalise this version – I’m a bit of a perfectionist. He’s added a new verse and bridge, and I had such fun adding some new harmonies and vocal layers. It felt right to release it now, as a kind of farewell to the ‘love songs about no one’ era, with new music and a new sound on the horizon.
How did the collab with Austen the Poet come about? Was there good synergy between you two?
Austen the Poet and I have known each other for several years now – we actually went to college together, in Oklahoma of all places. We’ve both been doing the independent grind for a little bit, and this is our third time collaborating. I begged to hop on a remix for one of his rap tracks back in 2021, then he laid down an epic verse on one of my pop-rock songs in 2022, and now we’re back with this dreamy synth-pop vibe in 2025! He’s always such an inspiration to me, and I think every time we work together, it refuels both of our creative wells. I just love him to death!!! Go stream his music. Or else.
On a general level, do you feel more confident writing music alone, or within a team?
99% of my music is all me; written, recorded, engineered, produced, mixed, mastered, and released. And that’s just how I have to get it done most of the time because life and the real world get in the way. But when it does happen that I get to collaborate with other artists, that’s when I feel the real magic happening. I think collaboration is the most powerful tool as an artist, and I hope one day I get to a point where I have the luxury of constantly working with other incredible independent artists out there.
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
The biggest challenge I am always facing is that there are so many different sounds I feel drawn to explore. It’s so hard for me to build a concise project sometimes because I have 15 songs that are all so vastly different. If you look at my catalogue, I’ve done pop, hip-hop, rap, dance, alternative, and singer-songwriter. I’m all over the place! But that’s also what I love about my music and my artistry – KC Star is not just one thing. I am inspired by all kinds of music, and I want my own music to reflect that. So for this next project, I’ve decided to embrace the mess!
What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
I’ve got a whole bunch of exciting tunes I’m finishing up right now, and the vision for the next project is quickly crystallising. There’s a little something for everyone, and I can’t wait to share it all. Fingers crossed you all get to hear the first track before the summer is up…
