This is your first interview with a Singapore fashion magazine. Tell us more about your music.

“Original Music from the Philippines – or OPM – really helped to develop my sound. Its brand of storytelling is very honest (Kristi’s debut album Fake It Flowers, released last October, is notable for its highly personal tone that sees her opening up about everything from crushes and romance to self-harm and dyeing her hair as a form of empowerment). The guitar and piano used in this genre are also very catchy and memorable. Other influences include The Beatles, Elliott Smith, Veruca Salt, Sonic Youth and Pavement.”

Why is the guitar such a key element to your sound? 

“It’s the foundation to all the songs that I write with the vocals, story and other parts sitting on top of it. I listen to a lot of guitar-based music and there’s so much that one can do with the instrument – from all these different tones that one can create to the pedals that one can plug into to alter its sound; the effect of the feedback or going acoustic can capture so many moods… I also like how the guitar, as well as the piano, make for such an honest way to express yourself.”

How many guitars do you own? 

“Probably about 15 – a mix of Fenders, Guild and this vintage Gretsch Princess (a now-defunct model by the heritage musical instrument company that was only produced in the early ’60s, and boasted a full-sounding pickup and contoured body in colours targeted at women) that I love!”

Some have dubbed you Gen Z’s Guitar Hero. Did you play the video game growing up?  

“I did – it was very cool and it still is! It does seem like fewer people are picking up the guitar these days and more young musicians are using their laptops to make music electronically. It’s not that I don’t like computers – I do and use them all the time – but there’s something really pure in using an acoustic guitar and four-track recorder. New musicians should learn an instrument before turning to the computer and it would be great if I could influence more people to pick up the guitar and write with it.”

Your music and image are evidently influenced by the ’90s, particularly the era’s alt-rock movement. Why is it so significant to you?  

“The ’90s was a very iconic era when some of what I think is the best music of all time was made and alt-rock from the time rightfully captured the energy of a generation of youths really coming together united. The whole movement was very important creatively and is something that we won’t be able to experience again, but the rawness and realness of everything from its fashion to music to personalities live on.

It is all very inspiring and while it’s always about the music first for me, its style comes hand in hand. When I watch a movie or music video from the ’90s, I’m digesting both the sound and the fashion. (For a taste of this, tune into Last Day On Earth, the first track from Beabadoobee’s upcoming EP Our Extended Play, which was written and produced with Matty Healy and George Daniel of the pop-rock act, The 1975, during the early days of lockdown in the UK.)”

How do you keep your fingers looking great with all that guitar playing?

“Haha, I am sure that they look very rough.”

A version of this article first appeared in FEMALE’s June 2021 Fashion Activity Book