Photo Credit: Benjamin Hampson
Kaleida, the transatlantic duo renowned for their haunting electropop sound, returned on January 24th with a dazzling LP In Arms (Deluxe Version), released via Embassy One. The expanded album features five bonus tracks, including the hypnotic new single and video ‘Chalong’ and intimate live renditions of fan favorites like ‘Don’t Turn Me Out’ and ‘Hollow’. Formed in 2013 by Christina Wood and Cicely Goulder, whose long-distance partnership spans London and the USA, Kaleida is known for their magnetic blend of atmospheric electronica and ethereal vocals. They first gained international recognition with their viral track ‘Think’, featured in John Wick, and have since toured extensively while releasing critically-acclaimed projects. With themes of resilience, environmental awareness, and societal change, the duo continues to push the boundaries of electropop, balancing raw vulnerability with meticulous production. In Arms (Deluxe Version) offers a captivating glimpse into their evolving artistry, balancing their signature moody pop aesthetic with a renewed sense of purpose and artistic freedom.
Stream the LP and read our interview Christina below:
Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
How would we survive without them?
Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
The sound, and the ideas are sort of lurking around in the background, like a photograph that’s being developed in a tray of solutions.
Does your material feature any collaborations?
Yes, although we never met in person. We repurposed a bit of a track from Robot Koch for our track ‘Choices’, and Jesse Tabish from Other Lives recorded some backing vocals for our track ‘Don’t Turn Me Out’.
The deluxe edition of In Arms offers both new tracks and intimate reimaginings of fan favorites. What inspired you to revisit and reinterpret these songs, and how do you think the stripped-down versions reshape their emotional impact?
Doing piano and acoustic versions felt natural to us and worthwhile, in the sense that we wanted to show how the songs are constructed behind the electronic sounds, and expose the feelings. Cicely is an incredible pianist and you get a deeper sense of her musicality on those recordings. We used to practice a lot like that, just voice and piano, and it’s lovely to be in that space too. You have to be more delicate and just tell the story of the track.
As a duo that bridges the creative gap between London and the USA, how does that transatlantic dynamic influence your songwriting and production process? Are there any unexpected challenges or creative sparks that come from working across different time zones and cultural landscapes?
Not being in the same place really limits our output for sure. We would be a lot more prolific if we were. We have definitely figured out a way to sketch ideas remotely though, over the years, and we can basically read each other’s minds.
What’s on your current playlist?
Nala Sinephro, Doechii, Ionnalee, Honeyglaze, Wham!, Sudan Archives, and PJ Harvey.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
I’m there for them. They all seem so fragile in a way. Aren’t we all? A lot of times I can really see the emotions flit across their faces during the set. It’s like this public/private event all at once; I’m a one-person audience for them and they often don’t realize I’m their witness. I feel like it’s my job to emote and express and show vulnerability on stage, as well as strength, so they can process whatever they are carrying. And to uplift everybody through the escape of music, in those moments when the room comes together.
What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?
Cicely does a lot of interesting stuff with vocal samples and layering. She’s also pretty unorthodox with the drums!
Take us through a day in the recording studio.
Tea, figure out a plan, work on a track, 40 mins later switch to another one, then another, maybe a break (breastfeed child, more tea, make phone call, share a joke, listen to another artist etc.), then reassess, then attack one again, maybe start a new one off the cuff. We are pretty efficient. If we’re ready to record vocals we just go through it bit by bit and get all the harmonies and layers.
Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?
Yes, I’m pretty sure at 3 yrs old I knew it was my path, but it took me until age 30 to have a breakdown about not making my own music to then just do it. I took a course in Ableton Live, went part time on my day job, and off I went on this passion/pain trip. A dear friend of mine who is a clothing designer told me at this crux point, “If you’re going to do it, you have to be 100%. You have to go all in. You have to surround yourself with other people doing the same thing, you have to live it, you have to focus completely on it, not give up.” She gave me a lot of courage and focus.
What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?
Throat comfort tea, and a shot of bourbon.
Any emerging artists on your radar?
I love Ela Minus; she really reminds me of early Bjork with this bombastic sense of energy and freedom in her sound.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Reading books and going to weird historical places, like random old Saxon churches in England or ruins of houses in rural Kentucky. Today we went to the museum of Jewish History POLIN in Warsaw…there will be something out of that!
Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.
Oh it’s so minimal. I just have a midi keyboard, a microphone and a laptop. Cicely has a few synths over at her place. We are not very gear-oriented!!
Famous last words?
Mama loves you and this life was a gift!
In Arms (Deluxe) Tracklist:
1. Chalong (Bonus Track)
2. Hollow – in-studio live (Bonus Track)
3. Don´t Turn Me Out – in-studio live (Bonus Track)
4. Hansaplast – piano version (Bonus Track)
5. Seagull Nun – piano version (Bonus Track)
6. Hollow
7. Generation
8. Seagull Nun
9. Choices – Kaleida & Robot Koch
10. Hansaplast
11. Stranger
12. Kilda
13. Endless Youth
14. Hey Little Precious
15. Don´t Turn Me Out – Kaleida feat. Other Lives
Follow Kaleida:
Website – Spotify – Youtube – TikTok – Facebook – X
