Conversations with Kev Decor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kev Decor.

Hi Kev Decor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Sure. Before I jump in, I have to say—I recently had a breakthrough in my journey. It hit me so deeply that I cried actual tears, both of pain and joy, during a studio session. After nearly 20 years, I finally arrived at an understanding in my craft that I’d been chasing the whole time.

That old cliché—“The teacher appears when the student is ready”—never felt more true. Except, oftentimes we think of the teacher as an actual person but it can be information, a lesson or an experience that opens your mind to a new approach or way of doing things. The person we think of as a teacher is sometimes just the messenger. The catalyst is your undying pursuit and the source is — fate.

Every person’s path is unique, so if yours takes longer, it’s not because you’re unworthy—it’s because certain levels of mastery must be built on strong fundamentals. And wisdom? That only comes with time and practice. The most expensive things are the things that are free. In any endeavor, sustained effort is incredibly costly. But at the same time it costs nothing to just get up and do it.

In 2005, on a 250MB PC from Sam’s Club with parental lock and a stock version of Windows Movie Maker… I recorded my first ever vocal over a 50 Cent beat that I downloaded off of LimeWire.

In 2025, just last month, I finally achieved something in the studio in such a way that it unlocked something new in me. I realized: no matter how badly you want it, some skills can only come through time, trial, and commitment.

It reminds me of a quote from The Alchemist:

“The alchemists spent years in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals… They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves.”

Musicians are alchemists. We hear things no one else hears. Then we spend years and years trying to turn that unseen vision into something real—a piece of art that changes lives. How well we manifest that vision… that’s what we call mastery.

I used to think I could teach anyone what I’ve learned over the years in just a few days. Now I understand why some people don’t even try to explain certain things to newcomers. You’ve got to sit by the fire yourself. Eventually, if you stay long enough, that is—if you are committed enough to the journey, it’ll reveal its secrets to you.

That’s how I got here. Since that day in 2005—recording in an attic three blocks from the beach in Ventnor City, NJ—not a single day has passed where music and the pursuit of mastery hasn’t been my obsession.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The other day I heard someone say, “An artist lives through a midlife crisis for most of their life.” I thought—wait, there are other crazy people like me out there?

Smooth? Not even close. More like a flat tire, no gas, no cell service, somewhere in the middle of a safari during feeding time.

But has it been worth it? Absolutely.

Hunter S. Thompson said it best, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well-preserved body… but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!’”

For a long time, I would say things like, “I’m not that kind of person.” But in hindsight, I’ve done a lot of growing and that means that at times I’ve undoubtedly been “that kind of person”. Maybe not always—but enough to look back and know that the journey has tested me and I haven’t always passed every test with flying colors.

I’ve always upheld my values and integrity, but there are moments I look back on that make me cringe. I’ve had to swallow pride, ask for favors I never thought I would, and choose between preserving my ego or giving my dream one more shot.

Sometimes, I’ve been stuck in less-than-ideal situations. My health has suffered. Friendships have faded. You never think you’ll have to move on from certain people—until you do. Trading stability for opportunity is a real thing. The phrase “starving artist” exists for a reason, you know.

Your friends are worried about car payments. You’re worried about how to afford a content rollout that could change your life.

$150 at the bar in Santa Monica could’ve been $5/day for a month of ad spend. That content you shot? It could be the thing that leads to your breakthrough. These are the choices artists face daily.

Every decision feels like it holds the seed of a breakthrough—and the very real weight of a potential breakdown, simultaneously. That’s the pressure that an artist contends with today; daily. For the sake of the little pride I’ve got left, I’ll spare the details on more examples. But trust me when I say—every ounce of horse crap endured just ends up being fertilizer from which beautiful bouquets of musical flowers bloom.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My superpower is vulnerability.

I say what I really feel—and what most people feel but don’t have the tools or courage to express. I study people and the world around me with a careful, curious eye. Not in a creepy way—I’m just fascinated by human behavior, and I want to understand it. That quest to dive deeper into the nuanced dynamics of human interaction really comes through in the themes and subject matter of my music.

I write, produce, mix, and master all my music. I also shoot, edit, and color a lot of my visuals. Collaborations happen here and there, but I’ve been creating and releasing music since 2005.

I studied audio engineering and production at The Institute of Audio Research in NYC in 2010. A few EPs and mixtapes later, I decided in 2016 to release a new song every week. By 2017, I took it a step further: I released one new song every day—284 days in a row.

These weren’t pre-recorded. I’d wake up, make a beat from scratch (no samples), write, record, mix, master, design artwork, and publish the song—every single day. Some days I’d pull all-nighters. My rule was: don’t go to sleep until the song is finished and released. I collaborated occasionally on production, artwork, and features.

While I’m not only known for that streak, a lot of people found me through it.

I’ve worked in the studio with major artists, written for signed acts, and done business with labels. But I’m most proud of being able to consistently express my truth and reach people with it.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles is such a special place. For me it’s the atmosphere of everyone aspiring to do or become something greater. That competitive go-getter environment is what I have always resonated with but didn’t always have around me. I feel at home, with my kind of people – dreamers and doers. Thriving baby!

As for what I like least—honestly, nothing that doesn’t already exist in the rest of the world. Every place has its downsides. I embrace the city as it is. Without the lows, the highs wouldn’t hit the same. I’m not saying nothing can be improved, but I choose to focus on what’s good.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kevdecor.com

Kev Decor will be performing live in Los Angeles on June 7th at Hotel Ziggy

Image Credits
Aiden Springer
Frisco Visuals
Trevor Jackson