Iraqi-American Artist Megan Kashat Readies New Album ‘State of Mind’

From dancing to poetry to songwriting, American artist Megan Kashat likens her artistic talents to having several children. “You love them all so much, but each one so uniquely. That’s the best way I can describe it,” she says.

A dancer who has performed with the likes of Mariah Carey, Big Sean and more, Detroit, Michigan-raised Kashat says dancing became her “ritual” when language would fall short and describers poetry as a “form of prayer.” She adds, “As for singing, that’s always my biggest challenge. I’ve never really shared the full ability of my voice on any recordings until this album.” Kashat – who has roots in Iraq and has also lived and worked in Istanbul – is referring to her upcoming album State of Mind which is slated to release in 2024.

Produced Andrea Roma and featuring arrangements and compositions by Taras Tkachenko, Kashat’s album blends electronic music elements with classical influences and arrives at a sound that oscillates between the grandiose and the understated. Songs like “The Defendant” – the lead single from State of Mind – see a new turn from Kashat, who has so far delved more in the dance music realm. “As much as I love it, it just doesn’t represent me fully as an artist,” she says about her EDM-rooted songs like “Meaningless” with DJ-producer Paige. “I’m so much more than a dance feature,” Kashat adds.

With State of Mind, the artist terms the sonic style as “classical crossover.” She says, “Growing up in the choir, I have always cherished the orchestra so I wanted add those elements with a bit of electronic influence. I very much envisioned this whole project to be a wonderful compliment to a short film.  It’s very cinematic.” While “The Defendant” will be the first glimpse from the album, Kashat is also looking forward to seeing how the title track off State of Mind will be received.

She says she may not even be able to top “State of Mind” in terms of songwriting, but is all praise for Roma as her producer. “Some people are really in tune with each other creatively, and I feel like he just brings out the best in me as a recording artist and songwriter.  It’s amazing that we’re hardly ever in the same country when we’re working together… it’s like musical telepathy,” Kashat adds.

With the single set to be out in early 2024 and the album to follow, Kashat is also performing at shows that will be announced by the first quarter of the new year. “This show is completely different from anything I’ve ever done. It’s heavily focused on the visual. The visual has become equally as important as the sound,” the artist says. Working with Tkachenko as the show’s director, Kashat says she intends to deliver a “full sensory experience” that ties in dancing, orchestra, film and even painting. “It’s a night of the arts in full effect,” she adds.