We sat down with Kyle Reynolds to talk about success, discipline, and what actually lasts.
Kyle’s career spans charting records, global collaborations, and moments that many would define as arrival. But accolades have never been the metric that guides his decisions. Instead, his work is shaped by intention, balance, and a deep commitment to building something sustainable, both creatively and personally.
What release are you the most proud of, and why?
Awhh man, that’s such a hard question to answer. Depending on the release, there are different baskets of gratitude I hold in my heart. There’s the “I’m an artist and I’m just grateful I was brave enough to share something at all” basket. There’s the “I can’t believe I finally got a song with [fill in the blank]” basket. And then there are the songs that actually make an impact on your career and help you move forward.
In a perfect world, a release fills every basket to the brim, but the world isn’t perfect, haha.
For my own artist project, I’d say the release I’m most proud of is a song called “5 Senses.” It was my first fully self-produced and self-mixed release, and it gave me permission to see things all the way through by myself if that’s what I want to do.
For collaborations, my favorite release is “Best Is Yet To Come” with Gryffin. I love the message of that song, and there was an obvious shift in my career after it came out. I also have really fond memories tied to it — performing in Vegas, hearing it in stadiums, hearing it randomly in Target. It was just a really sweet time in the story of my career.
And for K-pop, I’d say my song “Python” by GOT7. I just love that song, and it leans a bit more western. When it comes to K-pop, I tend to connect most with songs that could also work in the U.S. Sorry for the long answer, haha.
You’re an inspiring example of how to balance success and discipline in the music industry while also showing up fully in your marriage. What non-negotiables have made it possible to give real energy to both, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
Thank you, haha. I’m doing my best out here.
I make a lot of sacrifices to make music work, but I came up with something I call the “one more rule.” No matter what sacrifices I’m making for music, I always make one extra sacrifice for my marriage and family.
As long as the scale bends slightly in favor of my family, I think we’ll be okay. I’m not naive to the fact that I need to be successful to support my family, but if it comes at the cost of my family, friends, or relationships, I don’t see the point.
I’ve seen people with walls full of plaques who are depressed and don’t have anything real around them besides accolades. Success looks different for everyone, but for me, success is being a great husband, father, songwriter, and collaborator — while having peace.
I’m not rich if I have things but no peace.
Outside of music, what activities help you stay inspired or disconnect when you need to reset?
To stay inspired, I run, walk, swim, read, and spend time with friends. Ironically, my commute to and from LA gives me a lot of time to think and process, and it often turns into inspiration.
Looking back, does it feel fair to say there was a younger version of you that went through a rebellious phase? If so, what lessons from that period helped shape the values you carry today?
Haha, though it might be hard to imagine, there definitely was a rebellious version of me.
When I was 17, one of my boarding schools put me through a really intense process of dissecting my emotions, childhood, and current self. That led to much deeper emotional intelligence. I think a 17-year-old male in America is basically the opposite of vulnerability, so being opened up in that way completely changed how I process emotions.
Now, I’m very comfortable communicating how I feel with myself and the people I love. I’m not scared to go where I need to go — metaphorically — to get better.
What’s one workflow shift or creative practice that has had the biggest impact on how you work?
Honestly, I could use some better workflow tricks if you have any. But the one thing I know works is starting ideas and finishing most of them.
I try to start at least one idea before every session. That way, if the creative gods don’t strike cinematically, I can still pull something out and say, “Hey, I have this if you like it.”
One thing I’ve learned recently is that being able to do anything that day isn’t actually helpful. Having some direction — or even a limitation — can kickstart creativity and help a song come to life.
You often share reflections from the books you’re reading on your Instagram stories. It feels both connective and intentional. How did that practice begin, and how has it positively influenced your life?
I love sharing little nuggets of wisdom from books. It probably started with me sharing my list of five gratefuls, which eventually turned into sharing passages from books I’m reading.
When something inspires me, my instinct is to share it with people I love. If it impacted me, maybe it’ll impact someone else.
Some days I have really negative self-talk, and reading something can give me a perspective shift I wouldn’t naturally land on. Just like going to the gym, I need to hit the brain gym and practice loving self-talk.
I try to do things that push me toward a softer, grander perspective.
Name a few of your key collaborators and share what makes each of them stand out creatively or personally.
I love this question.
Ben Samama is goofy as hell and always has ideas — not just okay ideas, but great ones. He’s a well of creativity and a great friend.
Eric — also known as Aukoustics, Secs on the Beach, or Good Knights — is one of my best friends. He has this incredible ability to see a song from 40,000 feet. Even though he can finish a song start to end, his real superpower is helping you see an idea in a new light.
And David Brook. Working with David is always fun because we’re laughing constantly, which creates trust and vulnerability. He makes me feel safe to fall on my face. On top of that, he pushes us lyrically and won’t let a song leave the room half-baked. My songs are always better because of him.
What drew you to start doing Mexico writing trips? Who's the main crew? Oh, and how's your Spanish coming along?
Eric and our friend Saint really sparked the Mexico trips. The main crew is Eric, Ben, David, and Boy Blue, who often comes in after the songs are written to help flesh out the production.
Sé un poco de español, jaja.
Take us through your gratitude routine. Morning or night? What inspired you to start doing it? Is it fast and intuition based or do you ponder for a while?
I’m 100% a morning person, so I write my five gratefuls every morning.
It’s a mix of intuition and intention. I sit and think before writing anything down. After dealing with some health issues, I was in a really hard place, and my friend Dave suggested I write down five things I’m grateful for every day.
At first, I hated it. It felt like someone saying, “Just be happy.” But it actually helped tremendously. It rewired my brain to look for the good even when things are hard.
There was a time when I didn’t think I’d ever feel joy again. This practice helped me get there.
What’s an underrated skill in music that no one talks about?
Being easy to work with.
If your energy in the room is light and fun, it can bulldoze walls and ease tension instantly. Ironically, that lightness often leads to deeper honesty.
I’m not always perfect at this, but I strive for it. DCF is a great example — he has a gift for making the room feel weightless.
Who’s a key person who helped you get to where you are in the music industry, and how did they shape your path?
My old manager, Brennen Bryant, changed my life.
We shared so many firsts together. He knows how to protect his clients without being a shark, and I always admired that. He was never too cool to celebrate wins, even after being around a lot of success.
He balanced business with humanity in a way most people don’t. I’m grateful for every email he sent and the chance he took on me.
Who’s an up-and-coming creative we should be paying attention to?
An artist named MAY out of Norway. Incredible voice and songwriter.
What’s a song you wish you’d written?
Jordyn Shellhart’s “The Only Perfect.” The concept and lyricism are unbelievable. She’s such a talent.
In an ideal world, how do you start your day?
A workout, an iced cappuccino with oat milk, and then making a song. Chef’s kiss.
If you could put one sentence on a billboard for young creatives, what would it say?
Tomorrow could be the day everything changes. Keep going.
Ten years from now, what do you hope people say about working with you?
I hope they say they left the room feeling a bit lighter.
If there were a Grammy category for a random life habit, what would you win every year?
Songwriter Who Spent the Most Time in the Car.
I commute three to five hours a day, three to five days a week, on the off chance I write the best song of my life.