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If there was one word to describe folk artist Kira Safan, it would be tigress. This tigress is one half of the L.A.-based folk rock duo Foxhunter. Not only does Kira have a fascination with tigers [they are the subject a many of her paintings] but her dark brown/orangish brown mane and striking eyes bring a ferocious feline to mind. However, Kira would be a cub tigress, as this Coachella-going, fringe-wearing Cali-girl carries a certain sweetness and charm.  Drawing much of her inspiration from nature and relationships, Safan and her guitar-playing counterpart Kevin Dekimpe create a fierce,  sharp and powerful yet catchy sound reminiscent of Florence and The Machine.  Their new EP, The Devil’s Backbone will be released in April. Listen to her new song, Desert Sun, below and then see what she has to say to my prying questions.

Click here for amazing music —> Desert Sun

When did you start making music?

I’ve always made music, as far as I can remember. My dad is a musician and my mom is a musician so I’ve been playing piano for about 17 years now. And singing just as long as that. I had a video of me singing in kindergarden and it was my first big show. I’ve always written music and played the piano. It’s my thing.

Who or what inspires your music?

I think that nature really inspires my music, and all my relationships with people. I think that everywhere I go I get inspiration and from every person I meet. I guess a lot of it comes from, ehem, boys and relationships. I could write a song from the simplest thing. For example, like going on one date with someone or one conversation I had with someone. A lot of times if I’m in a block, I’ll just sit outside and think and listen and those are more of the nature-driven songs, but they always end up being about love, actually.

What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to music and music that is being put out there at the moment?

Oh, so many things. I think that the biggest pet peeve I have is that I really like people that work really hard and work really hard for what they want and are talented. I feel like I don’t really like that easy track to success.  I also don’t like when performers are super indulgent and selfish when they perform. There are some performers who are basically singing to themselves.They close their eyes and are singing to themselves. I like somebody who gives a true performance for the audience.

What’s the biggest challenge about being a musician in L.A.?

I think the that the music industry is just so different now. There’s not really a music industry. I think the biggest challenge is that you have to do everything yourself. You have to get yourself out there, book your own shows, promote yourself, all your merchandise, traveling, you kind of have to do a lot of it out of pocket. Then when somebody sees that you already have a fan base, then they’ll take over. The hardest thing is getting the fans and then getting them to come out for every show because a lot of people don’t want to pay $10 a show.

Do you have any desire to be famous or do you want to be a more independent musician?

I don’t necessarily want to be famous, but I’d like to be successful. I think being famous is like an extension of being successful. I think that would be the ultimate goal. To be able to support myself and not have to worry about anything else and to have this be my only job, I think that’s the most important thing. I’m not looking for fame, but I am looking for fame within music because I think that means you’ve reached a point of success. I really want to be about to go around and play Coachella and Lollapalooza. I love traveling around L.A. and I love going on the road. L.A. is my home, though.

Who are your favorite musical artists? 

The person that has inspired me a lot with my writing is this artist, Laura Niro. She’s a singer/songwriter from the 70′s. For my favorite musicians right now, I’ve always been really into Passion Pit, Edward Sharp, Miike Snow. It’s hard for me to pick a band…I’m really into Deadweather because I’m really into Jack White. I think he’s really sexy and fun and unusual.

You are an artist as well as a musician. Do you prefer music or art?

I’ve always seen music as a life and I’ve seen art as more of a hobby. Although I will say that I just got chosen to be one of the artists to design one of the recycling bins at Coachella – the big painted recycling bins! I really love art and I think a really cool thing is that I incorporate art into my music. Like for the merchandise for Foxhunter. I working with a lot of tiger mouths, and I see tigers as fox hunters and people always called me Tiger. My Coachella bin will have tigers all over it.

What’s it like working with a partner versus working as a solo act? 

When you work by yourself, you really can’t take a break. Kevin is amazing. He’s so talented and inspiring and what he adds is a whole other dimension to things, when you can really hear what the music can really become. When it’s just me, it’s just a starting point. Also, it allows me to step away from my piano once in a while and to really engage with the people at the show, instead of me being so glued rhythmically and behind a keyboard. I really big about not sitting down when I perform. I’m really into getting up and clapping and jumping around and having fun.

If you were gangster rapper which one would you be? 

That’s my favorite question ever because a little secret about me is that i really like rap music and I really held back from not answering rap music when you asked me what music I listen to. I don’t know if it’s gangster, but my favorite rapper is Jay-Z.  I’m such a big fan and I listen to The Grey Album on a daily basis and it’s the only thing I work out to.