K.Flay: Solo rap artist shows versatility

K.Flay is the solo rap project of S.F.'s Kristine Flaherty, who says her nickname was given to her while she was at Stanford University. More than a rapper, K.Flay can do it all; she plays guitar, makes her own beats live and is a dynamic performer. K.Flay notes influences such as Metric and Lauryn Hill, who share the melodic cadence that she raps with. Her voice is powerful, her rhymes clever and her beats are inextricably catchy.

K.Flay recently finished a tour with hip-hop trio Das Racist and she has local cred - she released an EP with MC Lars and collaborated with Zion I on the track "Coastin'." K.Flay says she plans to release her debut in March, adding, "I'll be a mad scientist writing this December and January, but my plan is to be out on the road as much as possible in 2011."

What does your name mean?

K.Flay was my nickname in college, which was where I started making music. And because I'm legitimately terrible at coming up with titles for things, I figured K.Flay was my best bet, especially since half of my friends already called me that. Otherwise I'd probably have called myself something stupid, like Buttered Jam or Ankle Bone.

What elements go into the songwriting process?

I tend to work on beats and lyrics incrementally, first establishing a basic musical skeleton for a track, and then writing lyrics, then fleshing out the rest of the composition. I try not to let an initial concept totally govern the process, but instead let the song roam where it will.

What are the main themes for your songs?

A lot of my songs - even if they're lighthearted or playful - originate from a place of sadness. I think I channel a lot of the negative emotions in my life into making music. There's something infinitely satisfying about the act of creation. Even if the next day you realize your song sucks, you still made a freaking song.

What's the last song you wrote?

The last song I wrote is about dependency in a relationship, that feeling of not wanting to know the truth because it hurts too much. It's got a soulful vibe, which is cool.

What is your favorite music moment in film?

In "Clueless," when Cher realizes she's in love with Josh. It's rad.

When you're not playing music, where in the Bay Area can you be found?

You can find me at Blue Bottle drinking too much coffee, in Oakland recording music in a basement or at my apartment in San Francisco, causing plus-size amounts of mayhem with my roommates.

Check it out: www.kflay.com, www.myspace.com/kflay.

Next gig: 9 p.m. Fri. $10. With TIGERcat, DJs Brother Grimm and BAS. Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St., S.F. (415) 861-2011. www.rickshawstop.com.

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