Kai Korven Celebrates Collaboration and Joy on New Single "Bug on Head"
• LISTEN TO/SHARE “BUG ON HEAD” HERE •
Toronto composer, songwriter, and producer Kai Korven invites listeners into a whimsical, heartfelt world with his new single, “Bug on Head.” Playful, dynamic, and elating, the track blends indie pop and folk sensibilities with theatrical storytelling, capturing the warmth of friendship and the joy of creative collaboration.
“‘Bug on Head’ is really about the voices of my friends,” Korven explains. “This is by far the song I’ve collaborated with the most people on, and the depth of light and joy that comes from their voices is really present in the track. It feels like a burst of light – like everybody’s invited to join in! Look at us!”
The song emerged from a melody Korven heard in the spring of 2024, influenced by his immersion in Irish jigs and reels. From the line I had a fever dream about a bug, the whimsical narrative took flight, evolving into an allegorical tale that reflects on emotional mechanisms and codependent relationships with humor, warmth, and honesty.
Listen to “Bug on Head” HERE.
The recording process was as joyful as it was meticulous. Korven recorded each contributor individually to craft a rich collage of voices, producing a climactic chorus that feels like a community singing together. He brought in friends for character voices: Cate Oxford added high choral tones, Chelsey Bowler and Mimi Matamoros lent kid voices, and Iyin Ajagunna performed as a grandpa who fell down a well, complete with the line, “Oh! My knee!” Instrumentation includes violin from Katie Stephens alongside Korven’s own guitar, piano, bass, and drums, creating a layered, folky, narrative-driven sound.
Korven’s stylistic choices emphasize storytelling and genre-blending. “I love finding pockets in different moments of a song where it feels like we just ever so slightly dip into a whole new genre or feeling,” he says. From folk-inspired guitar jigs to pre-chorus bursts of Hollywood orchestral drama, the track balances simplicity and nuance to convey both emotional weight and playful delight.
So it turns out the pompous bird was I
Wearing disguises in my own brain
Kai Korven is a Toronto-based composer, songwriter, and producer, classically trained on violin from the age of three and later branching into piano, guitar, bass, and drums. He has scored for film, TV, and theatre, most recently contributing music for Fire and Frost: Prometheus, Pandora, and the Birth of Humankind by Manic Theatre Co. In addition to original songs, Korven’s studio work supports aspiring artists exploring their creative voices. His practice spans genres from orchestral scores to indie pop, musical theatre, folk, and hyperpop.
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