At just 21 years old, multi-hyphenate artist Kacey Fifield is rapidly redefining the boundaries of independent storytelling. Since the release of her debut album, Between The Lines, Fifield has continuously evolved, blending her distinct musical identity with a sharp cinematic vision. In her latest project, “OUT OF MIND,” she takes full creative control—serving as writer, director, editor, and performer. By filtering the painful, lingering memories of a past relationship through the high-stakes lens of a traditional slasher film, Fifield explores deep themes of internal conflict, duality, and emotional turmoil. Backed by a small, dedicated team of student filmmakers, she successfully transforms raw human emotion into a haunting visual and sonic reality. In this exclusive interview with WorldAuthors.org, Fifield opens up about her dual creative processes, navigating the hurdles of independent production, and the vital importance of writing with authentic honesty.
Hello Kacey Fifield, welcome to Worldauthors.org! As both a songwriter and filmmaker, how do you decide whether a story should be told through music, film, or a combination of both?
It absolutely depends on the project. Film tends to be a more direct storytelling format, whereas music conveys a feeling rather than a specific narrative. If I have a plot idea, that’s definitely going to be a film. I love combining both formats in music videos to create a holistic world around the project.
“OUT OF MIND” was written, directed, edited, and performed by you. What inspired the concept behind the project?
The video project was developed practically alongside the song itself, so the visuals are very much tied to the sonic identity. The lyrics depict a former relationship that feels haunting, unable to be forgotten, in way that is very similar to traditional slasher film villains. I used this parallel to create a plot that expanded on how past experiences leave a lasting impact on our psyche.
The video explores internal conflict through a slasher-inspired narrative. What themes were you hoping audiences would connect with?
I hope audiences can relate to the feelings of uncertainty as well as the inner chaos that happens when someone from our past reemerges and complicates our feelings.
You portray multiple versions of yourself in “OUT OF MIND.” What did that duality represent from a storytelling perspective?
The different versions of me showcase internal tension between the feelings of fear and wanting to flee a relationship and the urge to flirt with the possibility of reigniting a former flame. As the video unfolds, you see the relationship between the two Kaceys get complicated as the lines between these emotions begin to blur.
How does your songwriting process influence your approach to visual storytelling?
My songwriting process balances my own singular vision with collaboration, as does my approach to filmmaking. I love to write and create on my own, whether that be a song or a script, then bring it to collaborators to find where we can combine our shared artistry to best bring a vision to life.
What were some of the biggest creative and technical challenges you faced while creating “OUT OF MIND” independently?
Funding is always tough! Also, I created the project with a tiny team of 3 other student filmmakers, which meant we had to be creative about balancing capturing sound, ensuring adequate lighting, and filming the shots, among other considerations. I’m so proud of the result, though!
How has storytelling evolved for you since releasing your debut album Between The Lines?
I like to say that my music has grown with me. I’m only 21, so my taste as a filmmaker and musician is changing alongside my life experience. I feel like I’m ever-evolving! I was only 17 when I wrote Between the Lines and, since then, I’ve done a lot of experimentation with different genres and creative mediums and honed my artistic vision to pinpoint exactly what I want my work to say.
The best stories often reveal deeper truths about human emotions. What emotional truth were you exploring through “OUT OF MIND”?
Inner conflict, internal turmoil, and fear of the unknown.
As someone who writes across different mediums, what advice would you give aspiring creators who want to tell stories through both music and film?
Write honestly and authentically. Only you can contribute your own unique voice as a storyteller to the cultural conversation, no matter the medium.
You can connect with Kacey Fifield through Instagram @kaceyfifield, TikTok @kacey_fifield, Spotify, and YouTube: @KaceyFifieldOfficial