Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith with Guest “Kaela”

Composer and modular synth expert Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith presents TouchThePlants on NTS' Los Angeles studio once a month for a round-up of favourites and inspirations from her label TouchThePlants. Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Kaela hails from the vibrant city of Los Angeles, where she crafts ethereal soundscapes that transcend genres and captivate audiences. As a member of the illustrious French electronic band M83, she has been a major part of both live and studio outputs, most recently helping craft the 2023 album “Fantasy” and the following world tour. Kaela is poised to unveil her debut album on their new label, Other Suns. A classically-trained pianist and skilled synthesist, Kaela has been quietly incubating her upcoming project from her studio, where analog tools are at her disposal. An early hint to her sound as of late, her contribution to Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s compilation album “Archetypes” with her song “The Herbalist” shows the range of Kaela’s technical and creative abilities. Her powerful voice and unique producing style shine on her recent remix of M83’s “Earth to Sea.” Other notable releases include Sofi Tukker’s hypnotic dance remix of Kaela’s song “Spiral” which has received over 3 million streams online, and her original compositions written for NPR’s hit syndicated radio show and podcast “This American Life.” Kaela has been releasing experimental avant-pop music since 2013, collaborating with visual artists and filmmakers to hone her talents as a world-builder, a skill that has crystallized with the creation of a new world that is bubbling under the surface, that she can’t wait to share.