KUALA LUMPUR – For every musician who has ever poured their soul into a dimly lit stage for a handful of listeners, the dream is universal: to be seen, to be heard, and to know that your voice matters.
For Kyren Thomas – better known as Saint Kylo – that dream, shaped over 16 years of grit and passion, is finally becoming reality. The kid from Taman Melawati is heading to Ireland, hand-picked by Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak to represent Malaysia on a global stage.
This is no overnight success. Kylo’s journey began in the unvarnished corners of Malaysia’s music scene – at places like the now-defunct Saint’s Bar in Kota Damansara – and at countless open mic nights, where a 17-year-old without formal training first found his voice.
“My inspiration for music definitely came from my dad,” Kylo recalls, his voice warm with nostalgia.
“Everything from B.B. King to James Brown, Jamiroquai, The Fugees, Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana… those guys were a huge, huge influence on me growing up.”
This raw, untutored passion became his compass. He admits he didn’t learn music in a classroom.
“I don’t know what chords I’m playing,” he laughs.
“I know the shapes, I know the sound I want, and I translate it to the musicians I work with.”
This intuitive approach, this focus on feeling and sound, would become the bedrock of his artistic identity.
The 16 years that followed were a masterclass in perseverance. There were soaring highs – sharing stages with international acts like Joss Stone, Toploader, Mac Ayers and commanding the main stage at the Good Vibes Festival – proof that his sound resonated beyond the underground.
But there were also trials. Kylo speaks openly about the challenges, from the devastating impact of the pandemic on live music, to the difficult decision to leave his beloved band Ryot Jones and forge a solo path.
“What kept me going was my obsession. I hear these songs in my head. I know what I want and how to get there… what kept me going is my hunger to be great at this thing,” he says.
That unwavering drive eventually caught the attention of Irish whiskey brand Jameson, with whom Kylo had built an authentic relationship over the years – long before this opportunity came knocking.
“Jameson has been incredible to me for years,” he says, recalling gigs where his energy transformed brand events into unforgettable nights.
It was this long-standing connection that placed him on the radar for Jameson Distilled Sounds, a global music initiative now in its second year.
The project brings together more than 20 independent artists from around the world for a week of creative collaboration in Cork, Ireland – all mentored by the event’s ‘Music Distiller’, Anderson .Paak.
When international nominations were presented to .Paak and his creative collective, APESHIT INC., one name from Malaysia stood out.
“I think every country sends in a list of people they like, and then they let AP and the global team pick,” Kylo explains, his voice still tinged with disbelief.
“And yeah… AP chose your boy!”
For Kylo, this is more than a career breakthrough – it’s a profound affirmation.
“I’m just a kid from Taman Melawati, and now I’m sharing space with artists from all over the world, writing music, learning from the best, and putting Malaysia on the map. That kind of belief? It means everything.”
In a fitting twist, Kylo reveals that years ago, he sent Anderson .Paak a direct message on Instagram, boldly stating his dream to one day open for him. He never expected a reply.
“That DM was just me manifesting reality – putting my dream out into the universe.”
And the universe, it seems, was listening.
The story of how he found out is almost cinematic. Lured to a studio under the pretence of a content shoot, he was asked to put on a pair of headphones. Instead of music, he heard a message from Jameson’s brand representative announcing the news.
“I was about to cry. It meant the world to me.”
Next week, Kylo will travel to Dublin to join artists including South Africa’s Lloyiso, Indian vocalist Mary Ann Alexander, and Indonesian singer Monica Karina for the immersive Sound Distillery sessions – a rare chance to learn, create, and collaborate with one of his biggest musical heroes.
But Kylo sees this win as far bigger than himself. A proud champion of Malaysia’s indie music scene, he believes the country is brimming with world-class talent.
“My achievement is a win for all the indie kids in Malaysia. The scene here is special. Malaysia’s got magic,” he declares.
He’s also quick to credit those who walked with him on this journey.
“It takes a whole team,” he insists – thanking his family, his friends, and the many musicians who have stood by him.
“The people you surround yourself with on this journey… that’s the most important thing.”
His biggest lesson?
“Don’t ever give up on your dreams. Stay true to yourself. Don’t sell out,” he said.
As Saint Kylo prepares to take flight for Ireland, he leaves behind the echo of a roaring send-off party at Jao Tim – a tribute to the community that lifted him.
He carries with him not just a unique sound, but the shared hopes of every artist who dares to dream. From a humble bar in Kota Damansara to the historic streets of Dublin, Saint Kylo’s story is proof that the indie dream is very much alive. – August 4, 2025