Singer, songwriter, and filmmaker Kacey Fifield is having a monumental 2026. After wrapping up a transformative six-month study abroad chapter in Australia—where she balanced regional travels with her first international performance at Sydney’s famed Oxford Art Factory—Fifield is back on U.S. soil and striking a major cinematic milestone.
Her latest project, “OUT OF MIND,” has been officially selected for the prestigious Dances With Films festival, earning the multi-talented artist her very first directorial credit. Ahead of the project’s big-screen debut at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre, followed by an exclusive director Q&A, we sat down with Fifield. In this interview, she reflects on the creative inspiration she gathered overseas, the psychological slasher parallels behind her gripping new music video narrative, and the exciting slate of fresh music and bi-coastal concert dates on the horizon.
Hello Kacey Fifield, welcome to Blackbird News! You recently returned to the United States after a six-month study-abroad experience in Australia. What made this chapter of your life so memorable?
It was my first time being outside of the US for longer than a month, so being able to completely explore and get to know a brand new place was so special. I also did lots of travel around the region, including New Zealand, Thailand, and Bali, which was so exciting. Meeting new people and making friendships across the world was a great experience!
During your time abroad, you performed a full 30-minute set at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney with Breaking Sound Australia. What was that experience like?
It was amazing! I love playing shows, so it was very exciting to perform internationally for the first time and reach a completely new audience. The crowd was amazing and my band was awesome to work with.
How did performing with local Australian musicians influence your perspective on live music and collaboration?
Working with new people always inspires me creatively and makes for really valuable collaboration, so performing with Australian musicians was a great way to better immerse in the music culture there!
Were there any cultural or creative differences between the Australian and American music scenes that stood out to you?
Australia is definitely more relaxed overall, so that extended into the music scene. But, there are honestly a lot more similarities than differences! The studio and live show processes were very much the same.
What were some of the biggest lessons you learned while living and studying overseas?
I learned a lot about myself through all the travel, specifically how I love independence and thrive on routine. I also enjoyed having some more free time than usual to write songs and just play my guitar. It was a great learning experience!
Your project “OUT OF MIND” has been selected for Dances With Films 2026. What was your reaction when you received the news?
I was beyond excited! Dances With Films is incredible for independent filmmakers, so being recognized as a director for the first time by such an iconic festival means a lot.
Why was it important for you to tell the story behind “OUT OF MIND” through a thriller-inspired visual narrative?
The video 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.
What can audiences expect when they see “OUT OF MIND” screening at the TCL Chinese Theatre?
Some fun thrills on the big screen, spooky performance shots, and a super fun song to dance along to! There will be a director Q&A following the screening as well, so I’m looking forward to discussing the creative process behind producing the music video.
Now that you’re back in the U.S. and working on new music, what’s next for Kacey Fifield in 2026?
Definitely some exciting new music releases, film projects, and concert dates in NYC and LA. Stay tuned on my social media!
You can connect with Kacey Fifield through Instagram @kaceyfifield, TikTok @kacey_fifield, YouTube @KaceyFifieldOfficial and Spotify
