Today, we are interviewing Kristen Karma, a Pop Artist from Toronto, Canada.
1. How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey?
I got into music at a young age when I asked my parents to buy me a piano. I wanted to learn and have developed an outlet to get my emotions out over the years. I’ve been able to build over that with my experience in Marching Bands, Pipes an Drums Bands, and attending school for Audio Engineering. After writing my first song and having it produced, there was no way I was turning back and have continued to develop my skills every day.
2. Who are your role models?
My mother is my role model. She’s been through Hell and back often fighting for her life, and although the tough gets going more often than not, she has always been to support me and my music and has always reminded me to believe in myself.
3. What inspires you?
My friends, family, and everyday experiences inspire me when I write.
4. Please tell us about your latest music release?
‘Dear John’ is my latest single and is a song for anyone who has lost a loved one. I wanted to write a song for my father who had passed away two years ago from cancer and was able to sit down in a songwriting session with everyone having the same experience and concept in mind. After 20 minutes, a solid demo was born, and we were proud of and excited to turn it into a polished song. Dear John is about wondering if they are up there watching over us if they like what we are doing and how we are living our lives, and if they are proud of who we are becoming. It’s a beautifully written and heart-warming song that is sure to tug on the heartstrings. It’s peaked on the iTunes Canada Top 40 chart, racked up several awards including Best International Song at the American Tracks Music Awards, and several placements in film festivals.
5. What’s your most memorable experience?
I loved opening for Grammy Winner Akon on one of his stops on his Canadian Tour in 2017. To share the stage with such an amazing and talented individual was pretty neat.
6. Which social media channels work best for promoting your work? What exactly do you do on the social media channel that makes it work for you?
I love using Facebook and Instagram. They are visual platforms where I can post pictures or updates and get to know my fans better.
7. What’s your greatest fear?
My biggest fear is that I will completely blank out of my songs when I get on stage. Rehearsals and practice will make sure that doesn’t happen, though!
8. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
The balance between managing yourself and having fun. When I first started I was all business. Everything was taken seriously, and on stage, you could see I wasn’t having as much fun as I could be. I’ve found the perfect balance now and can see everything translating through.
9. What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Knowledge is key. It took me a little while to start reading up on the industry, but once I did, I couldn’t stop reading. This industry is constantly changing and evolving so its best to keep up to date on things. Whos live shows do I like? What are they wearing? What’s their sound like? How to book shows, to email industry contacts… All the information is out there, you just need to spend the time to look and see what works for you.
10. What keeps you going when things get tough?
I remind myself of what I’ve been through already and how far I’ve come. This isn’t an easy industry, and you need to be not only financially invested but emotionally as well. If that’s not enough, I surround myself with family and friends and get inspired to continue my musical journey.
11. Any message for our readers.
You can do anything you set your mind to. Go after what you want, it just takes a little determination, persistence, and passion!
12. How can people connect with you?
They can visit my website. I’m all over social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook! I love hearing from my fans as well, so please reach out!