- Bryon Harris
Kristen Karma - Music Interview
Canadian artist Kristen Karma not only wields a certificate in Audio Engineering from Hot Sole Music, but has studied voice with Judith Rabinovitch, who has worked with the likes of Avril Lavigne and Sarah McLachlan. In 2013, Kristen was selected as one of two performers to play the Lady Gaga Born This Way Ball After-party and open for Tour DJ/Lady Gaga BFF Lady Starlight in Vancouver. She then went on to work with lil’Jon on her single “Sirens.” In 2017, she opened for Grammy Award Winner Akon. Hot off the heels of her performance, Kristen was selected to play the Lady Gaga – Joanne World Tour VIP After-party once again in Vancouver after Lady Gaga’s performance at Rogers Arena. Her recent single “Party Heroes” features her hard pounding electronic dance sound. Released in April 2019, the song reached the iTunes Canada Pop chart Top 20, peaking at #17. The follow-up “Try” reached the Top 30 Pop, while also reaching the Top 100 All Genres chart. Her current single, “Dear John,” dedicated to the memory of her father, also charted in the Top 40, while the video has been selected for several international film festivals. Kristen appeared in the 2019 Women In Music issue of Billboard Magazine.
What got you into music?
I've always known I've wanted to do something with Music. When I was younger I got into dance and was able to express myself through that, however it wasn't until my parents brought home a piano one day that it just lit a fire within me. I can remember going through the beginner book on how to play under an hour and then just tried to get my hands on anything I could so I could play. This evolved into picking up several different instruments and eventually heading off to school for Audio Engineering. Music has always been a big part of my life!
What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else? Tell us why.
My favorite part is performing. Of course, I love to write, and play, and come up with the hooks and melodies, but where I really shine is the stage. It's my chance to get all dolled up and become something completely different. This fearlessness and confidence come out, and I feel like I can do anything.
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?
When I head into the studio I usually like to work directly with the Producer. I go in with lyrics or a pretty decent demo and we work together to make it stronger. We work through the lyrics and build the track together to exactly what I have envisioned. Having a background in Audio Engineering, I like to be hands-on and quite heavily involved in the production of each and every one of my songs.
As a songwriter or musician, are there any obstacles you have had to overcome or obstacles that you are facing right now in your career?
There will always be obstacles as no road is perfect, but that's the beauty in the journey. I continue to grow and learn every day and improve on my skills as a songwriter and as a musician overall.
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?
I really admire how more and more artists are taking risks in their music and image in the industry. Women no longer have to look a certain way or act a certain way to prove themselves. With Artists like Lady Gaga, Lizzo and Billie Eilish, the current pop music trends are evolving.
To date, what do you think your best song is? Can you describe the song for us?
DEAR JOHN has to be my best song to date. My dad had passed away two years ago, and I wanted to write something for him. I got together with my friend (and featured artist on the song) Marian Hanna and with the same goal for the song we came up with a solid demo in about fifteen minutes. We were so excited about it that we knew we had to get the song polished up and recorded so we went into the studio with Mark Zubek and came out with this masterpiece. We were so proud of it that we went and recorded a Music Video for it. It's picked up an award for Best International Song at the American Tracks Music Awards in LA, and several placements and nominations for other awards. Not only am I proud of it, but I know my father would be as well.
Please take a minute to listen to "Dear John"
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
I'm currently back in the studio working on some new music for my upcoming album to be released later on this year. It's been a while since I released my last EP, but I am so proud of what I've written and accomplished so far with these songs and can't wait to show you!
Tell us where fans can access your music.
Visit my website.
Connect on Facebook.
Listen on YouTube.
This music interview was brought to you by BWH Music Group.