Kelsie Kimberlin is a 22-year-old American musician and singer. Her work is not only accessible and entertaining but also steeped with important social themes and dual meanings underscoring her deep understanding of the power of creative music to evoke change. From an early age, Kelsie immersed herself in music, singing in choirs, participating in Yoko Ono’s Peace Project, and spending much of her childhood in music studios working on an endless stream of original songs. She participates in every aspect of her art — writing, recording, performing, and filming her videos.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Kelsie about adapting during the pandemic, her latest release (Right Place Wrong Time), challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
My name is Kelsie Kimberlin and I am 22 years old and live in Washington, DC. I have been involved with music my entire life, starting with choirs. When I was eight years old, I won top prize at the Creative Nation Awards and used all the prize money on music lessons. I spent most of my teen years in the studio recording over 100 original songs and I am now working with several Grammy winners. I love all types of music and have been to so many concerts I can’t remember them all. With my music, I want to evoke emotion, touch people and help change the world for the better. Although I consider my style to be modern pop, I use a lot of real instruments.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
According to my parents, I was singing in the womb and I have always been attracted to singing. Since I can remember, I have wanted to create music and that’s why I started going to the studio even before I was a teenager. Music moves me and I want to move others with my music.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
I have written and recorded so many songs with different moods, and now I am starting to release them. Some are ballads, some are rockers, and some mix it up. My latest release, Right Place Wrong Time, is an emotional song about the heartache from a toxic breakup. Many people can relate to that. Songs come to me as gifts and then it is easy for me to share them to the world.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented times? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
When COVID hit, I was faced with a choice, to either release of not release. Danny Goldberg, who used to manage Nirvana, advised me to get my new music online because the whole world would be stuck at home and would want some new and fresh music. So in June 2020, I released my first song and within months, it had over a million plays on YouTube, so Danny was right. At first during COVID, it was difficult to get into the studio, but when I did, we all wore masks, and then the vaccinations really helped. I now go to the studio at least twice a week and am filming new videos every few months.
What was the last song you listened to?
Julia Michaels-Little Did I Know.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Well, I love vinyl and can’t wait to release an album on vinyl. When I need real comfort, I pull out some vinyl from my dad’s vast record collection and enjoy. But, unfortunately, most of the time I am stuck with streaming platforms or the most part now simply because that’s where most music is.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
I am on all the social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), and they are all listed on my YouTube page and my official website. www.KelsieKimberlin.com
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
I want to ask all of your readers to check out my music, comment and share. I will be releasing a new song and video every month.
