As a proud Ukrainian-American, renowned solo-artist Kelsie Kimberlin has been honored to do her part in standing up against the war in Ukraine, and creating awareness to the many horrors and injustices taking place as a result of Putin’s inhumane actions. Through powerful singles like “It’s Not The Time,” “What We Had,” and her most recent hit “Cosmopolitan Girl,” Kelsie has been on a one-woman mission to spread light and love around the globe as her method of choice to combat the darkness of the war.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Kelsie Kimberlin, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. How has the time gone for you since our last interview?
Thank you for the interview. I have been very busy in the studio, doing radio interviews and preparing for a new video shoot this Sunday.
What role does the artist have in society?
Artists are like the canaries in the coal mine, giving early warnings to stresses. They give voice, meaning, and emotion to society in a way that others cannot. Therefore, it is important for artists to speak out whenever they get a chance.
Your latest track is 'Fruit Basket'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
I wanted to write a feel-good song for the world after so many years of lockdown, war, and conflict. And what better way to do that than with Spanish rhythms, beautiful dancers, and the amazing colors of Cartagena? So I teamed up with an amazing producer from Bogota, and then the magic started happening. I named the song even before I knew that there were beautiful black women in Cartagena with Fruit Baskets on their heads, so just seeing them and having them participate in my video was really cool and unusual.
What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
My childhood was very exciting. I have traveled the world extensively and been to almost 100 concerts. So my strongest memories other than family events centered around music, such as going to concerts of Muse, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Miley and Taylor.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
There are too many to count, but I think the most embarrassing one was when I was 15 and decided to jump from a cliff into Lake Superior only to find that the waves were too big to get back to the shore with the beach. So I had to go to the other side of the cliff on a tiny ledge and wait for my dad to call the rescue services. It was getting dark and cold and they had to throw a rope down and pull me straight up the cliff. I was mortified.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Oh boy, this music business is tough but fortunately, I have been surrounded by professional musicians all my life so I set my standards high and went for the long game. Now I am working with Grammy winners on every song and getting attention from all across the planet. So my advice is to be true to oneself, practice, and work with people with a vast knowledge of music and a wealth of experience.
When were you generally fulfilled in your position as an artist?
Music has been my passion since I was a child so everything I do with music makes me happy. I am particularly proud when my music is recognized for its professionalism and quality since I am a perfectionist.
What’s an average day like for you?
I spend a great deal of time in the studio recording new music--at least two to three days per week. On other days, I write music, rehearse, take guitar lessons, and create videos. I also love to cook, travel and hang out with my bevy of animals.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
I love my fans and always do my best to recognize them and their value. When I was in Colombia filming "Fruit Basket," many fans asked for photos with me or my autograph so I did so with a smile as long as I was not working.
What can we expect from Kelsie Kimberlin in the near future?
I have filmed five new videos and will start releasing them in January, and I am doing a live two-hour radio special that month, and I will release lots of new music. So stay tuned.