Interview with Katie Belle
Katie Belle is a Country musician.
Why did you want to do music professionally?
I discovered the joy of music at a very young age. I was encouraged to always strive for excellence, to be genuine and true to myself... I tell people all the time "I didn't pick music, MUSIC picked me!" here I am today as passionate as ever.
What inspires your music?
Absolutely everything inspires my music, friendships, broken relationships, travel, stories, food, even the 4 walls of my bedroom and last but not least the many songs and musicians that have come before me.
What things get you in the mood to write songs, or do lyrics come spontaneously?
I purposefully focus on my songwriting and keep journals, of which I have many. Listening to music, spending time meditating and reflecting on moments in my life also help me with lyrical concepts.
How do you want your music to affect people?
I want people to feel renewed, contemplative and happy they chose to listen. I hope my listeners can relate to the main ideas of my songs, while also enjoying the moment.
Do you test out your songs before releasing them? How do you do this?
I write my songs in a genuine authentic way. I want to be true to my visions. I usually have one or two co-writers on my originals, and this is a great way to "self-test" concepts, lyrical and composition arrangements. I will send out my song to some music reviewers to get feedback which is extremely valuable when putting my marketing plan together.
How do you prepare for a gig?
I practice! I definitely try to visualize the audience I may have, I naturally am very excited and energized to be playing live. I spent a lot of time considering songs for my set lists and in general, I am mentally practicing every day for that next booking on my calendar.
What is your favorite song that you've written?
That is a very hard question to answer, I find myself passionately in love with my newest release, whatever that song is!
Has there been a reaction to one of your songs that you've been surprised by?
I have an older song titled "Georgia Moon" written when I was 14, people still love this song which is a sweet "first love" tune. I also get great reactions when I perform my originals acoustically as it gives them a whole different life on stage.
What are some ways that you promote yourself?
Anyway, I can!!! I really strive to be consistent and engaged with my listeners every single day on one of the social media platforms and some days on all of them!!
What would you say has been the biggest challenge of your career?
Gaining recognition. Building a listening audience is a journey, however, as I have matured so has everything to do with my music career including exposure to new listeners. Every day is a new day, every day brings my music to potential listeners!
What have been your favorite places to tour?
I reside in Atlanta, GA. I really enjoy touring the SE U.S., I also LOVE the greater LA area, greater NYC area and honestly am so blessed to travel anywhere and share my music.
Are there advantages to being an independent musician?
Yes, there are advantages; but just like running any business it is a juggling act. I am challenged to devote the proper amount of time to my artist vision-branding and songwriting. Being independent allows me the freedom to discover my passions and explore my style without restraints. I do seek advice from those who know more, and I continually consult with mentors and learn from my peers. The freedom to do all this has brought me thus far, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.