You all know how much I love music. So I sat down with Singer/ Songwriter Kelly St. Patrick to pick her brain about music, lyrics, love and the business. Thank you again, Kelly. Before you go don't forget to enter to win one of Kelly's CDS as well as a copy of Blissful Tragedy.
Interview with Kelly St. Patrick
AMY: When and how did you get started singing and performing?
KELLY: It’s a funny story, actually. I guess I was ridiculously shy as a child and didn’t talk much at all...My parents told me I got up in church one Sunday morning out of nowhere and walked to the front of the congregation and just started singing. (what a weirdo, right?!) Obviously everyone was a bit in shock. I have been singing since.
AMY: What famous musicians do you admire and why?
KELLY: I’ve always been really interested in lyrics and storytelling through song. I love Ani Difranco, Ray Lamontagne, Damien Rice, Fiona Apple for their storytelling abilities. It definitely has impacted the way I tell mine. I really dig Kasey Muscgraves right now...I think she’s a really talented writer.
AMY: What are your inspirations for writing music/lyrics?
KELLY: I tend to write about love...a lot. I just think it’s the most incredible force. It’s something that I’ve always been interested in and really inspired by.
AMY: If you could perform at any venue, where would it be?
KELLY: Oh I have such a list! lol I will say I look forward to playing stages like Radio City and Grand Ole Opry. I like intimate venues for my shows...I want to connect with everyone in the room. That’s a feeling that I can’t even describe...but when it happens, it’s incredible.
AMY: Do you play any instruments?
KELLY: I do. I taught myself guitar a few years ago before I made the move to NYC. I play some piano too. My guitar has been my best friend on this journey and I’m grateful for that gift.
AMY: How do you handle mistakes during performances?
KELLY: You keep going. The worst thing you can do as an artist is let a moment of error ruin your entire experience and destroy your momentum. This is easy for me to say now...but I had to learn this over the years. I’m such a control freak that if it wasn’t perfect, or I messed up, I would let it ruin my mood and that energy definitely translates to your audience. I’ve learned to relax a bit and be okay with error. Ice cream helps. :)
AMY: How often and how long do you practice?
KELLY: Not as often as I should! I really need to discipline myself time wise these days because my schedule can get so packed that it can take a back burner for longer than it should. It’s different if I’m rehearsing for a show or tour, of course. I’m actually scheduled to clock a few hours in after I finish with this interview.
AMY: Are any of your songs non-fiction ;)?
KELLY: All of my songs are non-fiction. It’s not easy to expose a lot of what I’m feeling or talk about things that didn’t work out. I’m much more at peace with it now than I was when I first started. I think I’m more comfortable with who I am and what I’ve lived. I have had boyfriends call me up and apologize after releasing an album. I’ve also had men want to date me hoping I would write a song about them...which I always find strange.
AMY: Have you been in any competitions?
KELLY: Hmmm….I don’t do competitions so much these days. I have been focusing on getting my music out there to as many people as I can reach. I have done the Grammy nominations with my first album, and the AMA’s with my second...I guess if you count those types of situations competitions, then yes. I’ll keep going until I win.
AMY: How do you balance music with everyday life?
KELLY: I was just talking to someone about this the other day. I feel like my brain is hardwired and always in storytelling / writing mode. It’s hard to explain. I feel like everything I experience goes through this filter where it immediately is processed like a song. So I am always working in a sense.
AMY: Records, cassettes, 8-tracks, Cd’s, or MP3 which do you prefer and why?
KELLY: My first choice would be vinyl!!! I love the sound of an old record playing. There is something so romantic about it that resonates with me.
AMY: Best moment in your career so far?
KELLY: It’s a toss up between walking the Red Carpet at the AMA’s and having a random guy approach me in a restaurant and recite a whole verse of my song. He told me he had gone through that same situation. That was an amazing feeling.
AMY:Tell us a fun fact about yourself
KELLY:I have my own roller skates and often wear them in my loft.
AMY: Any stories (creepy or otherwise) involving crazed fans?
KELLY: For the most part people are very kind and sweet. I have had a few instances where guys would be standing outside my door or sending some sorta creepy email. Other than that, ok!
AMY:Favorite pizza topping?
KELLY: Extra cheese!
AMY:Favorite book boyfriend (other than Van Sinclair ;))?
KELLY: Noah Calhoun, The Notebook. *Gush*
AMY:Favorite song of all time?
KELLY: I think I have to go with Freedom, George Michaels. Always gets me going.
AMY:Favorite line from one of your songs?
KELLY: John Mayer. You’re Body is a Wonderland. “I’ll never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it.”
AMY: Any advice for those just starting out?
KELLY: Have fun. Roll with the punches. This career is a roller coaster. There are highs and lows. Don’t get off. Stay on. It’s worth it.
AMY: Tell us about your current and future projects. What can we expect from Kelly St. Patrick?
KELLY: Well, I was planning on doing a few shows including one back in NEPA, my homeland and as far as Poland. (My music is currently featured in a few TV shows there). However, I just found out I may be moving to Nashville for a bit. I haven’t announced this yet. I still need to work a few details out. I’m excited though. I’m ready for the next chapter. I also am working on my first Christmas album and doing a few acting jobs for TV shows this fall. It’s bananas over here! I’ll keep everyone informed on my site. xx
AMY: When and how did you get started singing and performing?
KELLY: It’s a funny story, actually. I guess I was ridiculously shy as a child and didn’t talk much at all...My parents told me I got up in church one Sunday morning out of nowhere and walked to the front of the congregation and just started singing. (what a weirdo, right?!) Obviously everyone was a bit in shock. I have been singing since.
AMY: What famous musicians do you admire and why?
KELLY: I’ve always been really interested in lyrics and storytelling through song. I love Ani Difranco, Ray Lamontagne, Damien Rice, Fiona Apple for their storytelling abilities. It definitely has impacted the way I tell mine. I really dig Kasey Muscgraves right now...I think she’s a really talented writer.
AMY: What are your inspirations for writing music/lyrics?
KELLY: I tend to write about love...a lot. I just think it’s the most incredible force. It’s something that I’ve always been interested in and really inspired by.
AMY: If you could perform at any venue, where would it be?
KELLY: Oh I have such a list! lol I will say I look forward to playing stages like Radio City and Grand Ole Opry. I like intimate venues for my shows...I want to connect with everyone in the room. That’s a feeling that I can’t even describe...but when it happens, it’s incredible.
AMY: Do you play any instruments?
KELLY: I do. I taught myself guitar a few years ago before I made the move to NYC. I play some piano too. My guitar has been my best friend on this journey and I’m grateful for that gift.
AMY: How do you handle mistakes during performances?
KELLY: You keep going. The worst thing you can do as an artist is let a moment of error ruin your entire experience and destroy your momentum. This is easy for me to say now...but I had to learn this over the years. I’m such a control freak that if it wasn’t perfect, or I messed up, I would let it ruin my mood and that energy definitely translates to your audience. I’ve learned to relax a bit and be okay with error. Ice cream helps. :)
AMY: How often and how long do you practice?
KELLY: Not as often as I should! I really need to discipline myself time wise these days because my schedule can get so packed that it can take a back burner for longer than it should. It’s different if I’m rehearsing for a show or tour, of course. I’m actually scheduled to clock a few hours in after I finish with this interview.
AMY: Are any of your songs non-fiction ;)?
KELLY: All of my songs are non-fiction. It’s not easy to expose a lot of what I’m feeling or talk about things that didn’t work out. I’m much more at peace with it now than I was when I first started. I think I’m more comfortable with who I am and what I’ve lived. I have had boyfriends call me up and apologize after releasing an album. I’ve also had men want to date me hoping I would write a song about them...which I always find strange.
AMY: Have you been in any competitions?
KELLY: Hmmm….I don’t do competitions so much these days. I have been focusing on getting my music out there to as many people as I can reach. I have done the Grammy nominations with my first album, and the AMA’s with my second...I guess if you count those types of situations competitions, then yes. I’ll keep going until I win.
AMY: How do you balance music with everyday life?
KELLY: I was just talking to someone about this the other day. I feel like my brain is hardwired and always in storytelling / writing mode. It’s hard to explain. I feel like everything I experience goes through this filter where it immediately is processed like a song. So I am always working in a sense.
AMY: Records, cassettes, 8-tracks, Cd’s, or MP3 which do you prefer and why?
KELLY: My first choice would be vinyl!!! I love the sound of an old record playing. There is something so romantic about it that resonates with me.
AMY: Best moment in your career so far?
KELLY: It’s a toss up between walking the Red Carpet at the AMA’s and having a random guy approach me in a restaurant and recite a whole verse of my song. He told me he had gone through that same situation. That was an amazing feeling.
AMY:Tell us a fun fact about yourself
KELLY:I have my own roller skates and often wear them in my loft.
AMY: Any stories (creepy or otherwise) involving crazed fans?
KELLY: For the most part people are very kind and sweet. I have had a few instances where guys would be standing outside my door or sending some sorta creepy email. Other than that, ok!
AMY:Favorite pizza topping?
KELLY: Extra cheese!
AMY:Favorite book boyfriend (other than Van Sinclair ;))?
KELLY: Noah Calhoun, The Notebook. *Gush*
AMY:Favorite song of all time?
KELLY: I think I have to go with Freedom, George Michaels. Always gets me going.
AMY:Favorite line from one of your songs?
KELLY: John Mayer. You’re Body is a Wonderland. “I’ll never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it.”
AMY: Any advice for those just starting out?
KELLY: Have fun. Roll with the punches. This career is a roller coaster. There are highs and lows. Don’t get off. Stay on. It’s worth it.
AMY: Tell us about your current and future projects. What can we expect from Kelly St. Patrick?
KELLY: Well, I was planning on doing a few shows including one back in NEPA, my homeland and as far as Poland. (My music is currently featured in a few TV shows there). However, I just found out I may be moving to Nashville for a bit. I haven’t announced this yet. I still need to work a few details out. I’m excited though. I’m ready for the next chapter. I also am working on my first Christmas album and doing a few acting jobs for TV shows this fall. It’s bananas over here! I’ll keep everyone informed on my site. xx
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