We recently connected with Kate Sykes and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kate thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was deciding to pursue music full time. Although I grew up playing music and writing songs, I spent a good ten years of my life earning money as a model and putting my music second. Through modeling I got to travel and see the world which is an experience I will always cherish but ,my heart was never a part of that industry. I decided to leave the fashion industry where I was comfortably making a regular income, and finally go pursue a college degree at Berklee College of Music. While simultaneously attending Berklee, I gave all my energy to developing my craft as a writer and artist from Los Angeles to Nashville, performing and writing with every bit of time I have. Being that this business is so unpredictable and unforgiving, it still feels like a risk not living under the comforts of a 9 to 5 but there is nothing I would change about it.

Kate, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I spent the majority of my formative years in New Orleans growing up amongst an extremely artistic and musical family. My granddaddy was a talented bluegrass banjo and guitar player, and was my main inspiration to pick up the guitar at the age of 9. I started writing songs shortly after that. Throughout my teens I had various bands and would play shows around town. I was ready to pursue music full time at the age of 14 but was then scouted to model.

It felt like an opportunity I couldn’t turn down and because of it I made some great money and was able to become financially independent and self-sufficient at a very young age. I was able to work for clients such as Vogue, Elle, Maxim, Roberto Cavalli, Loreal, and Garnier which were definitely big career milestones for me.

I eventually left the fashion industry and decided to pursue what I had always wanted to do which was write songs and play guitar. I have been doing so since the year 2020 and I have no plan of stopping. I graduated Suma Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music this past year and am now based in Nashville playing and writing music full-time.

My debut single ‘Rock n Roll Jesus’, that I co-produced with Grammy-winning guitar player, Kenny Greenberg was released this past July and I am currently back in the studio recording my second single which is set to be released later this year!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

To be honest, I don’t really write, sing, or sound like any of my peers. For a while I viewed this as a downfall because people didn’t really know what to do with me and I feel that they still don’t. However, after being in Nashville for 2 years, I have come to realize those same differences are what I feel makes my music cool and so unique to me and my brand. My mom has been the biggest encourager to keep my grit and stay authentic to who I am and I think being resilient to conforming to the norm or what the industry demands is unmatched.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist are those moments when you see that your work has gotten through to someone- whether it be your voice, your playing, or your songwriting. When a stranger feels inclined to reach out to you, follow you and/or support you and your craft in anyway it gives you a sense of pride and relief that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing and your vision is being seen and heard.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katesykesmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katesyykes/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6JJlzyZxChStUgoGUj3xjX?si=eS2pxzvXRgyfSZpeuU-uVA

Image Credits
Photos by Alex Berger