We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kay Cote. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kay below.
Hi Kay, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
In July 2023, I launched Amplify EDM, a company dedicated to curating unforgettable events featuring local electronic music artists. Just a few months later, we introduced our first recurring event, Artist Party. This unique event was designed to bring DJs, creatives, and music lovers together to build community and share their stories. Through live podcast recordings and DJ sets, Artist Party provided a platform for artists to connect with fans in ways that were fresh, intimate, and impactful.
Now, we’ve taken that spirit of connection and reimagined it in a whole new way for 2024. Sessions—our latest offering—is an elevated experience that not only highlights emerging talent but also helps artists build their online presence through high-quality content creation. This is more than just an event; it’s a stepping stone for artists to grow and engage with their audience in deeper, more meaningful ways.
Imagine this: a live studio audience, state-of-the-art audio and visual recordings, and an immersive environment where you get to see your favorite electronic music artists in a whole new light. Each Sessions event features a fireside chat-style podcast interview with the artist, followed by a full hour-long DJ set that lets the music take center stage. It’s an insider’s look into both the story and the sound of some of the industry’s most promising rising stars.
For fans, we’ve created an atmosphere that blends the magic of a live show with the cozy intimacy of a living room concert—think Austin City Limits, but with an EDM twist. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering new talent, Sessions delivers an experience like no other.
Best of all, each episode of Sessions is featured on our podcast, AMPEDCast, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. So, even if you can’t attend in person, you can still dive into the stories and sounds that make this scene so electrifying.
This is an event for true lovers of Electronic Dance Music, storytelling, and connection. Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now and be a part of something truly special. Join us at Sessions, where music, conversation, and community come together in perfect harmony.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
In December 2022, I made a life-changing move from Fargo, North Dakota, to Austin, Texas. Music and events had always been part of my life, but not yet my career. What I did know was that I loved creating memorable experiences for people—curating events where individuals could connect and feel inspired had always come naturally to me. Little did I know this passion would evolve into something much bigger.
My professional journey has been diverse, always rooted in creativity and connection. I’ve spent most of my career in graphic design and visual communication, helping brands tell their stories visually and strategically. From owning an apparel company to running a graphic design studio, I’ve been dedicated to bringing ideas to life. My work in media, as a radio show producer, host, and podcaster, expanded my reach and allowed me to connect with audiences in a deeply personal way. In 2022, just a month after moving to Austin, I spoke at PodFest Expo in Orlando—a surreal experience sharing the stage with icons like William Hung and Wally Green, a moment that affirmed my journey of using my voice to foster connection.
What drives me is this very power of connection, whether it’s through podcasting, hosting events, or singing. Every project I’ve worked on—whether in fashion, business, or now music—has been focused on building meaningful communities. My latest venture, Amplify EDM, is a platform for local electronic music talent through events like Sessions. These gatherings not only showcase rising talent but also create intimate, immersive spaces where fans and artists can truly connect. The energy in those moments is what makes it all worthwhile.
At the heart of everything I do is the desire to inspire and uplift others through creativity and human connection. Whether through live events or my podcast AMPEDCast, I strive to create lasting experiences that make people feel seen, heard, and part of something bigger.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn—and one I am still working through—is overcoming self-limiting beliefs. For years, I lived in what felt like a purgatory of the mundane, waking up each day without a true sense of purpose or drive. I had convinced myself that “this was it” for me, that there wasn’t more to life than the path I was already on. Deep down, I knew something was missing, but I couldn’t see beyond the walls of my own limitations.
It wasn’t until I faced significant hardships, especially financial ones, that my perspective shifted. When you’re struggling just to survive, it sparks something inside of you—a raw determination that doesn’t leave room for doubt or limiting beliefs. When my survival was on the line, I realized I couldn’t afford to be held back by my own mind. I had to act. That urgency was the catalyst I needed to finally break free of the chains I had unknowingly placed on myself.
During the first six months of building Amplify EDM, my life was in constant flux. Everything around me felt uncertain, unstable. But I figured, since everything had already changed, why not embrace the chaos and go after what I truly wanted? I became daring, sharpened my skills, and stopped playing it safe. I realized that in the midst of survival, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. So, I threw myself in—100%—without looking back.
When I think about it, I needed to reach that breaking point, where the only option was to bet on myself and push past the boundaries I had set. That experience gave me a toolkit for the future. Now, whenever self-limiting beliefs try to creep in, I remind myself of that fire, that clarity I found when I had no choice but to believe in myself. I’ve learned that I was the one holding myself back, and self-limiting beliefs were the real obstacles all along.
For anyone who feels stuck, caught in the grip of those beliefs, ask yourself: “What am I truly afraid of?” “Are these fears real, or are they stories I’ve created in my mind?” And perhaps the most important question: “What’s the worst that could happen if I take this risk?” When you break it down, the worst-case scenario is rarely as terrifying as staying stuck where you are.
Unlearning these beliefs is a process, but it’s one that can lead you to places you never imagined. Step boldly into who you are meant to be and where you need to go, and watch as the world opens up for you.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The heart of Amplify EDM and projects like Sessions is rooted in a deeply personal mission: to give artists a platform not only to share their music but also to share their stories. I believe that authentic stories have the power to create lasting connections, the kind that can change lives. In a world that feels like it’s constantly rushing, I feel it’s more important than ever to carve out space for genuine community.
When I was younger, I never quite felt like I fit in. That feeling of being on the outside was something I carried with me for years, until I discovered International Music Camp. It was there that I finally felt like I belonged, surrounded by people who understood the same creative drive I had inside. That experience opened my eyes to the fact that so many artists, like myself, might feel that same sense of isolation. And that’s what pushed me to build a community where creatives could not only express themselves but celebrate their unique voices.
Everyone has a story, and those stories are powerful. They have the potential to ignite something in others, to inspire someone else to step into their own creative journey. If I can help even one person find the courage to pursue their passion, I’ll know I’m on the right path. If I can help many, then that’s what fulfillment looks like for me.
This mission is deeply personal. It’s not just about the music; it’s about creating a space where people can be seen, heard, and understood—where their stories and art are celebrated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amplifyedm.com
- Instagram: @amplifyedm @thekaycote
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplifyedm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylacote/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ampedcast
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kayla-cot
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/67DInYvw0xC6oMgntWgLkR?si=582c9a533d5744ec
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ampedcast/id1730253192
The Guest List Newsletter to get our podcast episodes & events in your inbox:
https://mailchi.mp/e9d8df805a53/amplifyedm
Image Credits
Chris Hillman.photography, Bomotion5