Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristin Rebecca. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kristin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents have been integral to my pursuing and succeeding in my music career. They give me support and encouragement, have performed music with me, and help with aspects of the business and touring sides of the industry. They also taught me a good work ethic. I’m not sure I could cover everything they have done for me and taught me. I am deeply grateful for everything they do and have done throughout my life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Since I was a little kid I’ve been interested in the arts. While I dabbled in dance and theater in elementary school, my love for music really started in middle school. After getting a crush on the bass player in my church’s youth band, I decided I wanted to play guitar. I started guitar lessons, and not too long after that I started vocal training. I continued guitar and voice lessons through middle and high school. When I was 15, I walked into a music store and saw a lever harp for sale. I had never seen a lever harp before and walked over and plucked a string. The sound immediately made me want to take up the harp. Shortly after we got home my parents rented me a harp and found a teacher.

I got my first professionally paid performance as a harpist a year after taking up the harp. During high school I also continued to play in bands, including a family Celtic band and worship bands. My genre focuses up to that point had been jazz/folk guitar, Celtic harp and classical voice. However, I wanted to tell my own musical stories. I dabbled with writing songs in middle school and got back into it around the age of 17.

In college I decided to study music and major in voice. During my college years I branched out from private events and Celtic shows to playing my original folk music in public as a soloist. I started with local coffee houses and expanded into touring across the country playing arts centers, listening rooms and festivals. I had the privilege of opening for known folk musicians and being honored with awards and nominations. My career growth over the years and having opportunities to meet so many amazing people makes me excited and proud about the path I have chosen.

One element that sets my music apart is forging a new sound in a traditional genre. I have always loved the storytelling that is integral to folk music. I continue the tradition by writing stories based on my life and from my imagination, while modernizing the feel of the genre to fit a more contemporary audience. My musical training provides me with a distinctive voice for presenting my songs, and use of the harp as well as the guitar to accompany my singing gives a unique element to my music.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of creating is being able to connect with people. It’s an amazing feeling to see how my original songs, and the stories behind them, resonate with the audience. When I write my songs I always hope the stories I tell will speak to the listeners through the combination of lyrics, tunes, and instrumental arrangements. The most rewarding feeling to me as an artist is when people tell me how they relate to, or are touched by, one of my stories.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think pivoting is pretty common is my industry, especially as you learn more about what you need to do to grow as a professional musician. I started off by knowing I needed to just get out in the world and play music, so I started finding anywhere in my region where I could perform. Someone who had been in the industry for a while told me the next step was to book concert venues and start to tour, so I pivoted and found listening rooms around the country. I reached out to various intimate concert venues for solo performances, and sometimes teamed up with local musicians to play on a bill together. Other times I would perform as an opener for a more established act. I was also told I needed to get more PR, so I changed my approach to make additional time in my day for reaching out to various press outlets who covered musicians. This includes live streams, podcasts, radio shows, TV or written interviews. I also teamed up with people who worked in PR to help promote me on tour and promote my album “Tales, Trials, Truths.” I’m currently pivoting again to playing more showcases so I can make more connections and obtain representation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kristinrebecca.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrebeccamusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinrebeccamusic
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kristinrebecca1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kristinrebeccatv
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xjbXatz8YaOZjdKeNPt02 https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kristin-rebecca/494979924

Image Credits
Rob Meyer & Susan Meyer