Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Victorya Kindla. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Victorya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I would say it wasn’t until my later 20s that I realized I COULD pursue a creative/artistic path professionally. Growing up, I always loved being on stage. I started performing as vocalist when I was nine years old. I’ll never forget my first gig. It was downtown San Antonio, at the famous Market Square. I sang Selena, and a couple of country songs. As much as I loved it, I didn’t have the perspective that maybe, one day, I could do this for a living. In part, that was because my mother was very serious about my siblings and I pursuing higher education, and to be sure we followed a career path that would be stable, and sustainable, for us. I perceived that as “music is just for fun, not to be pursued as a life-long career”. I continued to sing on different stages around South Texas, and even traveled to Las Vegas to perform for the Tejano Music Awards, but even then, it was just for fun. Eventually, I stopped performing, altogether. I had put a lot of pressure on myself, which created a looooot of anxiety, so I stopped. It wasn’t until I was living in Northern California, attending a ministry school, at the age 23 when I realized my dreams of being a performing artist were still with me, and I could still do that. Fast forward a few years, and I’m attending an acting conservatory, where in three years, I received a LOT of healing & breakthrough in my performance, and creativity. I moved back to San Antonio when I was twenty-eight years old, and started singing, again. An old friend of mine asked if I’d be down to sing back-up vocals with his cover band. I was THRILLED. I’d always wanted to sing in a cover band, it sounded like so much fun. And it was! I started performing with the cover band he was a part of (that’s also how I met my husband – hollaaaaa!), and then got picked up by another cover band. It was then that I realized I could do this professionally. The pay + consistency of every gig was enough to sustain a living, and that was different. It was awesome! It was also challenging, but overall, totally worth it. Like i said, I never thought I could make a living doing what I love, but I am! And it’s one of the coolest things, ever.
Victorya, 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?
Y’all wanna know about me? Little, ole ME?! Hahaha, well for starters, I was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. I’ve lived here most of my life, aside from the six years that I lived in Northern California for school. I am an extremely proud Chicana, and for those who may not know what that is, it’s a woman who is American/born in America, of Mexican origin or descent. I’m the oldest of four, and my creative endeavors began at the age of 9! I mean, I was singing and dancing around the house, reciting made-up monologues long before then, but I didn’t start performing publicly until the age of 9. I got into this industry by joining a local non-profit organization “Network for Young Artists” or NYA, that allowed people from the ages 4-20 to take the stage! NYA really shaped me as a kiddo, as I performed in their group from the age of 9 to about 16. I was in one musical my senior year in high school, and aside from that, I didn’t really start performing again until the age of 25, when I had started at an acting conservatory. Throughout my time at conservatory, I really started to learn how to dive into my craft, as a performer. Obviously, the conservatory focused on acting, so we didn’t do a whole lot of singing performances, but the breakthrough I received in my acting classes was a catalyst for my performance skills, and even my confidence in performing. Fast forward to the end of my time at conservatory, and I was on my way back home, where I had no clue of what was about to unfold. I was 28, and joined a friend’s cover band. From there, I started to frequent open mics around town, and one night, another band asked me to come out to one of their gigs, and sing a few songs. I ended up being with that cover band for three years. Then, in 2023, I decided it was time to start my OWN cover band. Lo and behold, “Jackie Not Marilyn” was born.
Jackie Not Marilyn consists of five musicians. I (Tory) am the frontwoman & lead vocalist, my husband, Joshua is the lead guitarist, and does vocals as well, then we’ve got our drummer, Steven, our bassist Adam (who also does vocals, which by the way, thank God we have two other voices on these gigs, or my voice would be FRIED), and Jordan, our keyboard player & trombonist. Our band is a really fun, high-energy group of performers. Once we hit the stage, there ain’t no stoppin’ us. Except for breaks. Everyone needs their breaks – remember y’all, rest is important ;) As our band began to grow, I realized how important it was for us to have connection & friendship offstage. I wanted everyone to want to hangout outside of gigs and rehearsals (without forcing it, of course), and I am very blessed because the guys wanted the same. We all believe in cultivating a family within in our band, outside of the performances. And guess what?! What’s really cool about that is that it translates on the stage! We’ve received so many comments about how it looks like we’re having so much fun, when we’re up there. And it’s because we really are! We find it a joy to be around each other, and do what we all love to do. It really is a gift.
As far as services/creative works we provide, we bring the party, baby. Really though, we tend to bring the joy, the fun & we even have an element of surprise. I think what sets us apart from others is that we’re just regular-degular human beings, just trying to make it in this industry, while still juggling real life. Like I said in a previous question, it isn’t easy. It can be very challenging, sometimes, but it’s absolutely worth it. I think another thing that sets us apart from others, is that we are all excellent in our craft, and we all only want to get better. We have our goals and dreams, and over the past almost 2 years, we’ve seen our progress, but we also know that we have so much further to go. We know that in this industry (and in life, in general), there’s always room to learn. There’s always room to grow. We’ll never hit a ceiling because there’s always something to learn. Also, we realize that every one of us bring something very different to the table. Tory can’t bring what Adam brings to the table because Tory isn’t Adam. Same thing with other musicians and bands here in town, and everywhere else. Jackie Not Marilyn can’t bring what Misha Allyse’s band brings because we’re not Misha, and her musicians. Every person, every group brings something very unique & special to the stage. We would be robbing ourselves, our sound, our craft & identity if we were caught up trying to be someone or something we’re not.
I’m most proud of the consistency and commitment that my band has. Plain and simple, we keep showing up for each other, and for our people. We can see our potential, and we’re all committed to continuing to grow in this industry. We love what we do, and we love each other. There really isn’t much more I can ask for. Ya know?
The main things I want to our potential fans & followers to know about Jackie Not Marilyn is that we’re all just human! We are just your regular, down-to-earth guys & gal, so even though we may be putting on a show, we’re still walking through life with the rest of y’all. We’ve gone through some really tough stuff, and have had wonderful things happen, but in no matter what season we’re in, we’re super thankful to be able to do what we do. We are all way more connected than we even realize, and we need each other. So just know, we’re doing our best, and if we can bring the fun, and joy in a dark, tough time, for even just a couple of hours, then we’re definitely living out our purpose.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
So for this question, I’m kind of looking at it/answering it from an artist to artist perspective. If that makes sense? But I do think it can apply to everyone.
In my view, the best thing we can do to support artists & creatives is to be real with one another. Figure out who your people are – those you can trust, be honest with, share your vulnerable moments with – and keep them close. Foster the connections found within community because it’s so so so very important to have your people around you. There’s an African proverb that states “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” And I believe that, wholeheartedly. We NEED each other, y’all. So if you haven’t already, find your circle of creatives, of artists, of people. And for the love of God, PLEASE stop comparing yourself to others. I know it’s so easy to do, shoot, I still do it too, sometimes, but if you can remember in the moment, tell yourself to stop. Comparison is the thief of joy, and I’d dare say it’s just a thief, in general. We don’t have to sit here, and hate on each other, or tear each other down just because we want to “make it”, or because it makes us feel better about our gifts and talents. I mean, I know we all have probably heard it time and time again, since we were young, but you’re not doing yourself, or your peers any favors by tearing each other down. It’s just a waste of time, energy, and I do think it withers away at one’s soul.
Remember, support each other. We’re all out here, just trying to make it! The least we can do is support, and be kind to one another.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
As far as social media goes, when Jackie Not Marilyn first started gigging, we had business cards printed. Our business card included our social media handles, email, website, and contact number, along with a QR code. The QR code on the business card would take you to a linktree that had all of the information to stay connected with the band. We still have those business cards on hand – always keep them on you because people want to stay connected!!! – and we also have a large sign that we put up at every gig that has that same QR code. What’s cool about having the QR code sign accessible at gigs is that we’ve made it to where people can scroll through our songlist, and request songs from the comfort of their own seat. We also have virtual tipping via Cash App & Venmo on the QR code, too. It really has helped grow our following, and the amount of tip money we walk away with each gig! And of course, announcing the QR code. People may see it, and be curious about it, but it always helps to talk about it, so your audience can know what it is. I always say something along the lines of “And right here in front of the stage, we have this wonderful QR code! You can scan that from the comfort of your own seat, and request songs, follow us on social media, & if you’re feeling generous, we also have tipping via Cash App & Venmo on there!”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jackienotmarilyn.com
- Instagram: @jackienotmarilyn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackienotmarilyn/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jackienotmarilyntx
Image Credits
Jack Wittenberg