As someone who also loves sad girl pop songs, I am blown away by your new single “dancing in the shadows”!! Can you tell us more about the story which inspired you to write this new track?
Katie J: Thank you so much, I'm so happy you liked the song! I wrote this last fall and it kind of just poured out of me. I was getting ready to go into the studio and record some new tracks, and while I sat at my piano trying to decide which songs to bring in 'dancing in the shadows' came out of me - and I was like yup, this is it. It's based on a breakup I was healing from in the summer of last year. It was one of those situations where I knew I was ready to move on from the relationship but for some reason the grief of it all was still sticking with me. It's just crazy how someone can be a huge part of your life for years and then suddenly vanish as if you never knew each other at all.
When did you first start performing and writing your own music?
Katie J: I first began performing through musical theatre and singing the National Anthem around my hometown area when I was 9 years old. Writing came to me in middle school and grew into a huge part of my life in high school and college. It was always my outlet to cope with my emotions (heartbreak especially lol). However, I didn't start performing my original music until last year when I moved to Nashville!
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What do you think is the hardest part of being a songwriter? Do you have any tips or rituals that help you with the process?
Katie J: I think the hardest part is trying to stay present and not force things out of you when you're just not feeling inspired. Writing comes from the soul and our hearts, and it's important to me that I don't try to force myself to write something just for the sake of writing! I want to make sure it's coming from the most authentic place, because that's when I always create the best work. A tip I suggest is to just really get in touch with yourself and how you're feeling before you sit down to write. I will pull out my phone and start writing lyrics while I'm on walks, sitting at the park, in my car etc. Learning about myself first through spending time alone, meditating, journaling, is really how I've cultivated the creative spark within me.
Nashville is one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited, I’m so jealous you moved there in the last few years! What has been your favorite part about living in the city? And any spots you recommend visiting when I go back next?
Katie J: Nashville is such an amazing city! There's so many places to visit. I definitely recommend spending some time in Centennial Park - people watching and just hanging on a blanket in the sun are my favorite things to do there! East Nashville also has some awesome spots - Rosemary and Beauty Queen is a chill bar that I love. I'm from upstate New York so Italian food is very important to me (it was difficult to find at first in Nashville) BUT I love this little spot called Caffe Nonna in Sylvan Park. Definitely check it out!!!
If you could collaborate with another artist on a record, who would you pick and why?
Katie J: This is such a fun question! I absolutely love Noah Cyrus. Her lyrics and musical influences have inspired me so much while I've been cultivating my sound. I relate so deeply to the emotion she shows in each of her songs. It would be a dream to collaborate with her some day!
After hearing this new song and it being the first of a four-song project, I’m so excited to hear the others! Can you give any hints of what we can expect from those other releases?
Katie J: Thank you, I'm so excited to share the rest as well! Each track is piano based, and tells the story of an experience with love that I've had to process and move through. One song is definitely a wish for the future, while the rest tell stories of my past. I am hoping these songs reach other people like me who have had to find peace in heartbreak.
Interviewed By Sarah Curry
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