Kellie-Anne: Born in 2003, Kellie-Anne has several produced original songs which are all in the soul-pop genre.
Interview conducted on June 10, 2020
By Dan Locke
17-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter who dreams big. I’m inspired by people, emotions, and the world. Follow my journey!
What is your upbringing?
-I was born in Quebec City, however, at the age of 6, I moved to Dubai, where I lived for 8 years. I now live in NJ.
How did you discover music?
-I have always loved music, however, I began to learn the guitar and found a passion for performing at the age of 8.
How did you get your first guitar? And do you still have it?
-I got my first guitar for Christmas when I was 4. It was a very small orange guitar and I do not have it anymore 🙁
In 2016, you were on Voice Kids: Canada, tell me about that time? How did you start to write music?
-The Voice Kids was honestly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was also a time where I realized how much I really wanted to pursue my music career. I started writing music soon after and it became my absolute favorite thing to do.
How do you define your genre of music?
-I define my genre as soul-pop
What was your first performance at like?
-My first performance was a guitar recital. It was enjoyable; however, I was very nervous.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
-My first original song was called ‘Everybody’s rockin’, however, my first recorded and released song is called “Waves”. It is still on my Youtube channel!
How did you go about writing “Legacy”?
The inspiration for Legacy came from my family friend struggling with ALS. I really wanted to do something to help, anything that I possibly could. I wrote this song and thought it would be a great way to raise awareness on the disease and help John’s legacy live on.
Tell me about the remix of “If the World was Ending” with NuAJe?
-NuAJe really enjoyed my cover, therefore asked if he could remix it and I loved the idea.
That was the second collab with NuAje correct?
-Yes, it was! He is a great friend of mine.
How do you want to inspire the world?
-There are many things I wanna do with my life. I want to spread as much love and positivity as I can. As a musician, I want to raise awareness on issues that aren’t always openly discussed. I also want to keep learning and growing, and taking my fan-base and music with me wherever I go.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
-I personally adore streaming music on apps like Spotify
Digital vs. vinyl?
-Digital is more convenient for me.
What are your feelings about social uprising going on in the United States?
-I believe everything going on in the US was much needed. We cannot sit in silence when there is a huge amount of injustice in this country. We need to keep fighting for Black Lives until something changes.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
-I have always adored the song “someone you loved” by Lewis Capaldi. This song represents a very difficult time in my life. Singing it in the shower every night was my escape and I will never forget that.
What did you do during Mother’s Day?
-I spent my Mother’s Day with my family. We went on a beautiful hike!
Do you feel that the Me-Too Movement has been helping female performers?
-I definitely think so. Many female performers have to live in fear and are afraid of speaking up. This movement has helped so many girls and performers alike.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
-I believe the COVID-19 will teach many musicians and producers to work together virtually. Music is a great thing to do when at home, however, it is always enjoyable to co-write and work with other people.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
-I have done a lot of different things including songwriting, music production, working out, reading, playing volleyball, cooking, singing, spending time with my family and doing online school
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
-I have rediscovered my love for reading and journalism as well as working out.
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I see you are doing Instagram Live. How is that going?
-I have done 2 Instagram lives so far and have really enjoyed them. I think it is a great way to have a concert vibe in an at-home setting.
How is school coming along?
-I have recently completed school. It took a bit of time to adjust to online school, however, once I got the hang of it, I was able to continue my schooling process as usual.
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
-I believe that live concerts are a very enjoyable and easier way to make a living.
First, it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally, Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until the fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
-I am very afraid of this happening, however, I believe that if we work together as a nation, we will be able to fight off the virus before then.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it maybe the end of music fest for the next couple of years?
-I really hope not. I am taking it day by day and hoping for the best.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
-I have never thought about those but sounds like a cool idea!
At the end of 2019, you said something about a Big Project was coming in 2020. What was that project, if you can talk about it?
-I was mainly speaking of my Legacy project and the music video etc. I will have more original music coming out soon too so stay tuned!
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
-I would like to continue writing music, performing and growing as an artist! I hope to travel and go to college too!
Anything you would like to say in closing?
-Thank you so much for this interview opportunity! I hope everyone is staying safe during these times
