Katie K
Interview conducted on February 17, 2023
by Dan Locke
What is your upbringing?
I was born in Memphis TN, moved to Seattle, then Charlotte and then spent the majority of my childhood in Northwest Arkansas. I have loved comedy since the womb and lucky to have a mostly supportive family. I escaped the Midwest 11 years ago and moved out to LA to pursue my dreams.
How did you discover comedy?
I was putting on performances for my family when I could barely walk, and I would watch The Carol Burnett Show with my Nana and that’s when I first decided I needed to be on stage.
Describe your comedy.
I am an animated storyteller. I’m not very political or divisive. My material is self deprecating and comes from stories and personal experiences in my life.
What was your first performance like?
My first stand up performance was AWFUL. I went to an open mic in Hollywood in a strip mall and bombed. Complete silence. I was convinced I should never try it again but I went downstairs to a bar and ran into one of my comedy idols (Iliza Shlesinger) and she commented on my shirt when I walked in. It said “Harvard Law: Just Kidding” and we chatted for a moment because she had the same shirt at home. I took it as a sign from the universe to keep going and she was nice enough to connect me with one of her other friends in the industry.
9 years ago you worked with Kara Connolly. How was it working with her on your video Tits in a bow?
It was so fun. We used to make comedy videos under the name “Special K”. We lived together at the time and made the parody as part of a class assignment at USC. Those are some of our best memories and we are thinking of reviving our online presence together just for fun!
Was it meant to be a similar to Adam Samberg/Justin Timberlake Dick in a box?
Yes, It was meant to be a direct parody. We thought the ladies also needed an anthem!
Tell me about the creation of your animated lunacy?
My facial expressions are what a lot of people comment on. They are genuine and I never manufacture them. One of my best friends says I am a living cartoon character and she’s not wrong. I’ve always been this way and don’t plan on “toning it down” any time soon.
How was it to be on America Got Talent?
It was a very fun and wild experience! For the audition tape I made 40 batches of Jello and got a kiddie pool for my friend’s garage. Four months later, I was “America’s Little Sister” on stage in front of the AGT judges in Pasadena and got about 15 seconds of air time on Season 16. Flash forward to AGT Extreme filming in Atlanta later that year where I ended up getting flipped by Nikki Bella on TV. It was all surreal but I wouldn’t take any of it back. And all the judges were very nice for the record, including Simon!
Now hopefully someday very soon I will be back on your screens for stand up…
Your album comes out on Feb. 20th. Are you worried about how it may sell?
Of course! I’m so excited for it to finally be out in the world. I’ve worked really hard on it and I know it’s quality but it’s always nerve wracking to put something so personal out into the world and then hope it resonates with others.
The last list of top 20 best selling comedy album was back in 2014. The the list
included:
Adam Sandler- 2 albums on the list
Jeff Foxworthy- 4 albums on the list
Weird Al _ 4 albums on the list
Beavis and Butthead
Dana Cook- 2 albums on the list
The jerky Boys
Larry the Cable Guy- 3 albums of the list
Jerry Clower
Bill Engvall
The Blue Collar Comedy
Do you think it is time to updated that list?
YES. Of course a lot of those are classics and paved the way for people like me but I would love to see my name on a Top 20 list someday. Or at least add some hilarious ladies to it!
Do you think that a new list will include a more diversify list of comedians?
You knew exactly where my head was at! Yes, we are lucky to hear so many different voices now and those should continue to be amplified.
Is sycamore Valley going to be a ongoing series?
I don’t think so! It was a fun webseries to be a part of but I don’t think they’re continuing seasons.
Tell me about going to the Grammys in a $15 dress from a thrift store?
My best friend, singer-songwriter, Kara Connolly has been crushing her music career and invited me to be a plus one at a lovely Pre-Grammys party in Hollywood. I immediately looked at my closet and decided I didn’t own anything classy enough for the occasion and went to a local thrift store by my house to quickly find an option to wear that night. I found a floor length gold dress that fit the bill. When I checked the tag I thought it said $50 and it turned out to be $15 at the checkout. Major steal!
Digital vs. vinyl?
I have a soft spot for vinyl but digital all the way because it’s so easily accessible to people across the world and more affordable to purchase! Have to get this out to as many ears as possible and digital definitely makes that possible.
Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus or minus to an artist career?
Definitely hurt myself and a lot of artists I know to pause live performances and life experiences that help us write new material. It was almost like putting our careers on hold for a couple years. But we prevailed and myself and others found ways to be creative on other platforms and on social media.
The show Star Trek introduced people to the holodeck: an immersive, realistic 30 holographic projection of a complete environment that you could interact with. Today holograms are already being used in a variety of way, such as medical systems, education, art, security and defense.
Performers like Tupac, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, Ronnie James Dio, Marylin Monroe, and Whitney Houston have done it already. The band ABBA just announced that they will be doing a comeback together after nearly 40 years as holograms on their next tour. With ABBA it was with the help of George Lucas .
If the cost was down to the point you could do it also, would you be willing to do Holographic concerts in our living room?
YES that would be so so cool! I really hope that happens in my lifetime!
What is your happy place?
On stage! I love making people laugh and the exchange of energy between myself and the crowd. Everything else in the world just melts away.
TikTok is the big next thing now. Do you think TikTok will help artist career?
Yes, it’s already blown up so many of my comedian friends and now they can sell tickets across the country to their shows because they have TikTok for fans to find them! I am trying every day to get my TikTok following on that level as well. (@KatieKComedy for anyone interested in this shameless plug)
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Please follow me @KatieKComedy on all platforms for updates on when I’m coming to perform in your city! And please stream “I Am The Trash” on any platform and enjoy!
