Conversations with Kaylin Kole

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylin Kole. 

Hi Kaylin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew I always wanted to be a performer. Music came to me very naturally, as I was exposed to many different genres at such a young age. It all started with my extroverted personality. Even in my early years of growing up, my parents would have to glue me to their sides because most often than not I would strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. Well, as much of a conversation a two-year-old could make. I was born when my dad was finishing up college. On the weekends, he would DJ weddings and other events. Over time he collected hundreds of CDs and mixtapes for specific jobs. He would take his favorite and play them around the house and in the car. By the age of three, I knew lyrics to songs by Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Black Eyed Peas, and basically anyone that was popular in the early 2000’s era. I quickly became obsessed with what I now know are called melodies. I loved how words could sound so beautiful with music behind them. 

My parents moved from the city I was born closer to my father’s parents. So close that we actually lived with them for a year. During this time, my uncle was also living with my grandparents. He was college-age and was in a couple of bands. He played the drums and the guitar and also sang. I was mesmerized by the way he sang and strummed his guitar, making the two sounds blend perfectly, making something in my soul stir. I remember I was caught (there’s photo evidence) “playing” his drums in the family room upstairs. Guess the drums really aren’t the best instrument to quietly practice. 

After we moved out of my grandparents’ house, I continued to sing along to soundtracks from the “Barbie” movies and “High School Musical”, always singing Troy Bolton’s parts of course. When I was in the fourth grade I started choir class and continued on until senior year of high school. I partook in ‘Solo and Ensemble’ every year and started guitar lessons my freshman year. Throughout middle school and high school, I was involved in community theater, doing a total of nine productions. Acting is another passion of mine because it challenges me to be in a completely different headspace for about two hours at a time, creating a whole different world for every production. On top of theater, I was also in band playing the flute. Basically, anything music-related I wanted to be a part of. 

Sophomore year of high school I was offered a spot in a country cover band called “Shotgun Jane”. I traveled every Friday and Saturday night to different parts of Wisconsin. Since I wasn’t 18, my parents would accompany me every weekend. I have so much gratitude and respect for my parents because they believed in me enough to put up with traveling for a little over a year. On my free nights, I would enter karaoke competitions and talent shows and get feedback from all different kinds of people. Later on, I was offered another spot in a different band called “Spitfire Rodeo”. I traveled with them almost every weekend, and booking my solo gigs on my free weekends. The experience I had with these two bands molded me into the performer I am now. I was never afraid to try something new on stage because most of the time the audience wouldn’t remember it the next day. 

Senior year of high school I decided to graduate a semester early. I enjoyed my high school years and would describe myself as “well known”, since I knew almost everyone in our 800-student body, however, I found myself only having a couple of close friends. Every Friday I would miss out on social outings, but I would be out singing until 2 am. I honestly believe that my drive-in high school got me where I am today, which is Nashville. Since I graduated early, I was able to use that extra time to save enough money from my day job, performances, karaoke competitions, and talent shows to make the move to Nashville sooner than later. I moved when I was 18 years old. 600 miles from everyone I knew. Was it scary? Yes. Did I know that I could handle it? Yes. 

I’ve been here for a little over two years now, and it has been a journey. I’ve met people from all walks of life, and have had some really good people come into my life. I thank God for the life I am able to live at 20 years old. He brought me down here and has always provided for me. I lived rent-free for a little over a year, which helped me tremendously. After that, I met some long distant relatives and was able to move in with them for a while, until I was comfortable enough to find my own place. God has made it possible to live and flourish down here, meet like-minded people, and continue to work on my music and faith. I serve weekly at a church called “Connect Church” where I help lead worship team. Through this experience, I was asked to sing backup to Lauren Daigle at the 2021 Dove Music Awards. It was a full-circle moment for me because at age 14 I was singing her music in my church back home. Opportunities similar to that one keep popping up, and I know it’s because God is working. 

As for now, I am continuing to serve at my church as well as fund and manage my music. With my unique living arrangements I experienced, I was able to use savings for upcoming projects that will be released. I am looking forward to the new year because I have some things in the works that will be coming out. December 31st was when my last single of the year called “Love Me That Way” dropped. The song has been my most personal yet, creating an inspired story by past experiences. The new year will bring a new sound with it as well, and I am excited for my audience to see the growth in my music. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road? 

I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I moved down to Nashville. I am naturally extroverted so meeting people was never an issue for me, however meeting the right people is where I found it challenging. Getting plugged into the community was pretty easy since there were many areas I was interested spending my time in. I would go out almost every night to writer’s rounds and start getting to know people and schedule cowrites. Throughout time, I was getting asked to sing at the rounds. I also got another opportunity to be a part of Musicians On Call which is a volunteer-based program to sing songs to patients at nearby hospitals. Another great way to get plugged in was to find a church. I went to seven different churches until I found one that I am at now. Over time, I had a list of contacts that I accumulated. Working with other musicians is always a blast. It’s basically trial and error once you begin, but after a while, you can tell if you work with certain people better. I have gotten more confident in my work and what I want along with who I want to work with. I voice my opinion more than I have in the past because I have a couple of projects and experiences under my belt that have made me more confident with decisions pertaining to my music.

Currently, I am trying to work really hard to fund my music 100% myself by simply prioritizing it. My team that I work with right now is great and there are some people from past projects that will forever be people that I reach out to. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am mainly a performer/singer; however, I have picked up guitar and piano along the way. Out of those two instruments, I write better on piano but love the way the guitar sounds. I have played shows in the past where I accompany myself on guitar and piano, switching about every hour or so, but I love being able to focus on the lyrics and melody and connecting with the audience with body movement and eye contact. I love moving around and dancing on stage because it makes shows so much more engaging for everyone involved and watching. Since about the age of 14, I have been approached from people in the audience that are surprised by my mature tone in my voice despite my age. I would describe my voice as ‘full, warm, deep, and soulful’. I continue to work on my tone and technique in voice lessons, but I am proud of maintaining the strength in my voice and the unique belt I was born with. People have told me that I have a similar tone like Lauren Daigle (Christian vocalist) and Adele (Pop artist). I am very pleased to remind people of two of my favorite female singers. 

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Many people don’t know that I am semi-fluent in Spanish. I started learning the language in seventh grade and continued with it until the end of high school. I have used the language a lot more moving to Nashville because I have made friends at my workplace and at church that speak Spanish as well, so I am able to practice more often. I love learning new things, especially languages because that’s a great way for people to connect. I have made many friends whose main language is Spanish and they continue to help me improve, which I’m very thankful for. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylinkole/channel/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaylinKoleMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KaylinKole
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/51YNw4uicHrdLLpnlv3EFb?si=PgizHZZZTteZYA9cw0RTyQ  |  Love Me That Way (New Single)

Image Credits
Anna Meyers Photography
Shuttershockwi
Shutter Shoots Photography
Photos by TR Anderson