"Katlyn Conroy"
Interview
With a beautiful, emotional voice and unique songs; Katlyn Conroy is a singer/songwriter from Kansas.
Indie/Acoustic/Folk
Date Published: 6/11/2008
Edited: unedited
Interviewed By: Daryl Green
NSM
Tell the readers more about yourself. Are you in school, what do you do for a living, your age, what do you do for fun outside of music etc.?
Katlyn- I'm Katlyn Rose Conroy born October 7th, 1988 (making me 19) in Lawrence, Kansas. I'm currently not attending college so that I can focus all of my attention on writing. Right now, after various hit and miss jobs, I comfortably work a part time job at a Latin restaurant in Downtown Lawrence called La Parilla. Outside of music, I enjoy writing poetry, spending time with my niece and nephew, riding my bike, watching movies and although I don't have cable or a TV, I watch a few select TV shows through the Internet.
NSM
Have you had any professional vocal training?
Katlyn- I started singing in choir when I was in 2nd grade and had that teacher until 9th, so I guess you could say she helped shape my voice and taught me a lot about music in general.
NSM
When you first started did songwriting come naturally to you?
Katlyn- I started singing when I was 5, and really only started writing songs when I was about 13. I think until then, my goal was to be more of an opera singer than anything else. It's only when I started listening to bands like “Radiohead” and “Bright Eyes” in 7th grade that I wanted to be in more of a band setting.
NSM
May I ask why you prefer a band setting over being an opera singer?
Katlyn- Well, at first, I guess I felt like music was just a way for me to use my voice-to get a chance to sing all the time. After hearing some bands and attempting to write lyrics and actual song structure, I found that I love being involved in everything musically, not just vocals. That's why I prefer a band setting. It's so much creativity flowing.
NSM
Where does the inspiration for your songs come from?
Katlyn- Mostly personal experiences. A lot of your typical heart breaks, as well as just the strong feeling of desperation you go through when you feel alone. I try very hard to explain those kinds of situations in the least cheesiest way possible.
NSM
I read in your blog that you are also in a band, “Another Holiday.” How long have you been with them?
Katlyn- Well, I started in a band called “The Ultraviolets” in high school, and right as I quit that band, I saw a sign in a local coffee shop about a band looking for a singer. They had influences like “The Decemberists” and Rilo Kiley, so I was automatically interested. I went into a rather tough auditioning process, but after a few weeks, made it in. It has been almost 2 years with them.
NSM
Can you elaborate on your audition for "Another Holiday?"
Katlyn- I basically got an address, went to some guys basement and met the band. They gave me some sheet music, asked me to play along with them and try to get lyrics and a melody. We did this to a few songs, and then they had me play some of my original songs. After about 3 hours, I left and they told me they'd call. They did call a few days later and then I went in and did it all over again before they finally decided they wanted me as their vocalist/pianist.
NSM
Do you plan on doing solo music as well as being a part of this band?
Katlyn- This entire solo project began as more of a money maker. The band (Another Holiday) is planning on touring full time next summer and we have all been really serious about saving money. But a large part of it as well is my need to be balanced musically. It has been this way since I was in “The Ultraviolets.” I just feel like, unless I have 100% creative freedom in a band (which is nearly impossible to have), I have to have a separate project that is all on my own terms. I'm extremely lucky to have my boyfriend and band mate, Joshua Landau help me in my indulgence. This (my solo project) has really become more of a playground that I can go to and just create.
NSM
I see that you plan on having your first album released soon. Tell us about your journey through this process.
Katlyn- It's really nice to take all of these solo songs I have written in the past 4 years and finally go to work on them in a recording atmosphere. I have actually been recording in an airplane hanger, which seems to work very well for everything but vocals. I don't mind the somewhat lo quality. I realize that as much as I want to, my money needs to go towards “Another Holiday” and not towards something like this, at least not right now. I mean, we (Another Holiday) are trying to work on an album, too, at Blacklodge Studios in Eudora. Hopefully, soon enough, I can find a way to support both my band career as well as my solo career.
NSM
Describe your favorite moments on your new album?
Katlyn- As of right now, I'd have to say my favorite moment is on a song called "Countryside". While we were recording, we had a door open and as Josh and I practiced, we could hear all of these different birds outside singing along. So we set up a mic outside and captured all of these birds singing along. Now, at the very beginning of "Countryside" you can hear these birds chirping like crazy.
NSM
Where, musically, do you hope to see yourself in 5 years?
Katlyn- Well, my ideal situation would be to be signed (with “Another Holiday” as well as my solo project) and have the support to be able to focus just on my music all of the time. There would be nothing better then that.
NSM
What are your family’s thoughts on your music?
Katlyn- My family has been supportive since I can remember. My father goes to practically every show I have. My past birthday presents have consisted of various mics, vocal synthesizers, cables and a keyboard.
NSM
What do you think you would be doing if you didn't have this support?
Katlyn- I'd be doing the same thing, it would just be a lot harder! This connection I have with music is so much stronger then any other connection I have with anything. If I couldn't constantly make and perform it, I think it would really wear me down.
NSM
If you could name one aspect of your music career that you need to work on, what would it be?
Katlyn- I still get very nervous on stage. The good thing is, it doesn't effect how I sing or play, mostly just how I communicate with the audience. I tend to talk too fast or too quiet, and I'd really love to work on that.
NSM
When was your first gig and what was it like for you?
Katlyn- My first gig in a band setting:
I played in the front yard of a friend’s house in 8th grade with my first band, “The Ultraviolets” (then called Air Traffic). There were over a hundred kids and it was actually very, very fun!
My first solo gig:
Earlier this year, at a coffee shop.
What can I say, I was sweating, shaking, and even threw up afterwards. I sometimes let my nerves get the best of me, and this was one of those times. Good news, it hasn't happened since then!
NSM
Is there anything you would like to say to the fans reading this interview?
Katlyn- I just want to create something beautiful and meaningful.
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