Richmond Buzz Interview Kari is interviewed by Scott of The Richmond Buzz. (The Richmond Buzz) So when did you decide music was going to be a significant part of your life? (Kari) I've always loved music, but it became a career for me about a year and a half ago. (The Richmond Buzz) How old were you when you picked up your first instrument? (Kari) My mom tells me I was three when I first started playing the piano. (laughs) I don't remember, but that's what she tells me. (The Richmond Buzz) Growing up, who were your musical influences? Were you inspired by anyone in your personal life or someone perhaps famous that may have inspired you to get into music? (Kari) Because of my parents' strict religious beliefs, I was only allowed to listen to gospel music and classical music growing up. I first listened to a country song when I was 14. Since my sister had asked me to sing in her wedding, I was allowed to learn a George Strait song. I've been a country music fan and especially a George Strait fan to this day. (The Richmond Buzz) For someone who has never been to one of your shows, what can they expect from you? (Kari) They can expect a lot of variety, because I both play the guitar and the piano. And although I do a lot of original songs, I also sing covers, ranging from Sam Cooke, Van Morrison, Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, the Eagles - it depends on what people want to hear. (The Richmond Buzz) Describe what the life of a musician is like. What are the highs and what are the lows? (Kari) The biggest high is being able to do what I love to do and am passionate about. Also, I love being able to express myself, and reach audiences in a way that will make them feel good. As far as the lows, it's difficult to make it financially as a full-time musician, and especially as a solo acoustic musician. The other lows are typical 'starving artist' points, like not having insurance, not having steady income, etc. It's a difficult balance sometimes - you love it and you want to enjoy it, but you still have to pay your bills. (The Richmond Buzz) What other talents do you have besides singing? (Kari) I sing and play the piano and guitar, as well as the clarinet and a little fiddle. Outside of music, I love riding horses, and also writing. I do a little bit of everything. (laughs) (The Richmond Buzz) What's the best form of flattery a fan can say or do toward a musician? (Kari) The first thing I think of is tears. When I perform a song that is so touching that it brings tears to someone's eyes, that is a big deal to me. It's really special when kids come up and talk to me about what I'm doing. I love kids, and I hope that I can influence them to become involved in music while they're young and it's easier to learn. I really like when people realize that I'm on their level. Just because I'm in front of the room, or on a stage does not make me any better than they are, so I appreciate it when someone approaches me and talks to me as a peer. And I love it when people give me feedback about specific songs. It lets me know that they were really listening, and that¡¦s always appreciated. (The Richmond Buzz) When it comes to writing songs, tell me a little bit about your creative process. (Kari) Unlike most writers, I write the lyrics and the melody to a new song at the same time, rather than one after the other. Usually, I'll get an idea and it will be a lyric along with the melody line and I'll just create it from there. Obviously, any writer is going to draw on their personal life and experiences for writing. For someone who wants to be a writer, the main thing is to write, write, write. For this last record, my producer asked for at least 40 songs from which to pick 10. Major label artists listen to thousands of songs before deciding the 10 to 12 songs that they'll use. (The Richmond Buzz) Have you ever collaborated with anybody in previous songs? (Kari) I have not. It's something that I'm interested in doing, and one of major reasons I've moved to Nashville - there are so many talented writers there. (The Richmond Buzz) How many gigs a week do you usually perform? (Kari) On average, 3 or 4 gigs a week. And it's just me performing solo, so the ol' voice gets tired sometimes. (laughs) Now that I'm in Nashville, it will take me more time to build up my show schedule again, but I'm still coming back to Richmond once a month to do a week or so of shows. It's harder to schedule shows in Nashville, and you don't make nearly as much money! (The Richmond Buzz) What is the best advice someone has given you that you could share in regards in pursuit of a successful music career? (Kari) One of my friends, mentors, and the producer of my last CD is Matt Roberts. He is now a local entertainment attorney, but he has a ton of experience and education in the music business, as a performer, a singer / songwriter, and a producer. One of the best pieces of advice that he gave me was that sometimes as an artist, you might be forced into a "gray area" where you're doing something that you're not quite sure about. He advised me that when this happens, don't forget "where you put your soul." Sometimes you have to set aside your current views long enough to try to figure something out, and that's okay. But at the end of the day, you need to remember what is important, so you don't lose who you really are. (The Richmond Buzz) Now you've worked with other bands, such as southern rock groups like Sin City Revival, what is your take on being a solo artist vs. being in a group? (Kari) As a solo artist, you don't have to depend on anyone else, for example - scheduling practices or wondering if someone's going to show up for a gig. But that can be a con as well, because you're responsible for everything. If you make a mistake, there's no one there to cover you. In a band, you're on stage with a team and it's fun to collaborate, whereas a solo artist can interact only with the crowd, which stinks if there's not much of an audience, or they are not paying much attention. Solo artists do sometimes make more money though, whereas bands split it among usually 4 or 5 players. That's one reason I started performing solo, rather than as a duo or trio. (The Richmond Buzz) How would you classify the genre of music that you write? (Kari) My original music is classified as alternative country or Americana. I love a variety of instruments such as steel guitar, fiddle, banjo, and harmonica. But I wouldn't call my music straight-up country. The writing is a little deeper than your typical country song, and I like to get a little more creative than the simplicity of many country songs you hear - they get a little boring. (laughs) (The Richmond Buzz) Sure. (laughs) Who would you say are some artists you look up to, whether it's country or something else? (Kari) I'm a big Sheryl Crow fan. I think she has a lot of strength on and off stage. I appreciate that she writes her music and that she plays an instrument. Not that there's anything wrong with someone who only sings, but it's much more of an experience for me as a listener when someone sings, plays, and writes their music. Same thing with Sarah McLachlan - she's got an amazing voice, she writes, and she plays the piano and the guitar. She's got a huge, huge amount of talent. Norah Jones - I love her husky voice, her mellow writing style, and her simple piano licks. Gavin McGraw has an amazing soulful voice, writes great songs, and plays the piano. He has great charisma, but still is a very real person and his songs - you know, you feel them. (The Richmond Buzz) For sure. Now, you've opened up for some national acts like Sugar Ray, Huey Lewis and The News, and Switchfoot. What were those experiences like? (Kari) Singing in front of thousands of people was different than anything I'd ever experienced. I've sang the National Anthem for 3 Richmond Braves games, for an Ultimate Fighting event at the Richmond Colieum, and opening for several major label artists. My first big experience was singing the National Anthem at the open of a Huey Lewis and The News show. Strangely enough, when I walked out on stage, even though I'd never been on a stage that big, or sang in front of that that many people, I looked at the flag, and all I could think of was the meaning of the National Anthem to me, and I wasn't nervous at all. But, as soon as I finished singing and I heard all of those people screaming, I was just completely overwhelmed to realize that many people were listening to me and looking at me. It's fun to have the attention and the recognition, but it's also a huge feeling of responsibility. When you make a mistake in front of that many people, everybody hears it. (laughs) (The Richmond Buzz) Now the Richmond area certainly misses you since you've moved to Nashville. What do you hope moving to Tennessee will bring toward your success in your career? (Kari) One of the things that I would like to accomplish is becoming a published songwriter, and that's difficult - if not impossible - to do in the Richmond area. I will always be a musician, but I do also eventually want to be a wife and a mommy, and you can't do that if you're performing until 1am and getting to sleep at 4am every morning. I'd guess that would be a hard life for a parent and their child. Being a performer can be hard on you, physically and mentally. I also wanted to surround myself with like-minded musicians and writers, and there are a lot of them there. I was surrounded by like-minded people in the West End of Richmond as long as I was working in the corporate world, but being an artist is quite different. We march to the beat of a different drummer, I guess. (laughs) (The Richmond Buzz) What do you miss about Richmond? (Kari) I miss my family, of course, and the familiarity of people that I know. In Richmond, it's easy to be a big fish in a small sea, and a new musician in Nashville is a very small fish in a very big sea. I know that, and I'm totally okay with that. In Nashville, it is easy to find people who can sing, write, and play an instrument, so suddenly you've been pushed down to the same level that everyone else is on. It'll be harder work to get recognition. But the people in Nashville are great. (The Richmond Buzz) (laughs) Where can you purchase your CDs? (Kari) I have two CDs out - an EP-length CD with 6 songs called "go with you", and a full-length self-titled CD, "Kari". You can purchase it on my website, www.musickari.com, at CDBaby.com, or through iTunes. You can also purchase them at shows. (The Richmond Buzz) Is there anything I missed that you would like to mention? (Kari) Any musician that is considering a career as a professional musician should try it - even if only for a little while. It's a lot of work, but it has been so worth it for me. If your music is just a hobby to you, treat it as such; if your music is your business, treat it as such. Do what is necessary to make it work, but don't lose the fun or the passion. Let the passion and the fun and the enjoyment fuel the desire to make it work as a business. I never thought I could've done it. Honestly, I gave myself a trial period of three months, and it worked so well, that I gave myself 6 months, then a year. I am so glad that I pushed myself, because it's been the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life. >return to articles page >