Posted On 02 Aug 2016 By : Leah
Meet the dynamic teen singer-songwriter- Kaylee Keller! Growing up in the tiny town of Garden City in Kansas, Kaylee is grounded and incredibly wholesome.
She recently released the remix to her single, “Diamond” with the DJ’s Vinyljackers from The Netherlands.
Follow Kaylee’s musical adventure here-
Learn more about Kaylee in the following All Access interview:
Thanks for your time! Now that we are more then half-way through 2016, what are some words you would use to describe it? What were some of the highlights of 2015 for you?
K- Thank you for having me! Exciting and at times overwhelming, very blessed and successful. I have many words that describe my 2016 so far and I can’t thank God, my mom, family and Jennifer Lyneis from Ue3 Promotions enough. They have all helped me on my musical journey.
Looking back at 2015 it was a big learning year for me and at times very crazy. We put in a lot of hard work, long hours, a lot of traveling to get my music written, produced, and released and out where it is today. I would do it all over again because this journey has been so incredible.
Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?
K- I have always been around music so there are many memories! One that stands out is “The Talent Show Dance”. There was a talent show at my brother’s school when I was about 5 and he was about 9 years old. I talked him into doing a dance routine with me to the song “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley. He agreed and even ended up having to take a few dance lessons! I wore my pink poodle skirt and he wore his rolled up jeans and slicked back hair and we performed a Soc’hop/60’s dance. He had me rolling over his back and sliding me under his legs. It was so awesome!
I’m curious to know how being from the small town of Garden City, Kansas has influenced you as an artist today?
K- Garden City KS has been a great place to grow up and it definitely helped grow me into the artist I am today. I have a lot of great memories. I love playing my music in my hometown and getting younger artists involved. Even though music didn’t stand out in GC, I utilized what it did offer. I had a choir teacher for voice lessons, and a dance school in town called Steps Dance where I took clog classes. Our city Recreation department had summer musical plays I would try out for and be a part of. I joined choir classes in Junior High and a worship band at church. I also started singing the anthem in Junior High and by High School I was singing for all the home soccer and baseball games. All of these things lead to bigger events. As I needed recording studios and producers and more instruction, I had to travel in order to grow and get different musical opportunities.
Let’s talk about your debut single, “Diamond.” Where did the inspiration for it come from? I understand that it’s about your experience with sexual harassment.
K- That is correct! Diamond was written about my personal experiences with sexual harassment. It made me feel isolated and made feel like I didn’t belong but I didn’t let them stop me from pursuing my dreams. It was hard at times but I never stopped believing in myself. Believing in yourself and not letting anyone stop you from your goals or take away your dreams is the message I want my listeners to grasp. I wrote Diamond to inspire and help others who are also going thru hard situations in their life. Diamond derives from the Greek word (Adamas) which means invincible and or indestructible.
How did the “Diamond” remix come together with those Vinyljackers from The Netherlands?
K- My song Diamond was submitted for a contest on the Radio Diego station based out of the Netherlands. It placed top 5th song of the day and top 40th song of the week.
The Vinyljackers (Winner of Netherlands Best Youngest Producers in 2015) discovered me thru this contest and reached out to me on twitter. They asked if I was interested in creating a party remix with them. After a Skype session with them, I decided to do it. This has been one of the best decisions we have made and the result has been a great long distance friendship and a successful collaboration. We are looking to do other collaborations together in the near future. The Diamond VIP remix is playing in Abercrombie & Fitch and the original Diamond track playing in Forever 21 stores as well. The track has so many streams on Spotify and I see more things happening with The Diamond Remix in the future. The success of the song has opened up so many doors; I even got a makeup sponsorship with MAC Cosmetics. What girl doesn’t love makeup?
Here is the link to video:
When do you hope to be releasing an EP or even a full-length collection of music? Is this something that you are constantly working on?
K- I’m releasing another single in August called “Song Like That.” I’m also headed back to Nashville to record some more music. I write pop songs but I really have a lot of love for country music so I am really trying to hone in on my sound and I feel like collaborating with the right people is essential. I also just finished a Christmas duet with radio charting country artist Rusty Rierson. We will release this before the holiday season, so stay tuned!
Diamond will be on a compilation album called WANNA PARTY and has been nominated for various awards. My lyric video with Vinyljackers just won a Los Angeles Music Critic award for best video.
As an independent artist I am always working on music in some aspect. Traveling and doing shows, radio and media interviews, promotions, voice and guitar lessons, and writing new songs.
Who are some of your favorite artists? Who would you love to work with in the future?
K- There are so many talented artists to choose from, but it changes from week to week.
This week I think it would be a total blast to collaborate with Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert and do a duet with Luke Bryant and I love Carrie Underwood’s wholesome music and powerful vocals.
At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs?
K- The leadership and example role is huge for an artist. I will have so many opportunities thru music to influence and encourage the rest of the world. It’s a huge task but I feel it is also a huge blessing.
I think everyone at times in life can feel isolated, hurt, and alone. But DO NOT EVER stop believing in yourself. Keep moving forward and pursing your dreams because you are a rare a beautiful Diamond!