What is your name?
Katie Veltri
What is your genre of music?
Indie pop / pop / alternative folk / R&B
Give us a little bio about you.
Thanks for interviewing me. I’m a solo indie artist that has put out a lot of different types of music ranging from jazz to R&B to pop to folk. I like to blend pop and alternative sounds and see how I can use my voice to tell a story, or just convey a feeling.
What made you go into music?
I started off as a writer, and had all these pieces I had written that I kept developing and took with me everywhere I moved. I used to dance until I injured myself for a long time too, and sing in talent shows in grade school. I had done so many poetry jams and always looked at the piano like it took me to another place and time. I was always surrounded by music growing up with different family members, but it didn’t really click with me that my words belonged in songs until later. It’s been an unconventional journey. But honestly, I’m not surprised. When you’re a writer, the path is never clear. It’s really the most honest I can be with my writing, and so even though it’s hard, I get something back from it that I never got with anything else.
Are you a signed?
No
You released your single ‘Deep Down’, tell us more about the single.
It was a song I had been working on for a long time, the lyrics and melody kept finding its way in different stylizations as I developed it and so in a way ‘Deep Down’ has been with me on this journey from the very beginning.
What is the meaning behind the single?
It’s a song about wanting to keep someone in your life as intimately as you can, but you realize that it costs too much to maintain the relationship.
Describe the track in two words.
Smoothly distinct
What was the writing process like?
I wrote the chorus first and everything unfolded from there.
What was the recording process like?
In a studio with a producer that I had been working with on other songs. He seemed to know that this one was different than the others. He said “this is the one” as we were listening back to it for the first time and I said “yeah I know” and we both nodded standing there like everything clicked into place. I guess you could call it one of those defining moments between an artist and a producer.
Who did you work with on the single?
It was just me and the producer. We worked really well together on creating a balance between my ideas of integrating blues and his ideas of updating my subtle blues style. He liked that I dragged words out and phrased things differently, and we just both knew what to do.
Will we see a music video for the track?
I’d like to have an official one for this song.
Will we see an EP or album and if so what can we expect?
Yes, it’s out already.
Do you have any shows coming up?
I was most recently performing in the South in the US, including greater Atlanta and South Carolina. I’m out in Los Angeles now recording new music.
What else can we expect in 2019/Early 2020?
I’m excited because I’ve been recording some new stuff and feel like the music has become more sophisticated just in general, I’m looking forward to releasing new things
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
No
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
I’d love to collaborate
Do you play any instruments?
Yes, I play the piano and some guitar. I really have always liked the piano and all the great variety of sounds and rhythms you can create just from that one instrument. It feels endless.
Who are your influences?
Sade, Annie Clark, Whitney Houston. Pink Floyd, some electronic producers like BT who have experimented with different sounds
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Years ago I used to wake up in the middle of the night and go write in another room, like I just had to get it out lol. But now I write all the time, like if I’m feeling something strong, I just write it and sing a melody. Usually it’s from anxiety or about a feeling towards something in my environment or a relationship of sorts
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I see myself touring and producing, and in a loving relationship
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I go running or hiking, or just go to sleep!
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Hmm, probably would be John Lennon’s song “Imagine” but not really because of the lyrics per se, I more just really like the simple beautiful melody and the piano along with the clarity of his voice. It just felt right, the message is beautiful, but it reminded me of a very clean sound that conveyed something without all the gimmicks. It’s between that and Whitney Houston’s powerful, clear voice in well pretty much every song she did. It just takes you somewhere
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
To hope for the best, but plan for the worst. My friend Jim said that to me a long time ago and it’s always been a great thing to remember in tougher times.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
To be patient with yourself and others. So often have I made the mistake of trying to rush things in the industry, and I know I’ve made mistakes with how I communicate. You can’t help it because you’re so passionate, but sometimes you have to learn to let go a little and enjoy the ride more despite where it may go or not go. To respect the process
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
The Sunray Cinema, it’s in Five Points. It’s an independent movie theatre that used to be a nightclub. It has this long wide hallway entrance, it’s like you’re walking back in time.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Who do you see first? I’m kind of a lone wolf these days with all the traveling working on my music, but my close friend from my hometown
2/What do you eat first? Grocery store salad bar, just kidding. Indian food
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget? Cables ,Backup mic, because you never know what three house mic is going to sound like Stool, I have a special stool I like to take with me to remind me I’m just at home. Boots, I always like to wear boots for some reason while performing. My keyboard and/or guitar
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
