Katie Austin Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Katie Austin Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Lamitschka:  How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?

Answer:  This last year has been amazing, honestly. One of the main highlights was seeing the support from my listeners via the Kickstarter crowd funding campaign! The Wild Child EP would not have been possible without each and every supporter. It is the whole reason I was able to record and release new music! And obviously releasing the project itself has been a major highlight!

Lamitschka:  What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?

Answer: The “Wild Child” EP is doing better than I could have imagined! Upon it’s release, it landed in the No.42 spot of the itunes country album charts! As an indie artist, I’m super proud of that accomplishment!

Lamitschka:  How did you choose the title for the CD?  Is there a story behind the name?

Answer:  Some of my favorite moments with music is when I’m on a road-trip. I love rolling the windows down and jamming! So I knew this is the kind of CD I wanted to write, record and release. I feel like the title track,
“Wild Child” encompasses this free spirit feeling. And I also feel like everyone has a little bit of a wild child in them so it was an easy choice for this project!

Lamitschka:  Do you write the songs yourself? If not, how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?

Answer:  I’m a writer on every track and I
also have some awesome co-writers: Julia Cole
and Lainey Wilson

Lamitschka:  Please tell us about the songs on your album (influences, etc).

Answer:  “Wild Child” is about the fun fiesty girl who lives spontaneously! She loves to travel and be the life of the party! The girls wanna be her friend and the boys fall in love with her. “Got Me Like” is a fun take on love at first sight! Seeing someone from across the room and immediately knowing they are your type! It’s flirty! “Backyard” is about the roots you grew up with and the roots you sew as an adult. It’s about appreciating the important things in life and knowing when to let go of the toxic things. “Nirvana” is about your first set of wheels and
the freedom and memories that were made while driving around with your friends.

Lamitschka:  Before you became a star, were your friends and family supportive or was it a struggle?

Answer:   My friends and
family have ALWAYS been major supporters in my career! They’ve never once
expressed doubt or opinions of thinking I needed to give up on my dream.
In fact, they’ve encouraged me to work harder and smarter when I’m going
through hard times. They are the best!

Lamitschka:  What inspired you to become an artist?

Answer:   I think it’s an
amazing thing to create something from NOTHING. And then watch that something
evoke emotion in others. It’s a powerful and healing process! Not only is it an
outlet for me, but I also get to help others celebrate the good times and
hopefully help them get through the hard ones. It’s an honor and it’s what
continues to inspire me.

Lamitschka:  What drives you?

Answer:   Yes, it’s a really
HARD path to choose, but somebodies gotta do it, so why not me? Whether I’ve
got one listener (my mom) or an entire arena, I will never stop creating. I
truly love it so I think it makes it easier to push through the hard times. I
don’t think of it as an “end goal”…I think of it as ME. I keep
creating and the audience will either grow or not. And that’s okay.

Lamitschka:  What does it take to be a music icon?

Answer:   To me, an icon is
someone who stays true to themselves, but isn’t afraid to break the rules of
music and try new things. And also someone who is a role model and can use their
platform to spread positivity in the world. Someone who isn’t afraid to show
the mistakes and shares the lessons from them.

Lamitschka:  What has been your greatest challenge in music business?

Answer: As an indie artist, the greatest
challenge is having to wear many different “hats”. It can easily
throw your focus off when trying to multi task too much. It’s a catch 22. You
need to be willing to do several different “jobs”, yet know when to
focus in on ONE task and  not let it inhibit your creative side. Knowing
when to be the writer, the booking agent, the marketing team, etc. But at the
end of the day, it’s about the music. The right music will find it’s way no
matter what.