On top of being one of our newest writers at The Indy Review, Heather Kathryn is also a talented singer and songwriter, who just recently dropped her latest Warped Tour-ready single, “Twenty-Something”.
Kathryn took some time to discuss her single and inspirations as a musician and songwriter.
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The Indy Review: For those first discovering you with this song, tell us how you began your recording career, and what inspired you to venture into the crazy world of music.
Heather Kathryn: Well I started my musical journey as a child, I started singing before I could talk. It grew to become my passion and I moved out to LA when I was 17 and started writing songs. It took me a few years to find my place but I should’ve known the girl singing Kelly Clarkson & Avril Lavigne songs in her room would end up a pop punk artist.
IR: Your latest single, “Twenty-Something” really dives into the chaos and struggle of modern life in your twenties. What aspects of your life and experiences did you really want to get across that felt unique to your perspective?
HK: I was working a shitty job as most people do in LA to get by and everyday I hoped that something would happen so I wouldn’t have to go in. I was working the morning shift which meant getting up at 4am everyday and my social life was pretty non-existent. I kept coming back to the fact that my job sucked but at least I lived in LA and had friends and that’s where the song came from.
IR: You co-wrote the track with your producer Matthew McMenamy. What did he help you uncover in the song and bring to life?
HK: My bestie! I came home and cried in the studio before writing “TWENTY-SOMETHING”. He helped me really find the fun in a bad situation. We had such a great time writing and producing out this track including me screaming the bridge at the top of my lungs and then laughing because I had no idea I could do that.
IR: One of the memorable lyrics in the track, “Thirteen reasons you should shut the fuck up” feels like a clear reference to the book/show. Do you often find influences in books/TV/films when writing?
HK: I hate to burst the bubble of anyone that thought it was related to the show but it just sounded good when I sang it so we went with it *laughs* it doesn’t have anything to do with the show/book itself. I really pull my songs from personal experience and things I’ve dealt with as opposed to outside influences, I mean at least the songs that have been released are that way.
IR: Your delivery on the verses has a lot of grit, and an interesting spoke-sung cadence. What led you towards this style of singing for the track, as you’ve shown a strong vocal range on other tracks like “Clothes” and the bluesy “Go to Hell”?
HK: I wanted to try something new. I feel like my sound is ever evolving and I’m constantly adding to my box of things to choose from and that is where this song fell. I was angry and a gritty, spoke-sung verse seemed exactly like what the song needed.
IR: You’ve discussed your influences being artists like Charlotte Sands, Paramore and Avril Lavigne. What elements of these artists’ music have inspired you most, and what have they taught you about surviving and evolving as an artist?
HK: I think being able to have role models in the industry you’re in is really amazing, being able to watch their careers grow and change throughout time is beautiful. With Paramore & Avril Lavigne, I think what inspires me the most is the longevity of their careers, they’ve been around forever and they keep going and that is truly inspiring to me.
IR: What’s next for you following “Twenty-Something”?
HK: Well, I’ve got a few things in the works. You can come see me live at The Viper Room on October 2nd with Dirty Mondays. I have another song releasing on Halloween (not sure if I’m supposed to announce this yet so don’t tell anyone) and I’ll also be playing a show on the East Coast later this year! You can follow me on Instagram for updates on all of these things @heathermaekathryn.
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So if you’re in LA on the 2nd, see Heather Kathryn at the Viper Room, and take a listen to the track in our A Single Sit-Down Playlist!
The Indy Review 