Exclusive Interview with SARAH KELLYSEN

Sarah Kellysen is a queer Canadian artist who began her career as an actress on the web series “ARTic.” She was also a YouTuber, and in September 2017 her hometown named her “Creator of the Month.” She advocates for LGBTQ+ equality in the entertainment and music industries, particularly for trans and non-binary artists. In 2017, she debuted as a singer-songwriter with the release of her breakthrough single “Catwalk” off the album “Transition.” She has released three studio albums since then. “Let’s Be Casual,” her most popular hit to date, was released in 2018 as the lead single from her sophomore album of the same name. Recent to the Summer of 2020, she released “Rainbow Rhythm,” her third and final album under contract with Drakoloid Music Inc. This album contains the tracks “Year 3000” and “Forbidden Summer.”
Sarah Kellysen’s fourth studio album, “Vertigo,” is an indie dance/pop record. It is an album about overcoming many hurdles through multiple layers, such as being a gay person in society, surviving breakups and the scars they leave behind, and standing up to powerful individuals. She is a multifaceted artist/actor who desires to stand out and make a difference for others who may feel different on the inside and outside. Check out the album and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

SARAH KELLYSEN: I am from Calgary, Canada. I started out just taking acting classes in school and then working with an acting coach for a while. Then got into the theatre. After that I began working on web series it was really “ARTic” where the music all started when I first started singing on that show.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

SARAH KELLYSEN: Some formal training however it was more suited for theatre singing. I did find my own technique over time.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘SARAH KELLYSEN’?

SARAH KELLYSEN: My biggest musical influences when I was younger were Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Pink. all amazing performers who have evolved with their careers. I am very mysterious and like Madonna I keep my identity a secret so it keeps people questioning.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

SARAH KELLYSEN: I would say my sound is timeless at least that’s what I strive for.. the best kind of music is music you can listen to any given time and feel the messages within. I would say my key elements is making it timeless, conveying a universal message to the listening audience where they can feel they are apart of the song or can relate to it in some way. My sound is multi genre because I have explored multiple different variations of pop music, electronic, indie, rock.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as EDM?

SARAH KELLYSEN:

In my own experience it was more so starting off taking a back seat and understanding the differences in styles of music. Like I said I was training to do theatre in the beginning and that’s where my vocal style was heading. However when I started doing the web series that music was pop centric which was different and a challenging adjustment that took years to perfect. I feel I never was able to find my style until I was set free with my most recent release “Vertigo” where I am taking risks in exploring other routes other than mainstream pop and EDM.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

SARAH KELLYSEN:

Any music that tries to get you to open your eyes to the world around you is music that is worth to be heard. In “Vertigo” I have worked with all those themes. Politically I have a song called “Kings and Queens” about fighting the power. In a cultural sense I did a song titled “Black Rainbow” about seeing and having conversations about what we don’t acknowledge. Spiritually the second single “Pray For Another Day” is speaking from my personal experience as being part of the LGBTQ+ community but also being catholic with my religious values. I feel my music is an expression of all three of those things I work with all those key ingredients to make music that gets you to think but also makes you want to have fun.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

SARAH KELLYSEN:

100 percent. Vertigo has done better than of my previous work and I am proud that its the one where I am most myself and It’s getting the love. In the future I just pray to keep going and creating music that people will react too wether its love or hate I appreciate it all.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

SARAH KELLYSEN:

I usually start writing at home and come up with concepts that inspire me because I write them as soon as I get them just so I don’t forget and then I bring them to the studio to work out the songs with whoever I am collaborating with and once we drafted it. If I hear a producer creating a certain sound It can also inspire me to write a song. Usually I will hear a producer make the tune and then the lyrics will come into play. We start recording in the studio and then the music will speak for itself.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

SARAH KELLYSEN: Taking risks. wether it is a change in management, wether it is a change in image or change in the sound. The industry is all about taking risks and that is something that is never easy because you can either lose it all or win the lottery.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

SARAH KELLYSEN: Honestly my song Mundane Monday just reached 100,000 streams recently and my album is getting a lot of recognition from independent music magazines. It felt like I finally made it in some way.

11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

SARAH KELLYSEN: Honestly it use to affect me deeply and still does sometimes. However I have just learned to ignore it and not give any attention to those who throw rocks at things that shine.

12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

SARAH KELLYSEN: I would have to say Creative work in a studio/home environment because I am more of a home body and I love to just create to no end. It’s where I can do the most exploration and experimenting on my craft.

13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

SARAH KELLYSEN: Context is always important because it helps you understand the artistic intention. However I do love when people come up with their own narrative of what they think a song or video is really portraying. I value different perspectives.