Just WOW. Take a second to listen to twenty-something year old KAIT WESTON. You won’t regret it; we promise.
These sorts of voices don’t come around often, but when they do they remind the music industry exactly what it’s missing; real talent. She hits notes KE$HA could only dream of auto-tuning, holding them with such ease...surely she’s already years in the making?
Apparently not.
All we're saying is that Kait’s future's looking bright; and whether you’re there catching the rays from day one or day one hundred...there’ll be enough for everyone.
It’s fair to say that many have noticed her exceptional talent, including none other then Ellen DeGeneres. Kait was invited to perform on Ellen’s show after being spotted online. The performance was an incredible opportunity for her...and certainly helped open a few more doors into a career in music, including performing at THON, all around Los Angeles and for The Wanted’s 2012 AMA’s After Party.
Kait never forgets about her youtube subscribers and is always quick to upload new covers. Demi Lovato’s “Nightingale” received over 100,000 views within a month; it seems everyone is agreeing with her level of talent.
According to her youtube account Kait posted her first video back in 2009 at the tender age of 17. Then a year later a cover of Alicia Keys’ “No One” pops up with no fancy editing, no microphone and only a plain bedroom wall and guitar. Simply from this two minute clip you can see a young girl with exceptional talent.
Kait auditioned twice for American Idol (and numerous other shows; The Voice, X Factor etc) without any success; for most people this would put a spanner in the works and maybe make them take a step back and seek out another path...but not Kait. She’s a girl who believes that anything is possible, you just have to believe. Sounds familiar doesn't it..?
Demi Lovato's "Nightingale"
Katy Perry's "Wide Awake"
Back in April, with help from Clinton Sparks (he's worked with Lady Gaga, Akon and Ludacris to name a few...) and Christian Porter (The Voice 2013), Kait released her first single "Last Dance". The track sat on sound cloud for a while for fans to freely download before bracing the competitive aisles of iTunes...where it currently sits with great reviews.
KAIT WESTON
07/04/13
Hey Kait! How are things at the moment...? Anything new to report?
Life is wonderful at the moment.
Yes. I just released my single “Last Dance” which I had the great opportunity of working with Clinton Sparks (Grammy-nominated producer) and Christian Porter (The Voice, season 4) on.
I am also so excited to finally announce that I sung two songs on the official US trailer for ‘Romeo and Juliet’ starring Oscar-nominee Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit, Ender’s Game), Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl), Oscar-nominee Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis (Homeland) and Douglas Booth as Romeo! The movie will be coming out in theaters September 6th in the US and July 26th in the UK! Feeling so incredibly blessed for this amazing opportunity! I also recently signed with a cool online network, IND Music, and I’m managed by the greatest managers, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones of de Passe Jones Entertainment.
That's incredible, you've come so far since posting your first video. So, how did the appearance on Ellen come about...?
My Ellen appearance happened after one of the producers found my videos on YouTube. I had spoken with the producer a few times and he told me he would be in contact. I finally got the official call from The Ellen Show letting me know they wanted to bring me on the show while getting school supplies at Barnes & Noble...I proceeded to drop everything and start crying in that moment. Something I will always remember!
Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend"
Romeo & Juliet trailer featuring Kait
What happened after the programme aired? How, if at all, did things change?...?
After the performance aired I saw a huge jump in my social media numbers. I also had the opportunity to open for some big Youtube musicians such as Megan & Liz, Kurt Schneider, Tiffany Alvord, and Joseph Vincent!
Are you still in touch with Ellen or her team?
I am not but hopefully one day I can perform on her show again!
Have you, or would you ever consider entering any talent competitions...like the X Factor,The Voice, American Idol etc?
I have actually auditioned for all those shows a total of 7 times. After numerous attempts and not making it through, I turned to YouTube. I am very thankful for YouTube giving me that foundation and a place to grow! So many opportunities have come from just posting videos online!
Over the last couple of years You Tube has been propelling ordinary youngsters far into the limelight providing them with immense careers and almost instantaneous international recognition. Does the thought of this intimidate you at all?
Not at all, it’s wonderful! I think a lot of people use YouTube as a platform to show their talent!
What do you reckon would be the greatest benefit of fame...? You’re allowed to say free drinks...
Having the ability to inspire the masses and the ability to be a voice for those who are struggling. That will be the greatest reward for me.
Where do you see yourself in both 5 and 10 years time...feel free to be as realistic/unrealistic as you want...
5 years – touring the world!
10 years – STILL touring the world!
So far...how hard are you finding it to break into the music industry? What’s the reception been like from producers and record companies?
It’s as hard as you make it. Having a positive attitude is a must out here especially in this industry. You meet with a lot of people who may have some interest in you or no interest at all. My way of looking at things is that those who don’t see it in you, or don't see that special something that makes you stand out aren’t meant to work with you. It’s about being in the right place, at the right time, in front of the right people who believe in you!
Those are the people who are going to take you the furthest in your career! Hearing a "no" or getting a door slammed in your face is a blessing in disguise. There is something else out there, you just have to be patient and believe in yourself! That all being said I am blessed with the management that scouted me at my first performance at The Roxy back in 2011.
Have you had any moments where you stop and go “This is crazy...what am I doing!!”...or are you pretty cool, calm and collected?
Of course! I don’t really know what I was thinking when I bought a one way ticket, told my mom I would be back in 2 weeks and never returned home. I made this all work though and I am so thankful to have this opportunity to live in LA and be working on what I love. I’ve experienced the craziest emotional rollercoaster living out here. One day I could wake up feeling on top of the world and the next day wondering what the heck I am doing out here. I feel those moments of doubt make those moments of success feel so much more rewarding.
You spent some time at college in New York; How was that?
I LOVED EVERY ASPECT OF COLLEGE! I went to MCC and RIT up in Rochester NY and made some of the most incredible friendships up there. I spent the majority of my time at Lovin Cup, which was a café that I did my first open mic at. This café soon became a home away from home for me! If you ever go there get a “Hot For Teacher” Panini and if they don’t have it on the menu anymore tell them to make it!
If you could have written any song which one would it have been?
‘Who You Are’ by Jessie J. That song got me through a whole year of feeling so insecure about myself. I hope one day one of my songs can do the same for someone!
If you could only listen to 5 albums for the rest of your life...they'd be?
1. Native – One Republic
2. Demi – Demi Lovato
3. Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars
4. John Mayer EVERYTHING
5. The Heist – Macklemore
You Tube’s been an incredible platform for you...are there any other artists out there that should be brought to our attention?
Yes!!! Jenny Lane, Kurt Schneider, Cait Rose, Christian Porter, Alex G, Tyler Ward, Katherine Hughes.
We’re excited for your original material - and wish you all the luck for it’s release. What exactly can we be expecting? And do you promise to keep us updated?
You can expect an album hopefully soon but here’s to a year of more surprises and adventures because that is what this year has consisted of!!
Well its been an absolute pleasure talking to you Kait, good luck with everything, and hopefully we'll get to see you perform sometime soon!