Kirstie Kraus’ “Something New” — Her Song About Music City
Three years ago, Kirstie Kraus made the move from Wisconsin to Music City and made the decision to really focus on honing her craft in town. She immediately began demoing out songs and playing established Nashville venues, like The Listening Room Café and The Bluebird Cafe. She also leaned into the production side of her album, gaining great insight about arrangements, vocal styling, and mixing.
In fact, the roadmap has always been paved with perseverance and unwavering support of her close knit family back home. Her strong Catholic upbringing relayed the importance of a greater plan from early on. Growing up in an industrial, blue collar area instilled hard work, community involvement, and social interaction. By 12, she was writing songs and by the age of 15, she had picked up a guitar and joined Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), which meant frequent trips to Nashville for the next several years to be mentored by the best in the business. Kraus did what most successful artists of longevity will tell you to do: she built her fan base and relationships back home AND in Nashville before making the big leap.
“The way you know you’re on the right path is if you open yourself up and the opportunities just fall into place. You’re doing what you want to do and you’re happy doing it. You just got to keep telling yourself you have everything you need and don’t listen to anybody who tells you differently because everything that you put out in the universe comes back.” — Kirstie Kraus
Using five words, how would you describe your music for new fans?
My music is very uplifting and it has its own unique sound that compiles a mixture of bluesy pop rock under tones with funky bass lines!
“Kirstie’s music is catchy unique melodic melodies with lots of movement and dynamics” — Krystal King
Growing up artists like Amy Grant, Gloria Estefan and LeAnn Rimes were hugely influential to you. Are there any current musicians that you draw inspiration from?
I listen to everything from Emily Weisband, Maren Morris, Lauren Alaina, Brooke Eden, and Logan Murrell just to name a few :)
You began making regular trips from the Midwest to Nashville before moving from Wisconsin. How has Music City evolved over that time?
Oh wow a ton! Music City now has numerous hotel high rises, restaurants and has become a top tourist destination. There are more spots to play and more new people coming into the city all the time. The industry as far as digital has changed a lot. You see artists who blow up on the latest social media platform getting deals and big opportunities. It definitely is a more numbers driven industry that the artist needs to generate on their own than it was.
“Something New,” your current single, talks about moving to a new city. How did you go about making your song stand out from others on this subject?
I knew in the back of my head I needed a song about Music City. I didn’t ever force it though. One day when I was headed out the door to go to a write in Nashville I was asked, “What are you guys doing today; finishing something or starting something new?” and I said, “We’re starting something new.” That sentence stuck with me and the whole drive to the write I pondered what that meant to me. At the time I was two months away from moving to Nashville full-time and so I chose to speak from the heart of exactly what I was feeling and put it into a song!
You’ve gotten to play some iconic Nashville venues. Which venues are on your Nashville bucket list and across the country?
BUCKET LIST #1 Grand Ole Opry I am constantly watching debut Opry videos and crying along! #2 Bridgestone Arena #3 Wildhorse Saloon #4 Nashville Palace . Other than Nashville, I’d love to play South by Southwest (SXSW), Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Madison Square Garden and all the arenas!
You have been working with some United Kingdom (UK) artists and are hoping to play festivals there. What draws you to wanting to play for a British audience? Which other countries would you love to tour in the next few years?
I LOVE this question. I have built some amazing friendships across the pond and it has become my understanding how much audiences over there appreciate live music, appreciate lyrics , and appreciate original unique music. I would love to go to Ireland, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Australia!
You’re a co-host on The Backstage Pass. How did you get involved in the podcast? What do you love about that part of your career? Has it influenced your music in any way?
Brandon on The Backstage Pass had a standing question he would ask artists, “What would you do if you were not in music?” I replied in my interview I would probably be hosting on podcasts or my own tv show. Brandon said that got his wheels spinning and he asked me to join the team. I love getting to learn about artists I have never heard of and falling in love with what they are doing. I also love interviewing legends and getting to hear the detailed stories they are willing to share! It has truly influenced and impacted my career in a positive way. I am so happy I took the position and feel I have been able to grow as an interviewee and interviewer. The Backstage Pass has been asked to be a part of the official media team for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2022 in Nashville and I will be meeting Brandon for the first time in person!
Your upcoming album, Yes You Can. The title is catchy and exudes confidence. What can you tell us about it? Do you have a favorite track on YYC?
The title came from the bridge lyrics to a single I previously put out in 2019, “Gotta Do.” As I was launching my first two singles and during funding for this debut record, it became apparent to me the scale of the type of project I was about to embark on. Yes You Can quickly became my mantra and I knew right away that it was a fitting title for the project and serves to encourage myself and others.
And finally, everyone has their dream artists/songwriters and producers that they would love to collaborate with. Who are some of yours?
I’d love to do a duet with Randy Houser and go on the road for Dierks Bentley. I would love to get in the writing room with Emily Weisband and also Jesse Lee. I would love to work with producer Frank Liddell in the future. I would write, perform and go on the road with Brad Paisley.