“Tropic Wonderland” — Kirstie Kraus’ Duet with Mark Mulch — A Parody on the Classic “Winter Wonderland”
After years of trips to Nashville to co-write songs, you moved from Wisconsin in 2018. What was the deciding factor to make Music City home?
I moved in October of 2017! My family actually looked at magnet music focused middle schools and looked at Belmont for college. I always knew I was gonna move to Nashville; it was just a matter of when. Finally, after upping my visits to Nashville each year for the past 3 years, I knew I was ready to take my career to the next level and break as a solo artist from my midwest band era and start putting out my own music! Nashville is the place to take your career to the next level.
Opening for artists like Thomas Rhett, Kip Moore, Brothers Osborne, Walker Hayes, and Randy Houser. You shared that “the most random things happen on the road.” What is one of your favorite ‘silly stories’ from touring?
I am a big Christmas and a Frozen fangirl in general! We went to Disney World two years ago and went to the theater for the Frozen sing-along celebration. Our friend who took us was mortified because I was singing/shouting the lyrics at the top of my lounges with all the other kids! I was so happy and pretty sure he scooted down his seat more to hide from embarrassment. Moments like this are everyday standards on the road!
From last year’s duet with Thomas Kavanagh, “Who Am I Gonna Love,” to your latest, “Tropic Wonderland,” with Mark Mulch.
This is your first Christmas song and is a spin on the classic “Winter Wonderland.” What drew the two of you to record it?
I have certainly been on a collaboration kick lately. I love to work with others on my love for music, it’s so fun!
After our success with our duet “Tide Down” (named 2024 Radio Trop Rock Song of the Year), Mark and I decided it would be a good idea to team up again for a Christmas song!
We were joking about what the song would be named and how fun it would be to do a parody! Then Mark came up with the idea to do a spin on the classic song “Winter Wonderland.” The changes pretty much wrote themselves and once we got permission from Warner Chappell we were well on our way!
Sharing ways for fans to help support independent artists like yourself — including interacting on social media platforms and inviting friends to follow/like an artist’s pages. How has social media impacted your career?
Social media has been a driving force for me as an independent artist. As I review my numbers every month, I am constantly going up on every platform! The various platforms have been a way for me to get my music out and share more insight to what I do on a daily basis as I continue to grow and push my career forward. Every platform is organic and I am super proud of that especially since I don’t have an easy name to spell like Emily or Sara.
Social media has also inspired me in two ways. Looking at other artist profiles to see the content standard and get ideas is super helpful and also all the encouraging messages I am able to receive has been such a blessing. Thank you for loving the new Christmas song and adding it to your playlists!
Christmas 4 Kids this year helped 500 children receive Christmas presents that otherwise wouldn’t be able to from elementary to high school age! In fact many board members and volunteers were children once blessed by this incredible program.
Returning to spread Christmas cheer was the least I can do to be a small part in what this organization does for the children of Williamson and Marshall counties to absolutely turn their christmases around!
This organization has been going for 40+ years!