Artist Spotlight: Kadi Beth - Yonah
Artist Spotlight: Kadi Beth - Yonha
Yonha by Kadi Beth live in Nashville, TN #ArtistSpotlight
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Recorded, Edited, Produced by Chaz Mazzota + Nashville Pop Check out her interview below!
Studio Version of Bryan's Song: https://youtu.be/-tSEHrMuK5k
Watch the Video
An Interview With Kadi Beth
Tells us about the song you are performing for the Nashville Pop Artist Spotlight. What is it about?
"Yonah" is a song I wrote in 2019 inspired by a hike I took on Yonah Mountain in Georgia before a big move to Dallas, TX. It's a really special song to me and I hope the meaning resonates with listeners. There's currently a full version on streaming platforms but we just recorded a stripped-down version with guitar and fiddle that's super cool. We also recently filmed a music video for the song on top of Yonah mountain in Georgia that will come out early summer, along with the acoustic version of the song. This is a song for me that changes meaning as I get older or go through different phases in life. It's about being blind in an experience or a season. You're following the wrong path, the wrong voice inside your head. It takes a long way to get back to the truth, but when you do, you can see above it all, so clearly.”
What first got you into music? How did the journey begin?
“I sang in the church choir at a young age then auditioned for my first rock band at 12 years old. We were called "The Friday Knights". I then formed "Zenith Blue" in high school. We started performing my original music and played cover shows around town covering Led Zeppelin and the The Who. I went on to form my next band "Kadillak" in college. Since middle school, I've been playing full band live shows all over Georgia and was fortunate enough to play awesome venues like the 40 Watt club in Athens, sell out Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta with my former band Kadillak, and participate in an album for the American Cancer Society. Aside from my solo music, I've recorded 2 albums and 2 EPs that I'm super proud of with Kadillak and a group called "Echo5" that I formed in Nashville with some awesome friends”
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
“My songs are like a melodic diary - songwriting is like a stream of consciousness for me. I sing in metaphors a lot and sometimes it takes me months or years to understand what I really mean by the lyrics. It's interesting - sometimes I feel like I'm writing to my future self.”
What does your music represent?
“I try to represent everyday emotions - trials and tribulations, bittersweet victories, and coming of age. All the little tiny moments that either stress us out or bring immense joy - I try to put those into song.”
What is your creative process like?
“I'm a huge fan of writing in the shower or any enclosed space. It helps me to focus. Sometimes I also like the arm rest of my couch, haha. I sat on the arm rest and wrote one of my songs "Deep Blue Sea" in one setting.”
If you were to open for any 3 artists, who would they be?
“Ah that's a tough one. My personal music taste is so broad, it's crazy. If I did a folk-rock set, I'd love to open for Chris Stapleton. I dig his songwriting style. If I did a rock set, I'd love to open for Led Zeppelin or Pat Benatar.”
What is the best advice you’ve been given so far in the music industry?
“Believe in yourself and stay busy. No matter how much or little others believe in you, achieving your fullest potential can only be realized by fully believing in yourself. Staying busy means putting that belief into action and don't stand around if you're a lead singer, hahaha. You can help wrap cords at least!”
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
“Well, I actually work full-time in Global Trade consulting at a Big 4 consulting firm so...I would love to be doing music full time!”
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
“It's definitely the resonance. When I write a song, I go in with my own emotions and personal experiences so when someone can tell me they felt "heard" by the song, that means a lot to me. I think music is the perfect medium for shared emotion.”
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives such as yourself?
“Music is a business. I think it's hard for others to wrap their heads around that. Songwriting is subject matter expertise and performing is providing a service. Purchasing songs is like buying a product and purchasing tickets to attend a live show is like buying a service. I think if society understood that a bit more, they would better understand the impact that streaming songs and attending live shows can have on an artist's success.”
Social Media
Nashville Pop: @nashvillepop.us
Kadi Beth: @kadibeth_
Chaz Mazzota: @itschazmazzota
Russ Roe (Photography Credit): @russroe
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