Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylee Meyer.
Kaylee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I first began singing and writing music in the 5th grade after I received my first ukulele. I attended a fine arts school at the time and was surrounded by many talented and aspiring dancers, artists, and singers. It was there I met other songwriters who challenged me to pursue my passion through music and visual art. As time continued, music became my release of any tension or emotion in my life, a creative outlet. I first started recording my music at age 12, with a very talented singer and songwriter who attended my school at the time, who now goes by AXYL. Over time I’ve learned various instruments, including the ukulele, piano, guitar, cello, and drums. I love to create products that share raw emotions and my interests.
This can be seen throughout all my music and art, varying from my wonder of chickens, to passion for the environment, to hardships as a highschooler, to love and heartbreak. Currently, I have the pleasure of working with Allen Joanis at Ketos Creative Studios. I want to share the love I feel with the world and connect with others who have felt the emotions I have. Through traveling, volunteering, and research, I gained a strong passion for the environment. Through my creations I hope to one day have a platform to spread environmental awareness and make an impact throughout the world, in communities, and in schools.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a 16-year-old teen in highschool, with social media dominating most people’s time, there is so much hate, drama, and stereotypes present and easily spread. I moved to a public school my sophomore year of highschool from a small charter school, looking for more opportunities and experiences. I can confidently say that at first, highschool was just like how they made it out to be in every typical highschool movie. Everyone sat with their cliques, spread rumors, wore an excessive amount of makeup, and most everyone was highly judgmental. I realized there that everyone needed a little more love and acceptance for that matter. In school, I’ve received a lot of judgment, which at times was very hard, yet I take what I feel, and I turn it into something new, song, art, or both.
At the end of the day, you have to know who you are and find validation in yourself, other people’s opinions of you don’t matter. Despite knowing this, highschool is still a rollercoaster, and I still have bad days, I still get upset, I still cry, but just as well, I have good days, filled with laughter and love. I’ve learned to surround myself with love and support and stand up for my beliefs with an open mind. Everyone is weird in some ways, unique in some, excel in areas, and maybe not excel at others, but that is part of what makes life so beautiful. We need to learn to love each other and not waste time on negativity. We each have been given an empty book, and we get to write our own story, despite any setbacks people try to make a reality. You can choose to focus on the setbacks, or your future and the obstacles to tackle in order to achieve what you dream.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a singer, songwriter, and visual artist. Everything that I create is very personal and original. Every song that I’ve created has a story behind it. For example, my song “Artificial Happiness” from my “Colors” EP is about opioid abuse and how it’s affected so many people in my life who I love. I love writing lyrics in the moment that I feel them. I have a document with at least 30 pages of lyrics that I’m constantly adding to. Every artwork that I’ve made shows a unique part of my outlook on life. In visual art, I specialize in stippling (aka pointalism), wherein I create a picture made of small dots. However, I enjoy making cartoon art, digital art, painting, and sculpting miniature food as well.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I was born in California and moved to Texas at a young age. My parents always emphasized the importance of having an open mind and finding what I was passionate about and then going for it. They allowed me to see the world and volunteer in foreign countries, opening my eyes to the expanse of opportunity. They taught me my values and to focus on what made me happy, and that everything will fall into its place.
Contact Info:
- Email: kayleecaitlynmeyer@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayleemeyermusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayleemeyermusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KayleeCaitlyn
- Other: https://youtu.be/KAkFto6Cz80
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