Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Kathleen.
Hi Amy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started writing songs when I was about eight years old. I would get into a fight with my mom, run into my room with a sharpie in hand, and scribble lyrics down on colored construction paper. I sold lemonade and raked leaves until I racked up $95 to buy my first guitar. My mom agreed to pay a teenager down the street to give me lessons so long as I practiced every week; I practiced every day. I basically spent every elementary school evening locked in my room with my Taylor Swift guitar books.
Summer before my junior year of high school, I began attending an open mic at Truth Vinyl, a record store in Arlington, TX. I met so many amazing musicians there, including my current bandmate Jared Sullivan (bass guitar/cello). Through connections I made there, I was booked at the 2018 Pantego Music Festival and at Pantego Bay restaurant (which was my first ever paid gig). I became addicted to performing and began booking every gig I could, eventually quitting my retail job because of scheduling conflicts. I continued going to open mics on weeknights and gigging on the weekends throughout my last two years of high school. I’ve been pursuing a career in music since I graduated and am now a full-time musician, gigging 2-5 times a week.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In February of 2020, Almost Jaded was rehearsing for some upcoming full band shows. We were actually scheduled to open for a national touring act in Dallas that summer. When COVID struck, all of those opportunities were canceled. Just when I felt like making a liveable income from music was a close reality, every live music venue was required to shut their doors. Later that year, though, as venues slowly began to open back up, I began playing rhythm guitar for Taylor Dee, joining Taylor Dee & Shots Fired. That became my main project in 2020 and got me achieving my goal of being self-supported in music, even during COVID. That really showed me that anything is possible if you work for it. I parted ways with that band in December of 2020 and have been putting all of my energy into Almost Jaded since.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a full-time musician based out of DFW. In addition to being a singer/songwriter, I handle all of my band’s (Almost Jaded) booking and promotion. I am really proud of how far we have come in the last several months, both musically and professionally. Though most of our performances right now are three hour ‘cover shows’, we always incorporate a lot of original music, which helps us fuel our short-term and long-term goals simultaneously.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have learned so much in these last few years, and the most important thing is that you are the only person who can truly get in your way. If you put your all into something, you will see results.
Contact Info:
- Email: almostjadedbooking@gmail.com
- Website: Almostjaded.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostjadedmusic/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/almostjadedmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCZoRC5W-KqtQx92jiibM7Kg
- Other: Linktr.ee/almostjaded
Image Credits:
Framed Reflection
