Kyrsta Rodden – Rock Bottom

By starrymag | September 14, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I would describe my sound as kickass, but also inspiring. I love to send a strong message in a strong way with an upbeat song and lots of drums and some rock guitar. I would also describe my sound as fun. No matter what the song is about and no matter the tempo, I always try to have fun and make sure that the listeners can have fun listening to it also. I want people to be able to drive down the highway and listen to my music, listen to my music to get through a breakup or just be able to listen to my music and just let go!

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I have a bunch of musical influences and they all include people who I grew up listening to. Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, etc. My dad is really the one who opened my eyes to these artists, their music and their journeys. Every song I ever sing, any tune I ever write, he always helps me with those these things because although he doesn’t know much about music, he does have very good input!

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Rock Bottom.”

I wrote “Rock Bottom” when I was in a low place. I was always the kid who was trying to find their way through life and trying to see where they fit in. With me being a Freshmen at the time and starting high school, I felt really alone and I had all these different sources of stress coming my way. I was on the cheer team so I had some stress coming from there, I had stress with grades and trying to learn the new grading procedures, then I had stress with my music and trying to stay focused and trying to get different projects done and released and then I was struggling with a whole new social atmosphere and losing a bunch of people I considered close friends. I felt that there was no one there to walk with me and help me through the different things I was struggling with. “Rock Bottom” helped me release all of the stress and worry that I was feeling and it helped me let go!

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) My goal was to write a song that the fans could connect with the message. Everyone has either been at rock bottom or knows someone who has been there and they can relate with all of the things said in the song. I really tried to write this song on a personal level so that my fans could have a connection to it because my fans are so important to me and they play a part in all of my musical decisions. I wanted them to be able to feel everything the song was saying and be able to look back and think they were never alone. I wanted the song to give a sense of comfort, to where my fans knew they were not the only ones to hit rock bottom!

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I actually am in the process of making the video, but I feel that “Rock Bottom” is a very personal song so I tried to match that with the video. I showed the fun and funky side of myself that you may not get to see on social media or in different interviews. I tried to be as vulnerable as I could because even though “Rock Bottom” is a fast, upbeat song, it sends a very strong message about being low and feeling like you have nowhere to turn to but there will always be someone or something there to pick you up and get you back on track. It shows me jamming out with my friends and it shows the normal, teenager side of me as well!

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) My songwriting process tends to change the further I get along in my musical journey and I am always trying new processes. Before I add or even think about the musical aspect, I go in with a list of things I would love to write about. From that list, I pick the subject that I feel like I can connect most within that time. After I pick the subject, I then dive deeper into the meaning and really try to ask myself questions such as, “What does that feel like? What does that look like? What are the emotions that you feel?” etc. I try to never leave a detail out and bring the emotions to the song. After I sketch out the idea and depict some of the things I want to include, I then put it in verse form and add a melody. Once I get the song finished, I then add music and instruments. I choose the instruments and the way the music flows based off of the vibe of the song. If it feels as if this could be a good slow, sad song then I tend to add more soft, acoustic guitar and less drums. But if I feel as if the song is upbeat and could send a really strong message, then I like to add heavy, rock guitar and loud drums!

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I have a hand in the whole process of a song, especially the production side. My team does an amazing job at making sure that all of my needs and wants are met in the song and they do a great job of making sure I am involved with the production side. I like to be involved because I love seeing a song grow and morph into what everyone gets to hear. I love being able to try new things and decide if I like this or that and getting to add minor details that make the song even better and getting closer to that finished product. It is very rewarding when you get to hear the final product and know that you out your hard work and dedication into something!

Q) How do you shake off a long day in the studio?

A) Usually, I shake off a long day at the studio depending on how the session went. If it went well, then I like to go out with my friends and family and be around them to talk all things music and update them on some of the things I worked on. I make sure that my family is really involved in my music because I wouldn’t be where I am today without them and their opinions matter to me the most. If the studio session went not so well, then I like to sit outside with my favorite snack, breath and reflect on the session. I am always trying to learn and better myself as an artist and I reflect to see what I did wrong, what I can do better next time, what I can do to prevent some things from happening, and to better myself and my artistry!

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) There definitely will be an EP or a full album coming soon. I am always writing and coming up with melodies in my head and I want to write enough songs that I feel confident in to put into an album or an EP and make it the best it can be. There are so many things going on right now with getting out of quarantine and regular life starting to pick back up but I did do a ton of writing in quarantine and I have worked on music and bettered my artistry and you can definitely expect something big coming soon!

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Some of my favorite places to perform is any charity gig. I love getting to sing to kids who don’t have a lot or perform to people in the hospital because I love getting to see smiles on their face and I love getting to see how the power of music can life someone’s spirits. I am big on giving back to my city and society and making a change I want to see. I am also really big on doing and serving something bigger than yourself and not only singing/performing for yourself, but for others!

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Definitely my dream collaboration would be Miranda Lambert. I love every aspect of her from her performance quality, her song writing and her personality. I grew up listening to her so I like to take some of the things she has in her music and add it into mine and make it my own. Hearing her music is what helped/inspired me to get into music and it would be awesome to collaborate with her!

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) Right now, I am currently listening to a lot of different people and albums. I have been listening to a lot of Cody Johnson. My boyfriend got me into his songs and I love the way his voice sounds and I love his songs. I have also been listening to the Luke Combs album “What You See Is What You Get.” Luke Combs has a ton of great songs within that album and some of my favorites include “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “1, 2 Many,” “Better Together,” etc.!

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Social media is so important because it gives me another creative outlet to connect with fans and really build a relationship with them. I am such a people person and I feel that it is important to meet new people, especially those following you around on your journey and constantly supporting you. It also gives me another way to let my fans hear my music and keep them updated on upcoming events and releases. I love to keep my supporters updated with new things coming for me and social media allows that. Social media also allows me to get feedback from my fans and they even open up new doors for me. Without my fans, I wouldn’t be where I am today!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I would like to give them a HUGE thank you. Without every single person, I wouldn’t be where I am today and I wouldn’t have the motivation to keep moving forward and keep doing what I’m doing. Not only my family and friends, but my followers too have supported me unconditionally throughout my journey. It hasn’t been easy and not going to lie, there have been sometimes when it’s been hard and I’ve second guessed myself but the people around me have been the ones keeping me going!