Kat Perkins on the first time she fell in love with music!
Kat Perkins, NBC’s The Voice season 6 powerhouse, coached by Adam Levine, was in the top five that season. Her voice is so powerful that it’s one you’ll never forget. Kat recently sat down with Glitter to talk about when she first fell in love with music, her “If you can dream it, you can do it” message, her new EP, Fearless, and her not-so secret crush on Louis Tomlinson from One Direction. We’re #TeamKat all the way. Are you?
GLITTER: When did you first fall in love with music?
KAT: I fell in love with music at a very young age. I started singing at the age of three. I sang for my first audience when I was four and I started my first band when I was fifteen! I just knew that I wanted to pursue a career in music very early in life. It felt good to sing every time, and I also learned to play piano at the age of five. I lived and breathed singing and playing my entire life.
GLITTER: What was it like being on season 6 of NBC’s The Voice and working with Adam Levine?
KAT: It was truly a dream come true. But if I’m being honest, it was scary, nerve-wracking, and exhausting. But at the same time it was exciting, fun, amazing, and incredible. I had the choice between three coaches: Adam, Usher, and Shakira, and the moment I chose Adam was that best decision I’ve ever made. Adam taught me so much about focusing my energy in front of 15 million viewers every week and most of all, he instilled a sense of confidence that I had lost over the years. It’s the most surreal thing to be standing in front of such musical super stars and hearing them tell you they love your voice and giving you compliments. If I ever had to do it over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. I absolutely LOVED the once-in-a-lifetime experience. I wish everyone could experience something that exhilarating in their lifetime!
GLITTER: Tell us about your “If you can dream it, you can do it,” message.
KAT: My dad always used to tell me when I was little that if I could think it, I could do it. I absolutely loved that “challenge” and I lived with that motto. So when I grew up and continued to follow my dreams of being a singer, I changed it into my own motto called “Dream It Do It.” I even got that tattooed on my body a few weeks ago to keep that message with me and in front of me at all times. If you can dream it, you CAN do it. But it takes hard work, perseverance, and it will never be easy. But I feel that everyone should follow their passions and do what makes you happy. There’s nothing more empowering than being good at what you do and doing what you love!
GLITTER: What is the most encouraging piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
KAT: I would have to say that Adam Levine said it best during The Voice. He always told me to trust my gut. I know that may sound simple, but it really is one of the most encouraging pieces of advice I’ve gotten. Maybe it’s because it came from Adam, but he was right. Everyone should trust their gut. It will always lead you in a good direction. If it feels good then do it, if it doesn’t feel good, then stop doing it.
GLITTER: If you could give teens one message, what would it be?
KAT: My one message would be to work hard. I’m not having the most successful year of my career because everything was easy and things fell into my lap. It’s because I worked very hard. I never gave up and I learned from my mistakes. I picked myself up off the ground when I fell and I constantly worked on my craft. I asked for help when I needed it and I earned everything wonderful that ever happened to me. Life is hard. Life is fun. Take it in and do your very best to fulfill your every hope and dream. Life is so much better when your soul is happy!
GLITTER: Tell us how you’ve been doing this year! A lot has happened for your career!
KAT: I’ve been over the moon with my “new life.” I released a single called “Fearless” and I tour in support of that song full time. During the week, I go into schools with students K-12 and I do motivational speaking on following your dreams and being fearless paired with an anti-bullying message. At the end of the presentation I put on a concert for everyone and even let kids ask me questions! On the weekends and evenings, I do full-blown concerts at crazy cool venues with my band. I’ve never worked so hard in my life. Every day brings tons of cool things and I get to meet the most incredible people along the way. I also started doing radio! I have 2 weekly segments on a couple different talk radio stations and I fill in as a host on a station in Minneapolis whenever my schedule allows. In between all of that I’m writing and recording a new EP set to release next spring! I cannot wait to get more of my music out to my fans!
GLITTER: What can you tell us about your new EP, Fearless?
KAT: If you remember in Season 6 of The Voice, we had something called the instant Twitter save on Tuesday night results shows. If we were in the bottom 3 that evening, we had to “sing for our lives” then people would tweet to save us! I ended up in the bottom 3 three times so I had 3 songs that I sang on the show, but were not available on iTunes. My fans were begging to get my versions of these “save songs” so I decided to include them with my single, “Fearless” on an EP! It was so fun to record Heart’s “Barracuda,” Grace Potter’s “Paris Oh La La,” and Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl,” as they are some of my favorite songs. We also included an acoustic alternate version of “Fearless” where there were strings and piano and just me singing. It was a really, really cool experience to record such a diverse EP!
GLITTER: When can we see a new full length album from you?
KAT: I’m writing new music all the time and we are working on a new single for the new year and an EP for next spring! My new sound is really coming together and I think my fans will fall in love with these new songs! I will still stay true to my ‘rocker’ self but the new songs are fun and catchy with a ton energy. You’ll want to sing along and dance and I really think my fans will connect with what I have to say!
GLITTER: Do you follow the trends at all?
KAT: Absolutely. Obviously I follow music trends because it’s in my blood and I’m a huge fan of clothing trends! I shop constantly. I even dedicated an ENTIRE room of my house as my closet!! My favorite channel right now is the E! channel as I’m a glutton for celebrity gossip and pop culture. Also, have you seen this app called WISH? I’m addicted and I’m pretty sure a new piece of jewelry, clothing, or gadget arrives in my mailbox every day. For the record, however, the teenage girl I used to nanny keeps me most up to date on trends. Her name is Kate and she makes sure that she keeps me cool, hip, and with it so I don’t embarrass her when I take her out to concerts! Lol.
GLITTER: Do you have a secret crush on anyone? If so, will you dish?
KAT: Oh wow, do you want me to tell you?? Ok don’t tell my boyfriend, but I’m currently crushing hard on Louis Tomlinson from One Direction! #directioner He is soooooo adorable and I love their music! I also have a crush on Jimmy Fallon. He’s crazy funny and that is something I find completely hot in a man! I hope one day I will get to meet both of these guys. My life will be complete!! #swoon
GLITTER: What is your favorite part about your career?
KAT: My favorite part is hands down meeting my fans. I love singing. I love traveling to all parts of the world. But nothing is better than getting to meet the very people that support my musical journey and they are the true reason behind why I do what I do! I get the pleasure of meeting the most inspiring, beautiful fans from ages 5 to 85. They light up my world and remind me why I love what I do. I was born to entertain. I was born to share my music. Without my fans, I am nothing. Thank you to all my fans that love, support, and keep me going! I’m forever grateful! #TeamKat
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Editorial Director | Writer | Tweet me @heatherriccio
