Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Farless.
Kathleen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was a songwriter, to begin with, back home in Manila, Philippines. I wrote songs for some celebrities and also wrote some jingles for a radio commercial. Writing music had always been my passion when I was a young kid. Performing cover songs and my original music came on the later part.
Then I came to California, and I’ve been here for almost 18 years now, and truly considered Los Angeles as my true home now, but prior to doing music, I was trying to pass the board to be a registered nurse, and when I passed and started to work as a new grad in the hospital, I felt more stable and I felt that it was the best time to focus on my music. I’ve always dreamed of pursuing a career in music, creating, writing and performing.
Although my family particularly my grandparents who raised me, always opposed to that idea, deep inside of me, I will still do it. So when I came to L.A., I said to myself that I have to prepare myself before doing gigs on top of writing my own song. So around 2009, I took voice lessons from Lis Lewis (vocal coach for Rihanna, Britney Spears, Miguel, Gwen Stefani and many more).
In 2010, I started performing live across town and started working on the materials (tracks) for my conceptualized debut album; MASQUERADE. Lis introduced me to Rob Seals who helped me to produced and finished the project. It was a long process to complete my debut album because of my full-time job as a nurse, but I persevered to finish it, and I really learned so much from that process of making a record.
Luckily in 2013, I had the opportunity to perform for the Miss Philippines USA and had a wonderful interview with Cher Calvin (KTLA News) on stage. Also in 2016, I was featured as a nurse singer/songwriter for Careisma Scrubs by Sofia Vergara (AD Campaign) and also that same year, I had a TV guesting for KSCI-LA 18 promoting my debut album MASQUERADE, I had the chance to perform and got an interview with the lovely host; Giselle “G” Tongi Walters. These opportunities were really some of the unforgettable moments in my music career.
I am always grateful for the people who helped me along the way. I look forward to having more opportunities like these as I continue. Now on top of being a Registered Nurse, I devote my time creating music on my days off. Early this year, I am preparing to release my new single “WHO I AM.” I am excited about this one, as it truly speaks for a lot of people who have dreams.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not! : ) Lots of challenges. Nothing is really easy nowadays in the entertainment business. In music, it includes rejection, financial limitations, and the balancing act between family and my full-time job as a registered nurse. As an independent artist, singer-songwriter, these challenges will always be around me, but I just need to keep going and really do what I love.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
“I am my own business,” that’s what they say in the indie world of music.
I conceptualize, write songs, also a script for music videos, perform, and produce all my songs independently, I am known for being an artist with a full-time job as a registered nurse. Writing songs is truly my strength and creating “concept” is the process that I never get tired of doing.
I am proud of being an executive creator, concept maker, and producing everything in my music, but one song at a time. It is important for me to have my vision brought into life as close as possible to what I’ve imagined. It is always a collaboration with the right people, from the music engineer, music producers, musicians, photographer and the other promotional people who are truly willing to help.
It is always a wonderful process to bring these talented people together and then share a common goal that is truly about bringing out the best of my music. This makes me a company, I supposed. : ) Lady boss as they tease me inside the recording session.
My genuine attitude when it comes to all the people I work with. I believe that this sets me apart from others. I always have this positive attitude, always wanting to learn from them and always thinking of what else can I give and absolutely grateful for everyone who is part of my music. I feel modestly humble when I have a new accomplishment that I share to my friends and followers.
I feel like I got all of these traits from being a nurse. My mindset is always to serve the people, “that is not about me,” but it’s always about what can I give not what can I get and what can I help you with kind of attitude.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I always want to start from the beginning, I think that would be Lis Lewis and Rob Seals, whom I mentioned earlier. Kyle Mann, professional music Engineer, and Producer who helped me to produce my two latest singles: JUST LIKE THAT and WHO I AM, who turned these original songs into a truly great song that I could really be proud of.
Lastly, but not the least, my husband: Jon, plays a very important role in my music career. He is my greatest and biggest supporter, almost my promoter from the very start. He sacrificed a lot of our time together, so I could continue doing my music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kathleenfarless.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenfarless/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathleenpfarless/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathleenFarless
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/57yZCjMM5ULlEbaXhnhlxp
Image Credit:
Photographer: Jen Serena
Hair & Make Up: Jeff Jones
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
