Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylin Major.
Kaylin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a kid, I remember making up songs on my Barbie Karaoke Machine, begging my father to let me use his portable CD player. One memory sticks out, especially. I was singing my rendition of Annie’s Tomorrow when I stepped a little too awkwardly, flipping my make-believe stage (a wobbly, old desk) over and falling with it to the floor. My desire to entertain left me crippled with embarrassment, fearing my mother’s critique that I would “grow out of my voice” and her yelling at me to keep it down. I let her words stifle me. I grew up, went to college, graduated with a degree in Psychology, and suppressed that little girl’s dream for something more practical. It wasn’t until I met a songwriter that I realized just how many people it takes to make a song, and all those people had to start somewhere. Intimidation, fear, anxiety—these come with the territory, but as a new singer/songwriter, against all odds, I’m taking the leap of faith and finally releasing music. My second single, “Cold War,” releases October 23, the anniversary of my father’s incarceration. We didn’t stay in touch, but I think of him often because he inspired me despite his inability to shape up.
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?
Having grown up in a chaotic home, I was in a constant state of high alert. My mother struggled with anxiety, depression, and addiction; she’d go days without leaving her room. My father was constantly in trouble with the law, struggling with his alcohol, methamphetamine, and heroin addictions. I became displaced when he went to prison—I found myself homeless, living on couches, in a tent, in my rundown Buick Oldsmobile. As a young adult, I faced many of my own battles with addiction, inconsistency, and toxicity.
For many years, I felt a permanent lump in my throat. I was close to tears, falling apart, spiraling out of control. I was so utterly lost and incapable of dealing with my trauma. With a lot of internal work and help from others, I have been able to make a decent life for myself. My first single, “Runnin’,” is closely related to the feeling I got when breaking away from relationships I knew were no good for me while also acknowledging my hand in their undoing. My upcoming single, “Cold War,” is an open letter to both my parents. Words I could never say to them. Words and feelings they would never validate.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I sing and write songs. Vulnerability is my North Star when writing, what I hope to encapsulate and use to connect with my listeners. It makes the song real, more potent. When I’m not writing songs, I’m mentoring at-risk youth. Kids like me who didn’t grow up with a whole lot of hope or support of their dreams. I try to teach the kids I work with that vulnerability is a strength and not be afraid of following their hearts. I’m proud to be of service. I’m proud to have a positive message within my songs that may provide my listeners and mentees with a sense of hope. Music saved my life; I hope to someday return the favor.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was living in fear. I was so afraid to be too much, too loud, too weird. I always felt like a burden and felt small. I often apologized. I was desperate for praise, acknowledgment, to be heard. I wrote a lot of poetry in my youth. My love for music has never left me. Some of my best memories are captured amidst the lines of my most listened to songs. I remember going to see my favorite band at the House of Blues and I was enamored by the experience. All the people are intimately singing every lyric along with the band. I live for those moments and the magic they hold. I hope my music someday brings people together like that.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 747-267-9781
- Email: kaylinreneemajor@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylinmajor/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/kaylinmajor
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/17OEYo2qK1abBTKQX1hksg?si=gvKOFKz3T9OzFj-Don4aLA
Image Credit:
Mariah Green, Joshua Watson
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