We recently had the chance to connect with Andie K and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Andie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recently Marie ( my bandmate ) and I were working on a scratch track for our next single and I realized that we started our band six years ago. So I mentioned that to her and added: “I can’t believe you’ve been putting up with me for SIX years”. She promptly replied “Oh, I’ve been putting up with you a lot longer than that”. Which made me laugh so hard and at the same time feel proud she hasn’t killed me yet.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Andie and I am the lead singer for the rock band The Key of F. Marie Pettit and I co-write all the music together and in all honesty, I never thought I could be the frontwoman of a band. In my twenties so many people told me I didn’t have what it took to be a lead vocalist in a rock band and I let my own insecurities hold me back which is just ridiculous. It was Lucia Cifarelli from KMFDM that gave me the courage to really go after this and I am so very glad that I did.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That’s definitely my Gran. She helped raise me, I spoke my first words to her and she was the one who gave me my love of music. My Gran was an amazing dancer, she truly had a gift for it. I remember being a little kid and going with her to these dance classes at Arthur Murray in Ocala and watching her glide across the floor. It was magical to me and at a young age I was exposed to all these different styles of music. Jazz, Classical, Swing and she introduced me to some of her favorite artists like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett and Perry Cuomo. Hearing these artists over and over when she would take me to dance halls or her lessons, I started singing along. Gran always encouraged me to sing and I usually sang for her privately and then publicly as I got older. Since childhood, she and I had a deep connection and she had this unwavering faith in me and my abilities. She is a huge part of my heart.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Oh, there’s so many to choose from, hmmm… Self doubt is the one that comes out on top for me. It’s such an insidious thing that can be crippling if you let it. I’ve been bullied a good portion of my life and I’ve let those people dictate how I felt about myself and what I could accomplish. Which according to them, wasn’t much. When I stopped letting other people’s opinions dictate my self worth, I found my confidence. Don’t get me wrong, I still doubt myself but I’ve found a healthy way to work through that fear without becoming a raging narcissist.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
It’s difficult to pick just one person because I admire all of my friends for their character. I feel very lucky to have a group of dear friends who are utterly amazing (and talented ) people. If I had to pick one person ( and not to sound all “name-dropy” ) it would have to be Lucia Cifarelli. She’s been a part of the music industry for decades and even with KMFDM’s success, it’s not changed who she is. I doubt it’s changed Sascha Konietzko, Andy Selway or Andee Blacksugar because they all seem very grounded too.
Recently, Lucia was in town promoting her latest solo album, No God Here ( which is AMAZING. Seriously, go buy it. Shameless plug, I know – my apologies, I digress ). I was able to have lunch with her before the sound check and she is always so genuine, authentic, and kind. In the past we had spent a little time together after a KMFDM show but this was really special because it was one on one time. It all felt very organic and comfortable. It’s admirable when you have been a part of this industry for decades and you don’t allow it to change your core values. You maintain your integrity, candor and ethics. Those things are worth admiring, they’re massively important.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they would talk about how I helped inspire them, give them courage and not feel alone in life’s struggles. Music is such a universal language and it’s very healing so I would want people to tell stories like that. But with my luck it would be the story of how I tripped over a curb and almost faceplanted on the sidewalk. Which happens more often than I want to admit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thekeyoff.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andie_k/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/band.thekeyof.F
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheKeyofF
Image Credits
Alexx Calise
Christopher Gregson
Anabel Dflux
