Rising Stars: Meet Katherine Larsen of Marina del Rey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Larsen.

Hi Katherine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a LA based singer/songwriter and originally found my love of music in high school choir. Unfortunately, that’s also where my journey ended abruptly. My choir teacher misdiagnosed me with a vocal cord condition and kicked me out of choir. I was crushed and suddenly afraid of singing entirely. It was one of the darkest points of my life. Years went by without music, until one day, when I picked up a guitar and my first song just flew out. I’ll never forget how incredible it felt to bring a new song into the world. I was instantly hooked. Eventually, after a lot of personal growth, I decided to face my fears head on. I started taking voice lessons from a new teacher who explained that I was completely fine. I then started performing live and dealt with the emotional scars from my childhood. That led me to connecting with people in the music business who said my songs were great for film/tv. I recently moved to LA and started recording and pitching for sync placements (film/tv).

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been full of challenges. Overcoming anxiety from my past experience has been the most difficult aspect. I still feel the emotional scars every time I pick up a microphone, get on a stage, start a songwriting session or step into a vocal booth. I have learned to keep creating, while experiencing all that emotion, because I’ve realized those feelings will probably be with me forever.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known for emotive vocals with a haunting, yet calming, quality. A lot of people comment on my warm tone and blend of vulnerability and strength. Genre-wise I fall into indie folk, but with an old soul sound. I write from a place of authenticity and honesty and while my songs have a common thread, they’re all a bit different. My favorite artists are Aretha Franklin, Sara Bareillis, Florence Welch, Ingrid Michaelson, and Adele. I’d say they all influence my sound in unique ways.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Oh wow… don’t let anyone stop you from something you love. While I wouldn’t change the strength I gained due to overcoming my challenges, I also lost years of precious time. If you love something, there’s always a way to do it. Get a second opinion, find a new teacher… do whatever it takes. Just keep going, even when you’re hurting. They say the deeper the pain, the more you have loved. I’d also say to trust your unique sound. I love a lot of diverse musical styles and lean into the uniqueness of each song I write. I think great music takes on a life of its own. I believe my role as a creative is to help songs be what they want to be. Sometimes, I just need to get out of the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katherinelarsenmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinelarsenmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherinelarsenmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@katherinelarsenmusic
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/katherinelarsenmusic

 

 

Photo Credit:
Pascal Monmoine