classical piano and when I was a child , my heart was racing just by watching her play . I think that ’ s what really made me so eager to learn how to play the piano .
So I talked to my neighbor , I called her Lola Lourdes ( grandma Lourdes ), who agreed to teach me how to play the piano . She asked me to get all the classical piano books for our lessons . I didn ’ t know that she was very strict . At one point , I tried to play the piano on my own without reading the notes in the book , I was just having fun , but she got very upset , she said that I should focus on reading notes instead of just playing anything I want . Of course , I didn ’ t follow her . After that , the song writing just came naturally to me after learning the piano . I just felt like expressing some of my emotions through songs .
In college , I got really serious , I recorded songs and asked some A & R Reps from labels to listen to my demos . I was just submitting songs for different artists and celebrities at that time . That was really challenging . So many of my songs got rejected in the beginning before I even got my first shot . On the side , I was also doing jingles for radio and other ad agencies . These were all back then in the Philippines .
When I came to the US in 2000 , I told myself that as soon as I was stable enough , I will go back to my music , but this time , as an artist , singer , songwriter and hopefully as a producer . I started gigging in year 2010 , but in 2009 , I took vocal lessons with Lis Lewis ( Rihanna , Gwen Stefani , Britney Spears , Colbie Caillat and others ) as a preparation for doing shows in L . A .. She was the one who introduced me to Producer : Rob Seals who helped me on my debut album : Masquerade .
As a singer-songwriter , musician and producer which is your favorite role and why ? What a great question ! Each role has some challenges , but being an independent solo artist , I feel like I need to function evenly and accordingly for each role , otherwise I won ’ t be efficient . I always love to conceptualize … that ’ s the creative singer-songwriter in me . Then after that process , organize and collaborate with musicians , engineers , and pick the studio I want to record in and stay within budget , that ’ s my producer ’ s side . That ’ s my favorite part actually . The challenge for me is always financial since I am doing this on my own . I want to make sure that musicians are paid before the session . At least that ’ s the goal . So when we are in the studio , whether we are recording or rehearsing , my main focus at that time is to just have good sounding music and of course , also to have fun during the process .
How would you describe your musical style and please tell us how influential Broadway is in your music style and what aspects of your talents can we really find elements of Broadway . My music is moody and somewhat deep in a way . Shall I say soft pop rock ? Because my main instrument is piano , there ’ s always a touch of softness , like a romantic ballad , but I would like to balance it or counteract with unique drumming that will totally change the mood of the song . Writing my own music really depends on how I feel during the moment , but the Broadway style seems to be attached to it every time people listen to it and describe it . Maybe because the concept of my debut album “ Masquerade ” was “ Broadway meets Coldplay ”, plus , I love using metaphor when I am writing , but I guess , the melodies and my vocals always fall under the broadway category , I think .
If given the chance , name a few artists that you ' d like to collaborate with ? Kelly Clarkson , her voice is just magical . Ryan Tedder , OMG , he is just brilliant ! I would love to just watch him inside the studio and listen to all the things he is going to say when producing a record . That would be a dream come true . Last , but not the least , Benj Pasek and Justin Paul . For me , these duo are the perfect example of a real good songwriters . All their songs represent the true essence of songwriting .
At one point during your career you were faced with a tough decision to become a nurse . What pressure were placed upon you to change directions and how mentally tough was it not to give up on your dream ?
Another great question . That ’ s true . I was doing very well in my first year of AB Communication at Far Eastern University in the Philippines . Then I was asked by my grandparents to shift to the BS Nursing Program , or otherwise , they would not finance my college education at all . I was very sad and devastated . However , in the back of my mind , I have my own PLAN B . I said to myself , as soon as I graduated from college , I will still do what I love to do , regardless of what obstacles I will encounter . I will find time to make my own music and I will not give up on my dreams . I will follow my heart ’ s desire . This is what I promised myself in 2000 , and now it ’ s 2018 , I have both and I don ’ t regret being a registered nurse . The challenge for me is to balance both , which I think , is working right now . I work 3 days in the intensive care unit ( ICU ), and on my days off , I make music .
What can we expect from Kathleen in 2018 ? Pressure is on , lol , but I am super excited ! I really hope to be busy this year on my music . I am finishing my single ; “ WALLS ” in the studio right now . Hopefully by the end of April , it will be available on iTunes , Spotify and other websites . I have 2 more songs to record and I will release them also as singles this year . Please stay tuned for my live shows here in L . A ., maybe around May . Hopefully I can finance music videos on top of all these projects . Fingers crossed . But for now , I am really pushing myself to get better and create good music .