Kelsie Kimberlin is an amazing musician and vocalist, creating contemporary pop songs with a real meaning behind them. She’s in the middle of releasing a trilogy of songs about the Ukraine war, and has also recently started the Kelsie Kimberlin Foundation to provide aid to Ukrainian citizens in the midst of the war. Find out more about Kelsie below!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new track called Another Chance To Live Again. What can you tell us about the song?
Thanks for the interview. Yes, I released a slew of songs between September and January about Ukraine. First was Armageddon about the abject terror and destruction inflicted on Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Second was Another Chance To Live Again about the profound loss millions of people in Ukraine have felt from the death of loved ones. Third was Turn Back about how Ukrainians who left at the beginning of the war should return home and help the country. Fourth, was Vlad about the awful things committed by a dictator named Vlad. And fifth was We Are The Promise about a dystopian society where music is banned and musicians are executed, which is a metaphor for the rise in authoritarianism across the globe.
How has the reception to Another Chance To Live Again been so far, and where can it be purchased?
All these songs have gone viral with millions of plays, views, streams, radio plays, rave reviews and even interest from Hollywood. They can all be purchased on all major music platforms.
It’s the second track in a trilogy based on the current war in Ukraine. You traveled to the nation to film the video. Is there anything you’d like to raise awareness for about the current war?
Yes, I traveled to Ukraine in August for two weeks where I filmed the first three songs mentioned above. It was harrowing because of martial law and we filmed while air raid sirens were blaring and drones and missiles were being shot down overhead. I wanted to see firsthand the horrors of the war so I could sing authentically about them and inspire people to action. I want everyone to support Ukraine. If anyone can, please donate to my foundation which is dedicated to Ukraine. www.KelsieKimberlinFoundation.org
You’ve also started the Kelsie Kimberlin Foundation to collect donations to help rebuild Ukraine. How did the foundation get started?
Yes, my foundation was started at the request of military commanders and an aide to the President. I have an office in the Washington, DC region and will launch a branch in Kyiv shortly. It is a huge undertaking and we need lots of donations.
Do you have any more singles planned for release soon?
I am always releasing new music. I want to release 25 songs this year, and probably an album and one or two EPs. My next song release is called Twinkle and it’s about a 12-year-old transgender girl who has faced bullying for being who she is. In the spring, I will release two videos that I filmed in Colombia which mix some Latin styles with cool pop and I sing them in a duet with a famous Latin producer.
Are there any plans for a full-length album or an EP anytime soon?
Actually, last month, a UK radio station asked me to do a one-hour program dedicated to Ukraine so I gathered 13 of my songs that have some relevance to Ukraine and played them during the show. The response was so positive that many people asked me to put them together as an album so I likely will in the next few months. I also want to release a pop EP and an EP dedicated to my parents.
Your music is quite unique, mixing a few different genres together. What/who are you most influenced by?
Yes, thank you for pointing that out. I love all kinds of music from all kinds of cultures. And I can sing in almost any style. Moreover, I get really bored with musicians who have the same style all the time. I am greatly influenced by the Beatles. When they put out the White Album, every song was different and I try to do the same thing. I love Bach and BabyMetal, and everything in between. You will see a lot of variety this year from me.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up in the next few months?
I am so excited by all my pending releases. I know that Twinkle will go viral. By the way, it was mixed by Grammy winner Liam Nolan (Adele) from Metropolis Studios in London. The Colombian videos are so cool because I am the first international artist to film in the rainforest where I visited an indigenous tribe called the WIWA. And I also filmed in the Tayrona National Park. so the footage is incredible and the songs are uplifting.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
I really want to tour and visit the UK. I have many fans there and would love to play some big gigs. I released a song in 2022 called Cosmopolitan Girl which has some lyrics and footage about the UK. So keep an eye out.
Any last words for the fans?
Thank you so much for supporting me and Ukraine. Please continue following me on social media. Big hugs.