.

.

Interview with
KAITLYN THOMAS

(12th September 2024)

Interview with Dave Bruce

.

.

Australian country pop sensation Kaitlyn Thomas has launched her latest single “Hell Of A Long Time,” delivering a powerful blend of sassy lyrics and country rock energy that promises to captivate listeners across the nation.  Written by Kaitlyn Thomas, Troy Kemp, Michael Paynter, Michael Delorenzis and produced by powerhouse duo MSquared, “Hell Of A Long Time” is a bop about catching up with friends and family that you haven’t seen in a long time.  Knowing that time may change us, but it will never change the bond and good times that we all share.

Building on the success of her previous hits, Kaitlyn Thomas has garnered significant attention with her distinctive edgy country sound and charismatic performances. Her recent singles have enjoyed high rotation on prominent radio stations such as KIX Country and Triple M Country, as well as being featured on esteemed editorial playlists including Fresh Finds and Fresh Country on Spotify, and Aussie Country & Country Risers on Apple Music.

Kaitlyn’s music has resonated strongly on streaming platforms, with her single “Damn You” amassing over 191,000 streams on Spotify alone. Her previous achievements on the charts include reaching #5 on the Top 30 Country Charts at Country Thunder and achieving #13 on PlayMPE’s top 20 streams. Additionally, she secured the 16th spot on the Oz CMR Tasmania chart.

Having enjoyed national exposure on the 2023 series of Australian Idol, Kaitlyn’s most recent achievement was being announced as a Top 12 Talent Search Finalist at the 2024 Gympie Music Muster. 

.

.

Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
I started writing when I was 8 years old.  A young girl in my hometown was diagnosed with neuroblastoma a rare form of childhood cancer and I wanted to write a song for her.  I wrote a poem about wishing that all children shouldn’t have to suffer and go through things like this, and I took it into a producer to helped me shape it into a song.  I Wish was released in 2011 when I was 10 years old.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
I have evolved in my sound over the last few years.  I like to describe my sound as contemporary Country Rock/Pop.  I like to rock up my country songs with big guitars and vocals, it’s what I love, and I think people resonate with it as well.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
I look up to so many powerful women in music.  People like Sheryl Crow, Pat Benatar, Heart, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, the McClymont’s.  I just love their voices; they are vocal powerhouses and the way they deliver songs. One of my most favourite singers though is John Farnham.  His such an amazing vocalist and his live version of Help is one of my all-time inspiring songs and still inspires me today.  So much so, I did a little rendition of my own at Tamworth this year on the Toyota Park stage.  It was always a dream to sing that song on a stage like that, and that dream came true this year.

.

.

Your new single “Hell Of A Long Time” has been released.   Describe its origin and evolution. 
So I wrote Hell of A Long Time originally with Australian country singer Troy Kemp over Zoom.  It was during the dreaded covid times and we wrote it about being able to catch up with friends again.  It sat with me for a little while until I met and started working with MSquared in Melbourne.  They helped me shape it into the rocking anthem it is today.  I just love the song and the concept behind it.  Its about great friends and nothing changing between you even though you haven’t seen each other for a long time.

Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
Oh yes, I have been writing and recording over the last couple of years.  I’ve only recently moved to Queensland. So I am now looking for producers and writers to help me further develop my sound and artistry.  I’d love to keep working with MSquared if I can afford to go back and forth down to Melbourne, but it might be a case of trying to find someone locally.  I have a few in mind!

Any plans to tour Australia?  What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I am working towards a small tour.  Once I have my EP ready for release.  The fans can expect a high energy and powerful show!  I love performing.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Sheryl Crow!  She is my all-time favourite artist.  I just love that she is unapologetically herself.  Her vocal ability is insane, and her writing is amazing.

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist? 
I would love to be able to do what I love for a living for the rest of my life and make money from it.  As a musician and artist, that’s all we can hope for! 

.

.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
The best thing about performing to a live audience is the adrenaline!  The way the crowd responds to you and your performance just gives you chills and I’m always wanting to do better and bigger things when I perform, especially vocally.  My highlight so far was to get to perform at Tamworth Toyota Park Stage!  That was a wild rush and such a privilege to be asked to perform! Its such an amazing festival and to get to perform original music on the Girls Night Out show was incredible!

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Sheryl Crow – Feels Like Home
Artist – Too many to choose from, Sheryl Crow, Pat Benetar, Heart, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, McClymonts to name a few
Movie – Anne of Green Gables
Place to visit – Always wanted to visit Prince Edward Island where they shot Anne of Green Gables
Venue to play – Crown Casino Melbourne & Tamworth Toyota Stage
Food – Honey Soy Chicken Ribs
Drink – Glow Drink by Arbonne
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?)  I have a couple.  My favourite is my little Gecko and the one in memory of my grandmother ‘Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly’

.

.

Follow KAITLYN THOMAS
Facebook – Instagram – Tik Tok – Website

.

.

AMNPLIFY – DB