Kat Upchurch Perspective on Scars

I am in indie-pop singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN. I play keys and guitar. I also produce my own music, which is a blast to do!

Pretty much all of my songs have personal history tied to them, while also trying to keep them relatable to the audience. Definitely this song addresses what it means to be human, and we ALL have scars. Whether you want to see them or not. If those scars remain un-healed, then we are destined to keep hurting people in the same ways, over and over. 

On my parent's floor model television (you kids might not know what I mean). I loved watching music videos. There are a few songs that distinctly come to mind: Heaven is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle, "Thriller" by MJ, From a Distance by Bette Midler. I was also heavily into Judy Garland as well as Disney songs at a very young age. My mom also tells me that she used to hear me humming melodies that I would make up, before I could really talk. 

My senior year of High School, I was scouted to attend a nearby Music College by the head of their dept. Before this happened, I was pretty sure I was going to Med School or go into Marine Biology. I had a great time those 4 years, working on my classical voice skills. I also met my future husband there. When Senior year came around at college, I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. I had pretty awful stage fright, along with the personality of a perfectionist. And constantly feeling like I had to be in competition with people didn't help. Not a good combo. I decided not to pursue my masters in music, and instead became a registered nurse. I did that for many years, but then COVID came around. I stopped working so that I could homeschool my children, but, in that time, I had the space to re-discover music on my own terms. 

I am definitely very influenced by the female singer-songwriters of the 90s. But I also wanted to give my music a more modern sound. I am definitely an audiophile and grew up listening to every genre under the sun. I definitely think that this song is more Rock than Pop, but I think there are definitely other influences in there. 

In the beginning, my sound was still very influenced by 90s folk/singer songwriter, and I still had a very classical sounding voice still. My music (and songwriting) have evolved so much since then. So has my voice. I'm still being very "me" with my music, but in a way that is much more relatable and accessible. 

Primarily, my music relates to Mental Health, specifically my debut album "Sledgehammer". I know it's becoming less taboo to talk about, but we can't become complacent. We have a real crisis on our hands in this country with mental health, and I think music is one of the first things people turn to when facing a crisis. We have the opportunity to do so much good. 

Jewel. I didn't even miss a beat with that one. Hands down. Her music was there for me when I was very young and facing a crisis of my own. I know most of her songs by heart (even the B sides). I got to see her perform at a bar in Nashville once, and I honestly couldn't stop crying. She means SO MUCH to me. What I also find interesting is that she is also a champion for mental health. And I'm sure if you listen to one or two of my songs, you would hear her influences. 

Raw, vulnerable, real, haunting, uplifting, with lyrics that actually mean something and are not just words.

Emotional, uplifting, hopeful. A cross between Jewel, Brandi Carlile, and Billie Eilish.

Maria Callas. She was a famous opera singer. One of my favorite arias is her version of Vissi D'Arte. Which I actually sang for my music school audition. 

"Monster". It will be released next Friday. I think it's just the most honest self-reflection that I've ever done, and I think people will relate. 

Jewel because of the reasons I already stated. But also because her songs are just comfort food to me. Whitney Houston because she was the GOAT, and is my favorite artist after Jewel. If I'm at Karaoke, I'm usually singing Whitney. Brandi Carlile because she and the brothers are amazing Lyricists, her melodies are always interesting, and voice is just freakin' phenomenal. 

One where I can't see anyone's faces. But, really, probably opening for Brandi Carlile at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre. 

One where I can't see anyone's faces. But, really, probably opening for Brandi Carlile at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre. 

Brandi Carlile. I think we could make some sick lyrics together. 

When my kids are watching YouTube Shorts. 

I want people to be moved, but, more than ANYTHING, I want them to feel seen. 

Unique, brave, creative

At the moment, mostly on Instagram

I practice all the time. But that has also caused me to improve far above what I thought I could. When I started this journey, I still. had the voice of a classical singer. Now, I feel so much more comfortable letting my voice do what it does. I'll also add, my writing has improved tremendously. I wouldn't say my practice has changed, but it's the repetition and muscle memory that really matter. 

The artist has ALWAYS played a vital role in society. Back in ancient Greece, there was Homer with the Odyssey and the Iliad. And in the middle ages, monarchs employed musicians, artists, jesters, dancers, etc. That was how artists made a living. It was a big deal to be a court appointed artist. It guaranteed that you ate. Artists told stories that needed to be told, held mirrors up to the faces of those in power, and they enjoyed a bit of immunity for the most part. Today, the life of the artist might look different, but the message is the same. Artists show you what you don't dare imagine possible, while also speaking truth to power and holding people accountable. 

Even though there is more music out there these days that discusses mental health, I still don't think it's enough. I would love to inspire other artists to explore those concepts as well. 

Starry Night by Van Gogh. He is my favorite artist. I know that seems like a cop-out answer, it just happens to be true. I also love John William Waterhouse, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Gustav Klimt. 

Starry Night by Van Gogh. He is my favorite artist. I know that seems like a cop-out answer, it just happens to be true. I also love John William Waterhouse, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Gustav Klimt. 

I was a Registered Nurse for over a decade. I am also a teacher of the Aerial arts.

Honestly, it's just to do something good on this Earth and leave a legacy for my kids to remember me by.