Meet Kelsie Kimberlin | I am an American-Ukrainian singer-songwriter.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelsie Kimberlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelsie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Thank you for the interview. I am a singer and musician and my business is music. In starting my music business, I knew that I had to do something different to stand out from all the other musicians who create and post songs online. So I surveyed what makes me unique and focused on those attributes. One is that I am American-Ukrainian so I can bring a different perspective to my music than other people. Another is that I write all of my songs and have a style that is my own. And finally, I come from a musical family with strong connections in the music industry which helped me to assemble a team of top professionals to help me in my musical endeavors. Applying all of these over the past few years has allowed me to stand out and walk my own road.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a popular American-Ukrainian singer/songwriter with millions of views, streams, plays, and radio plays. In August, I traveled to Ukraine to engage in humanitarian work and film three music videos to show the world the terrible suffering and loss there. I worked under martial law, while daily air raid sirens blared and drones and missiles were shot down overhead. I am the first international artist to be allowed to film at locations of the worst atrocities of the war in Bucha and Irpin. I have since released those three videos and they have all gone viral and received international acclaim. When I was in Ukraine, I met with military commanders and with an aide to President Zelensky who urged me to start a foundation to help Ukraine. So immediately upon my return home, I launched www.KelsieKimberlinFoundation.org and in the coming weeks will open a second branch in Kyiv. In addition to my Ukrainian work, I have released dozens of other songs in more of a pop genre, and currently, all of my songs include Grammy winners in the production process. Next month I will release a video I filmed in Colombia called “Parking Lot” which has a cool Latin/Island feel. In April, I will release my first EP of 7-9 songs. And in May, in anticipation of Pride Month, I will release a very cool video about a 12-year-old transgender girl. Of course, none of this has been easy. I have had to work very hard and prove my worth. Fortunately, my father has been in the music business for decades so he was able to help me meet professionals and write great songs. I want everyone to know that there is no silver bullet in this industry. One has to put in the work, have a little bit of luck, and attain the highest standards. With my brand, I attempt to show that being true to myself and being authentic are keys to my success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, assuming that my friend was visiting me in Kyiv, Ukraine, I would want to show her both the amazing aspects of the city and the places where tragedies have taken place. It might sound strange, but currently in Kyiv, there is a nominal sense of normality only because US Patriot missile batteries protect the skies and shoot down virtually all incoming missiles and drones. First, there are amazing restaurants throughout the city that are better than almost any restaurant in Washington, DC. Second, there is a very vibrant club scene, but there is an unusual nuance to everything because under martial law there is a curfew so everyone has to be in their homes by 11 pm. Third, there are incredible sights including the glass bottom bridge that spans a city block, many grand cathedrals, and one of the most interesting places on the planet called Lavra, where saints going back to ancient times are housed in the underground catacombs. These saints are so rarified that they have never decomposed even over centuries, and each saint exudes a special power. And then I would show her the Wall of Remembrance where thousands of photos are pinned of soldiers lost in the war. Finally, I would take her to Bucha and Irpin to show her the awful devastation caused by Russian terror.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes, I would like to shoutout to all of those who believed in me even when I did not believe in myself. This especially goes for my father who is an amazing musician and who saw my potential when I was just a small child. He nurtured my love of music and provided me with everything I needed to succeed. I also want to shoutout to the courageous people of Ukraine who have inspired me and the entire world with their resilience and heart. Finally, I want to shoutout to President Zelensky for showing how a real leader looks and acts. When he spoke at the Grammys, he inspired me to travel to Ukraine to film three music videos about the war which have all gone viral with millions of views, plays, and streams.

Website: https://www.KelsieKimberlin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsiekimberlin/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsie-kimberlin-57232b20b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KelsieKimberlin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KelsieKimberlin/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KelsieKimberlinofficial

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelsiekimberlinofficial1

Image Credits
Pavlo Khomiuk, Andrii Samerkuanov