How can it be the middle of August already? As summer holidays move along and the children avoid the ‘get ready to return to school’ clothing sales, I settle down in my garden and enjoy the warmth of the day and listen to music – today’s choice is Kat Velasco.
This little feature of mine explores some of the music of Kat Velasco. Born and raised in South Carolina and now based in Nashville, Kat Velasco is a rising country-pop artist whose love for music was nurtured through a rich background in musical theater. Since debuting her music in 2021, Velasco has captured attention with her breakout single “Leave Me Wild,” which earned spots on prominent Spotify playlists like New Music Friday and Fresh Finds Country.
We start this piece with a mini interview I did with Kat that explores some of the background to her sound.
Shirley King (BB King’s daughter) told us that as we get older we start to see changes in how we see the world and the blues creeps more into our lyrics and lived experience. Do you find the truth in that?
Kat: I think that is incredibly wise and holds a lot of truth. I have found that experiences have really shaped the way I see the world, and it has definitely been a pinnacle point of my songwriting. The good, bad, and ugly experiences and adventures I have been so lucky to embark on have led me to where I am now. I was about twenty-two when I started writing songs, and recently we have found some old notebooks of mine (super embarrassing) from when I was a little girl that seem to be unfinished songs. I guess I have always been journaling and writing down my thoughts on paper, which is still how I write today. Pen and paper!
You’ve had a busy 2025! I was listening to “Paper Boy” which is a very different type of song to the new release. Was this a true story? It’s just when I listened to it it felt very personal.
Kat: “Paper Boy” is such a good song; I absolutely love it, it’s so relatable on so many levels. If you can’t tell, that’s really important to me in my songs and as an artist. I am literally just a girl who has a dream to write songs and connect with people of shared life experiences. I don’t like to fit myself into a box musically. I really do love most music genres and really try to go for whatever is inspiring to me at the moment. What stuck out to me the most in “Paper Boy,” is the fact that I have been in some relationships in the past where the guy looked so good on paper, or he was literally checking all the boxes in my mind for someone I wanted to be with. But it would always end because I was so focused on the aesthetic of it all and the potential, like the “boom box” and “James Dean” of it all, reminded me of something so out of reach or cinematic, like I am just making it all up in my head and this guy could be totally awful. That’s a huge life lesson I have learned, and that made cutting “Paper Boy” so exciting because I really relate to the song on so many levels.
I always feel genre is a useful peg to hang music on for the streaming services and media. But genre is a fluid thing. I mean…listening to your material, songs like “Let it Ride” and even the new single to an extent draw from aspects of folk, pop and even (lyrically) the blues. You are a little distance from those line dancing cowboy tunes (although “Kitchen Sink” is)! Your music is reflective… Disagree with me if you like lol!
Kat: I totally agree with you!!! Absolutely, I am drawing from blues and even classic rock; my favorite artist of all time is Stevie Nicks. The way she can make such a simple soundtrack or melody into these incredible lyrical songs that are truly iconic is something I have always tried to mirror. I am a girl from South Carolina, so I have the country flair, but I would say that my sound is edgier and pretty true to my personality, which is pretty out there! I have never been great at coloring inside the lines when it comes to genre. I love them all, and I think of all those influences sneak into my songs in different ways. To me, genre is more of a starting point. “Let it Ride” leans into folk and Americana energy while “Kitchen Sink” has more of a cowgirl spirit to it, coming from a place of storytelling with heart.
You are releasing singles and gaining traction through them, are you building toward an EP or album, or are you one of the many artists who are only interested in singles now due to the studio expense and time involvement of wider projects?
Kat: It’s always been a dream of mine to put out a body of work; I genuinely just never planned or thought I would be able to do it. I love releasing music and performing, but I really love writing, it is therapy for me. I have been working on my first EP since January, it’s almost complete, and I wrote every single song with one of my very best friends Johnny Gates here in Nashville. We carefully crafted all of these songs to really fit “me” as a person and even some past experiences that I’ve been able to work through, through my writing. It is such a special project, I feel like everyone is really going to be able to understand me and my sound a lot more. I am most proud of this body of work and seriously can’t wait to share it.
I read you grew up in musical theatre. I love musicals! My current favourite is “Six” based on the wives of Henry VIII. Have you seen/heard it? I think your voice would be ideally suited for the song “All You Wanna Do”…..is musical theatre still a part of you and your approach to music? And which is your favourite musical?
Kat: I have SO MANY favorite musicals, it’s secretly always been a dream of mine to be on Broadway in NYC. A few of my favorites are Les Mis, Wicked, Hell’s Kitchen, Hamilton, The Waitress, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, and Book of Mormon! I have seen so many, I am always that person crying in a show because I am just blown away at how talented the cast is.
What we are turning to now is the music! I am doing a review of the new single, and then touching on a couple from the back catalogue that I recommend for a listen. With the new single there is a press release that I include here: Co-written by Claire Douglas, Hannah Ellis, and Jason Massey, the track delves into the all-too-familiar experience of self-sabotage, of carrying past baggage into new beginnings, and anticipating the fall before it happens. Opening with wistful, melancholic guitars and Kat Velasco’s rich, emotive vocals, the track builds with a steady, grounding tempo that sets the tone for reflection. “Many of us can be our own worst enemy, existing somewhere in between hope and heartbreak,” Velasco shares. The lyrics offer a window into this mental limbo, resonating deeply with anyone who’s ever felt the tug of fear behind joy. It captures the spiraling thoughts of someone who can’t quite trust joy, as she sings, “If it feels too good, it’s probably gonna change.” That single line encapsulates the emotional tug-of-war at the heart of the song, an anthem for anyone who has ever braced for heartbreak amid happiness.
Now, on to the review!
“Breaking My Own Heart” was released on August 14, so it is out on all platforms now. It lyrically juxtaposes the sunny day with the thoughts of rain and change. The sense that there is a real emotive connection between singer and lyrics is always there, it is one of those dreamy tracks that blurs the edges between country and pop nicely. It is radio ready and I’d happily drive along to this leaving my worries behind for a while. It’s a sad song, but with a Summers smile.
“Kitchen Sink” came out on June 6 this year, so fans will be familiar with this one. It certainly leads with that cowgirl, country vibe, it is upbeat and built for the bar! Basically, the track has plenty of dance moves built in and it struts its way happily through the headphones. A track full of confidence.
“Paper Boy” is my favourite track, it leads with this slow bass beat and then has a power chorus. It was an early release from February 2025, lyrically interesting and with a strong lyric in a track that certainly has rocks in it! And some of those boys do look better on paper – try before you buy lol.
“Let it Ride” is an earlier track dating back to February 2023, it is an uplifting song -contemplative but positive. Kat tells us we can lose our way so many times, but we don’t get back time. We may love and fight but sometimes there is no other way, we just find our way. I liked it! It is certainly worth a listen on a lazy afternoon.
With each release, Kat Velasco shows herself to be an artist unafraid of honesty, blending country roots with pop sensibilities and a touch of folk and blues storytelling. Whether she’s strutting confidently through “Kitchen Sink,” baring her heart on “Breaking My Own Heart,” or reflecting with wisdom on “Let It Ride,” her music feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. As summer edges toward its close, Velasco’s songs remind us of the beauty in holding on to the moment, even when change is on the horizon. She may be just beginning her journey, but it’s clear she’s carving out a place in country-pop where authenticity reigns.
And we hope you liked the feature/review, dear reader! If you did, please check out the other pages of the magazine; we have many great features, merchandise pages, shops, editorials and even a poetry page. Content is free here, but we work hard for you, and to support the magazine, please show your appreciation on the support button below and buy me a coffee!
You can stream music from Kat Velasco here
Artist website here
Instagram @Kat.Velasco.Music,
TikTok @katvelascomusic.
By Anna-Louise Burgess
Really enjoyed reading about Kat Velasco! Her passion for songwriting and her unique blend of country-pop is truly inspiring. Looking forward to hearing more from her.