Katlyn Swanson is only 20-years-old, but she is already taking the entire music world by storm with her amazing voice. A singer-songwriter, Swanson has been writing her own lyrics and tunes for years before being signed on by Affluent Records, New York City’s #1 independent urban, hip-hop, and R&B label. Swanson’s talents are not reserved to simply vocals, however. She can also play piano and taught herself how to play the guitar. A student at the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at New York University, Swanson is a member of NYU’s a capella group, the N’Harmonics, and a jazz vocalist who has competed at state and district levels in Illinois.
Swanson’s debut album, Dizzy, is currently available for purchase on iTunes. The main producers of the album are Oscar Sanchez and Katlyn Swanson. The subproducers are Carlos Gueiterrez and The Dawty Music Group.
GGG: Are you living your dreams?
Katlyn Swanson: I am. I’ve still got a long way to go, but this is exactly where I need to be at this point in my life. I’m still in school–much else would be hard for me to handle! I know I will make it happen for myself because I’m that passionate for what I do.
GGG: Are your career goals in line with your personal goals?
KS: Fortunately, yes. I love that I wake up in the morning being inspired to write a song, knowing that I can write it both for fun and work.
GGG: Has there been an event/person that has greatly influenced you to be the person you are today?
KS: The biggest influence to me and my music has been Mariah Carey. She resembles a lot of things that I want to be in the music industry both as an artist and an entrepreneur. She’s a beautiful, powerful woman with an unbelievable voice, and I try to be that, too.
GGG: Three years ago, did you envision yourself being where you are today? If not, what’s different? What would you change?
KS: Three years ago, I hoped that I would be halfway to where I am today. Getting signed to Affluent Records (or any label at all, for that matter) came so unexpectedly. That wasn’t to say I wasn’t yearning for it and that I wasn’t ready. Because I made sure that I would be ready both as a person and an artist when an opportunity like that came along.
GGG: Who or what keeps you grounded?
KS: School keeps me grounded right now. It teaches me new things every day. I’m a student in New York City at the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at New York University, and this school is specialized in the music industry and every aspect of it. It gives me a sort of comfort, too, to know that I have a bunch of close friends and teachers who have my best interests in mind.
GGG: How do you embody guts, glamour, and grace?
KS: I’ve always looked at myself as a very independent person. Ever since I was a kid, I was doing things on my own and going after what I wanted. That, to me, is my guts. Because I’m a performer, I will make sure I’m looking my best to feel the most confident that I can. I exercise a lot, take the time to doll myself up with hair and makeup, and pick out the cute clothes to wear. But, let me tell you, it’s not 24/7—I’m a student, too, and need to sit at home in sweats and a messy bun sometimes! As far as grace goes, I feel like I try and do everything in life with grace. Walk across the stage with grace, sing effortlessly, converse with people professionally, and on those bad days, even trip over your own two feet with grace!
GGG: What are some key beauty or grooming tips you live by?
KS: For the curly-haired beauties that can’t always appreciate it and want straight hair a lot (i.e. me), invest in a really good and powerful blow dryer. It will cut down flat-ironing time by at least 20 minutes.
GGG: Who or what are your favorites?
KS: Favorite cities are Chicago and New York City! Favorite color is purple at the moment, but changes very frequently. Recent purchase is blank CDs and a bottle of water. Favorite season is spring! Favorite TV shows are Sex and the City, The Office, and Friends.
GGG: With your success, do you think money can buy you happiness?
KS: Absolutely not! Money can never buy you happiness…and if it can, then you’re lying! Sure, money can buy you the nice things that you want. And yes, it will make you happy for that little bit of time because you’re going to enjoy that, but if you aren’t grounded and forget to appreciate those things you worked hard for, then you’ll just eventually end up hitting a wall with nothing else left to want. Just remember to keep it real and enjoy what life has to offer. The other things are just a nice addition.
GGG: What advice can you give to other people on the rise?
KS: Never forget who you are because you will meet people left and right who will try to change you and try to make you be something that you’re not. Make sure you know who you are before trying to bust out on top—you’ve got to know who it is you’re working so hard to fight for!
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Person of the Week,
Striving for Success
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