Khatya
Nashville-based singer/songwriter Khatya unveils her new single “You & Your Poison”.
Co-written with Madison Fields and Scott Ogilvy, the pop/soul single is about a platonic or romantic relationship where you cared for someone so deeply, but they couldn't have cared less about you.
“You and Your Poison” follows up her single “Two Faced” released earlier this year.
The Indiana-native also created an empowering platform where she encourages all women to love and embrace their bodies.
“I have such a passion for encouraging all women to love their bodies and to find confidence not just in their personality, but also in their hips! I am trying to break the mold of the music industry with size 2 pop artists by being a size 22 pop artist that is just as talented and fabulous!” explains Khatya.
“You & Your Poison” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Kelsey Black
Introduce yourself - where are you from?
I am from Fishers, Indiana originally, but moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2015 to pursue songwriting and go to school at Belmont University.
What's your story?
I have always been doing music. I started by playing the violin at a very young age all the way into high school and then eventually got a guitar and started writing my own songs around the age of 13. Of course, my dog died and a boy broke my heart so I had to write about it. I had come to a point in my life a little over a year ago where I was writing songs I felt needed to be heard by more than just me and my friends. I have never had the desire to be an artist and play shows or tour, but I still wanted to share these songs with the world, so I decided to be a platform instead of an artist.
Could you describe us your childhood a little bit?
My childhood was great. I grew up around a loving family that inspired me to follow my passions.
If you could say something to your younger self today, what would you say?
If I could say anything to my younger self it would be, “you are so beautiful and so worthy, despite what some people believe and say about you.” I have always been a bigger woman, and some people don’t believe that because of my size I am beautiful, that I can be successful. But I am beautiful, and I have had successes in my life.
How would you describe yourself today?
I am a woman with many passions, with a story, with the desire to bring women together to love and support each other. I also really love cats and plants.
When did you decide to fully pursue music as a career?
I decided I wanted to pursue the music industry when I was 10. I knew I wanted to do something in music, I just had no idea it would look like this. I am so blessed and thankful for where I am at and would be blowing the mind of my 10 year old self if she knew what I was doing now.
How would you define Khatya, the artist?
Khatya is more than just an artist, but a platform that shares stories of women that don’t usually get told or talked about. It’s a place for all people, especially woman to find a trustworthy community of honest and real life stories to connect to. I have such a passion for encouraging all women to love their bodies and to find confidence not just in their personality, but also in their hips! I am trying to break the mold of the music industry with size 2 pop artists by being a size 22 pop artist that is just as talented and fabulous!
"You & Your Poison" is your new single - what's the story behind this song?
This song was written about a platonic or romantic relationship where you cared for someone so deeply, but they couldn't have cared less about you. You would have done anything for them: from supporting them in their dreams to being there for them in their struggles. Instead, they only used you for their own comfort and to combat their loneliness. It's about letting go of this person and realizing your-self worth. It's about moving on and demanding the respect you deserve.
I wrote this song with many things in mind, but I was also trying to write something that encourages the plus size and body positive community. All people, despite their sex/gender can relate to this song, but I specifically wrote it for those women who need reminded that they are worthy of letting go of something that is hurting and not supporting them.
You co-wrote this song with Madison Fields and Scott Ogilvy, how's it like to collaborate with them? Could you describe us the songwriting process?
I absolutely love writing with these gems. I have written my past two singles with Scott as well and feel so comfortable with him. – something I think is incredibly important if you want to write something honest and be vulnerable. Madison is such a sweetheart and I absolutely love writing with her as well. Madison definitely brought her folky touch to the write while Scott brought some massive melodies. There would be no way to split this song up by “who did what,” because all of it came from all of us. The process was like many other writes I have, but this one ended with a very special song telling a very honest and relatable story.
What made you want to release "You and Your Poison" as a single?
I had written a bunch of songs for the next release and narrowed it down to a couple, but “You & Your Poison” just felt right. The story meant so much to me and the song just felt so good. Eventually everything started pointing towards it and there was no denying it was the next single.
What do you like the most about this particular song?
I love the bridge/ending. We wrote and tracked the whole song, and while laying down the vocals, we decided to throw something fun at the end. Scott pulled this melody straight out the air and it just stuck. We kept adding and adding to it and at one point a truck pulled into some one’s driveway nearby while we were listening through, and we both looked at each other intrigued. We knew what each other were thinking and decided to throw the siren sounds in the mix. That moment reminds me why I love music. Being able to be creative with others and hear the most basic of sounds turn into something unique, is so magical.
The lyrics of this song are also massively important and I find to be so honest. The more and more I listen to the song, and work on it, the more and more the lyrics mean to me.
How would you describe your music?
I would say my music is definitely pop, but it’s folk and soul inspired. My melodies and progressions take on a very bluesy and jazzy tone, with folk inspiration in the lyrics, and sits in a commercial pop track/setting.
How often do you write songs?
I write songs all the time. Anywhere between 1-5 a week. Some are good, and some just suck.
What appeals you the most about songwriting?
I love seeing what can be created. I pretty much always write with others and it is incredible to me how different and unique songs can be even though you write with the same people and sometimes even the same stories.
As an artist, what are the biggest challenges?
It’s hard to separate your artistry from your self-worth. People will always have opinions about you, your music, how you look, how you dress, everything. It is so hard to separate others opinions and critiques from your own self-worth and understand that you are worthy and beautiful no matter what people have to say.
What message would you give to women around the world?
I would tell them what I tell myself. “You are so loved. You are capable, smart, and beautiful.” If you are being called to or in a certain direction in life, do it. You can do it. I might not be easy, but it’s worth it. Your hip size or hair color or lip plumpness does not determine the amount of respect you deserve. Life is hard, sometimes more so because you are a woman, but that makes being successful and accomplishing your goals so much more worth it. Don’t be scared of failure, learn from it and keep going.
What do you want to accomplish as a human being?
I just want to love others. I want to be known as the woman who worked hard, loves all people, and brings them together in community, not the artist with X amount of streams on Spotify.
What are the things you are the most proud of?
I am proud of my hard work. I tend to not always reward my successes because there is always more to do, but I am trying to give myself credit where credit is due. So, I am proud of my hard work, the progress and community I have made for Khatya. I am proud of the relationships I have built in my life and how far I have come in loving myself and finding my self-worth and respect.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Just loving one another. If we approached each other with love and an open mind we could accomplish so many things. We could beat so many things that are weighing us down; from little conversations with strangers, to political arguments.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
No matter what people say about you, good or bad, it doesn’t depict your worthiness or change how beautiful you actually are. It’s not about finding validation in others, it’s about building enough self-worth and respect in yourself to do what you love despite the outcome and opinions of others.
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