Kristin Carter

Vancouver-based artist Kristin Carter has just released her debut album Full Bloom.

The 12-track record follows two lead-in singles “I’m Still Here” and her current single, “Euphoria”.

“This album is a sonic journal that chronicles my curiosity, exploration, and growth throughout my 20s. Since we continually evolve in life, I chose to craft it as a musical garden that holds the many different shades, layers, and expressions of my journey. Within it are flowers – the songs that reflect the unique individual moments that form a collective human experience,” explains Carter.

It’s a beautiful record you can listen from beginning to end without skipping any song. It is that good. Kristin Carter delivers powerful vocals with meaningful lyrics. Only great songs. Please take a moment to check out this worth listening album.

Full Bloom is now available everywhere.

Hi Kristin, how are you? What’s your story?

I’m doing well, thank you! My story is I’m a woman from Vancouver, Canada BC, who has loved to create music her whole life. My dream is to one day sing my songs in a cafe somewhere in Europe and see someone singing along.

When did you start feeling connected to music? What did you grow up listening to?

Since I was very young, I've always felt connected to music as a medium more than any other art form. Hard to describe but it's a feeling I can't find in anything else. I grew up in the ‘90s, which was such a fun era for music. I was a huge Britney and Christina fan, I also loved The Chicks and some Canadian legends like The Barenaked Ladies and Avril Lavigne.

When did you know you could sing?

When I got pulled up to do a solo in grade 1. I loved singing in my free time and never really thought about it until that moment, but I remember thinking "well the teacher likes me, so I guess I'm not that bad".

Do you remember a specific time in your life where music made huge difference?

Not a specific one but I'm always blown away when people take the time to write to me about how my music has impacted them. There's been times where people have sent me videos of them having their first dance to one of my songs, or telling me how it got them through a tough time; that always really moves me and reminds me how impactful music can be.

Could you give a list of some of the records that influenced the music you are making today?

Adele's “21”, Beyonce (all the albums), The Chicks’ "Fly".

Full Bloom is your debut album. How does it feel like to release this first project?

I'm so excited to put it out. I've been working on it for a long time now, so it's almost overwhelming to think about it finally being released. This music means a lot to me, so I can't wait to share it.

Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this record? When did you start working on it? Who helped you create it?

Marcus Ramsay and I co-produced the record together and started working on writing tracks a few years ago. We wrote most of the songs together, and they come from all different feelings and inspirations. Sometimes I'd have a little melody idea pop into my head, sometimes Marcus would make a quick instrumental loop, it really varied. We recorded it all together in many different places. I did a lot of recording myself in my bedroom with a vocal booth I made from a blanket. You gotta do what you gotta do! It was a joyful and wonderful process.

What different topics are you talking about on this record?

It really ranges: love, resilience, lust, society, life's deeper meaning..... it really has it all! It was very fulfilling for me to be able to explore all these different perspectives through writing and producing.

What did you feel when recording "The Waltz"?

I felt a bit confused and defeatist, but ultimately hopeful writing that song. The world was reckoning with a lot around that time, and I wanted to process what I was seeing and hearing around me through a song to inspire reflection.

What made you want to name your album Full Bloom?

Borrowing from my album foreword: I envision each song on this record like a carefully planted seed, a facet of thought nurtured and tended to until it pierces its way to the surface; ever-evolving and never complete. Some are colourful, soft and bright; others are covered in thorns, hardened to protect. All are necessary – for a garden of only one kind of flower, wouldn’t be a garden at all. And so, after years of exploration, curiosity and growth, the season is finally here; I give you my garden, in Full Bloom.

What message do you want to deliver through this album?

I suppose the message would be that you need 'everything' to feel 'anything'. The good isn't good without the sad, and vice versa. My hope is that each time someone listens, it will be different - they’ll hear things in a different glow of light that make them new all over again; the first and the last time they’ll ever hear it that way.

How's it like to be a woman in the music industry? What advice would you give to women out there?

It can be very challenging. My advice would be to trust yourself, you know what is best for you.

As an artist, what's the hardest part about releasing an album? And what is the best part?

It's a shocking amount of admin work! There's so much to plan and lots of very unsexy things that need to be done to get an album off the ground. The best part has been seeing people's reactions to the music so far and all the design work, I really loved that.

What biggest lessons have you learned since the beginning of your career?

To go easier on myself, and not worry so much about making mistakes. Trust myself more.

As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?

The hardest part for me is I feel that there is an expectation that an artist needs to be excellent at many, many things these days - a social media expert, photographer, and editor, among other things. I'm still learning all those other pieces and it can feel overwhelming. The best part is seeing people be moved by the music. That never gets old and inspires me so much to keep creating.

What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?

I think it's really amazing that it's more accessible now than ever to be an artist and to share your music. I would love to see more women in engineering and producing roles.

What are your thoughts on today's social media? How does it impact your music career?

I think it can be amazing. It connects you with so many people and gets your music heard, which is incredible. I admit I struggle to come up with content ideas because I'm not a natural poster, I'm a little shy when it comes to sharing, so sometimes I find it hard to keep up.

In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?

Have patience for each other. We're all just trying our best.

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