Interviews

Music Interview: Kim Petras

When your goal is to make it big in music, especially with pop music, it can be an uphill battle. Luckily for Kim Petras, she’s not fighting too much to get there. Growing up in Germany, she’s had the biggest dreams to make it in the world of pop music. With her newly released single “I Don’t Want It At All”, it seems as if Kim is very well on her way reaching towards the top. In addition, Kim has also been chosen as Spotify’s RISE artist which, if you haven’t heard, is Spotify’s new emerging artist program “designed to identify and break the next wave of superstars through Spotify’s unmatched cultural influence and 140+ million fans.”

You may have heard Kim’s other latest single “Slow It Down” on one of Spotify’s recent New Music Friday’s playlist. If you couldn’t catch on yet, Kim gives nothing but good dance vibes and feels out into the world. Check out our interview with her below where we learn about Kim’s start in music, what it was like working with Paris Hilton and spilling details on her next single!

TYF: Let’s start by getting to know a bit more about you. How did the idea of becoming a pop artist come about for you? How did you get your start in writing/singing/creating your own music?
Petras: I was obsessed with pop music ever since I was young and I started writing my own songs early on too. When I was 19 I came to LA and started writing for different artists. I was constantly in the studio working. I eventually got a publishing contract. I had so many songs that I had written that I loved, and I knew I wanted them to be mine so I started focusing on my own artistry and it just started happening from there!

TYF: Who has been your somewhat mentor throughout all of this? What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned while working in the music industry so far?
Petras: I feel very lucky to have my manager Larry Rudolph to guide me through everything. I’ve learned that there are many teams and people involved in the music industry and it’s really fun meeting and working with different people who feel passionate about my music!

TYF: All your songs so far have such a carefree vibe, dancing vibe. Will more of your music emulate this style? Will you eventually be doing more ballads in the near future?
Petras: I have a couple ballads ready! But my favorite songs are the ones I can lose myself to and just have fun! Songs like that are the reason I started making music. I remember listening to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and thinking “oh my god I only wanna make music that makes me feel like this!”

TYF: Speaking of the near future, what is in the works for you? Whether it be a complete EP or even a mini-tour?
Petras: I have a full album written! Also I keep writing new songs all the time. Spotify has been amazing for releasing songs single by single! So the album is just gonna keep completing itself!

TYF: As for “I Don’t Want It At All”, it’s so catchy I LOVE it. I read in a previous interview that you got inspiration from a Sephora worker for one of the lyrics. What was it that you were buying at that exact moment? If you were able to have a complete shopping day (all paid for by someone else), what would be your first go-to item?
Petras: I think I was buying a lot of make-up at that time – I love a great lip gloss! My first go-to for a shopping day would be clothes, clothes and more clothes!!!

TYF: I love how you brought Paris Hilton into the video. How did that collaboration come about and how was it working with her on set?
Petras: Charlotte Rutherford and I were going over ideas for the video and she had just shot with Paris and she was like “What if Paris was in the video? Should I ask her?” and I obviously immediately loved the idea! We sent Paris the song and she was in! It was surreal! She was the sweetest, chillest, most professional person and we had so much fun on set!

TYF: The tongue-in-cheek track is hilarious but low key accurate. How would you describe your own lifestyle versus the one you’ve described in the song?
Petras: The exact opposite. I’m in the studio every day in the same sweatshirt writing song after song and working hard! To me the song is a fantasy escape. I’m just like, “Why can’t I just have all my clothes designer and not worry about a thing!” [laughs]

TYF: How has your stay in Los Angeles been and for those of us who have not had the chance to take a trip to Germany, how do the two music industries differ?
Petras: I love it in LA! I live here now and I met a lot of my all-time favorite people out here! I think the music industry is essentially the same everywhere but I think the main difference is that there’s a lot more opportunities and collaborators out in LA! In Germany a lot of people told me my music was too pop and wouldn’t work there. So I mainly wrote songs by myself in Germany.

TYF: Tell us a bit about “Slow It Down.” How did this song come about and why did you choose this track to be your next single?
Petras: To me this song is like 16 Candles and 80’s prom movies. I just wanted to make a song that makes you wanna slow dance.

TYF: It may be too early to tell but what do you envision the music video to be like for “Slow It Down”?
Petras: I see prom night! ;)

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