10 Questions with ... Katie Pruitt

1. When it comes to your music, what are you most excited about for 2020?

Besides releasing my first record, I’m most excited for my headline tour. I’m stoked to play these songs a little different every night. To stretch as a guitar player, change the melodies a little, and rearrange the order of the set lists. I’m also excited to write new stuff and play those out too.

2. What do you think motivates you day in and day out?

Good question. I have good days and bad days. I’d be lying to say I’m always motivated. But on the days I am motivated it’s because I know I’ve got something to say. Songs become like a lucid dream I can crawl inside and control. I can finally be safe to say what I think and feel. That’s always the feeling I’m looking for.

3. How do you think your hometown has influenced the kind of music that you make?

I grew up in the south and lived in Athens, GA during my early college years. That is definitely where any roots or folk influence made its way into my songs. I also grew up in a small suburb with very little diversity. Which drove me to want to express myself and speak openly about my experience as a gay girl in the south.

4. Growing up, how important was music in your life?

As a little kid I was always intrigued with performing. I used to host concerts in my garage for my neighbors. In middle school I got really into musical theater and thought I wanted to be on Broadway. The storytelling and the aspect of live performance was what I fell in love with. Then in high school I picked up guitar and started writing songs and it was game over.

5. What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career?

Probably how hard it really is to make a record. The technical side of making music is something I had no clue about until I had a little experience in a studio.

A big challenge for me right now is learning how to separate music and the music business. The music business is necessary but when it comes to being creative, you’re better off pretending it doesn’t exist.

6. What was the inspiration for the title track from your debut album, Expectations?

Expectations is about freeing yourself of the pressure others put on us or that we put on ourselves. It’s about pushing past personal barriers. I was going through a rough time mentally. I couldn’t help but feel stuck. I started reading this book called “The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A Fuck” and it turned things around for me. I realized the reason I felt stuck was because I was caring too much and trying way too hard.

7. How about the other songs on the album?

The whole record is filled with moments of realizations. Every song is a specific personal revelation I had at different points of my life. Some positive and some not so positive. This record is my personal coming of age story.

Making this record felt like a very full circle moment. Not only are all these songs so personal but I got to make the record with my friends and collaborators including Mike Robinson (guitar player for my college band turned producer) Having my long-time friends be a part of the recording process made it that much more personal

8. Do you have any tour dates scheduled for this year?

Yes. I’ve got a whole headline tour scheduled during March and April. Dates for that are available at katiepruitt.com

9. How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music?

I think my confidence has grown most of all. Bearing your soul is a vulnerable thing but it’s worth it even if only a few people understand. I also think I’ve grown as a singer, writer, and performer. I plan to continue growing in any way I can.

10. At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music

I guess my main goal is to make people feel less alone. Whether that pertains to a specific struggle or just in general. I just want them to feel like they are listening to a friend giving them advice or relating to them. That’s what music does for me anyway.