Just Kait! (interview)
Just Kait
At only 17 years old, Kaitlyn DiBenedetto has busted onto the music scene and never looked back. Going by the alias Just Kait, she has already accomplished what many musicians strive for their whole lives. She has a theme song on two major networks (E! and MTV) and only continues to gain success!
I had a little phone chat with her recently, and I must say this high school senior is definitely mature beyond her years. I’m sure that comes in handy in such a rough industry.. so see what she had to say!
Just Kait
First of all, I want to congratulate you on your success.
Thanks!
At what age did you realize you wanted to play music?
Probably around 5 years old, maybe even a little younger, like 3 or 4. My whole family’s been playing music, especially my dad. Around 5 years old was when I started playing drums.
What is your favorite instrument to play?
It used to be drums when I was younger, but now that I play guitar it’s becoming more of my favorite. You can play it for hours every day!
Tell me a little about your experience with the MTV “Parental Control†contest.
It was crazy because I saw the ad to sign up for it on MTV, I called someone and was like, “Dude I gotta get put on this!†Then after that I submitted the song , a week or two later they got back to me and said they really liked it and wanted to use it. That was the first big thing with MTV that happened and I just couldn’t believe it. It would be crazy knowing I’m on there. It’s cool to see stuff on there and make it there because it gets harder and harder to make it in this industry. It’s a crazy opportunity and I’m so grateful for it all.
You have been featured as MTV’s Discover & Download, how does that make you feel?
Yeah it’s just nuts because I see all these bands I like on there, All Time Low and stuff, and it’s a crazy feeling that I’m going to be on there and I feel nowhere near their level. The feelings gets crazier every time something happens, it’s so unbelievable.
Just Kait
Who’s more annoying; Amy Whinehouse or Lindsay Lohan?
Lindsay Lohan, she’s just drama. I’m not one of those people who likes drama.
7)
Has it been difficult to juggle being a high school senior and having a music career?
Yeah it definitely has. There are nights and days when you’re doing music all day and recording, and I have to do it all in the studio since I play everything. If I do it on like a Sunday, I have to wake up at 5 a.m. for school. I get good grades, but it’s a lot to juggle.
Were your family and friends skeptical about you going into such a cut-throat industry? Have you ever had any doubts?
There were doubts in the beginning but my family and friends were all really supportive of everything I do. They basically just say do what you want and follow your heart, since I’ve been doing it since I was young. I feel it’s what I’m meant to do and it’s what I should do. It’s something close to my heart. All my family is really supportive and my friends are all like, “Don’t change!†But I’m really level headed and I surround myself with good people.
Who are some of your favorite artists? And who are some musicians or people that have influenced your music?
My dad is a huge influence; he’s the one who really got me into music. I watched him all the time. I grew up on Good Charlotte, Sum 41, Blink 182, and now Paramour is getting big and I think it’s great to see girls rocking out. I’m into a lot of stuff, screamo, hip hop, a little bit of everything.
So what do you see for yourself in your future? Is there anything in the works right now?
We just wrote an album, we’re hoping for that, pushing for that,. I’m always writing, there’s never a time when I’m not writing something. Something is always in the midst of happening. I always wanna make sure things are happening and never slow down. I always wanna be productive.
Would you listen to your music?
Yeah, I listen to so much music. The cool thing about my album, is there’s something on there for everyone. It’s not anything painful to listen to. Music is music, no matter what its good. Anything from the heart is
Any last comments?
I think people girls in general, anybody, should just do what they want, do it honestly. Things can happen and dreams CAN come true, I never thought this would happen for me and now it is. If you want something, you should go for it. Do it because you want to happy.
I’ll be playing shows in Chicago and Washington DC, as soon as we have it all finalized, it’ll be up on MySpace.
****
http://www.myspace.com/justkait
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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