Katja Glieson giving that look we, at The Daily Quarterly, know all too well. That “You said you were going to take the trash out but you didn’t,” look. Am I right? Anyone?
This week’s TDQ Q&A is with Australian recording artist Katja Glieson. Katja spoke to us about her popularity on Periscope, her new single and playing Elsa in “Princess Rap Battle.” Here is this week’s
TDQ Q&A With Katja Glieson:
The Daily Quarterly: Who was your favorite singer growing up?
Katja Glieson: I have to thank my parents for introducing me to so many genres and legends of music. I enjoyed listening to Fats Domino and Roy Orbison with my dad and Elton John and the Bee Gees with my mum. I loved pretending I was Olivia Newton-John in “Grease” and can do a great Elvis upper lip.
TDQ: What was your favorite album growing up?
KG: I could never choose just one, but one of my favorite albums growing up, was Carlos Santana Supernatural!
TDQ: What made you want to be in show business?
KG: When I was little, I didn’t really have many friends. A lot of the time, I was teased and taunted for being overweight. I found that music was my way to escape from it all and became my friend. It helped me so much growing up and I really wanted to learn how to share that with others seeking an escape, or something to relate to and a friend.
TDQ: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
KG: The best advice I have ever gotten was if you are bullied, “remember it has nothing to do with you.” A bully must be going through a tremendous amount of pain in order to have to act out on an innocent person. It doesn’t make bullying ok, but understanding why it’s happening can help a victim of bullying realize there is nothing wrong with them and begin to change the situation and heal.
TDQ: What’s the worst advice you’ve ever gotten?
KG: The worst advice was from someone trying to tell me I should audition for “The Voice.” “Girls like you are just a dime a dozen.”
Not true. “The Voice” is a show that is something some people choose to participate in. I feel like anyone who goes on the show has to choose to do it all on their own and do it for them, nobody else. And nobody is a dime a dozen. We are all individual, unique, talented beings that when we work together, can accomplish great things.
TDQ: Who are your influences?
KG: At the moment, I have been listening to a lot of Cody Simpson, Sia, Major Lazer and Janet Jackson. It is a crazy, fun mix. Their stuff is really inspiring me in the recording studio at the moment.
Katja Glieson as Elsa takes on Snow White in the latest of Whitney Avalon’s Princess Rap Battles. It is both poignant and hilarious but it’s also pretty gangster so it’s not for the kids. Unless that’s what you’re going for. Who am I to tell you how to parent. I’m just a caption writer.
TDQ: How did you find yourself playing Elsa in the mega-viral video “Princess Rap Battle?”
KG: The Princess Rap Battle was created by the brilliant comedienne Whitney Avalon (who plays Snow White). She had the idea of the awesome project. Whitney knew I was a singer/recording artist and thought I kind of looked like Elsa. She sent me the idea and I was HOOKED! I loved the comparison between women back when Snow White was a role model, to how women are perceived now through Elsa. We had such a fun time and a lot of laughs during the shoot. I am so grateful that I was a part of something that has brought so much joy to so many people.
TDQ: You’re HUGE on Periscope. Can we get you to Periscope yourself answering these questions? But seriously, what do you love most about Periscope?
KG: Sure I can Periscope the questions! Haha I have tried it before though and some people get a little frustrated because they are used to having my attention, and I love chatting with them! So I will start with the questions and we will end up on a crazy tangent about monkeys or something. We have a lovely lil family in Peri land. The closest ones to me are the #SpecialAgents. They are beautiful and supportive people that are a huge part of my journey here as a musician. (You can sign up at http://katjaglieson.com/register). We share so much together and feel like I have gotten to know so many people on there. I appreciate they come with me to rehearsals and live shows and we talk about life, our hopes and dreams.
The best thing about it is that on Periscope there is no Auto-Tune, no Photoshop, no editing. Just us.
TDQ: What’s the biggest difference between recording in studio and performing live on stage?
KG: They are completely and totally different. But both wonderfully amazing. In the studio, it”s more of a process about yourself. You really have to be completely open and focused on how you feel. It”s like writing a journal entry, working through your emotions and experimenting with different vibes. The creative process is like feeding your soul and filling up. Then when you go out and perform it on stage, you can just give to the audience. You have already worked through so many experiences and emotions, you are ready to put all of your focus into connecting with the audience and sharing everything you have done and been through.
And it”s interesting, it comes full circle because when you connect and experience wth others you have more inspiration to get back in the studio and do it all again.
Katja Glieson is pro-Pony. This, hopefully, satisfies the growing Brony lobby pushing for more pony content.
TDQ: We hear you’re working on your next single (to follow up your current “Look At Us”) and EP. What can you tell us about them both?
KG: I am! Hehe, that little birdy gets around. “Look At Us” has been playing in Europe and is available to purchase over there. So what I will do first is make “Look At Us” available worldwide.
I am now working with some awesome people to make a music video and release my song “No Brainer.” This song is so special to me. Everyone has been through this song. It”s that duality between being so smitten over someone you turn into a person that can barely construct a sentence around them, and in your head the intelligent you is witnessing it telling you how stupid you are being.
Following the video and single release, I would love to release my EP. There are some super-cool, fun songs on there and there are some amazing Special Agents that have been patiently waiting for it. Continue reading →
