As June of 2020 begins, Helotes, Texas native Kathryn Legendre is enjoying some of her greatest success to date. Here singles "Sit down Here & Cry" and "Making It Upwardly" are chop-chop budgeted 75,000 combined streams on Spotify, she is nominated for 2020 Honky Tonk Female at the Ameripolitan Awards and has institute a new level on conviction in both her artistry and her songwriting.

While the showtime five months of the year have altered the plans of many artists, Legendre is continuing to keep step, releasing two new singles, "One Long Pitiful Song" and "Waiting in Line" at the terminate of May as she shifts her focus to honing her songwriting arts and crafts as the earth navigates through the strange times we are living in.

We chatted with Legendre most the success she's institute over the past twelvemonth, gaining confidence in her craft, all about her new singles and more!

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Pro Country: Who are some of your biggest musical influences that take shaped your sound?

Kathryn Legendre: George Strait has always been my #ane; he was my commencement introduction to music in general, and his audio is a constant in my life. As a child, the Dixie Chicks inspired me to write songs. When I picked up songwriting more seriously after college, Guy Clark became the standard I wanted to pursue. These days, Brennen Leigh, Noel McKay, Kelsey Waldon and James Steinle are merely a few of my songwriting heroes.

PC: When did y'all realize that yous wanted to pursue music as a career?

KL: I'm not certain I've fully realized it. When I began playing music, I fabricated a vow to only continue equally long information technology remained fun. Since then, songwriting has become i of the near fulfilling things in my life, then in the future, I want pursue that feeling more and do less standing in my own way.

PC: What emotions were y'all feeling every bit you were preparing to release music for the starting time fourth dimension with your album Old Soul?
KL: I was really excited to tape and release a tape. Earlier then, I never idea that opportunity would have been possible for me. At the same time, I was very nervous to expose myself musically and lyrically to people for the starting time fourth dimension, including my own family.

PC: "Sit Here & Cry" from your 2019 EP Making It Upward has gone on to become your most streamed vocal on Spotify to engagement. What practise y'all recall it is about that vocal that has allowed it to connect with listeners the mode it has?
KL: That vocal was written from a very real and personal perspective, and so unless people just actually dearest a pitiful song, I think it's considering there's something very relatable in the emotion and feelings behind the song.

PC: "Making Information technology Up" is a song that discusses traveling down an uncertain path and finding your style as you lot do it. How autobiographical in nature is that song? Why did you make up one's mind to get in the title rail of its EP?
KL: The song is very autobiographical, right downwardly to the line virtually Mexican beer. The idea came to me during a Terry Allen concert. During recording, I was originally thinking of calling the EP "Sad Songs & Waltzes." Withal, after the songs were finished "Making It Upwards" really stuck out equally a reoccurring theme, and seemed to invoke my whole arroyo to music, songwriting, and (sometimes) life.

PC: You lot're merely over a twelvemonth removed from the release of Making Information technology Up, where you had your greatest success to date. How encouraging is it for you to come across your success building as you keep to release new music? Is there a level of pressure level you feel to match or surpass the success of your previous project as you lot're working on new music?
KL: It'south extremely motivating to know that people are connecting with my music, and I'thou then thankful that I've had any amount of success come from information technology. Nevertheless, I believe most of the pressure I feel is self-imposed, and so it's important to keep in heed that I'chiliad only (generally) doing this for myself at the stop of the day.

PC: Your new single "One Long Sad Song" is i of our favorites in your catalog! Can you talk about the inspiration behind that song?
KL: I tend to detect a lot of condolement in sad songs; without explanation, it's like the music knows exactly how I feel; sometimes I'll play something on echo until I feel meliorate. However, I have to be careful when letting that emotion heal me, rather than consume me. Ultimately, information technology's a song well-nigh leaning into your feelings and finding understanding there.

PC: The field of study matter of your 2d new unmarried "Waiting in Line" feels as if it could be a sequel/response to "Making It Up." Exercise yous see it that way? If so, was information technology done intentionally or was it something that came together naturally?
KL: I actually never thought of it that style! To be honest, these songs were nearly finished before physical distancing went into effect in March. Instead of sitting on them, I figured they'd be a natural follow-up to my 2019 EP, and wanted to put them out during a time when people were accessing more digital content/outlets.

PC: The releases of "One Long Sad Vocal" and "Waiting In Line" come up nearly 7 years since you lot debuted yourself with Onetime Soul. Over that time, what is the the biggest thing you've learned about yourself along the way?
KL: I've definitely gained conviction, non only on stage, but equally a songwriter. Over the years, I've been able to shape my craft and progress. Plus, I've been able to refine and work on goals for my own music (like trying to get Lee Ann Womack to record one of my songs, haha).

PC: You were nominated for 2020 Honky Tonk Female at the Ameripolitan Awards. What does that kind of recognition mean to you? Is there a certain level of validation that comes with earning that nomination?
KL: I was surprised, only then honored to receive that nomination; not simply to have the consideration of Dale Watson and his squad, but to also meet and exist in the same category with musicians I really respect. As far as validation goes, the Ameripolitan scene is one that treats people like family, and I'm thankful to know I have a identify there.

PC: 2020 has altered many of the plans of artists so far. Of the things you can control, what are your plans for the rest of the year?
KL: Though 2020 altered my plans (and many others'), it'due south fabricated me realize that I desire to spend near of my free energy and the residuum of this year on songwriting, my master passion.

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*Images courtesy of Kathryn Legendre Facebook page*