Karly R Interview

Conducted by Bethany M

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in the industry?

I think that it was a number of things. Because at first, I wanted to be the one on stage. But then I was facing struggles with anxiety and depression. I realized that that was probably not the best route for me to go around maybe sophomore year. And then I got a summer apprenticeship at a theater where I was doing social media. I just really loved what I did there. Then I got a couple more internships where I was doing the same type of work, but in music. I just really fell in love with that. I realized that it was very similar to what I've already been doing on my own accord since I was like 16. Because as a high schooler, I would run Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande fan pages. I was like, I want to keep doing more of this. Also, just like seeing the current state of the industry and seeing how a lot of major labels treated their artists, especially, how smaller artists often get thrown to the side. I was like, well, I want to do the opposite.

What has been your favorite part about working in the industry?

I think just seeing how the work that I directly contributed to helps an artist accomplish their dreams. Either playing a show that they want to play or just getting their music in front of the fans that really need to hear whatever messages and stories they are writing about. I know for me, like, back when I was like 13, that's how I felt about Taylor and Ariana, who just kind of started my whole love for the industry at such a young age, whether I realized it or not. Like I really needed to hear everything that they were writing about in their songs. How these messages reached me at the right time in my life and knowing that I get to help artists do that with the fandom that they are actively building right now it's just it it feels so full circle

Have you faced any challenges in the industry and have you overcome them?

I'm not saying this to diss any one particular person, but the industry can be tough, not everyone is in it for the right reasons. When you're first starting out, it's very hard to find work where you're compensated fairly. You have to really stand your ground, know your worth, and not take the first opportunity offered to you. I think dealing with the dog-eat-dog mentality that some people have makes it even harder to find fair compensation.

What is a goal you have for yourself either this year or in the next few years?

I think a long term goal would definitely be to go on tour with someone as their official tour photographer, because I've fallen in love with photography and exploring what I want to do in the industry. I think if I could pick one long term career right now, it would be that. I think as for a short term goal, just finding a project, either a freelance project or a part-time or full-time job that just allows me to use everything I learned in school and combine my passions to help an artist out.