Kristine Mirelle

No Stopping Now

When did you first get into music?

When I was four years old, my mom told me I was going to start piano lessons. I still remember my little feet dangling off the chair in our kitchen and me saying that I didn’t want to. I just remember she said I had to take it for one year and then could quit after that! I was sure I was going to quit... that was 30 years ago lol. I fell in love with music and never stopped.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I just knew it was something that I loved to do... as much as many people say to have a back up plan... I knew I didn’t want to. When. you have back up plans, you end up going with the back up plan. Its like a safety net.... and when people know they have a safety net, they don’t give it everything they have. I decided I wanted to do music no matter what happened because nothing else could make me happy

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/writing music?

As I’ve “grown up” I’ve been more raw in my lyrics. In my most recent album I talked about growing up, having guns pointed in my face, dealing with abusive boyfriends, pressures of looking a certain way as a female, losing my best friend, dealing with demons, and even dealing with the intense fear I have of ever being broke and homeless again. It’s a lot, and maybe too much information to share with people, but it was a release for me. It felt good to be open about things I didn’t normally talk about.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

My favorite moment was probably when I share the stage with artists Mario, Brian McKnight, Faith Evans, Lil Kim, Jagged Edge, and Musiq Soulchild in New York in front of 20,000 people. I opened the show and I just remember how I got the entire stadium to sing a long with me... its the best feeling: Making people feel comfortable enough to sing at the top fo their lungs. And I’ve also had some other favorite moments were also performing in small lounges and then doing impromptu performances that were not planned. I was once performing in Malibu, CA and Robin Thick joined me next to my piano and sang a Marvin Gaye song while I accompanied him. Most people didn’t even realize it was him because it was just in a small non-assuming restaurant... and for that reason, it was even more entertaining :)

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Definitely Joy :) I’ll also add, that EVERY business is tough. Entertainment isn’t any more tough than the business of being in accounting. There are highs, lows, competitors, and fans. I’m a big believer that everyone creates their own world, and if you believe its tough, than it is. But If you believe its a big beautiful fun adventure, then although it can be difficult at times, you’ll enjoy and appreciate it for all that it is.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

When I moved to Hollywood everyone said, “aren’t you scared? There is so much competition?”. I was never scared because I know there are a lot of people who claim to want to be successful in this industry but very few people master their craft or work very hard. Rather, they do just enough to get a little attention and hope that someone comes and creates their career for them. For me, I’ve done almost 400 Paid shows in just one year... without a record label, manager, or anything like that. 99.9% of people will never work as hard as me... so that’s what makes me special and unique. There are a million talented people in this industry but it doesn’t matter... just because you’re talented doesn’t mean you deserve success.

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer/musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

The only walls that exist are the ones we build... and perspective is a big decider of whether challenges will get the best of us. I spent a good part of my life without a home, with no money, and tons of credit card debt. I’ve been through very rough times, and I’ve been through times where I had absolutely nothing. I didn’t have parents who gave me money, and financially, was in poverty for most of my adult life. But rather than see it through the perspective that I didn’t have much, I felt like I had everything. I had a talent I worked so hard for that no person could every just “buy”... I had earned it. I knew because we didn’t have money growing up, all I had was a piano... so I played the piano hours and hours every day for almost my entire childhood... that would mean I had a huge advantage over other people who did not master a talent. And I stuck with it, and later, created a very successful music career where I’ve now traveled 6 continents, I’ve seen the world through music, and don’t have to have another job. I just get to do what I love :) I still have A LOT of things I want to accomplish in life, but I will say, that just to arrive at a place where I can make a living with my passion feels pretty darn good.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I don’t believe there ever has to be suffering for something you love. Did I suffer? Absolutely. But that’s because I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t have a plan, I didn’t treat my music as a business. I spent a great part of my life hoping someone would discover me and do all the work for me. It wasn’t until I took my career into my own hands and took on the responsibility and said, “no matter what happens in your life, its your fault”, so whether good or bad, I took responsibility for it.... and my life changed drastically for the better. Its hard to look at yourself and stop blaming others or the world for your shortcomings, but when you finally come to the realization that you have all the power to change your life, than you can really begin to build your life and shape it into what you want it to be.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

It’s given us the opportunity to reach the entire world. It’s also eliminated the need for labels so every artist has the opportunity to create a successful independent music career.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

I’ve gone live and take requests from my followers every now and then. I once did it while I was sitting in a restaurant with my brother and started singing to my phone right there in the middle of lunch. Within about 20 minutes, we had gotten 20,000 views. It was pretty interesting to see what was possible.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

I wouldn’t change anything about the industry... I would change people’s perspectives about the industry. I once posted a video of me talking about how I built my music career and it was so so interesting One person said, “yeah its easy for you to say this, you’re a woman. If I was a woman it would be easy for me to get fans too”. Then the very next comment was, “No, but its so hard to be a woman in the industry. If I was a man, people would take me seriously”. Do you see how its totally up to us to decide what we believe about things? Two completely different perspectives and BOTH OF THEM came up with exact opposite reasons as to why they could not succeed. I’ve built a career saying, “Allright, what’s going on in entertainment and how can I conquer it and strategize how to succeed through it” rather than “how can I complain and find an excuse to blame someone”. This type of mentality will separate those who succeed and those who do not.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Stevie Wonder “Songs in the key of live”. TLC’s “Fan Mail”, Amy Winehouse “Back to Black”, Lauryn Hill “Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” and then probably Monica “the boy is mine” or Hozier’s album “Hozier”. All of these albums are so great... great music, great writing, and so much soul.

What is the best advice you have received?

This may seem super simple, but Nike’s “Just do it” is epic. Life doesn’t have to be complicated, you don’t have to know what you’re doing exactly, but if you want to make something happen, just friggin do it. Make it happen and figure it out. I also love the question, “Do you want to make history or do you want to make excuses”? It’s your choice. Which one do you want to do?

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album? Or something different?

I’m working currently on an English/Spanish project. I’ve been producing most of it as well as writing each song. Its mostly just funny and humorous and I’m really enjoying it because my favorite thing to do is to make people happy. Performing for people is one of the best feelings because you get to see your own talent and gifts, create an experience for others where they. can forget about life for a while :) I look forward to doing that with this album because its just so fun, and I’m going back to my Latin roots which is something I feel really great about.

What’s next for you?

Apart from creating my own music, I started an online business where I help other artists create music careers too. I’ve written books, created courses, and even hold live trainings where I show artists how I set up 25 city tours, or make money performing and more. It’s been exciting to share everything that I know with other artists.. I plan on continuing to create my own art, while showing others how they can promote their own.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music and career?

For both my music and more info on how I help other artists, I keep most updates on my Instagram at @KristineMirelle. My music is on KristineMirelle.com and my books and resources for artists are on GigMagicSystem.com