We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Seattle Kay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Seattle, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
To keep my creativity thriving, I constantly seek out new concepts and ideas. One of the most exciting aspects of music composition, is the endless possibilities for creation. Whenever I find myself feeling uninspired or dealing with writer’s block, I turn to a song I deeply resonate with. Often, this triggers a flooding of new ideas, laying the groundwork for some of my best work. I also make it a point to explore new techniques and styles, often by studying the music of other artists. I truly believe every artist has something valuable to offer, and there’s always room to experiment and grow.
In addition to this approach, I have my own support system that plays a crucial role in maintaining my creative momentum. Whenever I feel uncertain about my work or myself, I share it—whether through a TikTok live, with friends, or with my band. The encouragement and feedback from loved ones always reinforces my belief that I am capable of achieving success. I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such a supportive community.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Music has always been the heartbeat of my life. From the highs to the lows, there’s always a song that captures the essence of every moment. I started songwriting as soon as I could speak, remembering and writing down my songs as soon as I could hold a pen. Growing up, my Hapa Joe and Grandma Darlene were my biggest musical influences, singing with me every night before bed. My grandparents have always been my biggest fans.
I pursued music throughout my entire childhood. As I grew in South Dakota, I realized there were limited opportunities to grow as an entertainer because of my location. After high school, I knew that if I was serious about pursuing a career in music, I needed to step outside of my comfort zone. I moved to Orlando, Florida, before turning 19. I immersed myself in entertainment roles at Universal Orlando. When the pandemic hit and Universal Closed, I turned to social media to keep my creativity flowing. What began as an outlet soon became a platform for new opportunities I never anticipated.
As my presence online grew, I connected with a producer in Colorado Springs who was interested in helping me produce an album. I moved to Colorado to bring my vision to life, and in 2024, I released my debut album with a full band in a live studio. It was an incredible milestone—one that still feels surreal. I’m grateful for every step of the journey, and I consider myself incredibly blessed to be where I am today.
As we head into 2025, my band and I are focused on performing as much as we can while creating new music. The band is a true blessing, with each member bringing their unique talents and passion to the table. Levi Morarie and Sophia Stout are a guitar duo like no other. Their different styles complement each other so seamlessly, you’d think they’ve been playing together for years. Liam Hughes is a musical wizard; mastering bass, guitar, keys, and any other instrument he picks up. Sara Jamieson, though the youngest in the group, brings a level of drumming skill and maturity that belies her age. She’s studying music and contributes to our sound in a huge way
We’re also thrilled to announce our upcoming performance at our very first music festival! The Seattle Kay Team is hosting a festival on June 6th, 2025, at D3 Arts, in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The event will feature some incredible Denver-based bands. Not only will a portion of the proceeds go to supporting the community, but we’ll also be providing essential resources to help those in need during these uncertain times. We can’t wait to perform our new set and connect with everyone at such a meaningful event!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I first started, I had no clue what I was doing, but I quickly learned that the key to growth was a mix of experience, hard work, and a few important lessons.
First, I learned that you can’t let others’ opinions dictate your journey. In creative fields, it’s easy to get caught up in judgment, but if you let it affect you, it will stifle your creativity. The beauty of art is that there will always be someone who resonates with your work, so focus on the supporters who genuinely connect with what you do. That’s where the motivation comes from.
Second, patience is crucial. Everyone’s on their own timeline, especially in the entertainment industry. Pressuring yourself with artificial deadlines or rushing through work only takes the joy out of it. Trust the process, and take your time to create art that reflects your true self.
Lastly, embrace being “cringe” — it’s part of the growth process. You have to make those awkward, imperfect things before you can find your unique voice. Those early, cringe-worthy moments are often what push you to develop your style and gain the confidence to create freely.
To those just starting out, my advice is simple: Don’t overthink, don’t fear imperfection, and trust your own journey. The world is richer when everyone expresses their creativity.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The past year has been a huge period of growth for me, both personally and professionally. After dropping our album, life threw some unexpected challenges my way, and I found myself feeling really discouraged about my music career. My bandmates, who I had written the album with, decided to focus on their own project, “Surprise Soup.” While it was tough, I’m incredibly proud of everything they’ve accomplished. Watching their success has been a highlight of my year.
This experience taught me that the journey in music isn’t always smooth, and you have to learn how to roll with the punches. After reflecting on what I truly want, I made the difficult decision to start a new band — one that I’m genuinely excited and proud to be a part of. Our sound has evolved in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and the chemistry in the group is undeniable. We work together like family, and everyone is deeply committed to creating music for as long as we can.
Through all of this, I’ve learned how to set boundaries and step into a more confident leadership role within the band. I’ve realized that sometimes, making tough decisions is necessary for growth, and while it’s been a challenge as a natural people-pleaser, it’s been an important push for me. I’m more excited than ever about what the future holds with all the lessons I’ve learned
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.seattlekay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seattlekay/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SeattleKay
- Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2nHPMQQw0w3kLRFWPg3UHR?si=wT1BqS3oQ2SaDZkDmNPFuA&nd=1&dlsi=4cdcafb754e94830
Image Credits
Credit to my amazing managers :: Iz Grey and Marco Ramirez
Credit to the band :: Sara Jamieson, Liam Hughes, Sophia Stout, Liam Morarie
Credit to our personal photographer and biggest fan :: Micaiah Harness (Moctography)
Credit to other photographers included :: Joshua Lindquist and RockonColorado
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.