Meet Kelsey Aloe

We were lucky to catch up with Kelsey Aloe recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelsey, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I try to recognize all of my achievements, regardless of their size—whether it be as tiny as going to the gym after a long day at work or as massive as my glute growth over the years.

Celebrating my wins reminds me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. I can write an original song with my ukulele. I can sculpt the physique I’ve dreamed of at the gym. I can make a viral video of myself reciting Eric Cartman’s Chili Con Carnival monologue [insert link: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyaloe/reel/DExxLQcS4ZL/?hl=en] from South Park word for word.

The latest win I’ve celebrated was my first-ever show, which took place this year on September 27th at Cocoa Legato.

When I moved to Seattle last year, I vowed to myself I’d have my own live show so I’d have a more… appropriate setting to perform my music.

My songs aren’t exactly open-mic friendly. Rapping about my juicy bum or how much of a bimbo I am is, at best, an unexpected palate cleanser to the heartfelt, acoustic music that dominates the local Seattle scene. At worst, my songs are a jarring, lascivious display of self-love—or, to the more critical eye, self-obsession.

Having the chance to showcase my music without feeling like I was killing the vibe at open mics became my top priority. I threw myself into the local scene, attending as many open mic nights and live shows as I could to meet and learn from the established local talent.

Eventually, I got the opportunity to do a show at Cocoa Legato. The gig was daunting—my first-ever 45-minute set. The longest set I’d ever done at that point was just 15 minutes. Still, there was no way I could pass this up.

I rehearsed almost every night for a month. I pranced around my livingroom in heels as I spat bars about running over my enemies with a car. I dusted off my old ukulele to accompany a couple of tender ballads I had on my set list, including an original yearning for better treatment from an ex. With my limited dance experience, I choreographed “moves” I’d hit for certain lyrics, including booty shaking to my most popular single, “bum.”

All of it paid off on show night, when I performed to an almost sold-out audience of friends, fans, and fellow artists. I’ve been aching to relive that high ever since.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a small, Seattle-based rapper and pop vocalist. I make music for hotties who like to party and bask in their self-love.

I moved to Seattle last year from Orange County, where I attended college. I was born and raised in Arcadia, a suburb in Los Angeles. Growing up, music and performing had always been a creative outlet for me.

According to my parents’ home videos, my four-year-old self forced everyone at our Thanksgiving party to listen to me sing Disney songs over my CD player. “Reflection” from Mulan was the biggest hit of the night. It even brought tears my tito’s eyes.

My mom and dad love rewatching that home video. Not only was I adorable but it was also the moment they discovered my natural love of performing, a quality many Filipino parents seem to value, as my fellow Pinoys know. (Uy, Philippines!)

My love for live performing only grew in high school when I became a theater kid—a fact that surprises almost no one when I tell others. I also started writing my first originals on my ukulele then—back when Grace Vanderwaal and acoustic YouTube covers had us all in a chokehold.

Of course, as I’ve grown, my tastes have changed. My biggest musical influences now are Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Ayesha Erotica. I become my hottest, most confident self when I listen to their music. Their catchy beats paired with their sexy, hilarious, and empowering lyrics really get me through the day. If I can make my listeners feel the same way when they hear my songs, then I would have done my main duty as an artist.

My discography right now only consists of five tracks. I’m currently working on a project that will double the amount of my songs. Releasing next year, it’ll be a collection of singles from varying genres—from city pop to indie hip hop—all wrapped up under a mixtape titled “tf is this.”

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Although I’m early in my music career, the following qualities have helped me achieve several milestones as a new artist.

Obsession

I am not a casual fan. If I like a piece of media, it becomes my entire personality for however many months it takes for me to find my next obsession. And that manifests in my music.

I never miss a chance to reference my favorite shows in my songs. In “bum,” I liken the size of my behind to the physique of Eric Cartman, despite his insistence on not being fat, but big-boned. In “b.m.w.,” I admit that I pretend to be more stupid than I am to get free drinks at bars; I compare myself to Breaking Bad’s Walter White, who uses his reputation as a harmless, naive, cancer patient to hide from the law for so long. Though Walter White and I have very different ambitions, we both advance our goals by feigning ignorance.

I approach my own work with the same level of obsession. I pore over my lyrics for hours on end, determined to find the one word that will perfect that one bar. I skim through seasons of South Park and Breaking Bad to find the exact line that could be a sound effect on a beat.

It’s a blessing and a curse, but also driving force for my creativity. If you can relate, embrace your obsessive tendencies. Let the fangirl inside you guide your art—she may be a freak but she’s lowkey onto something.

Curiosity

Being curious has led me to pick up skills that have helped me actualize the visual component of my artistry. For instance, learning how to edit videos for fun has allowed me a lot of creative control over my music video for “hit and run,” [insert link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYAPCWTlgMk&list=RDVYAPCWTlgMk&start_radio=1&pp=ygUXa2Vsc2V5IGFsb2UgaGl0IGFuZCBydW6gBwE%3D] in which I—as you can guess—run over a character who arguably deserves it.

The music video, my first ever, released this year. Aside from telling the story of my single, the video fulfills my sick fantasy of looking sexy while covered in blood.

If you have a skill like video editing that you’ve been wanting to learn, but are afraid to do so because it doesn’t seem relevant to what you’re currently pursuing, learn it anyway. You never know when it’ll come handy. It could just help you bring your mildly concerning dreams to life.

Discipline

Self-discipline is probably the least romantic part about excelling at anything, but it’s (unfortunately) the most important.

Without discipline, I wouldn’t have had a live show worth going to. I wouldn’t have more than tripled my social media following over the past year (from 150 followers to over 600 on Instagram—another small win). I wouldn’t have enlarged glutes as well as a two-pack (and a prospective four-pack if I keep at it with my ab routine).

As much I love to bed rot for hours on end, I prefer the pain of discipline rather than the pain of regret. So more often than not, I choose discipline. The locking in for a few hours hurts a lot less than the agony of wasted potential.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

Too many people come to mind.

My partner, of course, for being my rock, emotionally and financially.

My parents, who taught me what good work ethic looks like.

All my beautiful besties in California, who have been there for me for every high and crashout. I will never get tired of twerking for you.

My talented artist friends, including:
* JETTY, [insert link: https://www.tiktok.com/@jettysound] whose dark, cinematic, EDM tracks warrant festival-level production caliber.
* KAAMZ, [insert link: https://www.tiktok.com/@kaamzmusic] whose unforgettable bars and flow land with any genre she tackles, whether it be alternative hip hop or indie pop rap.
* Nedy Johnson, [insert link: https://www.instagram.com/nedy.johnson/?hl=en] a soul pop vocalist with magnetic stage presence whose work tells a powerful story.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyaloe/?hl=en
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/kelsey-aloe
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kelseyaloe

Image Credits

Photo 1 – Gabe Michael Photography
Photo 2 – Gabe Michael Photography
Photo 3 – Gabe Michael Photography
Photo 4 – Jonah Przybyszewski
Photo 5 – Jonah Przybyszewski
Photo 6 – Jonah Przybyszewski
Photo 7 – Alyssa Liu
Photo 8 – Maison Tran