"I think every situation is different. For me, if the right opportunity presented itself, then [signing] would definitely be something that I would entertain. But right now, I'm pretty much a self-contained artist and I'm loving the fact that I'm able to do that and it's working for me. You hear the good stories about the artists who are happy with their record deals, and then you hear about the artists that got the crappy side of the deal and my heart goes out to any of those people, because you're dealing with people's dreams and emotions.
"We definitely have conversations and we're on certain people's radar, but you look at a Linkin Park and a lot of these bands, they did what I'm doing. They built from the ground up. They built a name for themselves. They built a fan base and they got out there. And when you do that as an artist, you get a lot more respect, and it can ensure you a little bit of that longevity, because I don't want to be that artist who is here today and gone tomorrow. I'm not looking for five minutes of fame. I'm looking for a career in music and to be able to express myself through my music."
When you speak with Kline, you get the feeling that she could talk about music nonstop. Her passion is obvious, and she feels very strongly about some of the mistakes made by the industry in recent years.
"I feel like where music is at, not all of it, but some of it, it's been about the marketing and the look, rather than the actual art of the music, and I think that has caused the music industry to suffer," Kline says. "That's one thing that really saddens me very deeply because there's Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera and John Mayer, those artists like that are a handful — the true artists. And while they also have the look, it's really the true raw talent that they have. It's not about, Oh, they look hot and they're out there in their frickin' underwear performing. That's not what it's about for me. I love true artistry. That's what saddens me about the music industry — we've forgotten what it's all about. Janis Joplin didn't look like that back in the day — know what I'm saying?"
Much of Kline's desire and dedication is drawn from the strength that she developed as a child, where she grew up in a divorced family. Her mom worked full-time, while her dad lived several hours away in Austin.
"I was one of those types of kids that had to raise themselves," she recalls of her childhood. "I definitely had to put on a big girl's pants at an early age and take care of myself. For me, growing up like that made me the person that I am. You go through those trials and tribulations and it makes you that much of a stronger person."
For Kline, those same experiences have led to the strong songwriting skills that she is known and respected for.
"I think that's the beautiful thing about music, and I think that's why so many people are passionate about music, whether you play it or just listen to it," says Kline. "When you turn on the radio and you hear a song that you can relate to, you say, 'Oh my God, I feel like they wrote that for me. I can relate to that.'
"I always get people asking me, 'Oh, I have a great song for you, can I write a song for you?' I'm always extremely flattered, but to be honest with you, that's what makes me able to get those skeletons out of my closet and work through my emotions and what I'm feeling. For me, it's kind of like a relief. I don't ever write a song like, 'OK, are people going to get this?' I just write what I feel, and as long as it comes from the heart, it's going to be well-received anyway because it's true, and it's genuine, and it's not contrived."
- Comment
