Katie Underwood - I Believe That Natural Talent Is Only the Start of a Good Career in Music (Musician From Australia)

I have always been drawn to music and started singing very young. My parents supported me by offering piano lessons at age 6 and I progressed to the school choir at 9. This love of music performance blossomed quickly and at 11 years old I was allowed to sing as a soloist to an audience of 2000 people - my first really large event. 

I think this was the first hint for me that bigger things were coming. I continued singing in choirs for another 5 years before taking a break from music at age 16 to complete my senior schooling.

Tell us more about your background and journey.

I was born in Adelaide but residing now in Melbourne, Australia with my family of two children, (twin girls) aged 10. Professionally I have done many things in my time but currently working as a Musician, Sound Healer, Massage Therapist and Meditation Teacher. 

I host regular live sound healing and meditation events across Melbourne, Online classes sharing my love of mantra and sound healing, as well as private sessions of massage, Reiki and sound therapy. 

I also have a background in the pop music industry and was made 'famous' during my time in Australian pop group Bardot, in 2000, as featured in the hit TV series Popstars.



When did you first decide you wanted to pursue music and how did you start?

I have always been drawn to music and started singing very young. My parents supported me by offering piano lessons at age 6 and I progressed to the school choir at 9. This love of music performance blossomed quickly and at 11 years old I was allowed to sing as a soloist to an audience of 2000 people - my first really large event. 

I think this was the first hint for me that bigger things were coming. I continued singing in choirs for another 5 years before taking a break from music at age 16 to complete my senior schooling. My professional music career began again after moving to Melbourne, now in my early 20's and joined a jazz band. Soon after, auditioning for 'Popstars', and moved to Sydney to join the 5-girl pop band Bardot, which went on to become a national
sensation.

Who is your favourite artist and why?

There are so many artists I admire, it's difficult to pick just one. Deva Premal is an artist who has inspired my own passionate appreciation and creation of mantra-based music. She performs her music live in such an authentic and collaborative way, it truly inspires me to do the same. I find this very different from the Pop music industry where the bulk of the appeal is in the marketing of a persona that is often not a true reflection of self. 

At 45 years of age now, I find I have less tolerance for being anything other than myself - and for me, that is important to model to my young daughters, who look to me to guide them.

Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a singer?

As a singer, I have had many wonderful opportunities to collaborate with other talented singers and musicians on a variety of music recordings and events. 

Some of my career highlights include travelling overseas to London to perform on UK TV, singing jazz for Bill Clinton as a star-studded Gala event, performing in East Timor with the Australian Army band for Australian peace-keeping troops and East Timorese locals and singing live on Carols in the Domain, several times to a live audience of over 100,000 people. Musical genres I have sung include pop, dance, jazz, blues, hip hop, indie-rock and relaxation/meditation music.

Is formal training required or can one train themselves purely based on talent?

I believe that natural talent is only the start of a good career in music. To become truly great at anything - singing or otherwise - formal training and guidance is always beneficial. I learned most of what I know about singing from my early years in choir. 

There is so much to know about good breathing, vocal health, harmony, improvisation, rhythm, performance - and I am still learning to this day. I think the best teachers are also eternal students.

What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?

Know your craft and try to be the best that you can be. Resist the urge to compare yourself to others - there is only one unique you. Discover and develop your unique style and what it is you have to offer the world. Be willing to keep learning, stay humble and stay healthy - body, mind and soul.

Which is your favourite book and why?

The Celestine Prophecy is an old favourite and one that helped to shift and inspire the course of my life. It encouraged me to tune into daily synchronicities and opportunities. 

To be open, grateful and aware - and to trust that if my values and my mission are aligned in truth and sincerity, that there will always be people willing to help along the way. My best life is achieved by constantly and consistently striving to be my best self - healthy, happy and spiritually connected.


Listen her music on Spotify

Interviewed by - Saba Parveen