[gallery type="slideshow" link="none" size="full" ids="148432"] What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?  I started playing guitar at age 14, I was inspired by Blink 182. I soon was more obsessed with writing and singing my own songs than learning covers. Without music I would probably be dead. It sounds dramatic but music is my lifeline in many ways.   What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity? I love to travel- sometimes this dovetails with touring. I am new at acting for screen and that's been an amazing new instrument to work on. It helps me feel refreshed in the music business to focus on a different industry and circle back.   How long has music been your career? I have been full time for 7 years. It's a blessing every day.   Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music? I lived in 6 states by the time I was 19, so movement is a part of me. I am currently living in Nashville. I love it here.   Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played. One of the best shows was this past month at Mile of Music in Appleton WI. Such great energy and people finally ready to vibe again at live shows. I don't want to rehash the worst shows, I've played over 1500 gigs so, I've had some ups and downs of course. Mostly it's been an amazing journey.   Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already? I love Buzzbin in Canton Ohio, it's the coolest rock club/pinball arcade/taco stand. I will play the Ryman someday. I want my Grammy in the front row. She's almost 94 so I better get at it.   If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket? Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, Ani Difranco, Stevie Wonder and Beyonce.   What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into music? Help others. It's a collaboration not a competition. Also it's not who you know, it's who knows you.   If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be? It's okay to be who you are. Love yourself, and stand up straight.   Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? I'm currently really stoked on Radio, I worked with my mentor June Millington (of the rock band Fanny), she schooled me in the island sounds and killer background vocals. Such a wealth of knowledge and badassery.   Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most? El Camino is always requested, I love to play whatever I get moved by on the spot, I'm very spontaneous. It gets me in trouble with bandmates.

What is the creative process for you, and what inspires you to write your music?

I will get inspired to find a quiet place and usually words and music spill out at the same time. I sometimes will work and work at writing a song or building a riff, just to abandon it after a few hours and write something great in 10 minutes. Riding the waves of flow state baby!

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Honesty. I like to tell it like it is, even if it's a painful story, the idea is to make the song groove and be happy with high energy, so we can work it all out. My joy is to hear my song stuck in someone's head, or to see the crowd moving with the rhythm .

Do you ever have disagreements when collaborating and how do you get past them?

Oh yeah! I think communication is key. Also sometimes you have to royally fuck something up, burn bridges, lose friends, but then you know how to do better in the future. I try to have patience with people and not hold grudges should something not work out as planned. I think I'm getting better and better at working with people I can vibe with, catching negativity early and staying on the up and up.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I am releasing a new album in November! I am so excited for "War in the Living Room" . It's been a long time coming, but it's coming out on vinyl!   Social Media Links: instagram.com/kristenfordmusicfacebook.com/thekristenfordhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/277P5A7cEQj8B4xfSfHyNJ?si=AUltowecRUewzEOn0AvH-A&dl_branch=1 www.kristenford.com