Meet Klarissa | Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Klarissa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Klarissa, why did you pursue a creative career?
Truthfully, I feel less that I chose this path and feel more that I was created for this path. My brain is wired creatively, and that has been evident since I was young. As a child I wrote songs as a form of self-expression. I wrote songs about things that moved me, inspired me, made me happy, or brought me to tears. In 4th or 5th grade, I was gifted a camera, and I began to take pictures of the things we as adults often miss, such as flowers budding in the springtime, or the droplets of dew on a blade of grass. The mundane things tend to catch my eye. I find particular beauty in everyday things, and I enjoy describing the beauty of the human experience through music. So when I say that I was created for an artistic career, whether I chose to actively pursue creative endeavors or not, creativity has always been inside of me. The word authenticity has been thrown around often in discussions on marketing, branding, and artistry. However, there is truly something to be said about staying on a path that is for you. The choice of pursuing a creative career was mainly accepting that whether I chose to share my art with the world or not, the vision and creativity that has always flown inside of me would always live there.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am Klarissa, and I am a singer-songwriter originally from St. Louis, MO. Inspired by soul, r&b, and gospel music, the music I write has messages that make people feel heard, seen, known, and loved. My hope is that people find something they can relate to in my music. In August of 2023, I released a single “Loveyourflaws” that explores the ideas of self-love, perfectionism, and loving others. The most exciting part of the journey so far has been hearing how the music I have written has impacted people. The response I have gotten from “Loveyourflaws”, in particular, has reminded me of my “why”. I have been able to have conversations about how social media and societal expectations have impacted people’s self esteem. The conversations and seeing the impact makes the work worth it.

Recently, I was invited to sing the National Anthem at Globe Life Field for the Texas Rangers. I also released a single this month called “Thin Line” on all streaming platforms. Inspired by soul, r&b, and gospel music, this song is based on the affirmations I speak over myself regularly to keep me going when the days get long. It tells the story of finding your why, choosing discipline, and staying steadfast in your unique path. It highlights the late nights, early mornings, and discovering that choosing comfort over your purpose is never worth it. My hope is that this song will remind listeners that their work will be worth it. I am working on additional projects that I am excited to share more about on my social media accounts in the coming months.

New song link : https://music.apple.com/us/album/thin-line-single/1707530870

The journey to where I am at now has been fulfilling, but it has had its hard moments. I began taking voice lessons as a child, and I went on to study classical voice. Between rehearsals, performing, and working a day job, my days can be long. I have learned that there is not one way to be an artist or a creative, which means that I am continually charting my own path. It takes mental stamina to keep having faith while walking on a path when I cannot see where the path ends. However, I am getting used to learning to take the next step even if I cannot see the ten steps after that first step.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I was to give a tour of Dallas, my first thought is food. I consider myself a foodie, and I love exploring new places. Some spots on my list to eat would be Lombardi Cucina, Davio’s Steakhouse, and Ellie’s Restaurant and Lounge. I think that you cannot be in Dallas and not listen to live music, so we would have to take a stop at Chocolate Secrets, one of my favorite places to hear local artists.

White Rock Lake is another of my favorite places in the area. You can find people kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, and having picnics. A few months ago, I attended an open mic at the lake hosted by Come Free Collective, and happened upon the Bath House Cultural Center. I learned that they have a black box theater and art exhibitions. White Rock Lake is a place where you can stay for an hour kayak ride or be engaged in outdoor recreation for hours. It has become one of my favorite places in the Dallas area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have had phenomenal mentors along the way who have guided me on this path. However, one of the unsung heroes behind my success has been my mom. The journey of performing has been full of performances, traveling, and crazy schedules. From taking me to rehearsals, to bringing me dinner at practice, to driving through the night to make it to auditions, my parents have made sure that I have had every opportunity to pursue music.

Website: New Music “Loveyourflaws” — Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/album/10Noajm5GtpixCER5LmxsU Apple : https://music.apple.com/us/album/loveyourflaws/1697213541?i=1697213542