Having grown up around music, found her passion for creativity as a teen, and performed some of the most exhilarating live shows that audiences could ask for, New Mexico-born artist KODA! has known for many years what it takes to be a rock star. But the artist also knows a lot about carrying the weight of expectation and the efforts a musician goes to in order to stay original. Here’s an insight into the making of one of 2024’s most interesting emerging stars Grunge-rock/pop artist KOTA! is gearing up for the release of her debut album KOTA!’s Upbringing And Musical Introduction Born in Albuquerque to parents who were writers (screenwriting and non-fiction), KOTA! had an upbringing soaked in creativity. When she wasn’t hanging around film sets imbibing the visual arts, she was at home with her mom and dad, listening to the radio or to the records they played together as a family (Nirvana, The Offspring, and “the best grunge music of the ‘90s” were all prominently featured). This all informed the scope of KOTA!’s music knowledge. She took to writing songs right away (aged 5, she says), and she gratefully accepted an offer from a family friend for her to dabble in recording music in a home studio (aged 9). It was a match made in childhood heaven: she had a deep-seated passion for music, and she was also very, verytalented. By her teenage years, she was attending the Hollywood Pop Academy and taking piano lessons, while also playing in garage bands and developing an unstoppable live music persona. Breakthrough Artist But all of this aside, part of the reason why KOTA! is such an exciting prospect at the moment is because she has spent 15+ years doggedly pursuing her craft, and by the time she was ready to announce herself to the world, she had arrived at a unique sound (not to mention one of the most unforgettable fashion senses that you’re likely to come across). KOTA!’s music, including her 2024 singles ‘Killin’ It’ and ‘Dead Pretty’, show how she has nailed down an ear-catching pop sound laced with scorching grunge riffs. But the reason KOTA! is so exciting is largely because of how sharp her lyrics are and how seasoned she is as a musician. KOTA! has previously spoken about dealing with the weight of expectation as well as the work she has put into perfecting her music; this all comes through in the songs she’s putting out to the world at the moment. She’s worked hard, and 2024 appears to be the year she seriously announces herself to the world. At the present moment, KOTA! is gearing up for the release of her debut album (which will be named after herself, fittingly enough). The album release will be preceded by the release of two singles, titled ‘Under My Spell’ and ‘Eyes Wide Open,’ and it will be followed by more tour dates from KOTA! in the latter part of this year and the early part of 2025. KOTA! is a diligent, meticulous artist, and these next few months are where she’ll really shine. The post Kota!: Inside the Making of a Rock Artist Who’s Being Recording Songs Since the Age of 9 appeared first on LA Weekly.