Kathleen Elle has a gift for turning life’s most defining moments into music that resonates with honesty and heart. The New Jersey artist weaves personal experiences into her music, blending pop, folk, and pop-punk influences to create songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. Her sophomore album, Memory Lane, captures the highs and lows of love, change, and self-discovery, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys. Recorded at the legendary Blackbird Studio in Nashville, the album balances emotional depth with infectious hooks, proving that Kathleen’s sound continues to evolve while staying true to the heartfelt songwriting that defines her artistry. We sat down with Kathleen to talk about her sophomore release, Memory Lane.
1. TM: Can you start by telling us what started your musical journey?
KE: Music was something I was always drawn to. My parents will tell you I was singing before I was talking, my brother will tell you I never shut up! I took piano lessons when I was really young, then moved to guitar lessons at 10 years old, and once I learned enough chords to learn Taylor Swift songs I was completely hooked.
The thing that really changed music from being a hobby to a passion was taking an afterschool songwriting/composition course at my high school. That is where I learned about pop chord progressions, how to construct a catchy melody, and how the typical pop song is structured. It was like someone connected all the right wires and songs just started pouring out of me.
2. TM: You just released your sophomore album, Memory Lane. What inspired this record?
KE: This album is a collection of personal stories, with each song capturing a memory. It is extremely biographical about the love I found, lost, the heartbreak and hope, and all the lessons learned along the way. Memory Lane explores all the emotions in looking back, and using those memories as a way to go forward.
3. TM: What did your songwriting process look like for this album? Was any of it collaborative?
KE: My songwriting process for this album was much more diverse than previous works. Some of the songs started as cool chord progressions where the music told me where the story needed to go. Most of the songs started out as voice memos I recorded while driving, sometimes of just catchy melodies to put words to later and other times as cool phrases and clever one-liners that became flushed-out songs when I got back home. What really set this album apart for me was how much songwriting happened in the studio. For a few of the songs, the lyrics weren’t completely finished when I got down to Nashville, or harmony ideas weren’t flushed out, or countermelody parts for synths and guitars. And while it was stressful to think about having to get that all figured out in the time limit of studio time, it also made me rely on my instincts and cut down my overthinking and I feel that it made my songwriting more raw and relatable. Each day we were in the studio it was 12-14 hour days. It was so exhausting but so rewarding to simply get to create and be an artist during that time.
4. TM: This record was recorded and produced at the iconic Blackbird Studio in Nashville. What was this experience like? How did it differ from your previous NJ sessions?
KE: Recording at Blackbird Studio, to put it simply, is the dream. It is one of the most warm places to be, each studio having its own private hangout area, comfy couches, and kitchenette. It makes you feel like you're at home which is why I think so many stars choose to record there. And because you feel at home, it makes writing, creating, exploring, and recording feel so not intimidating. You are also surrounded by so much history there - like using a mic that Stevie Nicks likes to record with, in the room Taylor Swift recorded her vocals for the Red Album, playing a guitar that was made in 1930. It’s just an inspiring place to be in, and I feel so grateful to have been able to record there.
KE: Like most artists, it’s hard to pinpoint a favorite, especially on this album where I truly feel that each song is unique in its story and genre, but all have some of my best songwriting to date. I’m so proud of how every single song came out.
But if I have to choose one right now, I’d say the final track, "Goodnight" is one I’m particularly proud of. It’s a fairly simple song, written in full in one night, and follows a more folk style of songwriting. It’s a goodnight message to anyone who feels lost, scared, unheard, unseen, or forgotten, telling them they still have a friend even when life feels its loneliest - a message I'm sure we all can relate to.
TM: What is one song you wish Kathleen Elle wrote?
KE: "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. Man do I wish that I wrote that song! It is such the perfect feel-good anthem for literally everybody, but especially as a girl. There is nothing more freeing than belting that song with your friends. It’s the type of song that you can just vibe along to but also has the lyrical depth to inspire and uplift. In my opinion, it is a perfect song.
TM: What’s next for Kathleen Elle?
KE: The main goal I have right now is to make sure to get this album in front of as many people as possible. I spent such a long time “perfecting” it, and now that it’s out, I am hitting the ground running in promotion and performances. I’m getting a band together and planning on more original music performances. I also live stream 3-4 times a week on Twitch where viewers can request songs, chat, and directly support me and my music! https://Twitch.tv/kathleenelle
Listen to Memory Lane below!
Credits
Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Piano, Synths, Production: Kathleen Elle
Audio Engineer and Production, Bass: James Viega
Electric Guitar: Lucien Michael, Chris Condon
Saxophones: Zach Thompson
Piano: Chancellor Christian
Drums: Phil Lawson
Bass: Ethan Shull
Production/Percussion: Skyler Fortgang
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