For Karen Waldrup, there’s only one way to go, and it’s up. The Louisiana native is back with “Breakthrough,” a new single that reflects not only her growth as an artist, but as a person as well.
“I had gone through a really hard time and after I came out of it, I was holding on to some pain that I needed to let go of,” Karen told Everything Nash. “I had lost faith in trusting people and I was hanging on for no reason. I woke up one day and went for a workout and it was in that moment that I forgave. In the middle of doing the workout at the gym in the class I just immediately was filled with forgiveness out of nowhere.”
Karen wrote “Breakthrough” later that day, with co-writers Adam Searan and Jessa Innella. The song is a bit less country, and bit more rock, than some of what Karen has released in the past, which she says is less a deviation for her, and more a way for her to color outside the genre lines of country music.
“I wrote ‘Breakthrough’ for me and sang it live for me and people liked it, so I thought it would be fun to release it,” Karen explained. “My opinion is that there are many colors in the crayon box. I like to enjoy making art from all the different colors and I think ‘Breakthrough’ is an example of that. The driving melody, the feel-good spirit and the vibe work well as a dance track.
“I plan on experimenting with lots of different sounds through my career,” she continued. “Why not try a little gospel, EDM, bluegrass? Part of the fun of making music is to mix it up and it’s one of the great benefits to making music during this time. I am true to my Karen Waldrup sound which is much more country soul. ‘Breakthrough’ makes me want to forgive and let go and that’s the point.”
Karen hoped to be on the road performing “Breakthrough” right now, but COVID-19 has derailed those plans, for her and virtually every other artist, of every genre, right now. Still, Karen refuses to be deterred by the unexpected change in plans.
“We, like most musicians, have had our live show experience taken from us this spring and summer, and I think we have done a great job doing music online to get people through the hard times,” Karen acknowledged. “Now that people are willing to go out a little more, we still don’t think they will want to go out in massive numbers. We have done tons of giveaways online, have been playing music online and have even grown my Facebook Supporter page which helps to support me in making new music. From here we just do the best we can with the online opportunities we have until we can do more.”
Karen has also been writing and recording, even doing some of the new songs in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. She is also finding a way to engage her large, and growing, fanbase, especially while everyone is self-isolating at home.
“As far as COVID-19, there is nothing we can do to forecast when the traditional live show will start again,” Karen admitted. “We don’t know when people will be ready to go back to big crowds so why not bring the music to the people? We are launching HomeFest- a chance for the fans and 25 fo their closest friends to have me and a few of the players in my band come play at their homes acoustic. We can play at their businesses or wherever they want to gather 25 people.
“The great thing about it is that we can still play music and still keep everyone safe all at the same time,” she added. “I am focusing on growing my online social media, making positive music for people to enjoy during this hard time all while not losing focus on creating the music for tomorrow.”
Updates on Karen’s touring schedule, as well as social media channels and links to download or stream “Breakthrough,” can all be found by visiting her website.